I) God - Lutherans believe in the Triune God and reject other interpretations regarding the nature of God.
uh they can't really explain it either so this is amusing.
II) Original Sin - Lutherans believe that the nature of man is sinful, described as being without fear of God, without trust of God and with concupiscence. The only 'cure' for sin is to be reborn through Baptism and the Holy Spirit.
The first part is contradictive to 18. It's a compromise.
III) The Son of God - Lutherans believe in the incarnation, that is, the union of the fully human with the fully divine in the person of Jesus. Jesus Christ alone brings about the reconciliation of humanity with God.
about time something good is said.
IV) Justification By Faith - Man cannot be justified before God through
our own abilities; we are wholly reliant on Jesus Christ for reconciliation with God. (This is often described as the one article by which the "Lutheran church stands or falls".)
own abilities must be defined. does it mean outside of God's request or simply our own initiative. If it is a reference to works of our own initiative I agree but I doubt it.
V) The Office of Preaching Lutherans believe that to see to it that the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed throughout the world, Christ has established his office of the holy ministry.
VI) Of The New Obedience - Lutherans believe that good deeds of Christians are the fruits of faith and salvation, not a price paid for them.
While we are at it let's just throw out Christ's Word that receiving the kingdom of God is like purchasing a field or a great pearl. Also let's ingore basic understanding of contract law and how it works.
VII) Of The Church Lutherans believe that there is one holy Christian Church, and it is found wherever the gospel is preached in its truth and purity and the sacraments are administered according to the gospel.
VIII) What The Church Is Despite what hypocrisy may exist in the church (and among men), the Word and the Sacraments are always valid because they are instituted by Christ, no matter what the sins may be of the man who administers them.
IX) Of Baptism Lutherans believe that Baptism is necessary for salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God. Children are baptized as an offering to them of God's grace.
1/2 right
X) Of the Lord's Supper Lutherans believe that Christ's body and blood is truly present in with and under the bread and wine of the sacrament, and reject those that teach otherwise.
XI) Of Confession Lutherans believe that private absolution should remain in the church, though a believer does not need to enumerate all of his sins as it is impossible for a man to enumerate all of the sins for which he should be forgiven.
XII) Of Repentance Repentance comes in two parts: in contrition for sins committed according to the Law and through faith offered through the Gospel. A believer can never be free from sin, nor live outside of the grace of God.
XIII) Of the Use of the Sacraments The Sacraments (Baptism and the Eucharist) are physical manifestations of God's Word and his commitment to us. The sacraments are never just physical elements, but have God's word and promises bound to them.
XIV) Of Ecclesiastical Order Lutherans only allow those who are "rightly called" to administer the Sacraments.
XV) Of Ecclesiastical Usages Lutherans believe that church holidays, calendars and festivals are useful for religious observance, but that observance and ritual is not necessary for salvation. Human traditions (such as observances, fasts, distinctions in eating meats) that are taught as a way to "merit" grace work in opposition to the Gospel.
XVI) Of Civil Affairs Secular governments and vocations are considered to be part of God's natural orders; Christians are free to serve in government, the military and engage in the business and vocations of the world. Laws are to be followed unless they are commandments to sin.
XVII) Of Christ's Return to Judgment Lutherans believe that Christ will return to judge the world and all men; the 'godly' will be given everlasting joy, the 'ungodly' will be condemned. This article rejects notions of the earthly kingdom of the godly, or that Christ's judgment will not be final.
XVIII) Of Free Will Lutherans believe that we have free will in the realm of "civil righteousness" (or "things subject to reason"), but that we do not have free will in "spiritual righteousness". In other words, we are free to choose and act in every regard except for the choice of salvation. Faith is not the work of men, but of the Holy Spirit.
This is totaly ignorant and stupid while being contradictive.
XIX) Of the Cause of Sin God does not cause people to sin — sin is instead the work of the 'ungodly and the devil'. (i.e. our selfish concerns of this world)
XX) Of Good Works The Lutheran notion of justification by faith does not somehow condemn good works; our faith causes us to good works as a sign of our justification (or salvation),
not a requirement for salvation.
This clearly ignores the whole of scripture and that works are the very essence of judgment of what "faithfulness" is. This also fails as it makes salvation ONLY a single realized point in time vs a whole view of a promise to be realized by judgment in the end. Typical failure of understanding Abraham and WAY over reaching what Gen 15:6 is about. Promises and covenants mean rights to obtain. Abraham had conditions, Jesus gave conditions and faithfulness is always the judge of obtaining the promise BY THE CONDITIONS of the contract!
XXI) Of the Worship of the Saints Lutherans keep the saints, not as saviors or intercessors to God, but rather as examples and inspirations to our own faith and life.