The Forgotten Luther


Book Description

This collection of essays from leading Lutheran thinkers, theologians, and activists excavates Luther's theological focus on social and economic justice. By bringing these "forgotten" elements of Reformation theology to light, The Forgotten Luther helps contemporary heirs of Luther's thought to honor and advance this neglected part of his legacy by responding to the economic and social injustices of our own time.




The Forgotten Luther II


Book Description

In this critical time in history, this volume argues that what is urgently needed is a cogent, clear, biblically based and theologically grounded rationale for the manner in which the church speaks and acts in the political arena. Lured at times into other-worldly quietism because of the pressure of historical events or distorted through a rigid understanding of the two kingdoms, the church of the Reformation has at times been silent in addressing the political factors that create and contribute to hunger, injustice, and war. This book looks carefully at the public witness of Martin Luther and its meaning for preaching, teaching, and carrying out public ministry today. Luther's conviction was that government is responsible to God for containing evil and maintaining peace and good order, and for ensuring that no person is hungry or in want. The book asks critical questions: When should the church support the state's agenda? When should it resist? What are the options for critical but constructive cooperation? This helpful volume includes essays from leading Lutheran theologians, a summary description of what this means for local ministry, and a study guide to encourage conversation and action.




The Forgotten Luther III


Book Description

This study book, the third in the_Forgotten Luther_series, invites congregations, with the help of five prominent church leaders and Luther scholars, to consider the new shape of global mission in today's world. Against the growing disparity in wealth and the rising tide of economic refugees throughout the world, this book reflects on Luther's_largely forgotten_social and economic reforms (to overcome poverty, lack of health care, illiteracy,_and old-age insecurity) that flowed from the central doctrine of justification by grace through faith. The book is also a call for informed engagement with partner churches in a critical area of ministry that is frequently neglected._ _This study book draws_global_implications from Luther's reforms and from the theology that shaped them. It is informed by ways in which churches in the Global South_have_moved beyond world-denying forms of pietism to address the_systemic_causes of hunger, poverty, and injustice. It is addressed to the whole church at a critical time in history as vast threats to the natural world converge with acute economic hardship for hundreds of millions of people._ Accompanied by videos of lectures and interviews, this study is designed to provide guidance for congregations who want to be actively engaged in the global mission of the church, including ways in which they can both accompany others and be accompanied_by_others on a common journey._







Public Church


Book Description

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America professes to be a public church constituted by God for its public vocation. Moe-Lobeda explores what it means for the ELCA to play a role in public life today. Sections focus on what it means to be a public church, obstacles to being a public church in public life, power for being public church, and providing public leadership. For the followers of Jesus, the ''way of living'' in public is a gift of God to the church. It is costly and dangerous, but yet gives life abundant, now and forever.




Luther's Liturgical Music


Book Description

Martin Luther's relationship to music has been largely downplayed, yet music played a vital role in Luther's life -- and he in turn had a deep and lasting effect on Christian hymnody. In Luther's Liturgical Music Robin Leaver comprehensively explores these connections. Replete with tables, figures, and musical examples, this volume is the most extensive study on Luther and music ever published. Leaver's work makes a formidable contribution to Reformation studies, but worship leaders, musicians, and others will also find it an invaluable, very readable resource.




Four Hundred Years


Book Description




Luther and the Hungry Poor


Book Description

Martin Luther lived in a society in which malnourishment and hunger were widespread. Samuel Torvend estimates ""that at least fifty if not sixty-five percent of the population were living on the edge of subsistence, unsure each day as to where they would find an adequate supply of food to feed themselves and family members."" In the midst of astounding wealth, the present time also witnesses much hunger and malnourishment throughout the world. Torvend claims that Luther, usually considered a reformer of theology, was committed to the reform of society. His theological project issued forth in a social ethic that addressed the growing incidence of hunger and homelessness in his own time. Yet as Luther's fragmentary writings demonstrate, this theological and ethical project was, and continues to be, communicated through the practice of the reformed Mass. Torvend shows that Martin Luther was keenly aware of the needs of the poor. Along with all major interpreters, he too finds the center of Luther's theology in the concept of God's ""alien righteousness,"" the justification of the sinner by God's sheer grace through faith. But he demonstrates that this conviction had profound implications for Luther's understanding of the Christian life. The baptized were made free to live in this world as the ""sacrament"" of the living Christ, to engage this world as Christ had engaged the world of his time. ""Samuel Torvend's Luther and the Hungry Poor is a very well documented, elegantly written, and comprehensive presentation of Luther's social thought in relation to biblical texts and realities. The beauty of it is that it is not just intellectual information, but embedded in Luther's understanding of the sacraments and his view of the social, economic, and political reality of his time. As a matter of fact, the book can be regarded as a guide of how to relate the authentic Luther to today's realities."" --Prof. Dr. Ulrich Duchrow, Systematic Theology, University of Heidelberg Samuel Torvend is a member of the Department of Religion at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma. He is the author of Daily Bread, Holy Meal: Opening the Gifts of Holy Communion (2004).




Martin Luther


Book Description

A biography of Martin Luther, a German monk, who led the Protestant Reformation in Europe during the sixteenth century.




Luther's Rome, Rome's Luther


Book Description

This book reconsiders the question of Martin Luther's relationship with Rome in all its sixteenth-century manifestations: the early-modern city he visited as a young man, the ancient republic and empire whose language and literature he loved, the Holy Roman Empire of which he was a subject, and the sacred seat of the papacy. It will appeal to scholars as well as lay readers, especially those interested in Rome, the reception of the classics in the Reformation, Luther studies, and early-modern history. Springer's methodology is primarily literary-critical, and he analyzes a variety of texts--prose and poetry--throughout the book. Some of these speak for themselves, while Springer examines others more closely to tease out their possible meanings. The author also situates relevant texts within their appropriate contexts, as the topics in the book are interdisciplinary. While many of Luther's references to Rome are negative, especially in his later writings, Springer argues that his attitude to the city in general was more complicated than has often been supposed. If Rome had not once been so dear to Luther, it is unlikely that his later animosity would have been so intense. Springer shows that Luther continued to be deeply fascinated by Rome until the end of his life and contends that what is often thought of as his pure hatred of Rome is better analyzed as a kind of love-hate relationship with the venerable city.