Differences between Lutherans and Catholics

[CountryMom]

Hi!

I'm struggling with the choice of which school to send my children. :confused: We are practicing Catholics and are not trilled with the catholic or public schools in our area. So we are considering a Lutheran school. I was wondering if you could tell me the things my children may learn about Lutheran religion if they are sent to Lutheran School for K-8? Or what are the biggest issues between Catholics and Lutherans?

Thanks! :)

[CrossWiseMag]

Rest easy. The Lutheran faith is really the "catholic" faith. It is the same faith the apostles and early fathers confessed and taught. Lutheran churches teach, as the early church taught, that we are saved from our sins by grace, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone. Lutherans also teach that good works by Christians are "necessary," but not in the sense that they help us earn our salvation. Rather, they are a natural occurrence when the "new man" of Christ takes up residence in our hearts.

Lutherans also retain a lot of the traditions from the historic catholic church. We don't go so far as to throw out every rite established by Rome, as most other Protestant churches do. Rather, we retain the ones that do not conflict with Holy Scripture, and disregard the other man-made traditions.

Lutherans differ from Roman Catholics in the number of Sacraments: 2 or 3 instead of 7. But this difference is largely a definitional one.

In a Lutheran school, you presumably won't get a lot of the "Roman Catholic bashing" that goes on in most American protestantism today. There will be disagreements with Rome, to be sure. But practices aren't dismissed out of hand as "Satan's tools," just because they originated with Rome.

[Tetzel]

We wanted to reform the church's corrupt practices at the time. We were kicked out. Since then the Catholic church has had some level of success in reforming itself.

[Tetzel]

Sacraments are

1 Baptism

2 Communion

3 Confession and Absolution, considered a sacrament by some and not by others, but practiced by all. Individual confession is optional for troubled people, corporate confession begins each mass except for feast days.

[Phoebe]

Our view of the Sacrament of the Altar is a bit different. We don't teach Transubstantiation, but we hold to the Real Presence.

If you're in doubt, visit the school while it's in session.

[ByzantineDixie]

Rest easy. ...
In a Lutheran school, you presumably won't get a lot of the "Roman Catholic bashing" that goes on in most American protestantism today. There will be disagreements with Rome, to be sure. But practices aren't dismissed out of hand as "Satan's tools," just because they originated with Rome.

I agree...while it wasn't always true, the days of Roman bashing in the Lutheran schools seem to be well behind us. Our boys attended Lutheran grade schools...have to admit though, we were not Lutheran to start with (I was a lapsed Roman Catholic, my husband was a lapsed Lutheran) but we did become Lutheran in the end, though. It's a plot, I tell you! They put all these good Lutheran schools in the middle of the city where the public schools are terrible, lure us urban dwellers in, and then convert us!!!! :eek: ;) :D

BUT, I'll buck the trend a bit...as a parent I am not comfortable with the thought of sending my kids to a school where they are forced to study, learn and be graded for their knowledge of a faith different from ours. I wouldn't want my kids going to a Baptist school and being instructed in Baptist theology during the week and then to Lutheran Sunday School / Confirmation classes and church on Sunday...I can't imagine the kind of confusion that would create.

Of course, I am also well aware of the fact that sometimes there are fewer options and this kind of split situation can't be avoided. I would be interested in hearing from parents (or kids) who went through this very thing...how did it work?

Peace

Rose

[CountryMom]

Thanks to all of you!



Of course, I am also well aware of the fact that sometimes there are fewer options and this kind of split situation can't be avoided. I would be interested in hearing from parents (or kids) who went through this very thing...how did it work?

Rose

Luthers Rose, I'd also like to know how it worked for others. Am I crazy for even considering it?

Prayers to you all!

[Organist]

We put our kids through Lutheran school, twin boys. We became members of the church shortly after enrolling them. Hubby was born a Lutheran (ELCA), and I was from a Church of God (of sorts)... but we were unhappy in the church we had been attending (Covenant), and found the LCMS church with school to be our final church home.

[Phoebe]

I had a friend at church growing up that attended a Baptist school. She was fine until she switched to public school. (Her grandfather, who had been paying for her private education, passed away after her Sophomore year)

[I can eat 50 eggs]

wow, tough call

I think you should be a little more worried. there are very real, core differences in the two fiaths. the two that you should be most aware of:

1: Sola Fide: this is what crosswise was referring to. The lutherans teach that salvation is only through faith, and that nothing you do has any bearing on that. The RCC teaches that faith and works go hand in hand to bring about salvation.

2. Sola scriptura: THe Lutherans believe that only Scripture is used to set doctorine and beliefs, while the RCC teaches that the Scriptures, in addition to the teachings and traditions of the church, are the rule and norm.

[theologia crucis]

Edit for eggs: ;) (Sorry buddy, I couldn't resist!)

2. Sola Scriptura:

[I can eat 50 eggs]

my that's humbling.

[theologia crucis]

I was wondering if you could tell me the things my children may learn about Lutheran religion if they are sent to Lutheran School for K-8?

It better be Jesus Christ and Him crucified, readin', 'ritin', & 'rithmatic (and history?)!

Or what are the biggest issues between Catholics and Lutherans?

The deep theological differences that truly divide us are the sinfullness of man (are we wounded or dead due to original sin, and what is the status of our will: free or enslaved?), God's grace (is it infused to us, or is it His benevolence sending His Son to save us by his innocent life, suffering & death?), and justification (which is directly related to the first two, and by faith and works or through faith alone?), and where is the church's authority found (in the Pope, Tradition & Scripture, or in Scripture alone?).

[I can eat 50 eggs]

wow, very unbiased there Theo, I'm impressed!

[theologia crucis]

Hey, I try not to bash unless I get bashed! Just tryin' to be honest!

[Organist]

wow, tough call

I think you should be a little more worried. there are very real, core differences in the two fiaths. the two that you should be most aware of:

1: Sola Fide: this is what crosswise was referring to. The lutherans teach that salvation is only through faith, and that nothing you do has any bearing on that. The RCC teaches that faith and works go hand in hand to bring about salvation.

2. Sola scriptura: THe Lutherans believe that only Scripture is used to set doctorine and beliefs, while the RCC teaches that the Scriptures, in addition to the teachings and traditions of the church, are the rule and norm.

Your number 1 is in error, for one thing. The Lutheran teaching is that by being in God's grace you will want to do good works, but you cannot be saved by them. There is nothing wrong with good works of themselves. Lutherans are a very giving people.

It would be nice if people who post here would simply get their facts straight first. ;)

[BigNorsk]

Hi,

When you get down to fundamental differences, the Lutheran Church holds that scripture is the sole source and foundation of doctrine, whereas the the Catholic Church would have the Bible and Sacred Tradition.

If you get to the bottom of it, the Lutheran Church would place the Bible over the Church and the Catholic Church would place the Church over the Bible.

Marv