What are you wondering about?
The questions people bring to faith, in their own words, with plain answers. You don’t need to believe anything to read them, and nothing here will try to argue you into it.
Not sure where to start?Seven days, seven questionsOne question a day for a week, ending at “come and see.”Start day oneA few minutes a day
Words to know, and reading help
| The word | It means |
|---|---|
| Gospel | One of the four books about Jesus’ life: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It also means “good news.” |
| Grace | God’s love that you don’t have to earn. |
| Lutheran | Christians who follow the teaching of Martin Luther, a German church reformer from the 1500s. |
| ELCA | The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the church this site follows. |
| Baptism | Washing with water, with God’s promise, that makes someone part of the church. |
| Communion | The meal of bread and wine that Jesus gave his followers to share. |
| Pastor | A church leader who preaches, teaches and cares for people. |
Want bigger letters, more space between lines or easier-to-read letters? Tap Aa at the top of any page. Reading in another language? Your phone’s browser can translate any page. More words: the word list.
Is any of this true?
For when you are not sure there is anything there at all.
- Is there a God?NewNobody can prove it either way. 4 min
- Who is Jesus?A Jewish teacher who lived about two thousand years ago, and what Christians say about him.
- Why do people believe it?Not because it can be proved.
- Is the Bible reliable?NewAs ancient books go, the Bible is unusually well preserved, and the New Testament was written within living memory of Jesus. 5 min
- Does faith conflict with science?NewMost Christians, including most Lutherans, don’t think so. 4 min
- What about other religions? Is Jesus the only way?NewChristians believe Jesus is the way to God. 5 min
What would it mean for me?
If you are curious, but not sure where you would fit.
- What would it ask of me?Nothing you have to earn first.
- What if I can’t make myself believe?Lutherans say nobody can.
- Can I pray if I’m not sure anyone is listening?Yes. You can pray exactly that.
- What if I have doubts?Doubt is normal. How Jesus met people who weren’t sure.
- How does someone start?Go and listen, then talk to a pastor when you are ready.
What Christians believe
The center of the faith, in plain words.
- Why did Jesus have to die?NewChristians believe Jesus died because God loves us too much to leave us where we are. 5 min
- Does God forgive everything? Is there an unforgivable sin?NewYes. 4 min
- What is the Trinity?NewChristians believe there is one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit: not three gods, and not one God wearing three masks. 4 min
- Is hell real? What do Lutherans believe?NewJesus spoke about judgment, and Christians take that seriously. 5 min
When life is hard
The questions people ask when something has gone wrong.
- Why does God allow suffering?NewChristians don’t have a tidy answer, and the Bible doesn’t pretend to. 5 min
- What do I do with fear and worry?Storms, tomorrow, and the peace Jesus gives. From the Gospels.
- Does God care when I’m sick?Jesus with the sick, and the ones others avoided. From the Gospels.
- What did Jesus say to people who grieve?Jesus at a friend’s tomb, and a promise to those who mourn. From the Gospels.
- What happens when we die?What Jesus promised about death, and a thief’s last request. From the Gospels.
Who I am, and how to live
Purpose, pride, honesty, shame, and the questions people argue about today.
- Does God have a plan for me? How do I know God’s will?NewGod cares about your life, and you matter to him. 4 min
- What does the Bible say about pride? What should I be proud of?NewThe Bible warns against pride that puts us above other people or above God, and calls it one of the oldest sins. 5 min
- What does the Bible say about being gay or transgender?NewChristians read the Bible differently on this, and honestly so. 6 min
- Is it ever okay to lie? What about lying to avoid shame?NewChristians are called to be honest, because God is truth and lies break trust between people. 4 min
- What do I do with shame?NewBring it into the light, a little at a time. 4 min
Living it
Prayer, people, work and money, from what Jesus said.
- How do I pray?What Jesus taught his friends when they asked how. From the Gospels.
- How many times do I have to forgive?Settling wrongs, and forgiving past counting. From the Gospels.
- What did Jesus say about love and marriage?A wedding, a commandment, and love as Jesus gave it. From the Gospels.
- How did Jesus treat children and families?How Jesus welcomed children, and a father who ran. From the Gospels.
- Does my work matter to God?Fishermen, a busy sister, and workers paid the same. From the Gospels.
- What did Jesus say about money?A rich man, full barns, and two small coins. From the Gospels.
- Should Christians obey the government?A coin, a governor, and a different kind of power. From the Gospels.
About church
For a first visit, or a first in a long time.
- Would I be welcome at church?NewJesus never turned away anyone who came to him: “He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.” 4 min
- What if church hurt me?NewThen you were wronged, and it was not God’s doing. 4 min
- Can I be a Christian without going to church?NewYes. 4 min
- Why are there so many kinds of churches?NewBecause Christians have disagreed, sometimes about important things and sometimes about smaller ones, and have split rather than stayed together. 4 min
- What happens at church on Sunday?The four parts, what you do, and bringing children. 6 min
- What is communion, and can I take it?The meal Jesus gave, and what happens at the front.
- Why do Lutherans baptize babies?What baptism is, and why it happens once.
- What is the ELCA?The initials, and how it differs from other Lutherans.
- How are Lutherans different from Catholics, or Baptists?Where the traditions agree, and where they don’t.
- What does that church word mean?The words people use without explaining them.
Didn’t find your question?
Ask a pastor. Pastors are asked hard questions every week, and asking is not signing up for anything.
- Our pastors’ directory: teaching from an ELCA pastor
- Find a pastor near you to talk with, with a short email you can send
Want to go deeper? Start here has what Lutherans believe, the Small Catechism piece by piece, and the library. Written by Digital Lutheran Church, a small, free website from the nonprofit Hope for Americans.