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ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
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| MARTIN LUTHER'S SEAL |
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ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
* Who is Jesus Christ?
* What is the Church?
* Why a Lutheran Church?
* Is Lutheranism the Only True Religion?
* How Do Lutherans Look upon the Bible?
* What Do Lutherans Believe About Creation?
* Where Do Lutherans Stand on the Question of Sin?
* What Sacraments Do Lutherans Accept?
* Do Lutherans Believe in Life After Death?
* What Must a Person Do to Become a Christian?
* What Must a Person Do to Become a Lutheran?
Who is Jesus Christ?*
Jesus is God's son, sent by God to become human like us. In his life and being he broke through the prison of sinfulness and thus restored the relationship of love and trust that God intended to exist between himself and his children. Though he is eternal, with God at the beginning of time, he was born on earth of a virgin, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was at once truly God and truly human.
The man, Jesus of Nazareth, lived and died in Palestine during the governorship of the Roman administrator Pontius Pilate; we believe him to be the Messiah chosen by God to show his love for the world. He is God, yet with all the limitations of being human. His relationship to God, however, was not one of sin but rather of perfect obedience to the Father's will. For the sake of a sinful world, Jesus was condemned to death on the cross.
But death could not contain him. On the third day after his execution, the day Christians observe as Easter, Jesus appeared among his followers as the risen, living Lord. By this great victory God has declared the Good News of reconciliation. The gap between all that separates us from our Creator has been bridged. Thus, Christ lives today wherever there are people who faithfully believe in him and wherever the Good News of reconciliation is preached and the Sacraments administered.
* What is the Church?
The Christian church is made up of those who have been baptized and thus have received Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world. Sometimes it is referred to as "the Body of Christ." Lutherans believe that they are a part of a community of faith that began with the gift of the Holy Spirit, God's presence with his people, on the day of Pentecost. The church, regardless of the external form it takes, is the fellowship of those who have been restored to God by Christ. Indeed, to be called into fellowship with Christ is also to be called into community with other believers.
The church is essential to Christian life and growth. Its members are all sinners in need of God's grace. It has no claim on human perfection. The church exists solely for the hearing and doing of God's Word. It can justify its existence only when it proclaims the living Word of Christ, administers the Sacraments and gives itself to the world in deeds of service and love. Most Lutherans recognize a wider fellowship of churches and are eager to work alongside them in ecumenical ministries and projects.
* Why a Lutheran Church
Martin Luther (b. November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, d. February 18, 1546 in Eisleben) is known as the Father of Protestantism. He had studied to become a lawyer before becoming an Augustinian monk in 1505, and was ordained a priest in 1507. While continuing his studies in pursuit of a Doctor of Theology degree, he discovered significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the theology and practices of the church. On October 31,1517, he posted a challenge on the church door at Wittenberg University to debate 95 theological issues. Luther's hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible
What started as an academic debate escalated to a religious war, fueled by fiery temperaments and violent language on both sides. As a result, there was not a reformation of the church but a separation. "Lutheran" was a name applied to Luther and his followers as an insult but adopted as a badge of honor by them instead.
Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of theology and practice espoused by Luther, such as Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura:
We are saved by the grace of God alone - not by anything we do;
Our salvation is through faith alone - we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who died to redeem us;
The Bible is the only norm of doctrine and life - the only true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.
Another of Luther's principles was that Scriptures and worship need to be in the language of the people.
Many Lutherans still consider themselves as a reforming movement within the Church catholic, rather than a separatist movement, and Lutherans have engaged in ecumenical dialogue with other church bodies for decades. In fact, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has entered into cooperative "full communion" agreements with several other Protestant denominations.
Luther's Small Catechism, which contains teachings on the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayers, is still used to introduce people to the Lutheran faith, as is the Augsburg Confession. These and other Lutheran confessional documents included in the Book of Concord may be ordered from the ELCA Publishing House at 800/328-4648 or www.augsburgfortress.ora.
* Is Lutheranism the Only True Religion?
