Most Lutheran churches accept conventional Protestant theology. This version of Christianity is distinguished by a belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God, the priesthood of all believers, a belief in infant baptism, a sung liturgy, and an emphasis on faith in God as the basis of Christian experience. The founder, Jan Hus had a vision (his name means “goose”). A swan is the traditional symbol of many Lutheran congregations. In Europe, Luther’s Rose is the preferred symbol. Legend has it that when Hus was being burned at the stake he said, “Today you burn a goose, but in a hundred years will come a swan whose voice you will not be able to still.” One hundred years later Martin Luther emerged into the public arena.

Luther is said to have posted his Ninety-Five Thesis on the door of the Castle Church, Wittenberg, on Oct. 31, 1517, the eve of All Saints’ Day, which is the traditional date for the beginning of the Reformation. Luther was a German priest and scholar whose questioning of certain church practices led to the Protestant Reformation. He is one of the pivotal figures of Western civilization, as well as Christianity. By his actions and writings he precipitated a spiritual movement much like Jesus did in his lifetime and was to yield not only one of the three major theological branches of Christianity along with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, but was to become a social seedbed for centuries after his death.

Music is a very important part of the Luthern tradition. Martin Luther said, “Why should the devil have all the good tunes?” He himself composed “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Ein Feste Burg). Lutheran churches are generally active musically, with choirs, children’s choirs and bell ringing. J.S. Bach, a famous classical composer composed music specifically for the Lutheran church.