ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on The Church in Society

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Roger A. Willer

“Praise for ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on The Church in Society Deeply grounded in the gospel of Jesus expressed through a rich Lutheran heritage, Dr. Childs has provided an essential resource for the faithful public presence and participation of Christ’s church in our culturally diverse world. This work truly is a welcome calling to our “baptismal vocation of love seeking justice” through effective witness, supportive advocacy, responsible care of creation, and prophetic peacemaking, and represents a way forward into God’s “promise of the fulfillment of all things.”

Rev. Dr. Kevin Dudley

“What do we believe, why do we believe it, and what difference does it make? In the center circle of a Venn diagram with these three questions sketched out one would find the ELCA social statement “The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective.” Happily for us, throughout his vocation as a Lutheran theologian, Dr. Childs has habitually entertained and also posed these foundational questions to his students, and now does so yet again in this volume specifically centering on this very social statement. With theological clarity and integrity informed not only by our Lutheran heritage but also by our contemporary and complex context, Dr. Childs roots, stretches, and sends the reader into the world, more informed by the what, why, and how of our baptismal faith.”

Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen

“This exquisitely clear and readable book is a must read for any who hunger to understand more fully the rich Lutheran heritage of faithful engagement in civic life. Portraying that heritage through the lens of the ELCA’s founding social statement, Childs reveals distinct gifts that Lutheran theologies bring to the church’s witness in public life. Readers will relish the deep gospel roots of public witness as perceived in Lutheran tradition, and the life-giving dynamic of justice inherent in Jesus’ call to neighbor-love as Lutheran theologies at their best understand that calling.”

Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda

“political,” and the church should never “meddle” in public affairs. His work is a lifeline for preachers and leaders searching for a way through the troubled waters that create a deepening sense of irrelevance and fear. Child’s renewed and refreshed assertion of the essential place of the church in society is an essential tonic for these troubled times.”

Rev. Dr. Timothy V. Olson

“Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective,” the social statement foundational to the ELCA’s commitment to be a public church that provides an increasingly distinctive and necessary voice in connecting the good news of Jesus and society’s needs and problems. This book will inspire and empower congregations to use “Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective” Perspective” as a resource and catalyst for conversation. In these politically divisive times, rostered ministers and congregations, especially those convinced the church should remain silent, will benefit richly from studying and discussing this book.”

Rev. Dr. Craig A. Satterlee

“If you have ever wondered when and how Christian faith speaks to the hurts, heartaches and hopes of our time, this theological gem offers a compelling way of engaging scripture and the social statements and messages of the ELCA to explore deeper questions of how the Church listens and speaks in the public realm and attends to God’s work in the world. Childs has crafted a winsome and readable resource which connects faith and public life, not only for individuals but for the church. This is a great text for leaders curious about a nuanced discussion of select Lutheran themes such as The Two Realms, Justification by Grace through Faith, Law and Gospel, Sinner and Saint, Theology of the Cross, and Theology of Glory. Childs offers a rich framework for inviting critical reflection of the pressing moral, theological, social, cultural, and political dilemmas of our day through engagement with the social statements and messages of this church. The discussion questions at the conclusion of each chapter provide an opening to draw readers into the complexities where scripture and these theological themes meet the lived realities of our time without reverting to simplistic answers or moralism. Childs engages the breadth and depth of biblical and theological wisdom reflected in the statements and messages and opens ways to wonder together what the neighbor love Jesus commanded through the power of the Holy Spirit means in the ever-changing moral issues of our time. This rich resource is long overdue and is sure to engage readers around the fruitful ways congregations can discern together “faithful expressions of love and justice.”

Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke