Being “Lutheran?”  The Lutheran Reformation – 505 years and counting!

I am always amazed when people ask, “Lutheran, is that cult?” Especially when you consider there are more than 80 million Lutherans in the world today. Lutherans live in Europe (the largest number in Germany), Nordic and Baltic countries, Asia, Africa (Tanzania and Ethiopia, Nigeria), and South America (mainly in Brazil), with the United States accounting for the largest number. The Lutheran Church is 80 million worldwide, and our branch, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, has 2 million members in the United States. Lutheranism is 505 years old today.  

(Much of the above was taken from several Wikipedia documents)

The world was ripe for the first reformation, but I wonder, as we enter a “post-covid” world, are we again in need of another reformation of the Spirit, the Word, of faith, and proclamation? My answer is: Yes. I believe the Church on earth will always need reformation, a perpetual, ongoing reformation that will end only when the Lord of the Church returns. 

The Church is, and will always be, in need of a reformation of the Spirit; the mighty work of the Holy Spirit, whose business is a reformation of the heart of the sinner, as HE calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies believers in the true faith.

The Church is, and will always be, in need of a reformation founded upon the Truth of the Word, the Gospel. 

The Church is, and will always be, in need of a reformation of faith, for the Church is the sum of all believers, past, alive today, and all those yet to believe in Christ and baptized in the name of the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

The Church is, and will always be, in need of a reformation of the proclamation of the Gospel by believers to an unbelieving world. 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 Acts 1:8 NIV

It is time for another reformation. Let it start with us in prayer.

Let us pray. Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank you that by your Word, you have brought us out of the darkness of error into the light of Your Truth, the Truth that sets us free. Mercifully help us to walk in that light, guard us against all error and false doctrine, and grant that we may not become ungrateful and despise your Word, as did your people long ago, but receive it with all our heart, that it may govern our lives as we place our complete trust in Your grace through the merits of Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen