A Closer Look at the Transformation of Lutheran Theology and Practices Today‏

Theologians to Meet in Augsburg for LWF Global Consultation

How are the different approaches to biblical interpretation, theology and church practices in a global communion such as the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) transforming what is considered "Lutheran" in the 21st century? More than 100 theologians from over 30 countries will deliberate this question during a consultation titled "Theology in the Life of Lutheran Churches: Transformative Perspectives and Practices Today," to be held from 25 to 31 March 2009 in Augsburg, Germany.

Organized by the LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) in cooperation with the Institute of Protestant Theology of the University of Augsburg, the gathering offers a forum where theologians "can engage with each other's approaches and contexts in ways that also challenge the very different assumptions and help transform mutual understandings," says DTS director, Rev. Dr Karen Bloomquist.

The Augsburg meeting is the concluding consultation in a series of seminars and publications of the DTS Theology in the Life of the Church (TLC) study program, started in 2004. The theologians who work in many different settings will present and discuss papers focused on biblical, systematic and practical theological matters. Participants will consider how these different perspectives are reshaping contemporary Lutheran theology.

The participants include Rev. Dr Thomas Nyiwe, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon, who points out: "What happens in local contexts and circumstances of churches has a major impact on how theology is formulated."

Nyiwe, also vice-chairperson of the Theology and Studies Program Committee, recalls the TLC program's launching during the 2004 LWF Council meeting: "I stressed the significance of this initiative for our churches, especially in the global South. Since then, the various seminars and publications of this program have helped us to rediscover the close connection that exists between theology and the life and ministry of the church," he adds.

Bloomquist points out the Augsburg consultation builds on what has occurred in the TLC program over the past few years, as well as through DTS study processes over some decades. "Study programs bringing together theologians from various contexts of the Lutheran communion have provided space where their differences become evident. Usually, however, this has stopped short of more in-depth attention across contexts as to how Lutheran theology, hermeneutics and practices are being transformed by these different perspectives," she notes.

Through six seminars in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, the TLC program has pursued theological work in relation to the challenges of poverty, inter religious tensions, fundamentalism, empire, religious resurgence and Pentecostalism. Bloomquist cites two seminars in 2008 in Hong Kong (China) and Soweto (South Africa) that brought together theologians from especially the global South, whose perspectives are reflected in two recently published books - Identity, Survival, Witness: Reconfiguring Theological Agendas and Lutherans Respond to Pentecostalism.

Plenary speakers on the first full day include Bishop Dr Margot Kaessmann, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover (Germany); Prof. Ramathate Dolamo, University of South Africa; and Argentine theologian Rev. Dr Guillermo Hansen, currently teaching at Luther Seminary (USA). Prof. Paul Rajashekar, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (USA) and Dr Eva Harasta, University of Bamberg (Germany) will give attention to how multi-faith realities are changing theological agendas.

On subsequent days speakers will address "Is your Bible my Bible?" and "Creation, redemption and eschatology." "The church's public vocation in society" will also be considered. A final message, recommendations, and further books are anticipated from the LWF event. (584 words)

More information about the consultation including the program and possibility to participate, click here.