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What are the main differences between Lutherans and Catholics?

SG, what Synod are you with? I'm in the LCMS. I was raised Catholic and have been Lutheran for 20 years.

There are number of very important differences between the two. Most of them can be traced to the RCC claims of the Pope's lineage to Peter, his authority over the centuries, which points to the source of their doctrinal differences: TRADITION

The RCC leans on Tradition for its doctrine, so what the Pope has dictated carries equal weight to scripture. Through Tradition, they have come to hold to Mary's ascension into Heaven, her sinlessness, praying to Mary and saints in heaven as intermediaries, the infallibility of the Pope, and other doctrines. As you know, Lutherans do not.

There are observable differences, too. Catholics rely on interpretation of scripture from the priest, so they don't emphasize Bible study and have no Bibles in the pews. Nor do Catholics bring Bibles to church.

I don't bag on Catholic members, because I do consider them part of the body of Christ, but the institution,... We have more in common with them (the members) than not. We both use a liturgy in worship.

Actually, I could go on with a lot more on both lists. We do have a rule on discussions on RCC doctrine, so anyone adding comments should refrain from turning this into an RCC argument. We can talk about the differences, as the OP asked about.
 
Before I begin, let me say for the record, that I am not here to argue what the Church teaches. I am only posting to correct misunderstandings and misrepresentations regarding official Church teachings and practices. If someone wants to take issue with the Catholic Church, they should at least base their arguments on the truth.

Mike,

There was a lot of bad catechesis that was practiced in the 70's, 80's, and 90's that arose from a combination of the social changes that took place in the '60s and '70's along with widespread misunderstanding of the Vatican II documents (bad enough that the phrase "in the spirit of Vatican II, 'x' change is called for" took the place of people actually what Vatican II actually said). John Paul II implemented widespread changes in the seminaries to address that, but we are only seeing the effects of those resulting corrections as the "newer" seminarians are now becoming more numerous as parish pastors and bishops. Please don't take observed practices in the Catholic Church as official and true to the faith without verifying with the Catechism and other official Church documents.

As for relying on priests for interpreting scripture, a lack of emphasis on Bible study, and the issue of bringing a Bible to church I feel the need to point out a couple things to correct this impression. Catholics don't rely on a priest to interpret scripture, they rely on the teaching magisterium (the bishops in union with the Pope) of the Church for help in understanding scripture. The Bible as we know it didn't exist in the early days of the Church. There were the Jewish scriptures and the writings of the early Christians. It was the Church that guarded and protected these writings and then later determined which of them were to be accepted as official teachings and compiled into what we know as The Bible. Bible study among Catholics is growing and spreading by leaps and bounds in the present day. As for bringing a Bible to Church, anyone who wishes to do so is more than welcome to. Scripture is read at every mass. The Sunday masses include a reading from the Old Testament, a psalm, a reading from one of the epistles, and a reading from one of the Gospels. The readings at daily mass consist of a reading from the Old Testament or a reading from an epistle, a psalm, and a reading from one of the Gospels. All of the readings at a given mass are centered on a common theme. The Sunday readings are on a three year cycle and the daily mass readings are on a two year cycle.


Stockmanguitar,

I'm not familiar enough with Lutheran teachings (let alone the nuances and differences between the denominations of Lutheranism), to make a list, but I would be happy to answer any questions you have based on official Church teaching and practices.

God Bless to all
 
stormcloud said:
There was a lot of bad catechesis that was practiced in the 70's, 80's, and 90's that arose from a combination of the social changes that took place in the '60s and '70's along with widespread misunderstanding of the Vatican II documents (bad enough that the phrase "in the spirit of Vatican II, 'x' change is called for" took the place of people actually what Vatican II actually said). John Paul II implemented widespread changes in the seminaries to address that, but we are only seeing the effects of those resulting corrections as the "newer" seminarians are now becoming more numerous as parish pastors and bishops. Please don't take observed practices in the Catholic Church as official and true to the faith without verifying with the Catechism and other official Church documents.

