Description
Book SynopsisThe Lutheran doctrine of the orders of creation specifies fundamental forms of human community. Grounded in God's structuring of the universe, these institutions acquire their expression in human history. Although they are fallen and distorted under sin, they remain God's good creation. Illumined by the witness of Scripture, their ontology exists independently of ideological conceit.
The tradition is a specifically Lutheran consideration of natural law theory and plays an important role in two-kingdoms theology and the law/gospel dialectic. Historically, the doctrine has suffered significant abuse, specifically with the extra-scriptural elevation of Volk and race as inviolable institutions in support of Nazi ideology. Consequently, many have dismissed the doctrine as a static worldview that disallows critique of the status quo. In its orthodox biblical formulation, however, the doctrine remains a powerful safeguard against what Walter Künneth calls the ideological ali
Table of Contents
Preface – List of Abbreviations – Introduction – The Nineteenth Century Erlangen Contribution to a Theology of the Orders of Creation – The Orders of Creation as Articulated by Paul Althaus (1888–1966) – Gesetzliche Ordnungen, The Nomological Paradigm: Werner Elert (1885–1954) – Erhaltungsordnungen, A Trinitarian Answer to Ideology: Walter Künneth (1901–1997) – Summary and Concluding Observations – Notes – Bibliography – Index of Subjects – Index of Names – Index of Biblical References.
