Book Review Introductions

In this edition we include two book reviews that are primarily reflections on ministry and history. Thomas Johnston’s review of Lowell Almen’s book, A Dream Eclipsed: A Fractured Quest for Greater Lutheran Unity, explores the history and trajectory of the formation of the ELCA from the perspective of a central figure in contemporary Lutheranism. Almen […]

In this “Summer Books Issue” we include book reviews from a broad range of topics including history, philosophy, theology, ethics and spirituality. It is our hope that this broad range of topics finds an audience that is seeking for a diversity of topics. Included you will find a philosophical  exploration of the relationship between religion […]

[1] Recently the Journal has discussed issues of polarization, Artificial Intelligence and the Ethics of Raising Healthy Children. In the hopes of creating continued conversation about the intersectional connections between these issues and societal concerns, we share three pieces. [2] Mark Ellingsen’s review of Our Biggest Fight: Reclaiming Liberty, Humanity, and Dignity in in the […]

[1] The ethics of raising healthy children is a challenging topic of discussion. Normally, most people think of ethics as a normative activity, limited to atomistical individuals acting according to societal norms. Ethics is reduced to inculcating children with moral values that would allow them to navigate right and wrong. Nevertheless, there is a neglected […]

[1] Esteemed readers of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics, it is my pleasure and privilege to introduce myself as the new Book Editor. I have been teaching ethics at Bethune Cookman University for over 18 years and have been actively involved in the work of this church. I hope to continue the legacy of quality […]

Today I offer a special thanks to our readers, writers and reviewers. After approximately 7 years as book review editor, I have resigned from this position in order to create more space in my life for new projects and adventures. As I welcome William Rodriquez as the new book review editor, I am pleased to […]

In keeping with the theme of this month’s JLE, our book reviews focus on ethical implications of AI. Mark Ellingsen reviews Is Artificial Intelligence Racist? The Ethics of AI and the Future of Humanity.  In this book, author Arshin Adib-Moghaddam describes the racist biases that permeate AI’s algorithms and examines the troubling implications for policing, banking, job applications, […]

Stewart Herman reviews Jeff Goodell’s The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet through the lens of Lutheran preaching, contrasting Goodell’s approach to that of a Lutheran understanding of vocation.  Thomas Johnston dives into Lutheran notions of vocation from the perspective of formation in his review of Andrew Tucker’s 4D Formation: Exploring Vocation […]

[1] As we enter the Christmas season, Diane Yeager reviews The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate by Eric Vanden Eykel.  From the history of biblical interpretation to contemporary literature to the covers of Christmas cards, the Magi capture our imagination. Yeager’s review explores Vanden Eykel’s scholarship and concludes […]

This month we cover recent books that range from the historical to the contemporary in their focus – from Nazi Germany to the current movement to abolish the prison system.  Michael Pickett reviews Break Every Yoke: Religion, Justice and the Abolition of Prisons by Joshua Dubler and Vincent Lloyd.  Michael Birkner reviews one of several volumes […]