This is a collection of publications from the Lutheran World Federation Department for Theology and Public Witness and its predecessor, the Department for Theology and Studies.

Recent Submissions

  • Religious Plurality and the public space : joint Christian–Muslim theological reflections

    Sinn, Simone, 1975-; El Omari, Dina; Khorchide, Mouhanad (Evangelische Verlangsanstalt GmbH, 2015)
    Religious plurality is a vital element of many societies across the globe. Different visions of life and religious commitment not only shape people’s private lives but have an intrinsic public dimension. Societies need to find ways to acknowledge and deal with this diversity in the public space. Religious communities and theologians are challenged to interpret their own traditions in ways that enable the constructive engagement with religious plurality. In this volume, Christian and Muslim scholars from different parts of the world together explore the meaning of public space. In relation to their contexts, they examine how public space can be understood as a shared space and discuss the meaning of secularity in plural societies.
  • To all the nations : Lutheran hermeneutics and the gospel of Matthew

    Mtata, Kenneth.; Koester, Craig (Evangelische Verlangstanstalt GmbHThe Lutheran World Federation, 2015)
    In his pastoral and theological reflections, Martin Luther always sought faithfully to discern the Word of God from the Scriptures. Luther drew on the Gospel of Matthew when developing edifying sermons as well as teasing out valuable ethical insights for the Christian engagement in society. While his immediate audience was in Wittenberg, the Gospel of Matthew has continued to be a resource for the church’s mission. In this collection of essays, internationally renowned theologians reflect on the ongoing reception of the Gospel of Matthew from the Reformation until today, and how, in light of the Lutheran interpretive traditions, it remains a valuable resource for the church as it seeks to respond to contemporary concerns in its mission to the whole world.
  • Religious identity and renewal in the twenty-first century : Jewish, Christian and Muslim explorations

    Sinn, Simone, 1975-; Reid Trice, Michael (Evangelische Verlangsanstalt GmbH, 2015)
    Religions carry strong visions of renewal and thereby have the potential to trigger dynamics of change in all spheres of human life. Religions have contributed to societal transformation and processes of renewal spark intensive theological debates. The renewal of religious identity is informed by how religious communities interpret their traditions and past, present, and future challenges to themselves, society and the world at large. How do religious communities understand their own resources and criteria for renewal in the twenty-first century? In this publication, Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars analyze and reflect on the meaning and dynamics of religious renewal and explore the meaning of religious renewal across religious traditions.
  • Interactive pluralism in Asia : religious life and public space

    Sinn, Simone, 1975-; Wing-Sze, Tong (Evangelische Verlagsanstalt GmbH, 2016)
    In today’s multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Asian contexts, religious plurality is one of the hallmarks of many societies. This book provides new insights into the current realities of religious life in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Myanmar, highlights the influence of religious commitment on the public space, and examines how Christian theology engages with contemporary realities in Asia. Christian theologians of different denominations offer fascinating theological reflections on justification, salvation, the Holy Spirit and the Trinity, and discuss interactions within and between Asian societies as well as with the world at large.
  • Healing memories : implications of the reconciliation between Lutherans and Mennonites

    The Lutheran World Federation (Evangelische Verlagsanstalt GmbH, 2016)
    Meeting in Stuttgart, Germany, in 2010, the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) asked for forgiveness from members of the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition for the wrongs going back to the beginnings of the Lutheran movement in the sixteenth century that had led to painful divisions between the two Christian families. The Mennonites accepted this apology and both communities committed themselves to move toward reconciliation. On the threshold of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this publication brings together two reports: Healing Memories: Reconciling in Christ by the Lutheran–Mennonite International Study Commission and Bearing Fruit—Implications of the 2010 Reconciliation between Lutherans and Mennonites/Anabaptists by the LWF Task Force on Mennonite Action.
  • Resisting exclusion : global theological responses to populism

    Harasta, Eva; Sinn, Simone, 1975- (Evangelische Verlangsanstalt GmbH, 2019)
    Populist political movements pose serious challenges to churches and theology in many global contexts. Such movements promote marginalization and exclusion of those who are regarded as not belonging to “the people”, and thereby undermine core values – dignity, equality, freedom, justice, and participation of all citizens in decision-making processes. How can theology and the churches respond to these developments? Church leaders and teaching theologians from eighteen different countries offer analyses and examples for how churches take up the challenge to resist exclusion and to strengthen participation and people’s agency.
  • LWF Staff Code of Conduct

    The Lutheran World Federation (The Lutheran World Federation, 2013-01)
    The LWF Code of Conduct helps all LWF employees to make ethical decisions in their professional and private lives, and better to understand the obligations placed upon their conduct. The Code refers to any misuse of power and exploitation in the working relationships among LWF employees and with those they serve, in areas of sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, fraud and corruption, and unethical business practices. All LWF employees are required to adhere to the Code.
  • Code de conduite

