He intended his suggestions as scholarly debate with other professors. But there was a new technology on the scene: the printing press! And before Luther knew it, Germans all over the place were reading and loving his suggestions. 

Today, there are several types of Lutheran churches. People of Hope is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We believe that there is a life after death. We believe we can't earn our way to heaven by living perfect, or even "good enough" lives. It's all a wonderful gift! Jesus gives us life and more life because God loves us.

Some Christians emphasize that we humans have to make the "right decision" and "choose" Jesus. Lutherans tend to emphasize the ways in which God has chosen us.

Luther said it like this: "I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But [God's] Holy Spirit has called me . . . and kept me in true faith. . . . On the last day he will raise me and all the dead and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life."