AboutBrad Varvil Expertise I am happy to field questions regarding Lutheran theology and practice, and it's context
within the western catholic tradition. General questions on the Christian faith are also
welcome.
Experience I have served in lay ministry for over ten years, and am currently a pastor in a small, confessional Lutheran communion in the Evangelical Catholic tradition. I have worked with several Lutheran and non-Lutheran communions over the years, and have a particular fondness for catholic ecumenism.
Education/Credentials I have a BA in Religion and Philosophy from a small midwestern Lutheran college, and am completing an M.Div. at a small, independent, Lutheran seminary in the Pacific Northwest.
Question Do the Lutherans honour the virgin Mary the same way the
Catholics do by singing praises to her and asking her as the
mother of Jesus to intercede for us and in prayer pay tribute?
Answer Dear Arjan,
There is a broad spectrum of private piety among Lutherans regarding the Blessed Virgin, which probably parallel the many influences that have been made upon Lutheran Christians since the Reformation. The easiest answer would be to simply say no, we don't, on the whole, practice the same kind of Marian piety that Roman Christians do... but Lutherans are no more monolithic than Roman Catholics when it comes to such things.
According to the Lutheran Confessions (gathered together in the 1580 Book of Concord) Lutherans formally acknowledge that honoring the saints (including our Blessed Mother) is a tradition to be cherished, particularly as we reflect on their great lives of faith and virtue, particularly during their historic feast days. We also confess that there is no clear command nor promise of Scripture regarding praying to the saints, whether they can hear or respond to us, or if they would even appreciate such a gesture. Therefore, without a clear command or promise from the Scriptures, we confess that praying to the saints cannot be forced upon the consciences of Christians (cf. Augsburg Confession.) There is no definitive injunction against praying to the saints in the Lutheran Confessions, but there is a caution that we must not place our faith or hope in anyone other than the Triune God-- noting that it is Christ alone who died for humanity's salvation, and Christ who is the greatest intercessor between God and man.
So with that said, there is a variety of expression among Lutherans regarding the Blessed Virgin. There are those among us (like me) who hold to practices akin to Luther, which is very Roman... even to praying the Rosary. There are others who get creeped out by something that seems too "Roman" to them. And there are others who just don't feel compelled one way or the other. We don't think of this as a core element of the catholic faith, but a matter of private piety-- (cf. Apostle's, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds)-- thus, it is neither forbidden nor compelled.
I hope that helps clarify the situation a bit. May God Almighty keep you in His grace and providence,
