What is the Difference Between Lutheran and Anglican?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Lutheran and Anglican are two prominent Christian denominations that emerged as reforms to Roman Catholicism. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in their beliefs and practices. Here are some of the key differences between Lutheran and Anglican:

  1. Doctrinal Basis: Lutherans base their doctrine on the Bible alone, while Anglicans base their doctrine on the Scriptures, the Gospels, and the Church Fathers.
  2. Sacraments: Both Lutherans and Anglicans believe in the sacraments of Baptism and Communion, but they have different views on the nature of the elements and the Real Presence of Christ in Communion.
  3. Eucharistic Sacrifice: Anglicans believe in the doctrine of the Eucharistic sacrifice as not only a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving but also a propitiatory sacrifice for sin. Lutherans, on the other hand, do not emphasize the propitiatory aspect of the Eucharistic sacrifice.
  4. Priesthood: Anglicans have a doctrine of priesthood that is distinct from Lutherans, with Anglican priests believing in a sacrificial aspect of their ministry.
  5. Liturgy: Anglican liturgy is often more similar to Catholic liturgy, with practices like kneeling during prayer and using Latin, Gregorian chants, and incense. Lutheran liturgy, while also sharing similarities with Catholic liturgy, is generally considered more middle-of-the-road.
  6. Salvation and Relations with Other Religions: Lutherans believe in salvation, while Anglicans focus on building good relations with other religions.

Despite these differences, both Lutherans and Anglicans believe in the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Trinity, the resurrection of God, and the nature of Christ.

Comparative Table: Lutheran vs Anglican

Lutheran and Anglican are two Protestant Christian denominations with some similarities and differences. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between them:

Feature Lutheran Anglican
Origin Founded by Martin Luther in the 16th century Founded by King Henry VIII in the 16th century
Theology Emphasizes the teachings of Martin Luther, including justification by faith alone and the authority of Scripture Emphasizes the teachings of the Church of England, including the Thirty-Nine Articles and the Book of Common Prayer
Worship Follows a liturgical format, with some variations among different Lutheran churches Follows a liturgical format, with some variations among different Anglican churches
Sacraments Recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion Recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion
Apostolic Succession Some Lutheran churches maintain apostolic succession, while others do not Anglicans typically hold to apostolic succession
Church Governance Lutheran churches can have various governing structures, including episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational Anglican churches typically have an episcopal governance structure
Ordination of Women Some Lutheran churches ordain women, while others do not The Anglican Communion has varying stances on the ordination of women, with some provinces ordaining women and others not

Despite these differences, both Lutheran and Anglican denominations share a common heritage in the catholic tradition and have many similarities in their worship and beliefs.