The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland sees itself as part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
It is Lutheran in doctrine, following the teachings of Martin Luther.
The church is a member of the Lutheran World Federation and the Porvoo Communion, but has not signed the Leuenberg Agreement.

The faith of the Church is pronounced in the three confessions of the old church (Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed) and the Lutheran confessional documents as defined in the Book of Concord.

The practical faith is described in the catechism of the church, which is based on and literally includes the Luther's Small Catechism.
The latest version of the catechism was accepted by the General Synod in 1999.

The Church accepts the doctrines of the virgin birth and bodily resurrection.

The church does not embrace creationism but states:
God is the Creator of all.
With his word he created the entire universe.
Science studies the mystery of the genesis of the world as well as the evolution of nature and people.
Faith trusts that underlying all is God’s creative will and love for the creation.

Among contemporary doctrines, the church takes a moderate position.

The Church allows its members to work as military personnel or as judges, considering these duties important to the welfare of the society.

The relation of the church to sexuality is somewhat ambiguous, strictly condemning extramarital sex but in relation to premarital sex stating:
Sexuality disconnected from love and from responsibility enslaves people, bringing harm to themselves and others.

Divorce and subsequent remarriage is accepted, with reservations.
Abortion is accepted, because the church deems that the woman has the right to decide to terminate the pregnancy but the woman is not allowed to make the decision alone.
Abortion should be limited to serious cases where the birth would cause serious danger or suffering either to the family or the child.
Such cases should be defined in legislation, which is the case in Finland.
However, the woman pondering abortion should get all possible support before and after the decision, regardless of its outcome.

On LGBT issues, the Church has been engaged in dialogue.
The church has no official policy on the ordination of gay clergy, and, since 2002, "one bishop has declared his willingness to ordain homosexuals."
The synod of bishops has stated that sexual minorities should not be shunned or persecuted, but that they are, as all people, responsible for the applications of their sexuality.
In 2010, the church took a more open position and voted to allow prayer services to be given following a civil same-sex union.
The purpose of such prayer services, according to the Finnish Lutheran synod and archbishop, is to take a "clear and unequivocal stance in support of gay and lesbian couples".
According to church policy on same-sex civil partnerships, "the couple may organise prayers with a priest or other church workers and invited guests.
This may take place on church premises."

In 2012, the Diocese of Kuopio appointed an openly transgender pastor to an office in the church.

After same-sex marriage became legal in 2014, Archbishop Kari Mäkinen announced his support for gay marriage.
In 2016, the Synod did not authorize a rite for same-sex marriage, but did, as before, allow pastors "to pray with and for all couples who have entered into a civil [same-sex] marriage".
Therefore, while the bishops did not agree to performing same-sex marriages, "the bishops have taken the position that it is possible to hold prayer services to bless same-sex couples."
As with civil partnerships, the church teaches that "same-sex couples can have a prayer ceremony" in the church.
The bishops' announcement also said that "[this] change to marriage laws means that members of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, persons in high office and workers stand with same-sex [persons] in marriage."
Some clergy announced their intent to marry same-gender couples arguing that "public servant's rights grant [them] the possibility of marrying same
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland sees itself as part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. It is Lutheran in doctrine, following the teachings of Martin Luther. The church is a member of the Lutheran World Federation and the Porvoo Communion, but has not signed the Leuenberg Agreement.
The faith of the Church is pronounced in the three confessions of the old church (Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed) and the Lutheran confessional documents as defined in the Book of Concord.
The practical faith is described in the catechism of the church, which is based on and literally includes the Luther's Small Catechism. The latest version of the catechism was accepted by the General Synod in 1999.
The Church accepts the doctrines of the virgin birth and bodily resurrection.
The church does not embrace creationism but states:
God is the Creator of all. With his word he created the entire universe. Science studies the mystery of the genesis of the world as well as the evolution of nature and people. Faith trusts that underlying all is God’s creative will and love for the creation.
Among contemporary doctrines, the church takes a moderate position.
The Church allows its members to work as military personnel or as judges, considering these duties important to the welfare of the society.
The relation of the church to sexuality is somewhat ambiguous, strictly condemning extramarital sex but in relation to premarital sex stating:
Sexuality disconnected from love and from responsibility enslaves people, bringing harm to themselves and others.
Divorce and subsequent remarriage is accepted, with reservations. Abortion is accepted, because the church deems that the woman has the right to decide to terminate the pregnancy but the woman is not allowed to make the decision alone. Abortion should be limited to serious cases where the birth would cause serious danger or suffering either to the family or the child. Such cases should be defined in legislation, which is the case in Finland. However, the woman pondering abortion should get all possible support before and after the decision, regardless of its outcome.
On LGBT issues, the Church has been engaged in dialogue. The church has no official policy on the ordination of gay clergy, and, since 2002, "one bishop has declared his willingness to ordain homosexuals." The synod of bishops has stated that sexual minorities should not be shunned or persecuted, but that they are, as all people, responsible for the applications of their sexuality. In 2010, the church took a more open position and voted to allow prayer services to be given following a civil same-sex union. The purpose of such prayer services, according to the Finnish Lutheran synod and archbishop, is to take a "clear and unequivocal stance in support of gay and lesbian couples". According to church policy on same-sex civil partnerships, "the couple may organise prayers with a priest or other church workers and invited guests. This may take place on church premises."
In 2012, the Diocese of Kuopio appointed an openly transgender pastor to an office in the church.
After same-sex marriage became legal in 2014, Archbishop Kari Mäkinen announced his support for gay marriage. In 2016, the Synod did not authorize a rite for same-sex marriage, but did, as before, allow pastors "to pray with and for all couples who have entered into a civil [same-sex] marriage". Therefore, while the bishops did not agree to performing same-sex marriages, "the bishops have taken the position that it is possible to hold prayer services to bless same-sex couples." As with civil partnerships, the church teaches that "same-sex couples can have a prayer ceremony" in the church. The bishops' announcement also said that "[this] change to marriage laws means that members of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, persons in high office and workers stand with same-sex [persons] in marriage." Some clergy announced their intent to marry same-gender couples arguing that "public servant's rights grant [them] the possibility of marrying same
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland