Edition of 1921;disclaimer.
LUTHERANS, a designation originallyapplied by their adversaries to theReformers of the 16th century, and afterwarddistinctively appropriated amongProtestants themselves to those who tookpart with Martin Luther against theSwiss Reformers, particularly in thecontroversies regarding the Lord'sSupper. It is so employed to this day asthe designation of one of the two greatsections into which the ProtestantChurch was soon unhappily divided, theother being known as theReformed Church(q. v.). To the end of Luther'slife perfect harmony subsisted betweenhim and his friend Melanchthon; butalready there were some who stood forthas more Lutheran than Luther, and bywhom Melanchthon was denounced as a“crypto-Calvinist” and a traitor toevangelical truth. After Luther's deaththis party became more confident, and,holding by Luther's words, without havingimbibed his spirit, changed hisevangelical doctrine into a dry scholasticismand lifeless orthodoxy, while extremeheat and violence against their opponentswere substituted in the pulpit itselffor the zealous preaching of the Gospel.The principal seat of their strength wasin the University of Jena, which wasfounded in 1557 for this very object,and maintained their cause againstWittenberg. Great intolerance wasmanifested by this party; and no controversywas ever conducted with more bitternessand ill-feeling than the SacramentarianControversy.
Lutheranism is the prevailing formof Protestantism in Germany; it is thenational religion of Denmark, Sweden,and Norway; and there are LutheranChurches in the Baltic provinces of Russia,in Holland, France, Poland, andthe United States. In all there areabout 30,000,000 Lutherans.
In its constitution the Lutheran Churchis generally unepiscopal, without beingproperly presbyterian. It is consistorial,with the civil authorities so far in placeof bishops.
In Denmark, Sweden, and Norwaythere are bishops, and in Sweden anarchbishop (of Upsala), but their powersare very limited.
There were in the United States andCanada in 1919 3,652,010 baptizedmembers and 2,451,997 confirmed members,with 9,829 ministers and 15,638congregations. The Canadian membership was64,490, with 237 ministers and 827congregations. The denominationmaintained missions, both domestic andforeign. Contributions for domesticmissionary work in 1918 amounted to$6,383,103.
