Definition

Noun: 1. A Protestant Christian denomination: The Lutheran Church is a major branch of Protestant Christianity that follows the theological teachings and principles established by Martin Luther during the 16th-century Reformation. 2. A specific congregation or building: The term can also refer to a local congregation belonging to this denomination or the physical building where such a congregation meets for worship.

Usage Examples

• As a denomination:
  • The Lutheran Church emphasizes the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
  • She was raised in the Lutheran Church and attended services every Sunday.
• As a local congregation or building:
  • The old Lutheran Church on Main Street has a beautiful stained-glass window.
  • We are members of the First Lutheran Church in our city.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a member of the Lutheran Church": This phrase indicates a person's formal religious affiliation.
  • He has been a member of the Lutheran Church his entire life.
• Capitalization: The term is always capitalized ("Lutheran Church") as it is a proper noun referring to a specific religious institution.

Variants and Related Words

• Lutheran (noun): A member or adherent of the Lutheran Church.
  • He is a devout Lutheran.
• Lutheran (adjective): Of or relating to the Lutheran Church or its teachings.
  • They follow the Lutheran tradition.
• Lutheranism (noun): The system of beliefs and practices of the Lutheran Church.
  • He studied the history of Lutheranism.

Synonyms

• Protestant denomination: A broader category to which the Lutheran Church belongs.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church: A common formal name for many Lutheran church bodies.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To be church (in a Lutheran context): This phrase can be used to describe the collective body of believers within Lutheranism.
  • The church gathers to receive God's grace through word and sacrament. (Here, "church" refers to the Lutheran understanding of the Christian community.)

Noun

1. the Protestant denomination adhering to the views of Martin Luther