Theology
TULIP (As A Comparison)
As Augustinians, Luther and Calvin generally were in agreement on the substance of the Five Points (remember the Five Points were formally adopted in 1618-19). Luther believed in Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, and the Perseverance of the Saints. However, Luther waffled between a unlimited atonement and Christ only dying for the elect. Luther also allowed for the possibility that some who had genuinely received grace might apostatize. It was Phillip Melanchthon that moved Lutheranism toward an Arminian-like doctrine of salvation. Melanchthon is considered the chief author of the Lutheran’s doctrinal confession, the Book of Concord. Recall, Arminian thought was that man is not totally deprived, election is conditioned on God’s foreknowledge of our acceptance of Christ, that Christ died for the purpose of saving all, saving grace is resistible, and that it is possible to be lost even after one is genuinely saved by grace. Both bodies rejected Arminianism, however Lutherans did so in a different way than the Reformed did (i.e. still accepting unconditional salvation, resistance of grace, and the ability to fall away from saving faith).
Law & Gospel
Lutherans believe the law is a curb, mirror, and rule. Lutherans do not believe the law is necessary in securing justification. Lutherans believe the Gospel is the centrality of doctrine. - Reformed believe that the Law is a means for securing justification, strengthening one’s personal assurance of being saved, being of the elect, and for coming into the possession of the benefits and blessings of the covenantal relationship with God. They believe that the Gospel reaffirms the law and shows its value. Reformed believe that the centrality of doctrine is the glory and sovereignty of God.
Continue reading about Luther vs. Reformed: Law & Order; Role of Women
Baptism
Lutherans believe that baptism regenerates the soul (the new birth) and imparts faith. Lutherans do not go so far as to say that one cannot be saved if not baptized. Lutherans do believe that baptism’s grace can be resisted and as such the baptized can be condemned. Unless grace is overtly resisted, Lutherans believe that the baptized are considered saved and often refer back to the individual being baptized in questions of whether one is saved.
Christ and Holy Communion
The fundamental difference comes down to the ubiquity of the body of Christ. Does Christ come down from heaven to us or are we raised up to Christ in heaven?
- Lutherans believe in Christ’s real physical prsence at the sacrament (called sacramental union) in which Christ is present in, with, and under the elements. They believe that the elements are actual means of God’s grace through which the Holy Spirit works. Furthermore, Lutherans believe that the body and blood of Christ are present at the Lord’s Table and are partaken by the believer and non-believer alike. For this reason, Lutherans practice "close(d) communion:, where only members of the church denomination are allowed to participate. Often, this belief is incorrectly referred to as "consubstatiation"
Application of Grace (Means of Grace)
Lutherans believe in unconditional atonement and predestination to salvation only
Reformed believe in conditional atonement and double-predestination (some to heaven, some to hell)
- Lutherans believe that regeneration, forgiveness, life, and salvation are brought by the means (Word, act of Baptism, act of Holy Communion). I.e. the elements have the power.
- Reformed believe that regeneration, forgiveness, life, and salvation are brought about by the Spirit to those who are the elect. I.e. it is the Spirit, not the elements that has the power.
Continue reading about Lutherans vs Reformed: Application of Grace
Over the next few days I’ll have a series of posts comparing the Lutheran faith to the Reformed faith.
While there are differences of specific issues like the ordination of women, abortion, and homosexuality that are present in most mainline denominations, there are some major theological differences between Lutherans and Reformed Christians. The Reformed faith includes both the Reformed Church and the Presbyterian Church.
Before we look at the similarities and differences between the church it is important to note that the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest denominations in each respective faith background, may differ greatly from the defining beliefs of each faith background. These two denominations are considered liberal and non-confessional by their respective faith backgrounds.
What is interesting is that a lot of the rank-and-file pew sitters don’t realize the theology that is around them, on the walls, the alter (or lack thereof), or the big-screen as they worship. You can learn a lot about the church’s theology by looking around the church. As I read this article, referred to me by a friend and Pastor in the Lutheran Church, I thought of the theology that my church has.