Lutheran vs Anglican: Difference and Comparison

Protestant Christianity is the religious movement Martin Luther led in the 16th century in Germany. Martin Luther wrote 95 theses against the churches that practised corruption by selling indulgences.

Key Takeaways

  1. Lutheran and Anglican denominations of Christianity emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
  2. Lutheran theology emphasizes the importance of faith and grace in salvation, while Anglican theology emphasizes the importance of faith and good works.
  3. Lutheran worship services are characterized by a focus on scripture and the sermon, while Anglican worship services include more formal liturgical elements such as prayer, music, and sacraments.

Lutheran vs Anglican

Lutherans were formed in 1521 by Martin Luther when Catholics were divided in the German reformation movement. They believed that the Holy Book is a source of obtaining forgiveness from God. Anglicans were formed in 1534 by King Henry VIII in the English Reformation Movement. They follow the Book of Common Prayer and the creeds of Apostles and Anglicans.

Lutheran vs Anglican

Lutherans do not obey the Roman Catholic Church’s laws and rules. They believe that the holy book is the source of gaining forgiveness and faith is the gift of salvation.

Anglicans also believe in the Lutheran‘s logic of faith and forgiveness for sins. King Henry disagreed with the pope’s judgment on his divorce and cut all his ties with Rome.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonLutheranAnglican
FounderMartin Luther protested against the laws and practice of corruption in the catholic churches where the Lutheran group was formed.King Henry VIII violated the pope’s decision on his divorce case and created his laws on following Christianity. Thus formed an Anglican group.
Formation YearIn 1521, Catholics were divided into Lutheran groups in the German Reformation movement.In 1534, King Henry violated the church’s rules, which resulted in the English reformation movement in which the Anglican group was formed.
Holy BookThe Holy Bible, Creeds of Apostles, Nicene, and AthanasianThe Book of Common Prayer, Creeds of Apostles, Nicene, and Anglicans.
ProtestantsLutherans are the first protestants in the protestant branch.Anglicans are also one of the branches of protestants but are considered reformed Catholics.
Major ChurchEvangelical Lutheran Church in America.Episcopalian Church in the united states.
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What is Lutheran?

Martin Luther, a Christian monk, read the bible and found that Roman Catholic churches are spreading wrong information and practising the selling of forgiveness and salvation to the Christians. He wrote 95 theses to describe the practices of catholic churches.

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According to Luther, there is no need for churches and popes to gain forgiveness from god. The Holy book is enough to connect and seek forgiveness from god.

In this German reformation movement, the Christians were divided into Lutheran groups led by Martin Luther. According to Luther, people who believe in Jesus follow the right way, and others go wrong.

lutheran

What is Anglican?

In 1534, King Henry VIII decided to divorce his wife, but the rules and laws of the Catholic Church did not allow the pope to permit him to do so. It was the English reformation period when the king disagreed with the pope and changed the name of the Catholic Church to the Anglican Church.

Anglicans symbolize the presence of Jesus Christ with bread and wine, where bread denotes the body and wine denotes the blood of Jesus. They believe in praying to god in privacy.

anglican

Main Differences Between Lutheran and Anglican

  1. Lutherans are the Protestants formed by Martin Luther, and Anglicans are the reformed Catholics founded by King Henry VIII.
  2. The Lutherans group formed as a result of the German reformation movement that took place in 1521, and the Anglican group as a result of the English reformation movement that took place in 1534.
  3. Lutherans follow the Holy Bible with the old and new testaments, the book of concord, and the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds. The Anglicans follow the Book of Common Prayer and the Apostles, Nicene, and Anglican creeds.
  4. The central church of Lutherans is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Anglicans are Episcopalian Church in the United States.
  5. The Lutherans and Anglicans believed that only the holy book was enough for the people to connect with god, and there was no need for popes and other magistrates.
Difference Between Lutheran and Anglican
References
  1. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3286074
  2. https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2119&context=consensus
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About Author

Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.