Lutheran vs. Methodist
A side-by-side comparison of Lutheran and Methodist teaching on 16 questions, from Scripture and salvation to baptism, communion and church government.
Lutheran
Lutheranism grew from Martin Luther’s reforming work in Germany from 1517. It is built on justification by grace through faith and the authority of Scripture, while keeping a liturgical form of worship and a strong view of the sacraments.
Methodist
Methodism began in the 18th century as a renewal movement within the Church of England under John and Charles Wesley. It emphasizes God’s grace offered to all, holiness of heart and life, and practical care for the poor.
At a glance
Where they differ: Authority: Scripture and tradition; Predestination and free will; Communion (the Lord’s Supper); Style of worship.
Varies within one or both: Church government; Clergy and women in ministry; The Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts.
Where they agree: Books of the Bible; The Trinity; How a person is saved; Can a saved person fall away?; Baptism; Sacraments or ordinances; Mary and the saints; Death, purgatory and hell; Day of worship.
Side by side
| Question | Lutheran | Methodist |
|---|---|---|
| Authority: Scripture and traditionDiffer | Scripture alone is the final norm for doctrine. The Book of Concord (the Lutheran confessions) is held as a faithful statement of what Scripture teaches. | Scripture is primary, and is understood in light of tradition, reason and Christian experience. This fourfold method is called the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. |
| Books of the BibleAgree | 66 books. The Apocrypha is not part of the canon, though Luther held that it is useful and good to read. | 66 books. The Apocrypha is not part of the canon. |
| The TrinityAgree | Holds the Nicene, Apostles’ and Athanasian Creeds. One God in three persons. | One God in three persons, in the historic creeds and in Wesley’s Articles of Religion. |
| How a person is savedAgree | Justification by grace alone through faith alone. God declares the sinner righteous for Christ’s sake, and good works follow as the fruit of faith rather than a condition of it. | Justified by grace through faith. Wesley also taught that God’s grace goes before conversion (prevenient grace) and leads to sanctification, growth in holiness that may be called “Christian perfection,” meaning perfect love. |
| Can a saved person fall away?Agree | Yes. Lutherans teach that a believer can fall from faith by rejecting it, while holding that God is faithful and works to keep his people in the faith. | Yes. Wesley taught that a believer can fall from grace by persistent unbelief or sin, though he held that God is eager to restore. |
| Predestination and free willDiffer | God elects believers in Christ by grace alone, but Lutherans do not teach that he predestines anyone to damnation. Why some believe and others do not is left as a mystery. | Rejects Calvinist predestination. Grace is offered to everyone, and each person is free to accept or resist it, which is the Arminian position. |
| BaptismAgree | A means of grace in which God gives forgiveness and faith. Infants are baptized, and the mode is usually pouring or sprinkling. | A sacrament and sign of God’s grace. Both infants and adult believers are baptized, and the mode may be sprinkling, pouring or immersion. |
| Communion (the Lord’s Supper)Differ | Christ’s body and blood are truly present “in, with and under” the bread and wine (sacramental union). The elements stay bread and wine. | Christ is truly present, but the manner is a holy mystery. The United Methodist Church rejects transubstantiation and does not define a theory. |
| Sacraments or ordinancesAgree | Two sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Some Lutherans also count absolution (confession). | Two sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. |
| Church governmentVaries | Varies. Some Lutheran bodies have bishops, including the Church of Sweden and the ELCA, which has a presiding bishop and synod bishops. Others do not, and the LCMS is led by a president and district presidents. | A “connectional” system in which churches are bound in districts and conferences. The United Methodist Church has bishops, and some Methodist bodies do not. |
| Clergy and women in ministryVaries | Varies. The ELCA ordains women and the LCMS does not. Pastors may marry. | Women are ordained as pastors and bishops in the United Methodist Church and most other Methodist bodies. Clergy may marry. |
| Mary and the saintsAgree | Mary is honored as the mother of the Lord and the saints as examples of faith. Lutherans do not pray to them, since Christ is the only mediator. | Mary and the saints are honored as models of faith. Methodists do not pray to them. |
| Death, purgatory and hellAgree | Purgatory is rejected. Believers who die are with Christ and await the resurrection, and unbelievers face eternal separation from God. | Purgatory is rejected. Believers are with Christ at death and await the resurrection, and unbelievers face judgment. |
| Style of worshipDiffer | Usually liturgical, using a set order with hymns, readings, a sermon and communion. Many congregations also use contemporary services. | A mixture. Worship generally follows a set order with hymns (many by Charles Wesley), Scripture and preaching, and styles range from traditional to contemporary. |
| The Holy Spirit and spiritual giftsVaries | The Spirit works through Word and sacrament. Gifts are honored, but ecstatic gifts are not emphasized, and a charismatic movement exists within Lutheranism. | The Spirit’s work is stressed in assurance and holiness. Attitudes to tongues and healing vary, and the Wesleyan holiness movement gave rise to Pentecostalism. |
| Day of worshipAgree | Sunday. | Sunday. |
| Best known for | Justification by faith, the Small Catechism, congregational hymn singing and Luther’s translation of the Bible into German. | Warm-hearted evangelism, hymnody, holiness of life and social outreach through hospitals, schools and missions. |
“Agree” means the two traditions take the same broad position, although the wording above may still note finer differences. “Varies” means at least one of the two is itself divided on the question, so no single position can be given. These summaries describe typical teaching, and individual churches may vary. For an authoritative statement, consult each denomination’s own confessions.
Learn more on this site
- The Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture
- The Reliability of Scripture
- Free Will, Predestination, and Divine Sovereignty
- What Does the Bible Say About Worship?
- The Canon
- Textual Variants and "Lost Books" (Gnostic Gospels, Apocrypha)
- The Trinity
- The Deity of Christ
- What Does the Bible Say About Salvation?
- Grace
- Justification
- Baptism
- Catholic Church
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- What Does the Bible Say About Heaven?
- What Does the Bible Say About Hell?
- What Does the Bible Say About Judgment Day?
- Sabbath
More comparisons
Lutheran
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- Anglican / Episcopal vs. Methodist
- Methodist vs. Baptist
- Methodist vs. Anabaptist / Mennonite
- Methodist vs. Pentecostal
- Methodist vs. Seventh-day Adventist
- Methodist vs. Church of Christ
- Methodist vs. Non-denominational