"Do Lutherans believe theirs is the only true religion?" This question was once put to the late Dr. Elson Ruff, editor of The Lutheran. His answer was, "Yes, but Lutherans don't believe they are the only ones who have it. There are true Christian believers in a vast majority of the churches, perhaps in all." The ELCA Confession of Faith says "This church confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.
* How Do Lutherans Look upon the Bible?
To borrow a phrase from Luther, the Bible is "the manger in which the Word of God is laid." While Lutherans recognize differences in the way the Bible should be studied and interpreted, it is accepted as the primary and authoritative witness to the church's faith. Written and transcribed by many authors over a period of many centuries, the Bible bears remarkable testimony to the mighty acts of God in the lives of people and nations. In the Old Testament is found the vivid account of God's covenant relationship to Israel. In the New Testament is found the story of God's new covenant with all of creation in Jesus.
The New Testament is the first-hand proclamation of those who lived through the events of Jesus' life, death, and Resurrection. As such, it is the authority for Christian faith and practice. The Bible is thus not a definitive record of history or science. Rather, it is the record of the drama of God's saving care for creation throughout the course of history.
* What Do Lutherans Believe About Creation?
Lutherans believe that God is Creator of the universe. Its dimensions of space and time are not something God made once and then left alone. God is, rather, continually creating, calling into being each moment of each day.
Human beings have a unique position in the order of creation. As males and females created in God's image, we are given the capacity and freedom to and respond to our creator. Freedom implies that we can choose to respond to God either positively or negatively.
"Caring for Creation: Vision. Hope and Justice."an ELCA Statement on caring for God's creation, is available from the ELCA Distribution Service (800/328-4648) free (+ postage and handling). Order Code: 67-1185.
* Where Do Lutherans Stand on the Question of Sin?
Lutherans believe that all people live in a condition which is the result of misused freedom. "Sin" describes not so much individual acts of wrongdoing as fractured relationships between the people of creation and God. Our every attempt to please God falls short of the mark. By the standard of the Law, of which the Ten Commandments are a classic summary , God expresses his just and loving expectations for creation, and our failure to live up to those expectations reveals only our need for God's mercy and forgiveness.
* What Sacraments Do Lutherans Accept?
Lutherans accept two Sacraments as God-given means for penetrating the lives of people with his grace. Although they are not the only means of God's self-revelation, Baptism and Holy Communion are visible acts of God's love.
In Baptism, and it can be seen more clearly in infant Baptism, God freely offers his grace and lovingly establishes a new community. It is in Baptism that people become members of Christ's Body on earth, the Church. In Holy Communion - often called the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist - those who come to the table receive in bread and wine the body and blood of their Lord. This gift is itself the real presence of God's forgiveness and mercy, nourishing believers in union with their Lord and with each other.
* Do Lutherans Believe in Life After Death?
While there is much we do not and cannot know about life beyond the grave, Lutherans do believe that life with God persists even after death. Judgment is both a present and future reality , and history moves steadily towards God's ultimate fulfillment.
This of course is a great mystery, and no description of what life may be like in any dimension beyond history is possible. Anxiety for the future is not a mark of faith. Christians should go about their daily tasks, trusting in God's grace and living a life of service in his name.
* What Must a Person Do to Become a Christian?
Jesus said, " Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11 :25-26)
* What Must a Person Do to Become a Lutheran?
To become a Lutheran, only Baptism and instruction in the Christian faith is required. If you are already baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, it will be necessary only to attend a membership class in a Lutheran congregation and thus signify your desire to become a part of its community. Active members of other Lutheran congregations usually need only to transfer their membership.
© Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 800/638-3522 Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 6.00PM ET
TAKE THE LUTHERAN LITERACY QUIZ
In recent years several popular books have argued that Americans no longer know the basic facts that are the foundation of being well educated. These books have ignited controversies about what people should know and whether the evidence supports their conclusion of educational deterioration.
The books touched a nerve. And their general direction is confirmed by many studies that show how little Americans know about science, geography or our country's history. Such evidence suggested that Lutherans might benefit from a checkup of their knowledge of their heritage.