As for relying on priests for interpreting scripture, a lack of emphasis on Bible study, and the issue of bringing a Bible to church I feel the need to point out a couple things to correct this impression. Catholics don't rely on a priest to interpret scripture, they rely on the teaching magisterium (the bishops in union with the Pope) of the Church for help in understanding scripture. The Bible as we know it didn't exist in the early days of the Church. There were the Jewish scriptures and the writings of the early Christians. It was the Church that guarded and protected these writings and then later determined which of them were to be accepted as official teachings and compiled into what we know as The Bible. Bible study among Catholics is growing and spreading by leaps and bounds in the present day. As for bringing a Bible to Church, anyone who wishes to do so is more than welcome to. Scripture is read at every mass. The Sunday masses include a reading from the Old Testament, a psalm, a reading from one of the epistles, and a reading from one of the Gospels. The readings at daily mass consist of a reading from the Old Testament or a reading from an epistle, a psalm, and a reading from one of the Gospels. All of the readings at a given mass are centered on a common theme. The Sunday readings are on a three year cycle and the daily mass readings are on a two year cycle.
Click to expand...

I am not Lutheran or Catholic, however the interpretation of scripture by an established and recognized leadership of the Church has many strong merits. I think the same of the Protestant Reformation and every man mining scripture for themselves. One of the criticisms of Protestants is the resulting lack of unity as the variety of interpretations are so numerous. On the flip side of that same coin is then the many nuances of who God is being brought out more fully by so many expressions of the body of Christ. It seems the real criticism is that we don't hold one another in regard but demand our own rightness.
Paul and Peter could have derided one another as they sought to explain Jesus to the Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing different aspects of God. It seems to me that there is great room to learn from anothers experiences in Christ.
I am intrigued and blessed by much in the Catholic church but there are several aspects that I cannot overcome. I am also richly blessed daily by the Lutheran church as we use their liturgy in the praying of the offices. It seems many of us struggle with wanting to know WE are right. I like how N.T. Wright says, I know I have at least 30% wrong, I just don't know what 30%. I would be happy with only 30%!
 
Catholics practice heavy idolitry, Mary worship, and babylonian practices. They also have no biblical basis for priests and nuns not allowed to marry.
Martin Luther viewed the book of revelation as ludicrous.
 
I like how N.T. Wright says, I know I have at least 30% wrong, I just don't know what 30%. I would be happy with only 30%!
Click to expand...
Honest and humble statements like that are few and far between these days.
You and me both Jared, you and me both.......
 
Mike said:
SG, what Synod are you with? I'm in the LCMS. I was raised Catholic and have been Lutheran for 20 years.

There are number of very important differences between the two. Most of them can be traced to the RCC claims of the Pope's lineage to Peter, his authority over the centuries, which points to the source of their doctrinal differences: TRADITION

The RCC leans on Tradition for its doctrine, so what the Pope has dictated carries equal weight to scripture. Through Tradition, they have come to hold to Mary's ascension into Heaven, her sinlessness, praying to Mary and saints in heaven as intermediaries, the infallibility of the Pope, and other doctrines. As you know, Lutherans do not.

There are observable differences, too. Catholics rely on interpretation of scripture from the priest, so they don't emphasize Bible study and have no Bibles in the pews. Nor do Catholics bring Bibles to church.

I don't bag on Catholic members, because I do consider them part of the body of Christ, but the institution,... We have more in common with them (the members) than not. We both use a liturgy in worship.

Actually, I could go on with a lot more on both lists. We do have a rule on discussions on RCC doctrine, so anyone adding comments should refrain from turning this into an RCC argument. We can talk about the differences, as the OP asked about.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

Don't forget the all important essential doctrine of justification by faith, you know, how a person becomes a Christian.

- Davies
 
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