Theology 1.0: The meetings of the Lutherans and the Orthodox Church

The Armenian Church (Eastern Orthodox) in Singapore.

 After the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, there were attempts for the leading Protestants to find common ground with the Orthodox Church (which had split from the Roman Catholics Church in 1054). 

This made sense in a way. After all the Protestant movement was in its early stages, and to get endorsement from the historic Eastern Churches would increase its legitimacy. The Orthodox Church was also seen as more authentic by early Protestants, as they seemed to be unburdened by the issues facing the Roman Catholics. For instance, Martin Luther, in his 1519 debate with Roman Catholic Johann Ecks, praised the Orthodox Church in its denial of papal supremacy and purgatory.

The first official correspondence between the Luthereans (the largest Protestant group at that time) and the Eastern Orthodox churches was in 1570 (30 years after Martin Luther's death). Jacob Andreae, one of the leading theologians sent over the Augsburg Confession (the primary document explaining Lutheranism) to the Patriarch of Constantinople (Patriarch Jeremias II).

Martin Luther, one of the leading Protestant Reformers

What was the outcome?
There were three official exchanges between the Lutherans and the Orthodox Churches during this period. Common agreement was found the inheritance of original sin, the allowance of married clergy (priests) and the abuses of the Pope and Roman Catholic Church.

Yet two major disagreements with distinctly present. The Eastern Orthodox retained some Roman Catholic practices (that the Lutherans were opposed to), such as the intercessions to the saints and the elevation of icons and relics. The Lutherans also retained some Roman Catholic practices (that the Eastern Orthodox opposed), like the use of unleavened bread (Eastern Churches use bread with yeast for Communion) and the use of filioque (the Lutherans used the Roman Catholic version).

Ultimately, it came down to this: The Eastern Orthodox Church rejected the idea of Sola Scriptura (the Bible alone is the sole authority of Christian beliefs and practices). Tradition was equally important. Furthermore, the ideas of free will and justification were regarded as too strictly defined for the comfort of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was not something the Eastern Orthodox took issue with the Roman Catholics.

Despite the cordial exchanges, little was made to further explore there theological disagreements. Patriarch Jeremias II saw little benefit in supporting the Lutherans, but continued to be polite and open to discussions.

Conclusion
While the attempt for endorsement failed, it was interesting to see that the early Protestants did not see themselves as starting a progressive movement, but a regressive one. They wanted to move closer to a primitive understanding of the Bible, and thus sought to find common ground with the Eastern Orthodox.

For more reading:
Ancient Faith