It is difficult to determine whether the members of congregations are better or more poorly informed than were Christians in the past. If we know less than we should, it wouldn't be the first time in the church's history.
Martin Luther wrote his catechisms in part because of the terrible ignorance he discovered in the congregations of his region. Many did not even know the Ten Commandments, the Apostle's Creed or the Lord's Prayer.
The quiz that follows is intended to be a friendly visitor, not a hostile interrogation. It is offered with the hope of motivating Lutherans to enroll in adult education programs in their congregations this year.
Christians today need to work hard to be well-informed. Most believers have busy lives with only a few hours each week for church activities. And the religious pluralism in our society means that there is little reinforcement of Christian faith or even sharing of basic religious information in schools, on televisions and in newspapers. To keep our faith lively, we have to be deliberate about our Christian identity and the knowledge that supports it.
Knowing the facts in the quiz below is no sure sign of faith. One may have a great deal of information and still not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God or trust in God above all things. And many who may not know these facts have a profound faith to which they are effective witness- es in daily life.
But ignorance is no cause for pride, especially when with a little effort we could better understand the Bible, the history of the church and our Lutheran heritage. The questions that follow are meant to stretch the mind, to remind you that learning about our faith is a lifelong task and to encourage you to do it.
Part I: The Bible
I. In Genesis 12, God called a man to go to a new land and promised that all nations would bless themselves by him:
a. Noah
b. Jacob
c. Moses
d. Abraham
2. In Exodus, the Ten Commandments are introduced with a reminder to the people that God had already:
a. brought them out of Egypt
b. forgiven their sins
c. created the world
d. formed an order of priests
3. Naomi is Ruth's:
a. sister
b. mother
c. mother-in-law
d. niece
4. Solomon was the son of David and:
a. Abigail
b. Bathsheba
c. Michael
d. Pharaoh's daughter
5. Elijah the prophet struggled to keep Israel faithful to God against the efforts of those who believed in the god:
a. Baal
b. Molech
c. Zeus
d. Jupiter
6. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" is from:
a. Psalm 1
b. Psalm 23
c. Psalm 51
d. Psalm 119
7. The prophet who was told by God not to say that he was too young:
a. Matthew
b. Paul
c. Moses
d. Jeremiah
8. In a valley near Jerusalem, Ezekiel saw a vision in which the Lord:
a. built a highway in the desert
b. surrounded him with lions
c. brought dry bones to life
d. spilled a boiling pot
9. A Gospel with no story of the birth of Jesus is:
a. Mark
b. John
c. both
d. neither
10. The story in the Gospel of Luke is continued in the book called:
a. Acts
b. Hebrews
c. John
d. Revelation
11. At the end of Matthew's Gospel, before he is taken up into heaven, Jesus sends the 11 disciples to make disciples and promises:
a. that his body and blood are given for them
b. that he will be with them always
c. that he will build his church on Peter's confession
d. that they will sit on golden thrones with him
12. In John's Gospel, Jesus wept:
a. at the unbelief of the Jews
b. at the beheading of John the Baptist
c. when he saw his mother at the cross
d. at the grave of his friend, Lazarus
13. In Acts 8, Philip's explanation of the Scriptures leads to the baptism of a prominent government official from:
a. Babylon
b. Ethiopia
c. India
d. Rome
14. Paul says in Romans 1 that he is not ashamed:
a. to work for a living
b. that Timothy has been circumcised
c. of the gospel
d. that Jesus died on the cross
15. "If anyone will not work, let him not eat" is:
a. a saying of Jesus in the Gospels
b. a verse in one of the New Testament Epistles
c. not in the Bible at all
16. Revelation 21 and 22 report that there is no light or lamp needed in the heavenly Jerusalem because:
a. God is the city's light
b. all darkness has been driven out
c. the jewels themselves are so bright
d. it is lighted by the fire in which evildoers burn
Part II. Church history and Lutheran heritage
17. The canon or list of books that comprise the New Testament was first announced in the year:
