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Writer's pictureKeith Haney

The Lutheran Tradition and the Mission of God

Updated: Sep 25


Portait of Martin Luther
Dr. Martin Luther

 

Introduction

In the Lutheran tradition, the Mission of God—Missio Dei—is understood as God’s work to reconcile and renew all things through Jesus Christ. This mission is not merely an aspect of the church’s existence but is its very purpose. As Martin Luther himself emphasized, the church exists to serve the gospel, which is the good news of God’s love and salvation for all.


The Theological Foundation


The Lutheran understanding of God's mission begins with the doctrine of justification by faith alone. This central tenet asserts that one is made right with God through faith in Christ, not by works. This grace-filled relationship with God compels believers to live out their faith in service to others, reflecting God’s love in their actions.


The Sacramental Life


Bread and Wine of Holy Communion
The Lord's Supper

Lutherans hold that God’s mission is experienced and enacted through the sacraments—Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These means of grace are not mere symbols but are tangible ways in which God delivers the promises of the Gospel, empowering believers to join in God’s work in the world.


Vocation and Daily Life


Every Christian has a vocation, a calling, to serve God in their daily life. Luther’s concept of the “priesthood of all believers” suggests that all work is sacred when done in faith. Thus, the Mission of God is carried out by clergy and every believer in their respective roles in society.


The Church’s Role


The heart of the church is the sacrifice of Jesus.
A church with a view of the cross.

The church is the community through which God’s mission is most visibly expressed. It is a place of worship, teaching, and fellowship and a base for service and outreach. The church’s organization, therefore, should reflect and facilitate its role in God’s mission, being flexible and responsive to the world's needs.


Conclusion


Defining God's mission in a Lutheran context means recognizing that the church is both the recipient and the agent of God’s reconciling work in the world. It is called to proclaim the gospel in word and deed, inviting all to experience the transformative power of God’s grace.


I stand before the Wittenberg Castle Church, my hand trembling as I reach for the iron knocker. The weight of my 95 Theses feels heavy in my satchel, but not as heavy as the conviction burning in my heart. As I raise my fist to nail these words to the door, I pause, overcome by the gravity of this moment.


"Lord, guide my hand," I whisper, closing my eyes briefly. "Let these words serve Your mission, not my own pride."


With a deep breath, I begin affixing the parchment to the door. The rhythmic tapping of hammer on nail echoes through the quiet square. Each strike reverberates through my body, as if God Himself is driving home these truths.


Whittenburg Church
Dr. Martin Luther and the 95 Theses


As I work, my mind races with the implications of what I'm doing. The church has strayed so far from its true purpose - to participate in God's mission of reconciliation and renewal through Christ. How did we lose sight of this central truth?


"Brother Martin!" a voice calls out, startling me. I turn to see Johann, a fellow Augustinian monk, hurrying across the square. "What are you doing?"


I gesture to the parchment now fixed to the door. "I'm calling the church back to its true purpose, Johann. We've forgotten that we exist to serve God's mission in the world."


Johann's brow furrows as he scans the first few lines. "This is dangerous talk, Martin. The church fathers won't take kindly to such criticism."


"Perhaps not," I reply, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. "But I cannot stand silent while the gospel is obscured and God's people are led astray. The church must remember its calling - to participate in God's work of reconciliation through Christ."


As Johann reads further, his eyes widen. "You speak of justification by faith alone...of the priesthood of all believers. This challenges everything we've been taught!"


I nod solemnly. "Yes, and it returns us to the truth of Scripture. Every believer has a role in God's mission, Johann. It's not reserved for priests and bishops alone."


As we stand there in the growing twilight, I'm struck by the enormity of what I've set in motion. This is more than a academic debate - it's a call for the church to rediscover its very reason for being. My prayer is that these words will spark a renewal, igniting hearts with passion for God's reconciling work in the world.


"Come," I say to Johann, clasping his shoulder. "Let us pray for the church, that it may be ever reformed according to God's Word and ever focused on His mission."


As we bow our heads, I feel a profound sense of peace. Whatever trials may come, I know that God's mission will prevail. And by His grace, the church will rise anew to fulfill its divine calling.

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