Christians in Society: Luther the Bible and Social Ethics

Disagreement on ethical issues overlays a lack of consensus today on even deeper issues of method and authority in ethics. Yet a major ecumenical resource and model for Christian social ethics lies in Martin Luthers use of Scripture as ethical source and norm.Lazareth rescues Luthers christocentric reading of Scripture and his ethics from largely quietistic interpretations current through the Nazi period and sets his sights on how Luthers principles of biblical interpretation fueled his understanding of the churchs life and mission. From this base Lazareth reinterprets the much-contested two kingdoms teaching the twofold rule of God in creation and redemption the function of law and justification and sanctification in individuals and society.Larzareths informative historical theology also challenges contemporary Christians to affirm common biblical ground for theological ethics and to facilitate more public social witness.