The Substance of the Faith: Luther's Doctrinal Theology for Today / Edition 1

by Paul R. Hinlicky, Mickey L. Mattox, Dennis Bielfeldt

Overview

This useful and insightful volume aims to illustrate, espouse,and renew the discipline of doctrinal theology, particularly asexemplified historically by Martin Luther and his theologicalreflection on the Trinity.

The authors, steeped both in Luther's works and in the doctrinaltradition, show how dogmatics in the Lutheran tradition entailsa delicate juxtaposition of credal commitment, scripturalinterpretation, and doctrinal elaboration. Their respective chaptersretrieve surprising historical insights about Luther's own practiceof doctrinal theology, the interaction of the credal and doctrinaldimensions with a nuanced hermeneutic of scripture, and thefuture shape of a doctrinal theology genuinely responsive to thegospel and the present age.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800662530
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	02/27/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	222
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.25(d)

About the Author

Paul R. Hinlicky is Tice Professor of Lutheran Studies at Roanoke College in Virginia.

Mickey L. Mattox is Assistant Professor of Theology at Marquette University and a specialist in the theology of Martin Luther.

Dennis Bielfeldt is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations     vii
Introduction   Paul R. Hinlicky     1
Luther's Interpretation of Scripture: Biblical Understanding in Trinitarian Shape   Mickey L. Mattox     11
Luther as an Interpreter of the Bible     14
The Substance of Scripture: Teaching the Traditions of Trinitarian Faith     33
Taking the Fathers' Exegesis a Step Further: Sarah, Abraham, and the Holy Trinity     37
The Substance of Scripture: Old Man Luther's Parting Exegetical Advice     45
Conclusion: The Substance of Faith, the Substance of Holy Scripture     56
Luther's Late Trinitarian Disputations: Semantic Realism and the Trinity   Dennis Bielfeldt     59
Luther, Theological Semantics, and Ontological Questions     60
Luther's Trinitarian Thinking     67
Four Semantic Models     80
The Trinitarian Problem in Context     99
Theology, Philosophy, and the Nova Lingua     105
Luther's Contribution to Catholic Trinitarianism     121
Conclusion     126
Appendix to Chapter 2     127
Luther's New Language of the Spirit: Trinitarian Theology as Critical Dogmatics   Paul R. Hinlicky     131
The Problem of Theology in Luther's Tradition Today     134
What Is the New Language of the Spirit?     152
Idealist and Existentialist Misinterpretation of Luther's New Language     168
Demonology     174
Three Disputations of the Late Luther with Explanatory Notes     191
Index of Names     211