Evankelisluterilainen

EvankelisLuterilainen is a Finnish term used to describe the Lutheran branch of Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the gospel (evangelical) and the teachings of Martin Luther (Lutheran). In Finnish usage, evankelis-luterilainen functions as an adjective and descriptor for churches, denominations, and beliefs belonging to the evangelical-lutheran tradition. The term aligns with the international Lutheran heritage, which arose from the 16th‑century Reformation and centers on justification by faith, the authority of Scripture, the two sacraments (baptism and the Eucharist), and confessional summaries such as the Augsburg Confession and Luther’s Small Catechism.

In practice, the phrase is commonly associated with national or regional churches that identify as Evangelical Lutheran. The most prominent example in Finland is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, a large Lutheran body that plays a central role in Finnish religious and cultural life. Similar evangelical-lutheran churches exist across many Nordic and German-speaking regions, and they often share liturgical worship, Lutheran church governance, and ecumenical links through organizations like the Lutheran World Federation.

The concept distinguishes itself from broader or non-Lutheran Protestant traditions by its adherence to Lutheran doctrinal statements and an evangelical approach to preaching, catechesis, and sacraments. In contemporary usage, evankelis-luterilainen identity can intersect with civic and social life, while maintaining core theological commitments such as the authority of Scripture, grace, and faith-based justification.