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From a historical perspective, similarities among the Lutheran churches in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are easily understood. But these previously homogeneous northern societies, built on a Lutheran tradition with close ties between church and state, are now considered to be among the most secular in the world, as well as being impacted by a growing presence of other religions. These changes present a major challenge to the churches concerning how to relate to the state and how to be a "folk church." The goal of this volume is to explore how Lutheran identity presently shapes churches in the north. What are the burning issues engaging these churches at the beginning of the third mil...
This textbook explores the Lutheran theological tradition. Kirsi Stjerna looks at Lutheran sources, vocabulary and focal points through the lens of the Augsburg Confession and the Large Catechism, developing a distinctive Lutheran faith language that resonates with contemporary contexts and inquirers. Lutheran Theology gives students the tools they need to understand Lutheran perspectives in the light of historical sources, to see the underlying motivations of past theological discourses and to apply this knowledge to current debates. Introducing the Book of Concord and Martin Luther's freedom theology, it shows them how to engage critically and constructively with key topics in theology and...
Lutheran tradition has in various ways influenced attitudes to work, the economy, the state, education, and health care. One reason that Lutheran theology has been interpreted in various ways is that it is always influenced by surrounding social andcultural contexts. In a society where the church has lost a great deal of its cultural impact and authority, and where there is a plurality of religious convictions, 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.
This book is about the crisis brought about by doctrine's estrangement from reality--that is from actual lives, experiences, histories, and from God. By invoking "the end of doctrine," Christine Helmer opens a new discussion of doctrinal production that is engaged with the challenges and possibilities of modernity. The end of doctrine refers on the one hand to unquestioning doctrinal reception, which Helmer critiques, and on the other, represents an invitation to a new way of understanding the aim of doctrine in deeper connection to the reality that it seeks. The book's first section offers an analysis of the current situation in theology by reconstructing a trajectory of Protestant theology...
This book focusses on the theory and application of ‘time perspective theory’. Time perspective can be an important factor in determining psychological well-being and the way we see our world and others around us. The unique contemporary nature of this theory’s evolution has spurred great interest over the last 20 years. The editors responded to this interest by bringing together contributors across a multitude of subjects and perspectives to facilitate an unprecedented discussion on the topic; covering areas such as financial health, psychotherapy across adulthood and old age, prenatal past, metacognition, community and change, fear of crime and intrinsic motivations. The interdisciplinary nature of this project makes it of interest to a wide cross-section of academics and practitioners including psychologist, social workers, criminologists and anyone who has or wishes to adopted time perspective theorization to assist them in their understanding.
Protestant ethics has often been associated with work and duty, excluding sensuality, sexuality and other pleasures. In an age of body worship as well as body loathing, Elisabeth Gerle explores new paths, embarking on a conversation with Martin Luther in dialogue with contemporary theologians on attitudes towards desire, ethics and politics. She draws on Eros theology to challenge traditional Lutheran stereotypes, such as the dichotomies between different forms of love, as well as between spirit and body. Gerle argues that Luther’s spiritual breakthrough, where grace and gifts of creation became central, provides new meaning to sex and desire as well as to work, body and ordinary life. Wom...
Bodies Inhabiting the World: Scandinavian Creation Theology and the Question of Home offers a multidimensional investigation of how houses, bodies, communities and the whole universe may be conceived and refigured as places where we belong—where we are at home in God’s creation. In this way, revisiting the tradition of Scandinavian creation theology provides profound resources to make theological affirmations of God’s omnipresence in the human condition we all share. The emergence here of an exciting new theological program can be recognized—beyond the limitations of other contemporary agendas' cul-de-sacs, blind spots and diffidence. What it is to have a home is a universal question closely connected to what it means to be human and to live a good, flourishing, life. But the negative experiences of homelessness, broken homes, statelessness and alienation always lurk in the background of the universal quest to find one's home in the world. This book contains fourteen essays exploring the dynamics of the human experience of finding, losing and finding again a home.
The official CFP guide for career excellence CFP Board Financial Planning Competency Handbook is the essential reference for those at any stage of CFP certification and a one-stop resource for practitioners looking to better serve their clients. This fully updated second edition includes brand new content on connections diagrams, new case studies, and new instructional videos, and a completely new section devoted to the interdisciplinary nature of financial planning. You'll gain insights from diverse fields like psychology, behavioral finance, communication, and marriage and family therapy to help you better connect with and guide your clients, alongside the detailed financial knowledge you ...
This book examines women’s relationship to the Virgin Mary in two different cultural and religious contexts, and compares how these relationships have been analyzed and explained on a theological and a sociological level. The figure of the Virgin Mary is a divisive one in our modern culture. To some, she appears to be a symbol of religious oppression, while to others, she is a constant comfort and even an inspiration towards empowerment. Drawing on the author’s own ethnographic research among Catholic Costa Rican women and Orthodox Finnish women, this study relates their experiences with Mary to the folklore and popular religion materials present in each culture. The book combines not on...
The Carmelite nun Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) lived a contemplative monastic life. Through her writings, she continues to help people who live in completely different contexts to discover that God is always present in the middle of everyday life. Like Martin Luther (1483-1546), Thérèse clearly distances herself from the idea that we can earn our salvation from God. This book begins by highlighting the extensive similarities between Thérèse's teaching and Martin Luther's theology. With the help of the three Carmelite Doctors of the Church – Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) and John of the Cross (1542-1591) – the discussion develops further, and a receptive ecumenical study is carried out. The overall question is how the Carmelite tradition can enrich the Evangelical-Lutheran tradition in a way that contributes to the renewal of the church. It is argued that such a renewal is of vital importance if people today are to receive the spiritual guidance that they are longing for.