Engaging Luther: A (New) Theological Assessment

The Reformer Martin Luther is the source of endless fascination and dispute. Not only his antagonists but also his supporters have created a host of representations of his thought. On the one hand Catholic and other similar voices have accused Luther of being the major agent in the birth of modern secularism. On the other hand Lutherans themselves are divided on the meaning of Reformation. In view of all these interpretations and dismissals of Luther and the Lutheran Reformation it requires a certain boldness to claim that Luthers theology is intellectually fascinating and contains exceptional resources. This is precisely what the present volume claims. The studies collected in this volume aim at showing in which sense Luther remains a fully Catholic and genuinely Augustinian theologian who is not so much a forerunner of problematic modernity as a representative of classical Christianity. At the same time Luthers theology contains ideas that can be made fruitful in dialogue with currents like communitarianism or Radical Orthodoxy. The volume consists of articles written by scholars affiliated with the project known as the New Finnish Interpretation of Luther. The topics include Luthers theological anthropology Trinity christology sacraments faith theology of the cross the Virgin Mary sexuality music and the spiritual reading of the Holy Scriptures. This compelling volume continues the ground-breaking project known as the new Finnish interpretation of Luther. It is the contention of this movement that for Luther union with Christ in faith necessarily entails active and robust participation in Gods own life. Building upon the Reformers unique vision at once evangelical and catholic this book offers powerful contributions to contemporary theology and renewed sustenance for ecumenical advances. Highly recommended. --Thomas G. Guarino Seton Hall University For over twenty years a remarkable group of Finnish scholars has been offering a new interpretation of Luthers theology. Here for the first time in English these theologians give us not only a presentation of their challenging approach to Luther research but a splendid introduction to Luthers theology as a whole. Beginners and experts alike will find much to ponder in the Luther who speaks from these pages. --Bruce Marshall Perkins School of Theology Southern Methodist University Olli-Pekka Vainio is an Adjunct Professor of Ecumenical Theology at the University of Helsinki and a member of the Center for Theological Inquiry Princeton. He is the author of Justification and Participation in Christ (2008) and Beyond Fideism: Negotiable Religious Identities (2010).