Difference b/w Catholic and Lutheran?

Rorschac makes us Lutherans sound like Calvinists.

Confessional Lutherans are catholics, but not Roman Catholics. The only difference is, as Beowulf stated: the three Solas. The greatest, and most apparent difference is Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone).

Our Liturgy and doctrines are virtually identical except the Lutheran Mass, and every thing that the Church teaches are taken from Scripture, and must not conflict with Scripture. Like the Church of Rome, we value the teachings of the Church Fathers, the Saints, and tradition. Again Scripture has the final authority. Teachings and traditions that conflict with Scripture are omitted.

Like Rome, we believe in the real presence of Christ's body and blood in the sacrament of Holy Communion, and hold the same teachings regarding baptism, and Confession and Absolution. While we do not term Marriage, Holy Orders, Confirmation, and the Anointing of the sick "sacraments", we do have all of these sacramental acts as well.

Confessional Lutheran Churches as a rule practice "Close" or "Closed" Communion as does the Roman Catholic Church.

Unfortunately, while our Doctrine and Practice are so similar, there are still enough serious (in Rome's eyes as well as ours) differences that we are not in altar and pulpit fellowship, but we do often co-operate in charitable and social work, such as right to life, L'Arche, food drives, etc.

Here is a web site where you can find more info.

http://lcms.org/

Your friend in Christ,

Mark

It is good for you to try to be sensitive about this. There are fewer theological differences today than ever before, especially since the two bodies have, in the last year or so, published joint statements agreeing on the central matters that divided them in the middle ages, namely, that one is justified by faith - and yet, such faith must be evidenced by works of mercy and justice in a continuing process of sanctification that ends in one's ultimate salvation in glory. So this whole "faith versus works" thing is now moot. They agree that both are necessary. Liturgically, there isn't much difference either - they both follow liturgical calendars and lectionaries, have similar vestments and are even close on other sacramental matters. Officially, Lutherans hold to a view of the Eucharist called 'consubstantiation' and Catholics to 'transubstantiation.' "Con" was likened by Luther to the way a hot iron transfers its heat to another piece of metal and makes it glow. "Trans" means that the elements literally become the actual body and blood of Christ yet retain the appearance of bread and wine. But, as you can see, both affirm a 'real presence' in the Eucharist. Lutherans and Catholics are, in fact, close on just about everything except the authority of the pope. Catholics affectionately (and in a lightly humorous way) call Lutherans 'Junior Varsity Catholics'.

the foremost distinction is Lutherans attempt to tell what The Catholic faith believes and the Catholic faith leaves the Lutherans on my own. i'm a Catholic convert from Lutheran. Lutherans shouldn't I repeat no longer run around telling untruths with regard to the Catholic faith. This internet site truly is bearing fake witness against others in telling issues they know no longer something approximately.

In a nutshell, the Lutherans (at least historically, not too sure about the Lutheran church today) believe in faith alone, grace alone and the Word alone. They reject the idea that the Pope is infallible and the only leader of the Christian church. If the church and the Bible differ, the Bible is truth. One does not earn their way into heaven (in Lutheran thought), one only gets through heaven by means of faith in Jesus which itself is a gift from God.

Lutherans are not hierarchical. The point of Luther was to allow people to think for themselves and develop personal faith and not be dependent on religious bureaucrats.

Catholics are more strict, we kept the laws