Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Lutheranism
Lutheranism is the branch of Protestantism that generally follows the teachings of the 16th century reformer Martin Luther. The Lutheran movement spread from Saxony into other German territories and into Scandinavia. In the 18th century it appeared to America and later in many nations of the world. It has more than 70 million adherents.
Lutheranism appeared in Europe after a century of reformist unrest in Italy under Girolamo Savonarola, in Bohemia under John Hus, and in England under the Lollards. The personal struggles of the monk Luther gave cohesion to the original impulses of the Protestant Reformation and colors Lutheranism to the present. Like many people of conscience in his day, Luther saw immorality and corruption in the Roman Catholic church. His intention was to reform what he thought were corrupt teachings of the Church more than to rebel. After he experienced what he believed to be the Grace of God, he proclaimed a message of divine promise and denounced the measures of human merit which had been embraced by most Catholics.
In Europe most Lutheran churches are episcopal, that is, governed by bishops; and the churches of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are established on this principle. In North America and elsewhere Lutherans prefer congregational and synodical forms of government, in which local churches link together for common purposes. In the United States, Lutherans have united in three main bodies: the Lutheran Church in America (membership, 2.9 million), the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (2.6 million), and the American Lutheran Church (2.3 million). The American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and a third group, The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, united in 1987 to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Although a majority of the world`s Lutherans still live in the traditionally Lutheran countries of central and northern Europe, Lutheranism has been growing most rapidly in Africa and Asia. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), headquartered in Geneva, coordinates the activities of almost all Lutheran churches in the world. It oversees ecumenical relations, theological studies, and world service and is guided by an international executive committee. Most Lutheran churches are also members of the World Council of Churches.
Lutheranism is represented in the Middle East, in a small way, by The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan. Five of its six congregations are in Israel and Palestinian areas, clustered around Jerusalem and Bethlehem. One is in the capital of Jordan, Amman. The Church of Hope in Ramallah and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Amman are made up largely of the families of refugees who fled their homes at the time of Israel`s war of independence.