Lutheran Identity and Political Theology

Description

Lutheran tradition has in various ways influenced attitudes toward work, the economy, the state, education, and health care. One reason that Lutheran theology has been differently interpreted is that it is always influenced by surrounding social and cultural contexts. In a society in which the church has lost a great deal of its cultural impact and authority, and a plurality of religious convictions exists, the question of Lutheran identity has never been more urgent. However, this question is also raised in the Global South where Lutheran churches need to find their identity in a relationship with several other religions. Here this relationship is developed from a minority perspective. Is it possible to develop a Lutheran political theology that gives adequate contributions to issues concerning social and economic justice? What is the role of women in church and society around the world? Is it possible to interpret Lutheran theology in such a way that it includes liberating perspectives? These are some of the questions and issues discussed in this book. Carl-Henric Grenholm is Senior Professor of Ethics in the Department of Theology, Uppsala University, Sweden. Göran Gunner is Associate Professor in Mission Studies, Uppsala University, and Researcher at Church of Sweden Research Unit.  ‘Informed and calibrated by Lutheran Reformation insights, this collection of essays by North American and Scandinavian scholars shows that Lutheran theology can tackle important issues among denominations and in society. The reader is confronted here with a plethora of insights into the relevance of Lutheran theology on a global scale.’ Hans Schwarz, Regensburg University, Germany.