    Fédération Luthérienne Mondiale (The Lutheran World Federation, 2013-01)
    Le Code de conduite de la Fédération luthérienne mondiale (FLM) a pour objet d'aider tous les employés* de la FLM à prendre des décisions éthiques dans leur vie privée comme professionnelle, tant pendant les heures de travail qu'en dehors de celles-ci, et à mieux comprendre les obligations qui leur incombent dans leur conduite. Le présent Code porte sur toute forme d'abus de pouvoir et d'exploitation dans les relations de travail entre employés de la FLM et avec les personnes qu'ils servent, dans les domaines de l'exploitation et de la violence sexuelles, du harcèlement, de la fraude et de la corruption, ainsi que des pratiques commerciales contraires à l'éthique. Il a été mis au point pour compléter et renforcer les «codes de conduite» existants. Tous les employés de la FLM doivent adhérer au Code de conduite de la FLM en tant que document de politique générale. Chaque employé est tenu de signer le présent Code à la, indiquant par là qu'il comprend et approuve son contenu, ainsi que les implications possibles dans le cadre de la politique de tolérance zéro de la FLM.
  • Complaints Mechanism Policy and Procedure

    Department for World Service, Lutheran World Federation (Lutheran World Federation, 2010-06)
    LWF/DWS is committed to working in an open and responsible way that builds the trust and respect of all our stakeholders. LWF/DWS is committed to high quality humanitarian and development programming and seek to work with affected communities and populations in the best way possible. To ensure that the LWF/DWS programs are continuously improved, we want to hear what our stakeholders have to say whether in the form of a comment, a compliment or a complaint. Responding to complaints from stakeholders is basic to LWF/DWS’ value on accountability. LWF/DWS will therefore establish local (for all Country Programs) and global Complaints Mechanisms to encourage feedback about its work from all its stakeholders. Where the feedback is a complaint about LWF/DWS conduct, LWF/DWS shall respond in a timely and appropriate manner through established mechanisms. This policy will be actively disseminated to all stakeholders, especially affected populations, using appropriate language and means.
  • LWF/DWS Accountability Framework

    Department for World Service, Lutheran World Federation (Lutheran World Federation, 2011-03)
    World Service maximizes its capabilities through responsible stewardship of all entrusted resources. This is complemented by the highest standards, flexibility and pragmatism in program implementation—balancing accountability towards the affected population and the expectations of partners and back donors. World Service is committed to transparency of its motives and aims, as well as its financial transactions.
  • Código de Conducta del Personal de la FLM

    Federación Luterana Mundial (The Lutheran World Federation, 2013-01)
    Se entiende que el Código de conducta de la Federación Luterana Mundial (FLM) ayude a todo su personal1 a tomar decisiones éticas en su vida privada y su vida profesional, dentro y fuera del horario de trabajo, y a comprender mejor las obligaciones que han de regir su conducta. El presente código versa sobre cualquier uso indebido del poder y la explotación en las relaciones laborales del personal de la FLM con aquellas personas a quienes prestan servicios, lo que comprende: abuso y explotación sexuales, acoso, fraude, corrupción y prácticas reñidas con la ética profesional. Esta versión completa y mejora los códigos de conducta vigentes hasta ahora. Por tratarse de un documento de política, todas/todos las/os trabajadoras/es de la FLM deben adherir al mismo mediante su firma en la página seis en la que también se indica que entendieron y están de acuerdo con su contenido y las posibles consecuencias a causa de la política de tolerancia cero de la FLM.
  • Singing the Songs of the Lord in Foreign Lands

    Mtata, Kenneth; Niebuhr, Karl-Wilhelm; Rose, Miriam (Evangelische Verlangsanstalt GmbH, 2014)
    The essays in this book were first presented at a conference on the Psalms held in 2013 in Eisenach, at the foot of the Wartburg, It was the second in a series of hermeneutics consultations organized by the Lutheran World Federation, designed to create a space for the joint exploration of the Lutheran hermeneutical resources among member churches and related theological institutions and the engagement with ecumenical partners as we move toward the 2017 Anniversary of the Reformation. The contributions in this book underline the value of reading the Psalms and how the Psalms can contribute to our broader understanding of biblical interpretation. Psalms remain an important section of the Bible through which Christian life can be shaped and challenged. As Christian readers of the Bible we affirm that God speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures of both the New and the Old Testaments. The process of understanding biblical texts reaches its aim when the text becomes effective in the lives of the readers and listeners. Employing Lutheran hermeneutics requires that we pay attention to the manner in which Luther read and subsequent generations of Lutheran interpreters of the Psalms applied them to their contexts while we seek faithfully to speak to our own contexts through the same Scriptures. Contributors: Lubomír Batka, Andrea Bieler, Brian Brock, Klaus Dicke, Dorothea Erbele-Küster, Hans-Peter Grosshans, Jutta Hausmann, Anni Hentschel, Frank-Lothar Hossfeld, Martin Junge, Craig Koester, Corinna Körting, Madipoane J. Masenya, Monica Melanchthon, Kenneth Mtata, Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr, Urmas Nõmmik, Miriam Rose, Roger Marcel Wanke, Vítor Westhelle
  • Religion: Help or Hindrance to Development?

