The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Differences between the Lutherans and the Reformed

I think we have discussed this before, but what are the main differences between Lutherans and the Reformed. I know the Lord's Supper is one, but what are some others? I heard someone say that Lutherans believe one can lose their salvation. Are there other big differences?

John

There are differences, but I think it actually starts with the differences between Martin Luther and Lutherans themselves.

For example, although I have not read parts of Martin Luther’s book ‘The Bondage of the Will’. The title speaks for itself, Luther believed the same as the other Reformers on this issue.

I have talked with many Lutherans over the years and to put it bluntly, I was shocked on how different they were from Luther and I am not talking about liberal Lutherans.

One in particular conversation I had with a Lutheran, he told me that Luther had obvious gone mad when he wrote the book ‘The Bondage of the Will’.

I had other conversations with other Lutherans.
They said that Reformed people are wrong to say: “..through faith alone, in Christ alone. But not by a faith that is alone.”

They said that by adding the last sentence, it makes a works based salvation.

Nothing I said after that changed their mind about what the Reformers meant.

Tom

First, there are myriad "flavors" of Lutheranism today vs. historic Lutheranism. That being said, to cover all the differences between them and the Reformed Churches would require a near incomprehensible list. There are many "Reformed" churches who are likewise far from historic Reformation Protestant churches and thus in actuality are not Reformed.

Okay, so there are some fundamental differences between the historic groups; Lutheran vs. Calvinist.
1. Law vs. Gospel Calvinists believe that the Law of God is the first principle of the Gospel for from the law the sinner comes to conviction and need of salvation in Christ. Lutherans reject this premise and believe that the law has no place in the Gospel.

2. Sacraments: Calvinists believe that there is no efficacy in the sacraments unto salvation. Luthers hold to a form of baptismal regeneration. They also hold to "consubstantiation" whereby the actual physical body and blood of Christ are present and of which believers 'feast'. Calvinist/Reformed believe that Christ is actually present spiritually in the Supper and not physically.

3. Atonement: Calvinists hold to a Limited/Definite Atonement wherein the salvation of the elect and them only have had their sins atoned for. Lutherans hold that the atonement was universal in scope, i.e., Christ died for ALL without exception.

4. Predestination: Calvinists/Reformed believe in "Double Predestination", i.e., God predestined ALL men either to salvation (election) or damnation (reprobation). Lutherans believe that God predestined and elected some to salvation but simply "left to themselves" all others (see R.C. Sproul's excellent article here: Double Predestination)

Is that a complete list? But those are basic and obvious differences which separate the two groups.

You can read what a Lutheran thinks on the issue from his perspective here: Lutheran vs. Reformed

A big one would be in how they view water Baptism, as Lutherans would hold to the Infant in that rite actually receives the Holy Spirit and gets saved/regenerated, due the Holy Spirit grants to the infant the gift of saving faith.