a. A.D. 96
b. A.D. 369
c. A.D. 1267
d. A.D. 1460
18. Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire:
a. after the death of Nero (A.D. 68)
b. with the conversion of Emperor Constantine (A.D. 325)
c. after the invasion of Rome by roving tribes (A.D. 476)
19. A reformer who loved nature and called for gospel preaching and simplicity of lifestyles was:
a. Francis of Assisi
b. John Calvin
c. Michelangelo
d. Melanchthon
20. The person who lived at the same times as Luther was:
a. Johann Sebastian Bach
b. Columbus
c. Karl Marx
d. Thomas Jefferson
21. In the years before the Reformation, Luther's assignment in the church was:
a. as a parish priest
b. lecturing on the Bible
c. lecturing on law
d. writing church music
22. Luther favored all of the following except:
a. government based on biblical models
b. hospitals to care for the sick in epidemics
c. public funding of school for both boys and girls
d. welfare funded from a community treasure
23. Luther's most important theological colleague and author of several of the Lutheran confessions was:
a. Thomas Aquinas
b. Augustine
c. Katherine von Bora
d. Melanchthon
24. John and Charles Wesley founded a reform movement which came to be known as:
a. Mennonite
b. Methodist
c. Moravian
d. Mormon
25. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg is best remembered as:
a. a Christian who enlisted in the Revolutionary Army
b. the first speaker of the House of Representatives
c. a Lutheran pastor and church leader in colonial America
26. In the 19th century the largest number of Lutheran immigrants came
to the United States from:
a. Norway
b. Sweden
c. Finland
d. Germany
27. During the Civil War, American Lutherans:
a. divided into Northern and Southern Churches
b. maintained strict neutrality
c. were united in their opposition to slavery
28. A social issue that occupied most American Protestant churches deeply in the early years of the 2Oth century was:
a. abortion
b. homosexuality
c. mercy killing
d. prohibition
29. A lutheran theologian who led the fight against Adolf Hitler and eventually died in a Nazi prison was:
a. Bonhoeffer
b. Bultmann
c. Kierkegaard
d. Schweitzer
30. Today one would find a large Lutheran church in all of the following except:
a. Algeria
b. Brazil
c. Namibia
d. Papua New Guinea
31. The Augsburg Confession teaches that we "receive forgiveness of sin and become righteous before God":
a. by faith
b. by grace
c. for Christ's sake
d. all of these
32. The Small Catechism teaches that water in baptism "can produce such great effects" because:
a. water is a symbol of life
b. John baptized Jesus
c. God's word is connected to the water
d. God is all powerful
33. In the Lord's Supper, Christ's presence comes:
a. only to those who receive Christ in faith
b. only to those who believe what the creeds teach
c. only to those who have prepared by true confession
d. to all, but unbelievers receive judgment, not blessing
34. In terms of human freedom, Lutherans teach that:
a. freedom was destroyed in the fall of Adam and Eve
b. freedom was restored to all in the death of Christ
c. freedom is an inalienable right from our Creator
d. humans are free in some things, not free in others
35. "I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him" is:
a. a statement by Paul in the Epistle to the Romans
b. a statement by Luther in The Small Catechism
c. a part of the prayer before communion
d. none of the above
36. The "two kingdoms" doctrine for Lutherans refers to:
a. the differing ways God works in the church and the world
b. the separation of church and state in modern times
c. the division of Germany into East and West
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ANSWERS
PART I
1.D, 2.A, 3.C, 4.B, 5.A, 6.B, 7.D, 8.C, 9.C, 1 0.A, 11.B, 12.D, 13.B, 14.C, 15.B, 16.A
PART II
17.B, 18.B, 19.A, 20.B, 21.B, 22.A, 23.D, 24.B, 25.C, 26.D, 27.A, 28.D, 29.A, 30.A, 31.D, 32.C, 33.D, 34.D, 35.B, 36.A
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Scoring yourself
28-37 You don't need encouragement; you ought to be teaching.
18-27 You haven't been asleep, but there's more to learn.
10-27 Of course you're busy, but you could find some time.
0-9 You're still welcome, even with a lot to learn.
Courtesy of the late Timothy F. Lull, former President of Pacific Lutheran Seminary, Berkeley, California
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