How Similar are Catholicism and Lutheranism?

Ashley Edminster

LIB 135-02: Body of Christ at Prayer, Catholic Traditions

December 1, 2016
Over the course of the semester the class has focused on three major areas God’s mercy,

scripture, and church. We looked at them in three different denominations to see how their

traditions affect their beliefs. After taking a deeper look at Catholicism and Lutheranism I found

several differences between their practices. These differences are reflected in the way their

beliefs are shaped when looking at God’s Mercy, Scripture, and Church. However, after reading

literature from several sources and doing personal research on Lutheranism and Catholicism I

determined that even though they may have a few minor differences their overall beliefs are

similar.

God’s mercy in connection to Catholicism places a large focus on the sacraments and the

liturgy. Baptism and the Eucharist are gifts to praise because it helps us to recognize our

identity as members in the church of god. They are also signs of God’s mercy. As for the liturgy

it is seen as a foretaste of what heaven will be like. In ​Sacrosanctum Concilium​ it states, “​In the

earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy

city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims.” ​[1]​The liturgy acts as a foretaste

because we get to experience the reality of what heaven will be like. I saw this when I attended

Resurrection church. There baptismal font is in the shape of a cross. It symbolizes that we are

born out of Christ’s death. We also see this in the bible under Romans 6:4 it states, “We were

therefore buried with him through baptism into death​ in order that, just as Christ was raised from

the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”​[2]​ As believers we can

also be a foretaste for others to help unite them with God, which is known as mercy through

believers. We also see this concept portrayed in the catholic tradition’s views on sacramentality,

mediation, and communion. Which is that we are drawn into union with God through union with
others. Another concept frequently mentioned under Catholicism is doing charitable acts

otherwise known as works. They do these acts in order to receive extra mercy from God.

However, it has become more about bringing others into union with God through these acts.

Personally when I do chartable acts I feel I am brought closer into union with God through the

people I am helping. These charitable acts do not necessarily give us more mercy, but they do

bring us closer to God. Finally, under the catholic faith the belief is that God desires to save us.

We discussed this in class when looking at ​Sacrosanctum Concilium.

Under Lutheranism God’s mercy is viewed similarly to Catholicism. Just like the Catholic faith,

Lutheranism believes that God desires to save to sinners. However, the way in which they

believe we are saved is different. According to Luther we are saved by faith alone, ​Sola Fides.

Meaning that doing charitable acts or indulgences does not help us to receive God’s mercy.

However, they do participate in acts. When I was observing Saint Matthew’s church they talked

about raising money to help a deaf individual in the community. This can be seen as a ‘work’.

The only reason it is looked at differently than the Catholic Church is because they interpret it

differently. They believe nothing we do helps us to be saved because we are not saving

ourselves. God is saving us because Christ alone, ​Sola Christus,​ burns salvation and does the

work of saving us. We see an example of this in ​The Banquet’s Wisdom ​it states, “In it the

righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’

There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous live by

a gift of God, namely by faith”.​[3]​ Luther came to the conclusion that we are saved by faith after

reading Paul’s letter to the Romans as we saw in this quote. This will carry on into how Luther

looks at scripture and its authority.

The main idea of God’s mercy for both Catholicism and Lutheranism is that God will save

sinners. However, the way in which you are saved is different between the two denominations.
In Catholicism you can do charitable acts and indulgences in order to spend less time in

purgatory and go to heaven sooner. While in Lutheranism works do not matter as faith alone is

what saves you. These two things may seem very different, but they both lead back to the fact

that God will save us. The works we do are not saving us because God is. The works are just

bringing us closer into union with God because we are leading a giving life as God would desire.

We also see that God saving us is what is truly important in other materials as well. In an article

from Jeffery Gros, i​nternationally renowned Catholic ecumenist and theologian​ ​he states,

Catholics and Lutherans confess together a common conviction that the triumph of God's grace
will be consummated in a perfect communion of love, justice, and peace. All the redeemed will
exist in harmony with God and with one another in a radically transformed world. This hope is
significant for our ecumenical efforts. As is often said, our divisions do not reach to heaven.​[4]

The additional material as well as what we looked at in class only reinforces the fact that the

overall beliefs of Lutheranism and Catholicism are the same except for a few minor differences.

God’s Mercy is seen frequently in the scripture of both Lutheranism and Catholicism.

