A Brief History on Martin Luther and the Beginnings of the Lutheran Church
The beginning of Lutheranism cannot be separated from the story of the man Martin Luther. After a near death experience in a severe storm, Luther abandoned his studies as a law student in 1505 to become a monk within the Augustinian Order. Seeking personal salvation through this religious life, he devoted himself totally and intensely to the discipline and was ordained a priest in 1507.
His superiors recognized Luther's intellectual capacity, however, and he began studies leading to the degree of Doctor of Theology. A short time later, in 1511, he was called to the recently established University of Wittenberg as a professor and pastor of the Castle Church. Intensive study of the Psalms and the Epistle to the Romans led Luther to an understanding of Justification by Faith alone.
The Roman Church's practice of the sale of indulgences for the forgiveness of sins seemed to be in direct conflict with the free Grace of God which Luther had rediscovered. He issued an open challenge to debate this and other issues by posting his famous 95 Theses of Contention to the Castle Church door on October 31, 1517. Little did Luther know at the time, that this action would start the Reformation.
Luther's teaching, preaching and writing against what he believed to be corrupt practices of the Roman Church brought Luther into direct conflict with the hierarchy. Desiring to reform the Church from within, he found himself out of it, being officially excommunicated by the Roman Church in 1520. Luther was given the opportunity to recant his teachings by Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521, where Luther famously replied, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain Reason -- and not by Popes and Councils who have so often contradicted themselves -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me."
Under the protection of Duke Frederick in Wittenberg, Luther continued his teachings and writing, convincing many of the truth of his doctrine. One of these, Philip Melanchthon, a young fellow professor at the university, began to work with Luther and later became Luther's successor in the Reformation. It was Melanchthon who took Luther's place when the German princes met with Emperor Charles in 1530, attempting to reconcile the theological differences between the Roman Church and the followers of Luther. When this failed, Melanchthon drafted the first Lutheran confession of faith, known as the Augsburg Confession in 1530. It was signed by all the princes and was presented to the Emperor. The "Lutheran Church" had officially begun.
His superiors recognized Luther's intellectual capacity, however, and he began studies leading to the degree of Doctor of Theology. A short time later, in 1511, he was called to the recently established University of Wittenberg as a professor and pastor of the Castle Church. Intensive study of the Psalms and the Epistle to the Romans led Luther to an understanding of Justification by Faith alone.
The Roman Church's practice of the sale of indulgences for the forgiveness of sins seemed to be in direct conflict with the free Grace of God which Luther had rediscovered. He issued an open challenge to debate this and other issues by posting his famous 95 Theses of Contention to the Castle Church door on October 31, 1517. Little did Luther know at the time, that this action would start the Reformation.
Luther's teaching, preaching and writing against what he believed to be corrupt practices of the Roman Church brought Luther into direct conflict with the hierarchy. Desiring to reform the Church from within, he found himself out of it, being officially excommunicated by the Roman Church in 1520. Luther was given the opportunity to recant his teachings by Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521, where Luther famously replied, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain Reason -- and not by Popes and Councils who have so often contradicted themselves -- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me."
Under the protection of Duke Frederick in Wittenberg, Luther continued his teachings and writing, convincing many of the truth of his doctrine. One of these, Philip Melanchthon, a young fellow professor at the university, began to work with Luther and later became Luther's successor in the Reformation. It was Melanchthon who took Luther's place when the German princes met with Emperor Charles in 1530, attempting to reconcile the theological differences between the Roman Church and the followers of Luther. When this failed, Melanchthon drafted the first Lutheran confession of faith, known as the Augsburg Confession in 1530. It was signed by all the princes and was presented to the Emperor. The "Lutheran Church" had officially begun.
Lutheranism in the United States
The story of Lutheranism in the United States is an account of transplantation from many European countries. The first Lutherans in America were from Holland. In 1623, a handful of them settled in the Dutch colony along the Hudson River, near what is now Albany, and in New York City. Sweden settled near the mouth of the Delaware in 1638; Germans established homes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (1682), and in Georgia (1734).
Philadelphia became the early center of American Lutheranism for two reasons; the religious liberty in the colony, and the great leadership of Henry M. Muhlenberg. He organized and presided over the first Lutheran Synod in North America, the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, in 1748. It set the pattern for the later formation of other synods, (New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia), and made possible the establishment of the first Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, in 1828, for the training of Lutheran pastors.
