“Theology in the Life of the Church: Revisiting Its Critical Role” is the current focus of overall DTS work. The purpose is to call for, encourage and deepen constructive theological work in relation to major contextual challenges that churches face in their respective settings.
The program seeks to bridge what have been significant divides between more classical and more contextual approaches to theology, and to promote a more engaged and critical role of theology in the life of the church.
A global consultation in Augsburg, Germany, from 25-31 March 2009 marked the culmination of the “Theology in the Life of the Church” program.
Theology in relation to contextual challenges
Since 2006, a series of seminars has brought together theologians from different parts of the world to develop theology responding to challenges that Lutheran churches are facing today.
- Economic injustice and poverty
“Confessing and Living out the Faith in the Face of Death and Injustice” | Arusha, Tanzania | September 2006
“Confronting Poverty and Injustice in Africa” | DTS Publications
- Interreligious realities
“Beyond Toleration? Assessing and Responding Theologically to New Challenges for Christian-Muslim Relations” | Breklum, Germany | December 2006
Though participants came from around the world, the seminar had a particular focus on Europe.
Seminar message | Botschaft des Seminars | Order Deepening Faith, Hope and Love in Relations with Neighbors of Other Faiths
- Fundamentalism
“Fundamentals for a Lutheran Communion in the Face of Fundamentalisms” | Höör (Akersberg), Sweden | March 2007
Letter from Höör seminar participants | DTS Publications
- Empire
“Confessing and Living Out Faith in the Triune God: Being the Church in the Midst of Empire” | Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA | June 2007
Order Being the Church in the Midst of Empire, Trinitarian Reflections
Responding as Lutherans to challenges in the global South
Further seminars have been held especially for theologians form the global South to address theological questions facing people in these contexts.
- Religious resurgence
“What do we believe, teach and practice in the midst of religious resurgence today?” | Hong Kong, China | January 2008
Participants focused on moving beyond the enculturation phase of theological development toward more intercultural critique and the transformation of theological understandings.
Order Identity, Survival, Witness: Reconfiguring Theological Agendas
- Pentecostalism
“Critical Lutheran Beliefs and Practices in Relation to Neo-Pentecostalism” | Soweto, South Africa | July 2008
Seminar message | Message du séminaire | Order Lutherans Respond to Pentecostalism
“Theology in the Life of the Church” Publications
For more information on the “Theology in the Life of the Church” program, please contact:
Dr Kathryn Johnson, DTS Interim Director
To order “Theology in the Life of the Church” publications please contact:
Ms Mercedes Restrepo, Administrative Assistant
