[1] In this edition of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics we will consider two reviews focused on ethics, and Christian ministry/pastoral care.
[2] The prologue to the 1993 ELCA Social Statement, Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice, establishes this church’s commitment to creation and the challenges posed by climate change. “Christian concern for the environment is shaped by the Word of God spoken in creation, the Love of God hanging on a cross, the Breath of God daily renewing the face of the earth.”
The concern is not only contextualized by the existing environmental concerns and the existing social concerns, but is also founded on a theological starting point. Robert Buntrock’s examination of How Would We Know What God Is Up To, edited by Ernest M Conradie & Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, discusses our present ecological crossroad through the post-colonial lenses of countries impacted by climatic changes. These traditions present a wisdom that addresses these challenges from their faith commitments and encourage hope in the midst of these challenging socio-ecological developments.
[3] Peter Soli’s review examines Reconciling Mission: Realizing God’s Reign through Community Engagement, by David Brubaker and Alastair McKay. The book invites congregations to move from institution to neighbor — arriving in their communities as curious guests rather than confident hosts. Drawing on practitioner stories from the United States and rural England, the authors show what it looks like when a church sheds the privilege its position gives and learns to belong to a place. The review argues that this posture is not a new strategy but a recovery of an older, Spirit-led way of being the church in the world.
[3] We are currently seeking new reviews. Please feel free to contact me with unsolicited reviews, or please peruse the list of available books for review. These books can be mailed to interested parties. We are also seeking reviewers for Fortress Press Series ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching, and a special series on immigration and refugees.
William Rodríguez is Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida. He serves as Book Review Editor for the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.