In 1829, a new wave of German immigrants came to the United States, settling around St. Louis, Missouri. The earlier Lutherans had become somewhat "Americanized" by this time, so these new arrivals found many language and doctrinal differences between them. Under the leadership of a young pastor, Carl F. W. Walther, they formed a new synod and founded a seminary in St. Louis. This was the beginning of what is now known as the "Lutheran Church Missouri Synod".
The greatest wave of Lutheran immigration came in the last half of the 19th century. Many came from Germany, but a great number came from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Their differences in language and national background prompted them to organize separate, independent synods. Typical was the Swedish Augustana Synod, organizing in 1860 under the leadership of Tuve N. Hasselquist, and establishing a college and seminary in Rock Island, Illinois.
Through the leadership of such men as Samuel Schmucker, C.F.W. Walther, Hasselquist, Passavant and Heyer, the Lutheran Synods grew in members and effectiveness during the 19th century. The work of education, health, welfare and missions grew considerably during this period. More and more, however, it became apparent that the small independent synods often lacked sufficient size and resources to operate most effectively. By the turn of the century, the process of merger and consolidation had begun.
In 1906, there were 30 Lutheran bodies in the United States. In 1964 there were 10, however around 90% of the United States Lutherans held membership in the top three largest bodies. Those were... The American Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Church in America. And the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Today, there are again many Lutheran bodies represented in the Unites States with current estimates putting the number around 40. However, just like in the 1960's the overwhelming majority of Lutherans belong to one of three main bodies of Lutheranism. Today, those are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). It should be noted however that even though the ELCA church identifies as "Lutheran", there are MAJOR theological and doctrinal divisions between the ELCA and the orthodox, confessional Lutheran churches such as the LCMS, WELS, ELS, NALC and many others.
For a comparison list of denominational differences between the LCMS and other popular Christian denominations of today, click here.
Philadelphia became the early center of American Lutheranism for two reasons; the religious liberty in the colony, and the great leadership of Henry M. Muhlenberg. He organized and presided over the first Lutheran Synod in North America, the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, in 1748. It set the pattern for the later formation of other synods, (New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia), and made possible the establishment of the first Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, in 1828, for the training of Lutheran pastors.
In 1829, a new wave of German immigrants came to the United States, settling around St. Louis, Missouri. The earlier Lutherans had become somewhat "Americanized" by this time, so these new arrivals found many language and doctrinal differences between them. Under the leadership of a young pastor, Carl F. W. Walther, they formed a new synod and founded a seminary in St. Louis. This was the beginning of what is now known as the "Lutheran Church Missouri Synod".
The greatest wave of Lutheran immigration came in the last half of the 19th century. Many came from Germany, but a great number came from the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Their differences in language and national background prompted them to organize separate, independent synods. Typical was the Swedish Augustana Synod, organizing in 1860 under the leadership of Tuve N. Hasselquist, and establishing a college and seminary in Rock Island, Illinois.
Through the leadership of such men as Samuel Schmucker, C.F.W. Walther, Hasselquist, Passavant and Heyer, the Lutheran Synods grew in members and effectiveness during the 19th century. The work of education, health, welfare and missions grew considerably during this period. More and more, however, it became apparent that the small independent synods often lacked sufficient size and resources to operate most effectively. By the turn of the century, the process of merger and consolidation had begun.
In 1906, there were 30 Lutheran bodies in the United States. In 1964 there were 10, however around 90% of the United States Lutherans held membership in the top three largest bodies. Those were... The American Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Church in America. And the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Today, there are again many Lutheran bodies represented in the Unites States with current estimates putting the number around 40. However, just like in the 1960's the overwhelming majority of Lutherans belong to one of three main bodies of Lutheranism. Today, those are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). It should be noted however that even though the ELCA church identifies as "Lutheran", there are MAJOR theological and doctrinal divisions between the ELCA and the orthodox, confessional Lutheran churches such as the LCMS, WELS, ELS, NALC and many others.
For a comparison list of denominational differences between the LCMS and other popular Christian denominations of today, click here.
A Brief History of the Lutheran Church in America
by Juergen Neve
For a complete history on Lutheranism in America, download Juergen Neve's A Brief History of the Lutheran Church in America by clicking the button below...