They both look at scripture as being sacred, inspired, authoritative, and up to the church for

interpretation. The Catholic and Lutheran Church see scripture as sacred because it is holy and

set apart from other texts because it comes from God. According to the Catholic Church it is

inspired because the Holy Spirit breathed the sacred word to humans and those human authors

“breathed” it out again in writing. As for Lutheranism, in an interview with Pamela Starr a pastor

at Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church she said,​ “Our God can speak to anyone and he is still

speaking.”​[5]​ This is a reminder from a pastor of the Lutheran Church that scripture is inspired

and comes to us through God. Which is a direct link to the beliefs of the Catholic denominations

view on scripture. ​Scripture is also authoritative in the Catholic denomination because it guides

the practices of the church. The Lutheran Denomination also believes the scripture is

authoritative because it is the center of the life of the church. Lutheranism believes it is the sole
source of truth, ​Sola Scriptura​ meaning scripture alone. However, they also use a broader

interpretation of the plain meaning. Due to the fact that scripture is

the center of the church and the only source of truth it guides the practices

of the church including the sacraments. If God does not confirm the sacrament

it is made by the church according the Lutheranism. The sacraments they believe

to be recognized by God are baptism and Eucharist. However, penance can be a

reminder that God saves us but there is no tangible sign. The Catholic Church

also believes their sacraments are recognized by God. However, the Catholic has

seven and the Lutheran Church has two. We have this difference in beliefs

because they each interpret scripture differently. Also just like the Catholic

denomination they use a lectionary for their readings. Finally, it is not up to

individual interpretation, it is only up to the church to interpret because

others may interpret it wrong. In ​Dei

Verbum​ we get a direct example of how scripture is all of these things from

Pope Paul VI. “​The apostolic preaching, which is expressed in a special way in the inspired

books, was to be preserved by an unending succession of preachers until the end of time.

Therefore the Apostles, handing on what they themselves had received, warn the faithful to hold

fast to the traditions which they have learned either by word of mouth or by letter.”​[6]​ In this

quote we see that the role of scripture guides what we do in mass and in our lives as faithful

followers of Christ because it is coming from God telling us what to do and how to do it. This

close following of scripture has developed the traditions of the church.

There are many connections between the Catholic

and Lutheran denominations beliefs on scripture. However, the way in which they

interpret scripture is different. Just like with most things people can interpret
them differently. The example that the Lutheran Church only recognizes two main

sacraments as coming from God. While the Catholic Church recognizes seven

sacraments is a perfect example of how a difference in interpretation can cause

so much variation in beliefs. However, the Lutheran church does allow other

sacraments like confirmation but it is not advocated. Although there are

differences the main ideas of both remain similar. Tradition is also affected

by each denominations interpretation of scripture. They each interpret

scripture differently and in the Catholic faith scripture has shaped tradition

for hundreds of years so it still has a valuable place in church. While

Lutheranism thinks scripture is more important than maintaining tradition since

scripture is the sole source of truth. Another similarity is both denominations

understand it as being holy and set apart from other texts. This is because it

is inspired by God in both denominations. When observing the two different

faiths it was clear that they both strongly believe that scripture is of vital

importance because in both masses the lectern was at the center of the church

and reading or talking about the scripture took at least half of the time spent

together in worship. The churches are similar as we see with the lectern

and so are the functions of the things in it. “The sacramental functions of the altar for

Lutheranism and Catholicism are not wholly different.”​[7]​ We will see more similarities in the

church as we look at the beliefs of the two denominations. Lutheranism and Catholicism

continue to show that their beliefs are the similar.

Finally, we see how scripture influences church in Catholicism and Lutheranism. Both

Catholicism and Lutheranism look at the church as being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The

Catholic Church is one because it focuses on unity not uniformity. It connects us in faith, love,
and truth. It is also holy because it is set apart and it manifests God’s presence. Lutheranism

also sees the church as one and holy because it is a priesthood of believers. This means that

baptism is what is important not ordination. Everyone in the church has a different role but

everyone is valuable. In Lutheranism they believe ordination creates the idea that those who are

ordained are more important than others and that is not the case. It is holy because during

worship they are celebrating the word and sacraments. These things are tangible promises and

signs of God’s mercy. The Catholic Church shows catholicity because it is universal, it does not

matter who you are or where you come from we are all one. Finally, the Catholic Church is

apostolic because we are also supposed to do the work of apostles and go out and share the

good news of God’s salvation. It is apostolic because what we learn about comes from the

apostles and we are supposed to share the knowledge just as the original apostles did.

