Lutheran Distinctives

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life." St. Paul - 1 Timothy 1:15-16

I consider myself a Lutheran¹ Christian because I agree with the confessions found in the Book of Concord.

Click the footnotes for more details

As a Lutheran, I accept the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible as the authoritative "Word of God" and observe them as the only rule and norm for my faith². All other spiritual writings, decrees or prophecies including the Lutheran Confessions and the Creeds are subject to the 66 books of the Bible. If on any point of doctrine there is any contradiction, the Bible wins.

As a Lutheran, I accept the baptism of infants³ along with new converts just as our spiritual forefathers in Israel circumcised infants born into Jewish families along with Gentiles who converted as adults. Baptism is only the beginning of our Christian journey and is not an end in itself. In the end, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. (Contrary to what some may believe, Martin Luther did not teach that baptism alone---without personal faith in Jesus Christ--- saves.)

As a Lutheran, I believe we receive Jesus’ body and blood in, with and under the bread and wine served in communion⁴. I do not believe in a literal transubstantiation (the Roman Catholic belief that the bread and wine are literally and physically changed into Jesus’ flesh and blood) nor do I believe that the bread and wine are "merely symbols" of Jesus’ body and blood. Jesus said "This IS my body…this IS my blood…" (see footnote for more details)

As a Christian, I recognize that the Body of Christ (the church) extends beyond all creeds and denominational formulas⁵. His church is found wherever people confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. I believe the gates of heaven are wide enough to admit all who place their faith in Jesus as their Lord and narrow enough to exclude those who won’t; and that in the end only God knows who is who. He will receive those who are His into eternal glory and release those who are not to the eternal punishment reserved for the Devil and his angels.

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By "Lutheran" I mean the historic Lutheran faith expressed by Martin Luther, Philip Melancthon, Martin Chemnitz and the other writers and compilers of the confessions found in the Book of Concord. I also agree with recent statements of Lutheran theologians in so far as they are in agreement with the Holy Scriptures. Since Lutherans aren't the only Christians, I regard the teachings and writings of all Christians by the same guidelines: if in agreement with the Bible, their teachings are correct; if not, their teachings are false.

The Holy Scriptures are the only rule and norm for matters of doctrine and Christian life, but where they are silent or vague I look to the Lutheran Confessions, the three ecumenical creeds (Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian) orthodox Christian history and tradition. Contrary to the teaching of some, I believe tradition has its place in the church in that it places our faith within a historical context. Since doctrinal error as well as truth can be passed along as tradition, everything must be judged according to the Holy Scriptures. Where the Scriptures are silent, tradition is allowed but not demanded. To put it another way: Where the Scriptures are clear we stand together in unity…where the Scriptures are vague there should be freedom to act according to one’s own conscience.

Lutherans have traditionally practiced infant baptism because of Jesus’ command to "baptize ALL nations" and the references in Scripture to "entire households" being baptized. As the circumcision of Abraham’s "household" included servants and infants I believe the New Testament use of "household" must also have included everyone present: women, servants and children. I also appeal to church history and tradition, recognizing that many infant-baptized saints (including Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Wesley) are undeniably in heaven today. Since the Bible infers that baptism has taken the place of circumcision I am convinced that infant baptism is Biblical. Since it is by faith in Christ alone that we are saved; I believe that baptism all by itself is not enough...regardless of when a person is baptised...there must be a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ to be saved.

Lutherans hold to their conviction that Jesus Christ is present in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. While we don’t teach that the bread and wine are physically changed into Jesus’ real body and blood, we do accept the mystery of His presence in the Supper. The original Greek of the New Testament doesn’t allow for a metaphor. Jesus’ words can be rightly translated: "This is, it is, My body… this is, it is, My blood." This emphasis is not present in such statements as "I am the light of the world" or "I am the gate for the sheep". Therefore, while I cannot adequately explain how He is present in the meal I nevertheless accept the reality of His presence and believe that we partake of His body and blood "in, with and under" the bread and wine of communion.

The word Lutheran is nowhere to be found in the Holy Scriptures. Neither is Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal or Evangelical Free. The only Baptist mentioned is John, but his followers all left to follow Jesus. There are legitimate reasons for the many different sects, and the Word of God confirms that there will always be divisions; however, if our salvation is truly by God’s grace through faith alone, than no single denomination or sect can lay claim to being the only true Christian church. I am Lutheran because I identify with the above doctrinal distinctives; but more importantly I am Christian because I trust in, cling to and rely on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and my hope of eternal life in glory.

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About My Lutheranism...

I was raised in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, but recognize the entire body of Christ no matter the denomination or sect. What matters most is that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone---there is nothing any of us can do to earn our salvation but receive the righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ.

As a teenager I heard the call of God on my life and began to pursue the pastoral ministry. I applied to Lutheran Colleges as well as to Trinity Evangelical College in Illinois and Last Days Ministries School of Discipleship in Texas. Since my pastor refused to give his signature of recommendation to anything other than a Lutheran College, I wound up at Concordia College in River Forest, IL.

I butted heads with Lutherans before, during and after I left college. Finally I reached the point where I didn't want anything to do with Martin Luther, the Lutheran Church or anything remotely connected to Lutheranism. I joined the Evangelical Covenant Church; but while in the Covenant I started reading a daily devotional (which I had previously cast aside) based on Luther's sermons on the Gospels. The more I read, the more I came to realize that it wasn't Martin Luther that I had a problem with, but the cold formality and dogmatism of Lutheran "religion."

I had already come to the realization that I was "too Evangelical for the Lutherans" and "too Lutheran for the Evangelicals"; but I now saw that Luther had a lot more in common with Evangelical Christianity than most of the Lutherans I had encountered. I went back and began reading Luther's works, as well as the Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord. I found out that Luther's buddies were just like him in their love of Jesus. I started reading the writings of CFW Walther (one of the founders of the Missouri Synod), and found that he was also just like Luther in his love of Jesus.

Unfortunately, I haven't found too many Lutherans today who are cut from the same cloth; and it's painfully obvious that I don't fit in.

I currently facilitate a house church that regularly meets in my living room. We are an eclectic group, covering a few different theological backgrounds, but all in agreement on the essentials of the Christian faith.

Gary Zanow

Click HERE for a short bio.

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