Lutherans Today: American Lutheran Identity in the Twenty-First Century [Paperback]

Richard P. Cimino (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

In the middle of the twentieth century, American Lutherans were newsworthy enough to find themselves on the cover of Time magazine. Their claim to fame? In an era when American churches were beginning to look and act alike, Lutherans strong confessional nature and stress on theology as well as their liturgy and ethnicity set them apart. They were Protestants with a difference at a time when differences were supposed to be dissolving in the American melting pot. Subsequent years have posed serious questions to Lutheran identity, as disputes about the true nature of Lutheranism and the meaning of the Lutheran confessions, the structure of ministry, ecumenism, sexuality, and multiculturalism have all left their mark on Lutheran denominations. In Lutherans Today several historians, social scientists, journalists, and other leading experts map out the place of Lutheranism in the landscape of contemporary American Christianity and explore the directions in which it is heading in the new millennium. Presenting new and original research, the book is divided into two sections. The first examines change and movements within American Lutheranism. Distinguished church historian Mark Noll here sets the scene by arguing that the predicament of American Lutheranism has always been the struggle to remain faithful to the enduring witness of the European Reformation while also accommodating itself to the democratic pluralism of the New World. Six other chapters discuss the Missouri Synod, the Lutheran Left, the Called to Common Mission agreement, the evangelical catholic movement within Lutheranism, the rise of megachurches, and Lutheran charismatics. The second section considers trends and issues related to Lutheran identity, including politics and the pastorate, the impact of immigration and multiculturalism, the loss of Lutheran identity at Lutheran colleges and universities, and conflicting patterns of commitment among Lutheran youth. As a whole, Lutherans Today will be valuable not only to all Lutherans but also to those interested in the development and current state of religious life in America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802813658
• ISBN-13: 978-0802813657
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Lutheran

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars every body should at least the part I, September 15, 2009

By 

D. Pathak "Lutheran thru & thru" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lutherans Today: American Lutheran Identity in the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

The essays in the book are quite informative. The editor has collected essays from authors with wide spectrum of views. It was irritating to read Schmidt's essay. But a few of the points he made make sense. As per the first resolution of ELCA's 2009 churchwide assembly, we should respect opinions of all including the ones we don't like. It is better to stay united and work together acknowledging the differences than go separate ways and accomplish little.Lutherans Today: American Lutheran Identity in the Twenty-First Century

14 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lutheran Behavior Sampler and Survey, November 6, 2003

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lutherans Today: American Lutheran Identity in the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

Here is a rather unique work among Lutherans: history and sociology. Various writers of these disciplines examine the identity and clash of American Lutheran movements competing the soul and future of the Lutheran presence and identity in this country.

Of special interest are the articles by Mark Noll on the identity and contribution nationally by Lutherans in the past, present and potential for the future.

The article by Alvin Schmidt "Multiculturalism and the Dilution of Lutheran Identity" is well done and raises necessary questions which have not been answered, but need to.

The Mega-Church survey report of Thumma and Peterson is revealing. Over 2/3 of the growth reported by these "Goliaths" are from transfer growth. See Wm. Chadwick's excellent work: "Stealing Sheep."

For this reviewer of particular interest was the essay on the LCMS by Mary Todd, controversial historian from the Chicago area. Her analysis is flawed and slanted, and shows a bias that is betrays the dysfunctional character of this confessional body for quite some time.

The question for Lutherans and Christians is, does sociology inform theology, or does theology inform sociology?