Luther, from my understanding, thought of sola fide not as a guarante of salvation but as the only hope of salvation. i might be wrong but thisis how i read the history.

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 10, 2005

Answers

assuming this to be correct -- do the Lutherans still believe this -- or has sole fide moved from "faith is the only thing that might save" to "faith will save regardless".

-- Ian (ib@vertifgo.com), March 10, 2005.

Ian, What happened, Did The great defender make you rethink the CC? My Episcopalian friends always joke that they are Catholic-lites (no joke either check out their service sometime). I always tell them I know "more sin, less penance!~". Well the great defender is simply trying to keep the Church pure from sinners like us.

Ian, this link will give you the Beliefs, Practices and Doctrine of the Missouri Synod

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=568

You may also find this link "A Comparative Chart of Christian Beliefs" helpful, Note the various links at the bottom to the different denominations.

http://www.saintaquinas.com/christian_comparison.html

-- Michael G. (NoEmail@Nowhere.no), March 10, 2005.

Ian,

Here is an additional extract from another page link listed at the bottom.

Lutherans

--------Religious Doctrines

God: Trinitarian Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Sacraments: Baptism, Communion

Salvation: Saved through Faith alone, Saved by Grace alone

Scriptures: 66 books, supernaturally inspired, Follows the premise of Sola Fide

Dogmatic Origins: Sola Scriptura, doctrines defined by the Book of Concord

Church: reformation of the church catholic, Lutheranism is considered the true religion but other Christians can be true believers

------Theological Beliefs

Creation: Creation is described in the Genesis account; denies the possibility of evolution

Man’s State: Fallen state due to original sin

Sin: covered up through justification. Once a person is declared righteous by Christ’s redemption, a person can still sin but should not. Sanctification of grace can help a person reach Christian perfection.

Grace: doctrine of Sola Gratia confesses that the grace of God moves the believer to repentance and justification. Grace is God’s undeserved mercy for us. Denies the concept of an immediate infusion of grace.

Redemption and Salvation: redemption is a free gift available to all

Justification: traditionally by faith alone, a new confession implies justification is imputed by faith working with works. Justification is an act, not a process that is a work of the Holy Spirit.

Repentance: a gift of grace borne from baptism Sacraments

Baptism: Trinitarian baptism, accepts infant baptism and believes baptism to transmit grace.

Communion: believes in a limited Real Presence, denies that the host is the true body and blood under the guise of bread and wine (transubstantiation of the host and wine).

http://www.saintaquinas.com/Lutherans.html

-- Michael G. (NoEmail@Nowhere.no), March 10, 2005.