Globalization

Though it was published three years ago (2014), the information, issues, and tenor of Human Dignity and the Future of Global Institutions contains a present day salience perhaps not foreseen by the editors and contributors at the time. We appear to be entering another time of intense debate over the nature and need of things global – globalization, globalism, global institutions, global narratives – versus a resurfacing of neo-nationalism through Brexits, the call to make America great (or first) again, and the public and foreign policies of states as diverse as Russia, China, Hungary, or the Philippines. Perhaps not another “paradigm shift” as occurred in November 1989, but questions have returned to the public discourse loudly and clearly about the vitality of NATO, or the relevance of regional organizations such as the European Union, or if the positive purpose of regional or hemispheric trade treaties like NAFTA is outweighed by their future impacts, risks, or constraints.

Globalization affects all aspects of our lives, from the products available at the supermarket to the music we hear on the radio. Church is not immune to this, nor should it be. However, Rajashekar points to how theological education has not effectively embraced the gifts of globalization. Instead, the pattern has been to continue to see white male theology as universally applicable and correct, and theology coming from the global South as relevant only in its own context. Rajashekar explores how this power imbalance influences the theology being produced as well as how students of theology are being educated in the all over the world.

Paul S. Chung, Ulrich Duchrow, and Craig L. Nessan. Liberating Lutheran Theology: Freedom for Justice and Solidarity with Others in a Global Context. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011, 292 pages.

This issue features two presentations given at the Convocation of Lutheran Teaching Theologians meeting this past fall. The two authors focused on the relationship of globalization and theological education, or lack thereof. How could we in the United States better serve our neighbors in the Global South in terms of the theology we create and […]

Baker’s piece addresses the attendees of the Convocation of Lutheran Teaching Theologians directly, which is appropriate for his focus on context. Baker explores the importance of global experiences in theological education and asks professors to think of ways in which different global contexts can impact their students’ understanding of theology and even learning styles. On a larger scale, he also urges seminaries to establish effective partnerships that allow students from the United States to study abroad in addition to bringing students here. How can our theology reflect our relationships and our relationships reflect our theology?

Faith and Human Rights: Christianity and the Global Struggle for Human Dignity by Richard Amesbury and George M. Newlands and The God You Have: Politics, Religion, and the First Commandment by Patrick D. Miller

Peters, Rebecca Todd. Solidarity Ethics: Transformation in a Globalized World. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2014.

Introduction [1] “The self and the social are the two great idols,” as Simone Weil’s memorable aphorism about our time puts it.1 In his compelling argument in Testing the National Covenant, William F. May explores how our current fears and appetites feed our collective idolatry of both the individual self and the economy in American […]

[1] “Is that really what it’s like in the United States, Heidi?” asked an elderly friend as we sat around the kitchen table one afternoon. “Isn’t it true that everybody has their own bedroom and their own house? That everybody has cars and big televisions and internet in their houses? I’d never go myself; I’m […]

[1] When preaching on the Beatitudes it’s easy to default to two common interpretations. The first is to individualize the statements, making them into a scheme for securing God’s blessing. Such an approach assumes that if we adhere to the qualities outlined by Jesus, God will be more apt to bless and love us. [2] […]