A History of Lutheranism.A History of Lutheranism Lutheranism has its origins in the early 16th century with the work of Martin Luther. Early history Lutheranism as a movement traces its origin to the work of Martin Luther, a German priest and theologian who sought to reform the practices of the Roman Catholic Church in the . By Eric W. Gritsch. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002. xiv and 346 pages. Paper. $29.00. Gritsch has undertaken a difficult, if not impossible, task. He has attempted to write a history of the Lutheran movement without borders A number of NGOs have adopted the "Without Borders" tag, inspired by Doctors without Borders.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of national and regional Lutheran churches headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. , in what he calls a "history of global Lutheranism." Gritsch acknowledges the problems inherent in writing such a comprehensive history of Lutheranism. He presents the church with this new volume along with a challenge to other theologians and historians to fill in the gaps that a single volume inevitably leaves unattended. He presents his history of Lutheranism in seven stages: the birth of the movement (1517-1521); growth and consolidation of Lutheranism in Europe and its surroundings (1521-1555); the movement toward confessional identity (1555-1580); orthodoxy (1580-1675); pietism Pietism (pī`ətĭzəm), a movement in the Lutheran Church, most influential between the latter part of the 17th cent. and the middle of the 18th. (1675-1817); diversification (1817-1918), and new ventures (1918-). Final thoughts and reflections are found in "Conclusion: Forward to Luther?" in which Gritsch contemplates how Luther and his theology speak to the contemporary church. Though Gritsch sets out to present a history of global Lutheranism, the book concentrates on European, Scandinavian, and North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. Lutheranism. Certainly he mentions Lutheranism across the globe, but he does so in a few more than fifteen pages where he considers missionary work Noun 1. missionary work - the organized work of a religious missionary mission work - activity directed toward making or doing something; "she checked several points needing further work" da'wah, dawah - missionary work for Islam done in Asia, Africa, and South America and presents statistics of church membership across the globe. Gritsch expresses his desire for others to complete the work that he has begun with this volume. Perhaps future historians will accomplish this task by exploring how African, Asian, and South American Lutherans have added to the theological heritage of the church by forcing the question of the relationship between justification and justice for oppressed op·press tr.v. op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es 1. To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny. 2. peoples, a relationship that Gritsch identifies as integral to servanthood rooted in Luther's theology. This volume serves well as an introduction to major movements of Lutheran history. Though it falls short of its promised "history of global Lutheranism," its accessible style will surely compel those who have not heard the story of Lutheranism to look deeper into its rich history. Nathan Montover St. James Lutheran Church Bettendorf, Iowa |
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