[1] The Journal of Lutheran Ethics hopes to provide reading material to stimulate thinking and conversation among academics, clergy, and laity. To this end, this section is included in each issue of JLE in order to encourage constructive discussion within congregations about the topics discussed in JLE. Consider using this section in formal adult education classes or in informal small group discussions.
[2] The April/May issue of JLE publishes the papers given at the Lutheran Ethicists’ Gathering held in January, 2025 in Chicago. The papers addressed Lutheran theological approaches to de-polarizing community. This congregational discussion guide offers points of reflection and questions for dialogue to be shared with others. The questions invite participants to speak from their own perspective, acknowledge their own experiences, and listen to those of others.
To Consider and Discuss:
[3] “Theology has nothing to do with ethics?” Christine Helmer in the first paper of the issue confronts and challenges the idea that faith and action are ultimately separated. She suggests that Lutherans need to think deeply about how what we believe compels us to act in love.
What do you believe is the core of your theological faith? In what ways has this faith compelled you to act (or not act) in certain situations?
[4] “It’s easy as Christians to shape our imagination about the Beloved Community around the particular issues of justice and ethical perspectives that are front and center for ourselves.” Amy Carr, in the final essay in this issue, begins by naming the fact that many people around the world are willing to support an autocrat, rather than democracy, if they believe the autocrat shares their values. She then speaks that in any community, we are better when we have input from others who disagree with us. She provides examples of people who learned from those they believed were totally wrong.
Tell about an experience in which you had a conversation with someone who you believed (and still believe) was wrong but in which you still learned from the conversation and the person.
[5] “These are words that, in different forms and in different languages, have been used by Christians for centuries to appeal to God in the midst of distress.” Benjamin Duelholm in his paper, Transcript and Template, speaks about the way our worship’s liturgy can ground us in ties of crisis and conflict. While he explains that our liturgy is a product of culture and context, he finds that the flow of the worship service and the words that have endured for centuries often can bind a community and anchor it in faith.
What part of the worship service do you find brings you a sense of closeness to your community?
[6] All of the essays in this issue acknowledge that there are controversies in our current political context that have real stakes. Individuals, families, the global market, the domestic economy, international treaties, and more are at stake. However, all the essays proclaim that the way forward is not to give away our voice or our power, nor to use our voice and power to take these away from others. They believe in the strength of the beloved community working together. What, in their essays, compelled you to agree or disagree with this basic idea that we are better working together rather than residing at the poles?
