What We Believe
Who are Lutherans?
A Lutheran is first and foremost a Christian who believes in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Our "Lutheran" forebears were the first "Protestants," trying to reform the church in their age. Perhaps the best way of defining who we are as Lutherans is to say that we are Protestant Christians in the Lutheran tradition.
Just about 500 years ago in Germany, Martin Luther led a movement to reform the church. Because of Luther's creative and charismatic work in the Reformation movement he came to be known as the Father of Protestantism. After becoming an Augustinian monk and a priest, Luther discovered significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the teaching and practices of the Catholic church of his time. On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the church door at Wittenberg University to debate 95 theological issues (now commonly referred to as the "95 Theses"). Luther's hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as he saw in his reading of Holy Scripture.
What started as an academic debate escalated beyond that. As a result, there was not a reformation of the church but a separation. "Lutheran" was a name applied to Luther and his followers as an insult, but was seen by those seeking change as a badge of honor instead.
Lutherans still consider themselves as a reforming movement within the universal Church rather than a separatist movement, stressing the importance of being made right with God by faith and God’s grace alone. New Hope is part of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
Luther's theological work, especially the Small Catechism, which contains teachings on the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayers, is still used to introduce people to Christian faith as understood through the Lutheran tradition.
How Do Lutherans Look Upon the Bible?
To borrow a phrase from Luther, the Bible is "the manger in which the Word of God is laid." While Lutherans recognize differences in the way the Bible should be studied and interpreted, it is accepted as the primary and authoritative witness to the church's faith. Written and transcribed by many authors over a period of many centuries, the Bible bears remarkable testimony to the mighty acts of God in the lives of people and nations. In the Old Testament is found the vivid account of God's covenant relationship to Israel. In the New Testament is found the story of God's new covenant with all of creation in Jesus.
The New Testament is the proclamation of those in the early church who first understood who Jesus was in his life, death and Resurrection. As such, it is the authority for Christian faith and practice. The Bible is thus not a definitive record of history or science. Rather, it is the record of the drama of God's saving care for creation throughout the course of history.
What Must a Person Do to Become a Lutheran?
To become a Lutheran, only Christian Baptism and instruction in the Christian faith is required. The pastor is happy to work with you to prepare you for Baptism. If you are already baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and are a member in another Lutheran church, you can transfer your membership. If you are baptized but not yet a Lutheran, you will be invited to join a new member class to learn more about what it means to be a Lutheran before joining the church.