[1] In 1525, Martin Luther encountered both the horror of the Peasants’ War and the joy of marriage. In his work, he acknowledges this—this constant presence of evil in the world and the comfort and joy of a loving home. This article presents lessons from Luther on the importance of acknowledging the existence of real […]
Introduction [1] How should a paper on the marriage of Katharina von Bora and Martin Luther begin? You might expect it to begin with the colorful and well documented escape of twelve nuns, including Katharina, on Easter Eve, April 4, 1523, from the Cistercian convent of Marienthron, near Grimma, about 100 kilometers from Wittenberg, which […]
[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 […]
October/November 2024: Ordinary Faith as an Antidote to Polarization (Volume 24 Issue 5)
[1] Is it possible for Christians to express earnest and thoughtful disagreement with one another about contested political issues while retaining shared community in Christ? As a matter of actual practice, is it possible to imagine openly disagreeing in a productive way within congregations without vilifying one’s opponents? This is the challenge that Amy Carr […]
June/July 2024: Responses to Christian Nationalism (Volume 24 Issue 3)
[1] In the glossary of the draft of the proposed ELCA Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith, Christian Nationalism is said to be: A cultural framework that idealizes and advocates fusion of certain Christian views with American civil life. This nationalistic ideology believes, among other things that the U.S. Constitution was divinely inspired, that […]
Introduction[1] [1] The imminent climate crisis makes questions regarding our relationship with the creator and the created reality to which we belong extremely important. It presses us to consider what it means to believe in God, the creator, and what it means to be created in the image of our creator. These questions are pressing, […]
Introduction [1] [1] Holy Communion matters for Lutherans. It is central to who we understand ourselves to be as Christians. Lutherans believe and teach that the Lord’s Supper is not simply bread and wine eaten in a reenactment of the Last Supper, but, as Martin Luther teaches in The Large Catechism, “it is bread and […]
Mary Lowe’s article asserts that many Christians find reading about Biblical acceptance makes them more accepting of others with differences as well. She suggests that Lutherans might find a deeper study of Luther’s theology to be similarly liberating. This issue suggests ways that a look at Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms might help a reader […]
We must know that we are not only welcome at this meal; we are this meal.…God, great Mother/Father/[Spirit] God, move through the elements prepared today….Break this bread in our hearts, so that we will know the urgency of speaking as queer Christians….Give us the breath and blood of people who can witness the welcome […]
[1] As we head towards Reformation Sunday, this issue of JLE presents four articles on how understanding Luther’s teachings calls us to consider our ethical responsibilities. These four articles were research presentations in the “Luther and Religion” seminar within the 14th International Congress for Luther Research held at California Lutheran University in 2022. I am […]
