When Did Lutherans Stop Being Protestants?

This headline in The Tennessean has The Oracle scratching his head: "Study: Protestants, Lutherans most loyal."

The first line of the brief story states, "Research conducted for Facts and Trends magazine shows that Lutheran and Protestant denominations are the most likely to have people attend the same church for years." That would seem to indicate that Lutheran denominations are not Protestant denominations. Somehow, The Oracle failed to get the memo on this amazing new development.

The story was "compiled" by Anita Wadhwani, who as The Tennessean's religion writer would presumably have some knowledge of religion. However, unless The Oracle has somehow missed out on a major development in the world of religion, the following history would apply: the Protestant Reformation (which would seem to have something to do with Protestantism) began when Martin Luther (who would seem to have a connection, though admittedly a reluctant one, to Lutheran denominations) nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church at Wittenburg. Thus, historically, not only are Lutherans Protestants, they are founding Protestants.

I feel so much better now.