Objectively, it would seem to mean a follower of someone named "Luther", in the same way as "Jeffersonian" means a follower of someone named "Jefferson" or "Platonist" means a follower of someone named "Plato". This seems inoffensive ... certainly does not deny the possibility that the Lutheran follows Luther (etc.) in mutual pursuit of some greater good.
Yet we see up-thread folks (who may not even be Lutheran) objecting rather rudely to this understanding of the meaning of the word.
So I ask, what does the word itself mean? Why use it? What distinction does it make?
I see...I am sorry for the exegesis :-)...I think Lutheran merely is the flavor of protestantism. I could be an Adams Republican, a Payne Libertarian, I am a doctor, but designate myself as a critical care anesthesiologist to delineate what kind of doctor I am...I suppose it is appropriate to refer to myself as an allopath to distinguish my practice and training from that of osteopath — both equal in the site of the license boards. I think it is not whom we follow, for we follow the triune God, but just designates the finer point of our philosophy...
I see...I am sorry for the exegesis :-)...I think Lutheran merely is the flavor of protestantism. I could be an Adams Republican, a Payne Libertarian, I am a doctor, but designate myself as a critical care anesthesiologist to delineate what kind of doctor I am...I suppose it is appropriate to refer to myself as an allopath to distinguish my practice and training from that of osteopath — both equal in the site of the license boards. I think it is not whom we follow, for we follow the triune God, but just designates the finer point of our philosophy...
I see...I am sorry for the exegesis :-)...I think Lutheran merely is the flavor of protestantism. I could be an Adams Republican, a Payne Libertarian, I am a doctor, but designate myself as a critical care anesthesiologist to delineate what kind of doctor I am...I suppose it is appropriate to refer to myself as an allopath to distinguish my practice and training from that of osteopath — both equal in the site of the license boards. I think it is not whom we follow, for we follow the triune God, but just designates the finer point of our philosophy...
[Deleting an 8 paragraph explanation of Smalkald, Epitome X.]
Why do some parishes use ^white^ wine for the Sacrament of the Altar?
AB, please read that small exposition (SA-Ep X) for a really good explanation as to why Lutherans grudgingly accept the label of Lutheran.