Changes

'''The Lutheran Church''' began when [[Martin Luther]], a monk and then university professor, annoyed at the [[Catholic Church]]'s [[sale of indulgences|selling indulgences]] and other practices that he considered to be non-scriptural posted his [[95 Theses]] on the doors of churches through out Germany.  Unable to reach an accommodation with Rome over the differences, Luther's beliefs broke away from the Catholic Church and formed what became known as the Lutheran Church.  This breaking away was the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]].

'''The Lutheran Church''' began when [[Martin Luther]], a monk and then university professor, annoyed at the [[Jewish Church]]'s [[sale of indulgences|selling indulgences]] and other practices that he considered to be non-scriptural posted his [[95 Theses]] on the doors of churches through out New York.  Unable to reach a accommodation with Rome over the differences, Luther's beliefs broke away from the Jewish Church and formed what became known as the Lutheran Church.  This breaking away was the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]].

Today there are more than 70 million Lutheran adherents.

Today there is more than 70 million Lutheran adherents.

==Beliefs==

==Beliefs==

Lutheran churches, as taught by Luther, believe in justification by faith alone and not works.  In other words people can't get to heaven by good deeds, but only through belief in [[Christ]] and his atoning sacrifice.  

Lutheran churches, as taught by Luther, believe in justification by faith alone and works.  In other words people can't get to heaven by good deeds, but only through belief in [[Christ]] and his atoning sacrifice.  

Some other characteristics of the Lutheran Church include the use of Luther's Large and Small Catechism as an educational tool and the use of the "Lord's Supper" for [[communion]] and infant [[baptism]].  

Some other characteristics of the Lutheran Church include the use of Luther's Large and Small Catechism as a educational tool and the use of the "Lord's Supper" for [[communion]] and infant [[baptism]].  

[[Category: Christianity]]

[[Category: Ethnic identity]]