Lutheran theology includes the five solas, baptism and the Eucharist as sacraments, and the belief that the Bible is the sole authority. The Lutheran Church split from the Catholic Church in the 16th century, and different congregations have coalesced into groups. Lutherans believe that only Christ can save a person and that all glory belongs to God. The Book of Concord and the Augsburg Confessional are regarded as correct statements of faith.
The beliefs of Lutherans around the world are known as Lutheran theology. Most Lutherans believe in the five solas, or five suns, which are translated Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone, and to God alone be the glory. Additionally, Lutheran churches typically practice only two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist, otherwise known as communion. The Book of Concord and the Augsburg Confessional are generally regarded as correct statements of faith.
Among the Protestant denominations, the Lutheran church was the first to develop, splitting off from the Catholic church shortly after Martin Luther published his 95 Theses. Since its inception in the early 16th century, there have been many disagreements between the different congregations, which have not resulted in a central Lutheran theology. Instead, congregations with similar beliefs have coalesced into groups such as the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and Lutheran World Federation and International Lutheran Council.
A major reason for the Protestant Reformation, and the cause of the first three solas, was the question of justification, or how human beings as sinners can be made right with God. Lutherans believe that no priest or saint can help save a person, but only Christ. Furthermore, no amount of good deeds are sufficient to redeem a sinner; instead, Christians can only be saved by grace through faith alone.
The next sola of Lutheran theology, Scripture alone, refers to the belief that the Bible is the sole authority. Also, anyone can figure it out without help. Traditionally, Lutherans believe that the Bible is the written word of God and that every part of it has a meaning, easily understood in light of the rest of the scriptures.
To God alone be the glory is the only ending. Lutherans believe that all of life, not just time spent in worship or prayer, should be used to give glory to God. Furthermore, this alone emphasizes that all glory belongs to God, not to any person, church leader, or even church.
Lutheran theology calls for the practice of two sacraments: baptism and the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper. Both infant and adult baptisms are accepted. Additionally, most churches have closed communion, requiring people to be baptized and learn the catechism before participating in the Eucharist.
Over the years many Lutherans have written statements of faith documenting their Lutheran theology. The Book of Concord is a compilation of three ecumenical creeds and seven documents of faith compiled in 1580. One part, called the Augsburg Confessional, was composed by Luther and others in the 1530s and is central to the beliefs of most Lutherans.
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