Editor’s Intro

[1] In January, the Lutheran Ethicists Network held its annual conference in Washington D.C. before the meeting of the Society for Christian Ethics. The topic of the conference, “Ethics and Democracy,” was chosen because of the location and the times. Two of the three plenary papers are published here in this issue of JLE. The […]

[1] Having just celebrated the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, this issue of Journal of Lutheran Ethics contains a reflection from the World Council of Churches’ Nicaea 2025 Ecumenical Council and reflections on the possibilities for and challenge of Christian unity today. [2]The Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order of the World Council […]

[1] There is a lot of talk about artificial intelligence. As there is a rush to market the uses of AI, there is a need to create guardrails and guidelines for the use of AI in order to protect intellectual property, safeguard personal data, and reign in the energy consumption of AI.  Here at Journal […]

[1] Martin Luther was a pastor, a husband, and a father.  He was, also, a university professor.  He was a tireless advocate for education for girls as well as boys, for the working poor as well as for the wealthy elite.  He insisted to both parents and princes that they must provide education for all […]

[1] The Wedding of Katharina von Bora and Martin Luther on June 13, 1525 was an event that re-formed the understanding of marriage and family.  This issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics explores what this wedding meant to Luther, to Bora, and to us today. [2] The first essay is an abridged version of […]

[1] This issue of JLE, which publishes the papers given at this year’s Gathering of Lutheran Ethicists, is a call to action to the ELCA on behalf of children.  We feature two renowned experts on this topic, Victor Vieth and Marcia Bunge, who were the speakers at the gathering in January. [2] In December, our […]

[1] The Latin word salus, which means salvation, also means health, safety, and security. It is the word from which the English word salve comes. And it is a salve that so many seek. A salve for the souls that are in such dis-ease. Yes, we know that we are saved eschatologically, but right now, […]

[1] This issue of Journal of Lutheran Ethics invites thinking about the ethics of dialogue. This has been a common topic in the last several issues for the Journal, as dialogue between people with different life experiences, politics, and faith perspectives continues to be one of the most pressing demands for pastors, professors, and members […]

[1] The April issue of JLE publishes the papers and proceedings from The Lutheran Ethicists’ Network Gathering that was held in January. The conference topic in 2023 was “Guns, Violence, Security in the U.S.: What Might the ELCA Say Now?” [2] This issue is released the same week as the mass shooting at The Covenant […]

[1] Gender is at least one of the major theological, philosophical, and ethical issues of our age. On one hand, the issue’s complexity means that conversation and study is often difficult. Some congregations and individuals have simply chosen not to discuss questions that pertain to gender identity, expression, and sexuality out of fear that such […]