Lutheran

In an age marked by controversy over public support of religious schools, federal encouragement of religious providers of social services, and sexuality education, the whole arena of church-state relations appears in flux.

In this volume, seven experts probe the meaning of religion in public life for Christians when the "Protestant establishment" has given way to pervasive religious pluralism and a growing secularism. Working specifically out of Lutheran traditions, the authors probe the deeper legal, moral, and religious questions at issue in the current debate. They not only rethink classical sources about law and gospel and two-kingdoms theory but also resurrect neglected resources for Christian civil resistance. They then look to contemporary developments and show how functional interaction of church and state is compatible with their strong institutional separation. Finally, three chapters probe the most hotly contested First Amendment questions: religious liberty, education, and land use.

Communio Sanctorum is the most recent product of the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue in Germany and the first major Lutheran-Catholic ecumenical statement since the ground-breaking Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. it focuses on the ecclesiastical issues that the Joint Declaration identified as the remaining obstacles to Lutheran-Catholic communion. It describes the church as the communion of saints and then uses that description as a framework for addressing some of the most ecumenical issues: sacraments, ministry, the role of the church in salvation, and papacy. While not claiming to have finally settled such difficult issues Communion Sanctorum does represent a new convergence on these questions. Uniquely, he dialogue then uses this understanding of the communion of the saints to address issues related to the communion that transcends death: the nature of eternal life, prayers for the dead, veneration of the saints and Mary. Communio Sanctorum has sparked vigorous debate in Germany and makes a major contribution both to Lutheran-Catholic dialogue and to the wider ecumenical enterprise.

A helpful and accessible guide to Lutheranism's history and central tenets, with numerous photos and illustrations.

In just over a century, Pentecostalism has rocketed from its humble beginnings in an interracial congregation on Azusa Street in Los Angeles to a global movement counting more than six hundred million members. Confronted with the bewildering array of Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Neocharismatic beliefs and practices, Lutherans are often at a loss as to how to think about Pentecostals, much less how to engage them in positive ways that build up the whole body of Christ. In this guide, Lutherans will find tools for just such an engagement. Building on a foundation of Pentecostalism's history and varieties, Wilson undertakes an in-depth survey of biblical teaching on baptism, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual gifts. The guide then brings innovative new lenses to bear on the questions at stake: the use of church history in defending denominational borders, right and wrong approaches to prosperity, the power of the Spirit and corruptions of power, and the role of experience in theological discernment. Written in a style accessible to laity and clergy alike, this guide will strengthen Lutherans' appreciation of their own tradition while enabling them to encounter Pentecostals as fellow believers in the salvation given by the triune God. ""Sarah Hinlicky Wilson guides her reader to understand the Pentecostal movement particularly in relation to the Lutheran tradition. This she does with the special care of a trained Lutheran theologian, and with the warm understanding of someone who has learned to appreciate the Pentecostal tradition through various ecumenical encounters and discussions. The result is a guide not only to the two Christian traditions, but a call to a journey for deeper understanding of the other."" --Kaisamari Hintikka, Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations and Director for the Department for Theology and Public Witness, Lutheran World Federation ""Sarah Hinlicky Wilson has written a very welcome addition to the growing body of ecumenical literature concerning Pentecostals. A Guide to Pentecostal Movements for Lutherans is highly readable, sympathetic, and honest. Wilson has engaged in theological dialogue with Classical Pentecostals, done her homework in the relevant Biblical, theological, and historical fields, and delivered an honest and compelling volume that provides answers to serious questions and stereotypes that have often kept Pentecostals and Lutherans from taking one another seriously."" --Cecil M. Robeck, Jr., Professor of Church History and Ecumenics, Director of the David du Plessis Center for Christian Spirituality, Fuller Theological Seminary Sarah Hinlicky Wilson is an ordained Lutheran pastor, an Adjunct Professor of the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France, and the editor of Lutheran Forum. She is the author of Woman, Women, and the Priesthood in the Trinitarian Theology of Elisabeth Behr-Sigel (2013) and of more than one hundred articles on theology in both popular and scholarly venues.

A new translation and critical commentary of a classic reformation text.

Eric Gritsch's unique and ambitious work, the first-ever attempt at a history of global Lutheranism, is now in a new edition.

In a clear, nontechnical way, this noted Reformation historian tells the story of how the nascent reforming and confessional movement sparked and led by Martin Luther survived its first battles with religious and political authorities to become institutionalized in its religious practices and teachings. Gritsch then traces the emergence of genuine consensus at the end of the sixteenth century, followed by the age of Lutheran Orthodoxy, the great Pietist reaction, Lutheranism's growing diversification during the Industrial Revolution, its North American expansion, and its increasingly global and ecumenical ventures in the last century.

From Wittenberg to Tanzania, from Spalatin to Spener to Schmucker, Gritsch tells the story with clarity and verve. This new edition updates all the chapters with fresh research, adds a chapter on new global developments and issues, and adds a rich array of graphics and other teaching tools.

The story of Lutherans in America is one of mutual influence. From the first small groups of Lutherans to arrive in the colonies, to the large immigrations to the rich heartland of a growing nation, Lutherans have influenced, and been influenced by, America.

In this lively and engaging new history, Granquist brings to light not only the varied and fascinating institutions that Lutherans founded and sustained but the people that lived within them. The result is a generous, human history that tells a complete storynot only about politics and policies but also the piety and the practical experiences of the Lutheran men and women who lived and worked in the American context.

Bringing the story all the way to the present day and complemented with new charts, maps, images, and sidebars, Granquist ably covers the full range of Lutheran expressions, bringing order and clarity to a complex and vibrant tradition.

Today's Protestant churches are oftenrent by disagreement and dissent overthe office of bishop, the roles of theordained, and myriad forms of layministry.

Timothy Wengert's new work overturnsmany of the pious myths about thesematters to probe the core convictionof Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, and the early Reform about publicministry. Theirs was an original visionof Christian ministry, revolutionary forits time. It jettisoned the lay/clericaldistinction and brought new authorityand purpose to the public office inChrist's church, says Wengert.

After resurrecting that initial context, Wengert traces the diminution anddistortion of this foundational visionthrough the centuries. He shows thatmany of the modern fights over publicministry are simply wrong-headed, and he then draws striking and helpfulconclusions about the rich assets andforms of service in the single publicoffice of ministry today.

The ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries and Augsburg Fortress Publishers are proud to continue their work on Renewing Worship, the multi-year program to develop basic Lutheran worship materials for the new century. Since 1978, the Lutheran Book of Worship has been the primary English language worship resource for many Lutherans throughout the world. In a process that includes numerous expert consultations, congregational feedback, and input from all branches of the church, Renewing Worship will provide the means to develop worship materials that reflect the diversity, vitality, and growth of the Lutheran Church today. Each year several volumes of provisional Renewing Worship material will appear, presenting to the church at large worship ideas for use and evaluation. A feedback form will be included in every volume, so input can be easily provided. Additionally, the program's website (www.renewingworship.org) will continue to provide background, overview, evaluation forms, and sample content for all available material, throughout the process. Centering on baptism, this volume will also include affirmation of baptism and orders for confession and forgiveness.