Martin Luther's Legacy

"Reforming our reading of Luther can reform modern theology!' A fruit of decades of engagement with Luther's theology and exploring its promise for pastoral situations today, Mark Ellingsen offers an alternate way of reading Luther: rather than imposing a systematic method on the reformer's theology formed in the midst of enthralling life events, one can cherish the diversity embedded in Luther's thought that makes him an inspiring companion for those orienting towards Christian unity. This inspiring book offers a pastoral contextual model of doing theology, with Luther." (Kirsi Stjerna, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California Lutheran University, USA) "Years of study and careful consideration of the many controversies spawned by Luther's Reformation pay off in Mark Ellingsen's work on Luther's contextual theology. In his self-understanding, if not in his historical reception, Luther was first and foremost a pastor and a preacher. Effective preaching must be tailored to time and place. Pastoral care must be alert to each individual's concerns. Therefore Luther's theology, Ellingsen argues, must always be understood against the backdrop of the particular pastoral context out of which it emerged. This is a learned and sensitive book, and in that way befitting its subject." (Derek R. Nelson, Wabash College, USA)

One reason behind this is that the prevailing models for Theology have imposed logical and modern ways of thinking about faith that renders theology academic, and therefore largely irrelevant for daily life.

This volume is a unique interpretation of what Martin Luther contributes to renewed appreciation of Biblical diversity. The Church in the West is struggling. One reason behind this is that the prevailing models for Theology have imposed logical and modern ways of thinking about faith that renders theology academic, and therefore largely irrelevant for daily life. By letting the first Reformer speak for himself in this book, Mark Ellingsen shows how Martin Luther’s theological approach can reform the Church’s theology today. The real Luther-not the one taught by his various systematic interpreters-presents Christian faith in its entirety, with all its rough edges, in such a way as to direct on how and when to employ those dimensions of the Biblical witness most appropriate for the situation in which we find ourselves.