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Sola Scriptura "Scripture alone"
Lutherans believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that it alone is the source and norm for what we believe and what we practice.  Lutherans are not anti-reason or anti-traditional or anti-experience.  We simply use the Scriptures to judge the validity of these things and not the other way around.  We believe the Bible is God's perfect Word; therefore, we don't approach the Scriptures with a red pen!

Sola Gratia "Grace alone"
At the center of what we believe is the assurance that salvation is based on the unearned free gift of God's grace.  What is so amazing about grace is that though we are sinful by nature and deserve God's anger, we receive the riches of His love. For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  
Ephesians 2:8-9.

Sola Fide "Faith alone"
God's gift of grace is received through faith in what Jesus has done for us.  The good things we do flow out of being made right with God, but they have no power to make us right with God.  That is what separates Christianity from all other world religions.  Other religions point to what we have to do or what hoops we have to jump through to be made right with God. Christianity points to what Christ has done to make us right with God.  Through God's Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper our faith is created and sustained.  

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