Difference Between Lutheran and Christian
Christianity is a major world religion with over 2 billion followers globally. Although the majority of Christians are members of the Roman Catholic Church, there are various other denominations and churches within Christianity. One such church is the Lutheran Church, which shares similarities with the Roman Catholic Church but remains a separate denomination within Christianity. This article will discuss the differences in beliefs, doctrines, and practices between an ordinary Christian and a Lutheran.
Who is a Lutheran?
A Lutheran is a Christian who believes in the teachings of Martin Luther, a German monk who tried to reform the church from within but was ultimately driven out. In 1521, Martin Luther pinned his 95 Theses to reform the church, as he felt that several practices and dogmas, such as the practice of indulgence, were inconsistent with the Holy Bible. As expected, he faced strong opposition from the church and clergy, which led his followers to establish their own Church, now known as the Lutheran Church. Martin Luther is considered the father of the reformist movement in Christianity, and the first Lutherans are believed to be the oldest of all Protestants.
Who is a Christian?
When discussing Christians without any suffixes or prefixes, it typically refers to a person who is a follower of the Roman Catholic Church and believes in Papal supremacy or authority. There are over a billion people who can be considered Christian per this definition, constituting a vast majority of people professing Christianity, even though they may belong to different denominations and churches. A Roman Catholic does not recognize other denominations and considers only the Roman Catholic Church as the true Church of Jesus Christ.
If you are a Roman Catholic, you believe that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church founded by Jesus Christ himself and that the Pope is the successor of Saint Peter. A Christian in this sense also believes in the principle of the Trinity, with the existence of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The relationship between these three can be understood by examining The Shield of the Trinity. A Catholic Christian differs from others in that they identify the Pope as the authority to decipher scriptures and a link between God and the faithful. Papal primacy is the distinguishing feature of Christianity in the narrow sense of the term.
Key Takeaways
- A Lutheran is a Christian who follows the teachings of Martin Luther, while a Christian is a follower of the Roman Catholic Church and believes in Papal supremacy or authority.
- Lutheran is a separate Church or denomination within Christianity, while the term “Christian” encompasses all branches, including Lutherans.
- Both Lutherans and Christians believe in the principle of the Trinity, but Catholics identify the Pope as the authority to decipher scriptures and a link between God and the faithful.
