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Why We Left Lutheranism--Unscriptural Name

© Claude A. Guild & John L. Hoh, Jr.

When God's word was preached in New Testament times it made sinners Christians. "And that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). And Agrippa said to Paul, "With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian." And Paul said, "I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds" (Acts 26:28-29). "But if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name" (I Peter 4:16). The word of God believed and obeyed did not make people Lutherans. It is imperative then, that it takes something in addition to the word of God to make Lutherans.

The followers of Luther have accepted his name for the church, the Lutheran Church, because they have subscribed to his doctrine, his catechism. The catechism was written by him in the year 1529. It has continuously been accepted by the church. But let me say, if you were to destroy all the catechisms, you would forever lose sight of the name "Lutheran." Since it was not a Bible name, and because Paul said, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17), I cannot be a Lutheran.

Why do Lutherans call themselves Lutherans? Why do they take the name of the reformer who nailed the 95 thesis to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg and stated boldly at Worms, "Here I Stand!"?

Mr. Guild would have us believe that the name "Lutheran" is unscriptural. But we use many terms that could be considered unscriptural.

The term "Christian" itself could be considered unscriptural. Luke reports in Acts that it was first in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called "Christians." This was not meant to be a complimentary term. It was meant to be derogatory, referring to people as followers of a man crucified for crimes against the state. It would be akin to being called a follower of Timothy McVeigh today. I doubt that many people would accept that as a compliment.

The term "Lutheran" likewise started as a derogatory term by the Papists to describe those who subscribed to the theology taught by Luther-theology from Scripture alone!

The copyright of the article Why We Left Lutheranism--Unscriptural Name in Lutheranism is owned by Claude A. Guild & John L. Hoh, Jr.. Permission to republish Why We Left Lutheranism--Unscriptural Name in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.