Lutheran tradition identifies sacraments as sacred actions, specifically baptism and communion, rather than objects or buildings. According to Kathrine Lilleør, a parish priest and Ph.D., these actions become sacred through the words spoken during their performance.

The moment of baptism, when water is poured and specific words are uttered, transforms the act into a sacred one. After the baptism, the water loses its sacred quality, highlighting that the sacredness resides in the action itself, not the physical elements. This concept is a key aspect of Martin Luther’s theology.

Luther’s view challenged the Catholic Church’s emphasis on physical relics and numerous sacraments, which he saw as an attempt to control the sacred. Lilleør recalls a churchwarden in Virum Church who carefully disposed of baptismal water, unable to pour it into the kitchen sink, illustrating the lingering reverence for physical objects. Luther would have discarded the water without hesitation, focusing instead on the inner experience of faith.

Luther believed that the church had used the concept of the sacred to exert power, turning God into an external entity that could be owned and controlled. He emphasized that Christ’s message was directed at the individual’s heart and mind, not external actions. He referenced a letter Luther wrote to a grieving mother, explaining that God dwells in the darkness of the heart, not in physical temples.

Lilleør argues that this understanding of the sacred has been a source of comfort and a foundation for freedom of thought and expression. Because no person or thing is considered inherently sacred, people are free to think, speak, and preach without fear. This principle is the basis for a free-thinking society where individuals can listen to opposing viewpoints without feeling threatened, as the sacred belongs to God, who resides in the hearts of all, even those with whom we disagree.