wfn.org | LWI 2009-009 A Closer Look at the Transformation of Lutheran Theology and Practices Today

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A Closer Look at the Transformation of Lutheran Theology and Practices  Today Theologians to Meet in Augsburg for LWF Global Consultation

GENEVA, 23 February 2009 (LWI) - 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, interreligious 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 is available at: www.lutheranworld.org/What_We_D o/DTS/DTS-TLC_Augsburg.html

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(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran  tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 140  member churches in 79 countries all over the world, with a total membership  of over 68.3 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in  areas of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations,  theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the  various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is  located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

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