Lutheranism

Lutheranism is a Protestant tradition arising from the sixteenth-century Reformation and associated historically with Martin Luther and the Lutheran confessions.

It took shape in German, Scandinavian, Baltic, and other European settings and now exists in many global church bodies.

It is characteristically associated with justification by grace through faith, the authority of Scripture, proclamation of law and gospel, and a high view of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Lutheran bodies differ on some questions of ministry, worship, and ethics.

Worship is commonly liturgical and centred on Word and Sacrament, hymns, preaching, Baptism, and Eucharist.

Many Lutheran churches are episcopal, synodical, or both; structures differ by church body.