Lutheran

Definition

Of or pertaining to the theology of Martin Luther (1483–1546) or his followers, or the Lutheran church.

Etymology

From the surname of German theologian and ecclesiastical reformer Martin Luther (1483–1546) + -an. Probably immediately from Renaissance Latin Lutheranus, or German Lutheraner. Luther is from an Old High German given name, from liut (“people”) + heri (“army”) (from Proto-Germanic *harjaz (“army; commander, warrior”), from Proto-Indo-European *kóryos (“war; troops”), from *ker- (“army”)).

Example Sentences

• "A Lutheran understanding of the Lord’s Supper is not the same as that of other denominations."
• "[I]f when Luther firſt began to teach new doctrine, the catholiks at that time had not vouchſafed to giue him the hering, but had auoided his prechings & preuy couenticles, ther had not bin now in the worlde, either Lutheran, Swinglian, Calueniſt, Puritan, Anabaptiſt, Trinetarie, Family of loue, Adamite, or the lyke: whereof now there are ſo many thouſands abroad, al ſpringing of that firſt ſecte, and troubling at this day the whole worlde, […]"
• "On the borders of that river [the Volga] 104 colonies have ſettled, conſiſting of Germans, who emigrated to thoſe parts in the years of dearth and famine. Theſe colonies have already three Calviniſt, and four Lutheran ministers."