In Memoriam: Vítor Westhelle, 1952-2018
Dr. Vítor Westhelle, professor of systematic theology at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, died on May 13, 2018. With so much to say about his life and work, Lutheran Quarterly would like to share this essay that Dr. Westhelle published in 2010. From beginning to end, it testifies to the God who brings life out of death.
It is entitled "Justification as Death and Gift." It concludes with these words:
"Justification should be addressed as one would in writing an obituary to oneself, saying that it is neither what one wanted or desired, nor what one's interest bargained for, only that a single word would convey, and yet would already be a word too long to account for justification: tetelestai, finished.”
Among his countless contributions to the global church and the academy, Dr. Westhelle was a member of Lutheran Quarterly's Council of Editorial Advisors.
For more about Vítor's life and witness, please see this announcement from LSTC.
Requiescat in pace.
It is entitled "Justification as Death and Gift." It concludes with these words:
"Justification should be addressed as one would in writing an obituary to oneself, saying that it is neither what one wanted or desired, nor what one's interest bargained for, only that a single word would convey, and yet would already be a word too long to account for justification: tetelestai, finished.”
Among his countless contributions to the global church and the academy, Dr. Westhelle was a member of Lutheran Quarterly's Council of Editorial Advisors.
For more about Vítor's life and witness, please see this announcement from LSTC.
Requiescat in pace.
Spring 2018 featured Essay: 'Martin luther & the Danish Welfare State' by Jørn Henrik Petersen
Click here to read this study on the relationship between Lutheran church culture and the Danish welfare state.
ABSTRACT: Generally, religion has played only a minor role in comparative welfare state research. Some scholars have even termed the topic “religion-blind.” During recent years, however, a smaller group of researchers have investigated the relationship between religions or denominations on the one hand and the origin and development of the welfare state on the other. Jørn Henrik Petersen investigates the rise and establishment of the Danish Welfare State in the light of Lutheran Reformation influences.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Aarhus professional and Professor of Social Policy Jørn Henrik Petersen first wrote multiple volumes on the history of the welfare state in Denmark, and then, in 2016 and 2017, books on the role of Martin Luther and Lutheranism in that history. Next up for him, in Danish, is Luther as a Social Reformer.
ABSTRACT: Generally, religion has played only a minor role in comparative welfare state research. Some scholars have even termed the topic “religion-blind.” During recent years, however, a smaller group of researchers have investigated the relationship between religions or denominations on the one hand and the origin and development of the welfare state on the other. Jørn Henrik Petersen investigates the rise and establishment of the Danish Welfare State in the light of Lutheran Reformation influences.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Aarhus professional and Professor of Social Policy Jørn Henrik Petersen first wrote multiple volumes on the history of the welfare state in Denmark, and then, in 2016 and 2017, books on the role of Martin Luther and Lutheranism in that history. Next up for him, in Danish, is Luther as a Social Reformer.
New Forde Publication: 'America's god & Lutheran Faith'
Click here to read this essay, which was presented to a group of pastors by the late Dr. Forde in 1992.
2017 Featured Essay:
On Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue by Theodor Dieter
Click here to read "Commemoration of the Reformation in Germany and Lund" by Theodor Dieter (Spring 2017, Vol 31)
Featured Essays for the 500th Reformation Anniversary
To commemorate 500 years of the Reformation, LQ is proud to share these great essays on Luther, Lutheranism, and the meaning of the Reformation for today.
"Luther on the Market Economy" by Carter Lindberg
"Sources for and against the Posting of the Ninety-Five Theses" by Volker Leppin & Timothy Wengert
Recommended books in the field of Reformation history, compiled by Mary Jane Haemig
"Twenty Questions on the Relevance of Luther for Today" by Oswald Bayer
"Radical Lutheranism" by Gerhard Forde, LQ's inaugural essay (Spring 1987)
"Katharina von Bora, the Woman at Luther's Side" by Martin Treu
Bonus: index of every piece published over the past 30 years!
"Luther on the Market Economy" by Carter Lindberg
"Sources for and against the Posting of the Ninety-Five Theses" by Volker Leppin & Timothy Wengert
Recommended books in the field of Reformation history, compiled by Mary Jane Haemig
"Twenty Questions on the Relevance of Luther for Today" by Oswald Bayer
"Radical Lutheranism" by Gerhard Forde, LQ's inaugural essay (Spring 1987)
"Katharina von Bora, the Woman at Luther's Side" by Martin Treu
Bonus: index of every piece published over the past 30 years!
17 Lutheran Theses on Government
Click here to read "17 Lutheran Theses on Government" by Martin Lohrmann of Wartburg Seminary.