    Mtata, Kenneth (Lutheran World Federation, 2013)
    The decline of religion in the Western world used to be regarded as a direct consequence of development, and it was assumed that this would also occur in the global South once the same levels of economic development had been reached. The current flourishing of religion in the global South and the increased awareness of its significance in the global North prove that religion continues to play a crucial role. In those contexts where religion frames reality, development cannot ignore religion. This collection of essays by scholars and development practitioners from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin and North America explores the fascinating interface between religion and development as well as the negative and positive potential of religion in development. Contributors: Karel Th. August; Michael Biehl; Carlos Bonilla; Theresa Carino; Andreas Heuser; Eberhard Hitzler; Lindora Howard- Diawara; Martin Junge; Rebecca Larson; Michael Martin; Madipoane Masenya (ngwan’a Mphahlele); Johnson Mbillah; Ambrose Moyo; Kenneth Mtata; Samuel Ngun Ling; Kjell Nordstokke; Muriel Orevillo-Montenegro; Claudia Warning; Vítor Westhelle.
  • Gender Justice Policy

    Neuenfeldt, Elaine (The Lutheran World Federation, 2013)
    The biblical call to uphold justice is at the very heart of the communion’s selfunderstanding. God’s grace liberates us, brings us together in Christ and enables us to live and work together for justice, peace and reconciliation. The LWF is committed to being inclusive and enabling the full and equitable participation of women and men in church life and society, and in its decision-making processes, activities and programs. It looks back at a history of decisions and actions that express this commitment. This LWF Gender Justice Policy, approved by the LWF Council in 2013, is a tool to enhance the communion’s journey towards inclusiveness. Developed in a participatory process, it has grown out of experiences in member churches, is enriched by the biblical and theological bases of our Lutheran identity, and provides guidance and methodologies for contextualizing action plans and strategies in the regions and integrating gender as a crosscutting priority in all of the communion’s work.
  • “You have the Words of Eternal Life.”

    Mtata, Kenneth (The Lutheran World Federation, 2012-10)
    The Bible remains the main resource for faith communities. How can it be read fruitfully in ways that strengthen the community of readers in their faith, witness and service to the world? In what ways can convergence be found in diverse, sometimes confl icting, interpretive contexts? This collection of essays seeks to attend to these and similar questions. The focus on the three interpretive poles highlights these as central to biblical interpretation. The Gospel of John is used as a base text, read in light of different contexts and through the lens of the ecumenical, Lutheran and Reformed traditions. This book is the first in a series that will further explore the relationship between these hermeneutical poles.
  • Dialogue and Beyond

    von Sicard, Sigvard; Wulfhorst, Ingo (The Lutheran World Federation, 2003-03)
    For many years, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has been engaged in Christian-Muslim relations worldwide, ranging from humanitarian work in Mauritania to study programs on interfaith dialogue. From 1992 to 2002, the Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) carried out a study program on Islam. An initial period of inner-Lutheran deliberations was followed by a further phase that included Muslim dialogue partners. The LWF conducted three consultations of Muslim and Christian scholars in areas of conflict: Bethlehem/Middle East (1999); Dar es Salaam/Tanzania (2000); and Yogyakarta/Indonesia (2002). These consultations went far beyond academic dialogue; they led to an enriching, cross-cultural and interfaith sharing of theological reflections, life and faith, spirituality, interfaith prayer and a walking together toward peaceful neighborliness and pro-existence. Some of the lectures delivered at the Yogyakarta consultation are published in this book. It is our hope that the insights gleaned will encourage churches and Islamic communities in their dialogue and beyond, as they work toward reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and for a just, participatory and sustainable society.
  • Healing Memories: Reconciling in Christ

    The Lutheran World Federation; The Mennonite World Conference (The Lutheran World Federation/The Mennonite World Conference, 2010)
    This report of the Lutheran-Mennonite International Study Commission helped lay the foundations for the historic step of the Eleventh Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in 2010 of asking the Mennonites for forgiveness for past persecutions. Delegates unanimously approved a statement calling Lutherans to express their regret and sorrow for past wrongdoings towards Anabaptists and asking for forgiveness. The report offers churches and individuals historical background on the early condemnations of Anabaptists by Lutherans, new perspectives on what that history means today, and next steps towards a future as reconciled communities of faith.

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