Nineteenth-Century Lutheran Theologians

This collection of essays examines important nineteenth-century figures from the perspective of contemporary European and North-American scholars, focusing on those active between 1799 and the First World War. The goal is to assess our theological heritage and how these thinkers' work continues to impact theology today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 359 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG

This collection of essays, a companion volume to the book, Twentieth-Century Lutheran Theologians (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2013), examines important nineteenth-century figures from the perspective of contemporary European and North-American scholars. Each essay provides an overview of the life and central ideas of a key Lutheran/Protestant theologian who has had a significant impact on theological reflection down to the present. The focus here is on those thinkers who were active between 1799 (the year when Schleiermachers Speeches appeared) and the First World War. These are individuals who deserve repeated examination, whose insights are still worth pondering today, and whose theological positions help us to understand better where contemporary theology has come from (Karl Barth). All of the essays were initiated by the journal Lutheran Quarterly in order to assess our theological heritage as we move further into a new millennium. The goal of the authors, each a leading theologian, has been to describe a given thinker's life and vocation and how that person's work continues to impact theology today.

Introduction:
This collection of essays, a companion volume to the book, Twentieth-Century Lutheran Theologians (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2013), examines important nineteenth-century figures from the perspective of contemporary European and North-American scholars. Each essay provides an overview of the life and central ideas of a key Lutheran/Protestant theologian who has had a significant impact on theological reflection down to the present. The focus here is on those thinkers who were active between 1799 (the year when Schleiermachers Speeches appeared) and the First World War. These are individuals who deserve repeated examination, whose insights are still worth pondering today, and whose theological positions help us to understand better where contemporary theology has come from (Karl Barth). All of the essays were initiated by the journal Lutheran Quarterly in order to assess our theological heritage as we move further into a new millennium. The goal of the authors, each a leading theologian, has been to describe a given thinker's life and vocation and how that person's work continues to impact theology today.

Theologians Examined:
Theologians examined in this collection include prominent figures such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, Friedrich Schleiermacher, and Karl Barth. Each essay provides an in-depth exploration of the life and work of these theologians, highlighting their contributions to the development of Lutheran/Protestant theology and their influence on contemporary theological discourse.

Martin Luther:
Martin Luther's life and work are examined in the essay "Martin Luther: The Reformer and His Legacy." The essay explores Luther's role in the Protestant Reformation, his understanding of the Bible, and his impact on the development of the Lutheran/Protestant tradition. It also discusses Luther's views on justification by faith alone, the importance of the sacraments, and his opposition to the Roman Catholic Church.

John Calvin:
John Calvin's life and work are examined in the essay "John Calvin: Theologian and Statesman." The essay explores Calvin's understanding of the Bible, his Calvinist theology, and his influence on the development of the Protestant Reformation and the Calvinist tradition. It also discusses Calvin's views on the sovereignty of God, the nature of salvation, and the role of the church in society.

Friedrich Schleiermacher:
Friedrich Schleiermacher's life and work are examined in the essay "Friedrich Schleiermacher: Theologian of Culture." The essay explores Schleiermacher's understanding of the Bible, his hermeneutics, and his influence on the development of modern theology. It also discusses Schleiermacher's views on the nature of religion, the role of reason in theology, and his criticism of traditional religious practices.

Karl Barth:
Karl Barth's life and work are examined in the essay "Karl Barth: Theologian of the Word." The essay explores Barth's understanding of the Bible, his dialectics, and his influence on the development of contemporary theology. It also discusses Barth's views on the nature of God, the authority of Scripture, and the role of the church in the modern world.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this collection of essays provides a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in the development of Lutheran/Protestant theology and the influence of nineteenth-century theologians on contemporary theological discourse. The essays offer insightful perspectives on the lives and work of these theologians, highlighting their contributions to the development of Lutheran/Protestant theology and their influence on contemporary theological debates. By examining the lives and work of these theologians, we can better understand the historical and theological context in which contemporary theology has emerged and the challenges and opportunities that it faces.

Weight: 716g
Dimension: 232 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783525551301