lutheránizmus

Lutheranism is a major branch of Protestant Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian. Luther's teachings, which emerged in the 16th century, challenged many of the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Central to Lutheran theology is the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone, meaning that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through human works or merits.

Another key tenet is the authority of Scripture alone, or *sola scriptura*, which holds that the Bible is the ultimate source of religious authority. Lutherans emphasize the sacraments, particularly Baptism and Holy Communion, as means of grace. They generally recognize two sacraments, though some traditions may acknowledge others. While Lutherans broke from the Roman Catholic Church over issues of authority and doctrine, they retain a liturgical tradition that shares similarities with historical Christian worship, often including hymns, prayers, and a structured order of service.

The Lutheran Church is organized into various national and regional churches, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) being two prominent examples in the United States. Lutheranism has spread globally, with significant communities in Scandinavia, Germany, Africa, and other parts of the world. Debates within Lutheranism have historically focused on issues such as biblical interpretation, the nature of the Eucharist, and ecumenical relations with other Christian denominations.