Descriptive essay on the theme:
Differences between Catholic Mesa and Lutheran service.
There are many similar things in these two Christian churches, but as we all know, the similarities we can find in many different religions. This difference between core ideas of believes, are the reasons why Martin Luther had so many followers. They believed that the Catholic Church is doing something wrong, and the same time this was a reason why the Catholic Church had cursed Lutheran leader. So in this work I will analyze not the difference in direct sermons (because there are too many of them), but I will show the difference in core beliefs which are forming mesa and service as it is. The beginnings of these differences based on the relation of two churches to their traditions. For example, if you will visit Catholic Church in Rome, in New York, and in Bulgaria, you will surely notice that mass is the same everywhere, without any changes. That is because the Catholic Church is strict to its own religion traditions. But the same time, by visiting different Lutheran Churches, you will find out, that if even the idea of preaching is actually the same, the order of the service might be a bit different, and in the Church as a building - might be added some traditional (national, cultural) things that identifies this church as belonging to this or that country. Therefore, as a conclusion, we can say that the great difference between Catholics and Lutherans is about tradition. While Catholics are keeping the same style in order to be recognizable and to follow old rules, Lutherans might change style to be more close to their parishioners, and in order to get more people in their community.
Differences between Catholic and Lutheran services from the first view can be taken as not a big one. The reason for this is history. As we all know Lutherans are reformed Catholics, and because of this there is almost no difference in service orders. Same penitential act, after both have prays, preach, confession, and Holy Communion. The difference is in not in the order, but in the proclaiming words that preachers pronouncing during worship.
When the service begins in the Lutheran church and in the Catholic Church, the first thing that we can see is the pray. In Catholic church this is a Pray that does recognize the human being as the one who is full of sin, and therefore in Catholic church people are praying to the holy Virgin Marry to ask God to save them, for the reason that she is recognized as a protector of the sinners and lovely patron. And in this question when we have a great discussion and disagreement with Lutherans. For them due to their confession, does not think that there is any reason to pray to anyone except of God Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. This is why their service is having different prayers than in the Catholic Church. As we all know Mother Mary is highly respected in Catholic Churches, and this implementation of accepting Mary as a patron of believers is impacting on many other things in the service. Many hundreds hymns and worships to Mary and other Saints. And in the same time this is not acceptable in Lutheran Churches, since they are accepting all the saints, not as patrons, but as a great humans who were sent by God to serve him, and to show God deeds in the world. I’ve been to the Catholic and Lutheran service, and even though the beginning of the services is quite similar, one who does understand will surely see the difference in pray from the first second.
Music is also one of the important things in any services. And Catholics and Lutherans do understand the great meaning of music in proclaiming God. In the Bible, we can find words about singing as a method to proclaim the name of God: “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalms 105:2 NVIB 2005). Music in the Catholic Church includes two types of chorus. Male (as a usual one) and Female (for great celebrations), while when I was visiting Lutheran Church I had noticed that they are not separating chorus and the priest, and they al all singing together. So it is important that Catholic music is more traditional old fashioned and Lutheran music is mostly developed in the 16th century. While music in Catholic is more serious in order to show the gratefulness and the power of God, music of Lutherans is happier in order to show how God loves people that he gave his son to save sinners. Some people say that Lutheran music is so catchy because they were taking them from drinking songs but disagree with this statement. Their songs were taken from national (folk) Christian songs, and since that was national songs that was the reason why it was so catchy. After I had heard both singings I do agree that even if you can feel the difference in the words (look at the 1 statement), music is different, but this is one of the things that not only separates these two churches, but also this is something that makes more similarity, since music of both confessions are great.
Communion is the most important thing in Lutherans and Catholic services. Bread and wine are the main part in this process, since they are blood and Body of Christ, who commanded to eat this communion any time of reminding Him. And the way how this holy supper is given is interesting. While in Lutheran Churches only confirmed Lutherans can take communion, in the Catholic Church it is enough to be Catholic. While in Catholic Church only bread is given, (it is logical that bread is the body and body includes blood) so the blood of God will not be spilled, Lutherans give both body and blood (because Jesus commanded this to do directed).
“Ex cathedra” are the biggest difference between Catholic and Lutheran church. The greatest difference in this case. During service when preachers of the Catholic Church is preaching, works the rule of “ex cathedra”. This rule explains that preacher (while he is preaching) speaks of the name of God, so he is unmistakable, while Lutheran preachers are saying that they are sinful humans, so the community should listen carefully and inform him if they think that he is saying something wrong.
Private Confession. This is traditional thing, through which, people can find the forgiveness from God (from the Catholic point of view). In the Church, you can find comfortable cabins where you can have a speech with Priest about all bad things that you have done in your life. While one of the things that Lutherans are believed in, is that you cannot remember all the sins that you had done. And because of that there is no reason to speak to the pastor. If you want, you can, but this is not as strict as in the Catholic Church, and because of that - Lutherans have a public confession on which you can ask for forgiveness. Also from their theory -after, you will truly regret about all sins and ask God for a forgiveness, you will be free from them that moment.
So we can find the difference in music, prayers, and actually in understanding of the basic fundamental knowledge of Christianity. But in the same time as I can surely say, they are one Christian church, which is proclaiming the name of Savior Jesus Christ, so as every true Christian church do.
So all in all we can see the slight difference between these two churches. The main difference is not in the mass order, but actually in the doctrine that they are preaching. And this is truly the main thing that separates them each from another.
This is the main descriptive difference between Lutherans and Catholics, one church earlier, Christian followers now, and different religion since the 15th century.
References
The Holy Bible: New International Version. (2005). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
