The Lutherans

by L. DeAne Lagerquist

Overview

Lutheran churches in the United States have included multiple ethnic cultures since the colonial era and continue to wrestle with increasing internal variety as one component of their identity. By combining the concerns of social history with an awareness for theological themes, this volume explores the history of this family of Lutheran churches and traces the development from the colonial era through the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988. An introduction details the origins of Lutheranism in the European Reformation and the practices significant to the group's life in the United States. Organized chronologically, subsequent chapters follow the churches' maturation as they form institutions, provide themselves with leaders, and expand their membership and geographic range. Attention is given throughout to the contributions of the laity and women within the context of the Lutherans' continued individual and corporate effort to be both authentically Lutheran and genuinely American.

Offering a rich portrayal of the Lutherans' lives and their churches, the social historical approach of this study brings the Lutheran people to the foreground. The dynamic relationship between pietist, orthodox, and critical expressions of the tradition has remained among Lutherans even though they have divided themselves by several factors including ethnicity and confessional stance. Of interest to scholars and researchers of Lutheran history and religion in America, this engaging, multifaceted work balances narrative history with brief biographical essays. A chronological listing of important dates in the development of the Lutheran church is especially helpful.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275963934
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/30/1999
Series:	Denominations in America Series
Edition description:	Student Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.41(d)
Lexile:	1360L (what's this?)

About the Author

L. DeANE LAGERQUIST is Associate Professor of Religion at St. Olaf College.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword
Introduction
Part One: The Lutheran Tradition
Two Contexts and A Question
Scattered Beginnings
Planting a Church
An American Church?
New Beginnings
The Next Step for American Lutheranism
An American Reformation
Part Two: A Biographical Dictionary of Lutheran Leaders
Appendices
Index

Editorial Reviews

Attempts to portray Lutheranism in the US by attending to Lutheran people, keeping members and their practice in the foreground with matters of structure and theological debate in the background. Of special interest is material on the question of gender as related to leadership roles, and a focus on the laity as a complement to clergy. Notes the centrality of German and Scandinavian peoples, and also looks at other ethnic groups. A biographical dictionary of Lutheran leaders, about 80 pages in length, includes laypersons, women, and people of color, as well as figures from most major synods. The author is associate professor of religion at St. Olaf College. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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