How many Lutheran churches are there?

Answer 1

There is, generally speaking, one Lutheran Church. What unifies that Church is the subscription to the Book of Concord as an exposition, or summary, of the truths of the Church. The Book of Concord essentially expresses that the major authority on matters of faith are the books of the canonical Old and New Testaments (the Bible,) validates the three historic ecumenical creeds (Nicene, Apostles and Anasthasian Creeds), and aims to define the basic precepts of authentic, Biblical and historic Christian faith.

While there are numerous, almost uncountable, synods, dioceses and geographical jurisdictions of the Lutheran Church, the aforementioned basic precepts of faith are the defining and unifying core. It is true that there are differing interpretations of certain aspects of these core beliefs and that is the basis for any dissent amongst Lutherans. Worship, practice and language inevitably vary from culture to culture throughout the world.

The Lutheran World Federation is the largest world-wide, formal organization of Lutherans. In the United States the three largest national synods ("synod" meaning "walk together") are the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,) the LC-MS (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,) and WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.) Each of these organizational bodies subscribes the the Book of Concord.

The Book of Concord Contains:

The Augsburg Confession and Apology of the Augsburg Confession. When the early Lutheran reformers were asked to defend their attempt to return to the beliefs of the early Church, they answered with this "Confession and Apology (apology meaning "defense.") These writings are devoted to the most important of these reforms of the faith: the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The Small and Large Catechisms. Luther was appalled at the lack of knowledge of the priests and laity of the Church of his day. He wrote these handbooks, in simple and easy to understand question and answer format, answering each directly from The Bible. They have been used since that time to understand and teach the Christian faith. These writings focus on six central topics: the ten commandments, the Apostle's creed, the Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Sacrament of the Altar (Holy Eucharist.)

The Smacald Articles and the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope. During the time of the early reformation, the Roman Catholic leaders and Vatican authorities had gained great worldly power over the people. In these writings, the reformed Church claims its freedom from the ever-increasing, imposed power of those authorities.

The Formula of Concord. After Luther's death, there were many questions as to how the reformed Church would move on in unity ("concord" meaning "unity" or "harmony.") These writings answered those questions and achieved that unity.

Answer 2

To the best of my knowledge as a Christian, there is only one denomination. It is Lutheran.

Note: Mr. Luther made a bold statement many years ago: We are saved by Grace alone. ( Jesus death on the Cross alone ) and the belief in Him. ( See related link )

Answer 3

To many