Cross in Tensions: Luther's Theology of the Cross as Theologico-social Critique: 91 (Princeton Theological Monograph)

Description: Luthers theology of the cross is a direct critique of oppressive power relationships in his day. Luthers early thought challenges specific economic political social ideological and religious power dynamics; the cross confronts those who enjoy power prestige pomp and profits at the expense of the poor. Ruge-Jones maps the power relationships that Luthers theology addressed and then turns to specific works that challenge established structures of his world. Luthers Latin texts undermine the ideological assumptions and presumptions that bolstered an opulent church and empire. Luther uses the cross of Christ to challenge what he called volatilem cogitatum knowledge that is prone to violence. His German writings (directed to a broader more popular audience) focus this critique of human pretensions into an attack on systems of wealth status and power that refuse to look with compassion upon poor Mary or upon the many domestic servants of Germany. God has respected the ones whom the world disrespects and has thus entered the world to turn it upside down. Also in the German writings the Lords Supper calls the powerful to enter into solidarity with the poor--suffering people to whom Christ has given himself. Finally in his popular pamphlets visual images show with graphic specificity that throughout his life Christ sought out solidarity with the least. These images contrast brutally with images of a church that has sold its soul to wealth political influence military power and status. Endorsements: Candor and precision conjoined with a lucid exposition of complex historical arguments is what the reader will be treated to in Philip Ruge-Jones Cross in Tensions. The book engages the development of the early Luthers theology of the cross and its various interpretations with poignant care for the pain of the world while being in compassionate and hopeful solidarity with those who moved and shaken endure the cross in all its tensions gruesomeness and intentions. Vítor Westhelle author of The Scandalous God Philip Ruge-Jones makes an interesting and thoughtful contribution to the contemporary scholarly literature on Martin Luthers theology of the cross by offering a contextually informed analysis of the Reformers thought. . . . He places Luthers writings into their . . . contexts and clarifies the impact of those contexts on the Reformers works. . . . Ruge-Jones is not only sensitive to Luthers context however. . . . Ruge-Jones is a Euro-North American who has lived in South America and whose theological perspectives have been profoundly impacted by Latin American Liberationist thought particularly the notion of the preferential option of the poor. . . . He views the theology of the cross as a theology that points to the crucified Christ as Gods ultimate self-revelation and that is liberating good news to the poor and marginalized. Hence he celebrates Luther as a true theologian of the cross whenever the Reformer and his writings advocate for the poor and he criticizes Luther as a theologian of glory whenever the Reformer uses his writings to support those in power and to oppress the common people. --Kurt K. Hendel Bernard Fischer Westberg Distinguished Ministry Professor of Reformation History Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago About the Contributor(s): Philip Ruge-Jones is Associate Professor of Theology at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin Texas. He is the author of The Word of the Cross in a World of Glory (2008).