Lutheranism is apostolic because everyone there is called to preach and witness God’s gift of

salvation. Being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic is also seen throughout Lutheran mass as it

was with the catholic mass in similar ways. These characteristics were apparent when observing

the catholic faith because throughout the different masses at Resurrection church you could see

different examples of each of the four characteristics. One and catholic were portrayed through

the people in attendance. They were all different but they came together to worship. The

congregation ranged in age, race, and socioeconomic status but that did not matter when they

were at church because they were all there to worship and thank God. It portrayed holiness

because they believed the presence of God was with them. Also it was apostolic because the

priest read from the stories of apostles and he asked for the spread of the good news and he

sent forth the congregation to do it.

When

looking at Catholicism and Lutheranism their beliefs on church are pretty

similar. They both show aspects of holiness, oneness, catholicity, and

apostolicity. However, the way in which they follow these aspects can be

different. They both believe in oneness and catholicity but for Lutheranism it

is more on the aspect that it is a priesthood of believers. While in the

Catholic faith it is about everyone gathering in unity regardless of what they

look like or where they come from. As for being holy it is similar because they

both use church as a celebration of Christ and his salvation. Finally, they are

both called to share the good news and be apostolic. By doing “works” they can

also be apostolic because they are doing things to help others and this helps

bring people closer into union with God. This will in the end result in the

spread of the good news because more people are brought closer to God and will

learn about his sacrifice. Again their beliefs on church further the idea that

their overall beliefs are similar with only a few differences, mainly due to

interpretation.

Some individuals may disagree and say that the differences they share are too large and

make them too different from each other. Leaving them with only a few small similarities. The

differences they share are fundamental to what shapes their beliefs and views on God’s mercy,

scripture, and church. Some may claim that the reason that Lutheranism was developed was

because the beliefs are so different from the Catholic denomination.

However, this argument is not correct. Although they are different from each other these

differences are mainly about how things are interpreted. The overall beliefs of the two

denominations are very similar. Mel Piehl states, “As American Catholics and Lutherans have

come to know one another, they had sometimes discovered that they share not only this basic

religious faith, but a remarkably parallel history.”​[8]​ The basics of Catholicism and Lutheranism
are the same. Their main difference is how they interpret scripture. Most of the differences can

be traced back to whether or not something was directly stated in scripture or if it was just

interpreted wrong. Overall Lutheranism and Catholicism are similar.

After looking at God’s mercy, scripture, and church and how Catholicism and

Lutheranism look at them, it is easy to conclude that even though they may have a few minor

differences their overall beliefs are relatively the same. The observations, interviews, classroom

literature, additional research, and class discussions all foster the idea that although they do

have some differences they are fundamentally the same. Through their worship and tradition

you see many similarities between the two and even when looking at their beliefs on paper it is

easy to connect them to one another. There are still a few noticeable differences but that is to

be expected when looking at two different denominations.

Bibliography

Gros, Jeffrey. "Hope for eternal life: the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue." ​Journal Of Ecumenical
Studies​ 46, no. 2 (2011): 259-269.

Macy, Gary. ​The Banquet’s Wisdom​. Tennessee:OSL Publications, 2005.

Piehl, Mel. "American Catholicism and American Lutheranism: toward a comparative

perspective." ​Lutheran Historical Conference​ 10, (1984): 52-67.

Paul VI, Pope. “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium.” Second Vatican
Council. December 4, 1963. (accessed November 26, 2016).
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_1963120
4_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html .

---. “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum.” Second Vatican

Council. November 18, 1965. (accessed November 26, 2016).
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_1965111
8_dei-verbum_en.html .

Price, David H. ​Renaissance Quarterly​ 62, no. 4 (2009):1273-275.

Rom. 6:4 (New International Version)

Starr, Pamela. Interviewed by Ashley L. Edminster, October 28, 2016, Recording.

[1]​ ​Pope Paul VI, “Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium)” Second Vatican
Council. December 4,
1963.http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat
ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html , 8.
[2]​ R
​ om. 6:4 NIV (New International Version)

[3]​ ​Gary Macy, ​The Banquet’s Wisdom​ (Tennessee:OSL Publications, 2005), 183.
[4]​ ​Jeffery Gros, "Hope for eternal life: the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue." ​Journal Of Ecumenical
Studies​ 46, no. 2 (2011): 262.
[5]​ Pamela Starr, Interviewed by Ashley L. Edminster, October 28, 2016.

[6]​ ​Pope Paul VI, “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum)” Second Vatican
Council. November 18, 1965. (accessed November 26, 2016). http://www.vatican.va/arch
ive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html , 8.
[7]​ ​David H. ​Price, ​Renaissance Quarterly​ 62, no. 4 (2009): 1274.

[8]​ ​Piehl, Mel. "American Catholicism and American Lutheranism: toward a comparative
perspective." ​Lutheran Historical Conference​ 10, (1984 1984): 65. (accessed November 17, 2016).