Theology and Ethics for the Public Church: Mission in the 21st Century World

The contributors to this book argue that public theology provides a promising pathway forward for the Christian church to engage with the politically charged, profit-motivated world while remaining faithful to its biblical and theological roots. Gary M. Simpson's approach to public theology is intersectional and global, weaving together Lutheran theology and Critical Social Theory. The essays offer three angles of vision on faith active in twenty-first-century public contexts: contextual, ethical, and theological, engaging and challenging the church to grapple with the publicness of its mission.

Format: Hardback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The contributors to this book argue that public theology offers a promising pathway forward for the Christian church in navigating the politically charged and profit-motivated world while remaining faithful to its biblical and theological roots. The public theology presented here has been influenced by the theological interests and commitments of Gary M. Simpson, a Lutheran pastor and systematic theologian. Simpson's approach to public theology is intersectional and global, skillfully blending Lutheran theology with the civil society arena of Critical Social Theory.

The essays in this book provide three distinct angles of vision on faith active in twenty-first-century public contexts: contextual, ethical, and theological. While these strands of thought are not mutually exclusive, they engage and challenge the church to profound reflection on the complex and often bewildering circumstances of the twenty-first-century social world. Some essays reflect on God's activity within specific global contexts, offering fresh perspectives on Lutheran confessional traditions. Others take bold steps into innovative theological assertions. As the Christian church continues to evolve and reform, this book urges it to grapple with the publicness of its timely and timeless mission.

In conclusion, public theology provides a valuable framework for the Christian church to engage with the world in a way that is faithful to its biblical and theological roots. By embracing an intersectional and global perspective, the church can better understand the complex challenges and opportunities of our time and respond with wisdom, compassion, and creativity. The essays in this book offer a rich tapestry of perspectives and ideas that will inspire and guide the church as it seeks to live out its mission in the world.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978713239