From the introduction:
"The following 17 Theses are points for discussion about faith and government. They come from the Lutheran tradition, with the awareness that other traditions also bring insights to this topic that could be great to share together. The title '17 Theses' is a nod to Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, a set of statements about indulgences and repentance that launched the Reformation era in Europe in 1517. While times have changed a great deal in the past 500 years, the need for understanding and dialogue remains just as critical."
From the introduction:
"The following 17 Theses are points for discussion about faith and government. They come from the Lutheran tradition, with the awareness that other traditions also bring insights to this topic that could be great to share together. The title '17 Theses' is a nod to Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, a set of statements about indulgences and repentance that launched the Reformation era in Europe in 1517. While times have changed a great deal in the past 500 years, the need for understanding and dialogue remains just as critical."
Re-dedication of Jehu Jones marker in Philadelphia
Rev. Jehu Jones (1786-1852) was the first African-American Lutheran pastor. He led a congregation in Philadelphia in the 1830s and served as a missionary in the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. A historical marker was recently rededicated at the site of his Philadelphia congregation. In honor of that occasion, Lutheran Quarterly is proud to share this 1996 essay by Karl E. Johnson, Jr. and Joseph Romeo on Rev. Jones (click here for essay).
In the 1990s, a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, [Karl] Earl Johnson, directed by Prof. Richard Stewart, began to do some investigation of Jehu Jones, the first African American Lutheran pastor in the US. Among other things, he discovered that the original building of St. Paul's was in existence and the cornerstone preserved. In 1998, Prof. Stewart and Dr. Timothy Wengert successfully lobbied the Pennsylvania Historical Commission for a marker at the site, 310 S. Quince St., Philadelphia, PA. Within a few years the sign disappeared. Only this year did Prof. Stewart again get the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to restore the marker. On November 19, 2016, a group of Lutheran pastors and laity gathered to rededicate the sign. Profs. Stewart and Wengert made remarks as did Bishop Clair Burkat.
Jehu Jones, born in South Carolina was designated by his pastor, John Bachman, to become a missionary to Liberia. Ordained by the New York Synod, Jones was unable to go to Liberia and instead came to Philadelphia, where in the 1530s with the half-hearted support of some of the Lutheran pastors of the Pennsylvania Synod, he started an African American Lutheran congregation, St. Paul's. They built a sanctuary at 310 S. Quince St. By 1839 the building had been sold in a sheriff's auction for failure to pay loans (in part because the Synod failed to live up to its promises). Jones later faced charges by the New York Synod regarding the legitimacy of his ordination and ministry, which he answered in a tract. He died in Philadelphia on September 28, 1852.
Only through the tireless work of Earl Johnson and Richard Stewart has the life and work of this remarkable pioneer come to light.
In the 1990s, a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, [Karl] Earl Johnson, directed by Prof. Richard Stewart, began to do some investigation of Jehu Jones, the first African American Lutheran pastor in the US. Among other things, he discovered that the original building of St. Paul's was in existence and the cornerstone preserved. In 1998, Prof. Stewart and Dr. Timothy Wengert successfully lobbied the Pennsylvania Historical Commission for a marker at the site, 310 S. Quince St., Philadelphia, PA. Within a few years the sign disappeared. Only this year did Prof. Stewart again get the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to restore the marker. On November 19, 2016, a group of Lutheran pastors and laity gathered to rededicate the sign. Profs. Stewart and Wengert made remarks as did Bishop Clair Burkat.
Jehu Jones, born in South Carolina was designated by his pastor, John Bachman, to become a missionary to Liberia. Ordained by the New York Synod, Jones was unable to go to Liberia and instead came to Philadelphia, where in the 1530s with the half-hearted support of some of the Lutheran pastors of the Pennsylvania Synod, he started an African American Lutheran congregation, St. Paul's. They built a sanctuary at 310 S. Quince St. By 1839 the building had been sold in a sheriff's auction for failure to pay loans (in part because the Synod failed to live up to its promises). Jones later faced charges by the New York Synod regarding the legitimacy of his ordination and ministry, which he answered in a tract. He died in Philadelphia on September 28, 1852.
Only through the tireless work of Earl Johnson and Richard Stewart has the life and work of this remarkable pioneer come to light.
editor Paul Rorem on LQ, past & Present
LQ editor Paul Rorem wrote this piece about the past and present of Lutheran Quarterly for an issue of Currents in Theology & Mission that surveyed a variety of journals produced by and for North American Lutherans.
Read Dr. Rorem's essay here. [Shared with permission of Currents in Theology & Mission]
Want more? Click here to visit the Table of Contents for this inspiring issue of Currents!
Read Dr. Rorem's essay here. [Shared with permission of Currents in Theology & Mission]
Want more? Click here to visit the Table of Contents for this inspiring issue of Currents!
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