Exploring a Heritage

Synopsis: From a historical perspective, similarities among the Lutheran churches in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are easily understood. But these previously homogeneous northern societies, built on a Lutheran tradition with close ties between church and state, are now considered to be among the most secular in the world, as well as being impacted by a growing presence of other religions. These changes present a major challenge to the churches concerning how to relate to the state and how to be a "folk church." The goal of this volume is to explore how Lutheran identity presently shapes churches in the north. What are the burning issues engaging these churches at the beginning of the third millennium? Are there signs that they are affected by the global emergence of a theology and practice commonly known as Neo-Pentecostal or Charismatic? What is the situation for women in these churches embedded in societies ranked among the world's most egalitarian? In what ways does their Lutheran heritage influence how these churches shape themselves today? The point of departure for this study is not a predetermined, normative understanding of what a Lutheran church is or should be, but the fact that the churches presented here represent what "Lutheranism" is today in this part of the world. Contributors include Anne-Louise Eriksson, Steinunn Arnthrudur Björnsdottir, Sólveig Anna Bóasdóttir, Niclas Blĺder, Carl Reinhold Brĺkenhielm, Thomas Ekstrand, Arnfríđur Guđmundsdóttir, Göran Gunner, Harald Hegstad, Hjalti Hugason, Roger Jensen, Halvard Johannessen, Peter Lodberg, Benedicte Hammer Prćstholm, Karin Sarja, Ulrika Svalfors, Merete Thomassen, Marie Thomsen, Marie Vejrup Nielsen, and Else Marie Wiberg Pedersen. Endorsements: "Exploring a Heritage is an ecclesiological instance of living the ancient maxim 'know thyself.' The insights from this study of Scandinavian Lutheran folk churches provide readers from other geographical and ecclesiological traditions a challenge and a point of comparison to engage in reflection on themselves as churches." --John Gibaut, Director of the Commission on Faith and Order, World Council of Churches "The essays in this book situate . . . the established Lutheran churches in several Scandinavian contexts in relation to both their own historical past and several wider currents of contemporary, global Christian influences. The result is a rich and rewarding collection of essays on Lutheranism in the north, offering valuable insights for all churches of the world." --Dale T. Irvin, President and Professor of World Christianity, New York Theological Seminary Author Biography: Anne-Louise Eriksson is Associate Professor in Systematic Theology and Studies in World Views at Uppsala University, Sweden, and Head of the Church of Sweden Research Unit. Dr. Eriksson has been working in the field of feminist theology, but also church and democracy and theological literacy. She is a member of the Standing Commission of Faith and Order. Göran Gunner is Associate Professor in Mission Studies at Uppsala University, Senior Lecturer at Stockholm School of Theology, Sweden, and Researcher at the Church of Sweden Research Unit. He is also the main editor of the Church of Sweden Research Series. Niclas Blĺder holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Linköping University, Sweden. Dr. Blĺder is a full-time Researcher at the Church of Sweden Research Unit. His research focus is on ecclesiology. He is presently working on a book about how Lutheran identity is constructed in different Lutheran churches worldwide.