Description
Book SynopsisUlrik Nissen is Associate Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Religion at Aarhus University, Denmark.
Trade ReviewThe book is especially valuable in helping acquaint an English readership with theological debates in the Nordic context, and in particular in Denmark. Anyone interested in debates over public reason, method in religious ethics, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther will benefit greatly from reading this book. * Studies in Christian Ethics *
An excellent, concise, clear overview of Protestant social teaching in the last century. Written with erudition, it warns against understanding justification by faith individualistically, and affirms a Christologically shaped understanding of natural law. This is a compelling account of why and how Christian faith may still play an important public role. * Esther D. Reed, University of Exeter, UK *
Ulrik Nissen’s The Polity of Christ contributes to the renewal of Lutheran social ethics by building on the basis of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Christology. In doing so, Nissen provides a theological foundation for understanding the nature and basis of Christian witness in a contemporary context, and he demonstrates how confessing Jesus Christ as Lord should simultaneously constitute the affirmation of, and taking responsibility for, a just and generous common life with others. * Luke Bretherton, Duke Divinity School, USA *
This careful reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s work uses the scope of the Christological tradition of Chalcedon to develop a significant model for ethics, overcoming the incompatibility of universal validity and particular ethical identity. This book sets the stage for a unique universal Christological grammar, making it possible to communicate Christian ethics into a common world. * Hans G. Ulrich, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introducing Christian Ethics Between Universality and Specificity Chapter 2: The Simultaneity of Divinity and Humanity in Luther’s Social Ethics Chapter 3: The Chalcedonian Christology in Bonhoeffer’s Ethics Chapter 4: The Christological Shaping of Central Concepts in Bonhoeffer’s Ethics Chapter 5: Bonhoeffer’s Social Ethics Between Universality and Specificity Chapter 6: Political Thought in the Polity of Christ Chapter 7: Living in the
Saeculum and Bearing Witness to Christ Conclusion
Bibliography Index
