Principles of Lutheran Theolog

Carl E. Braaten, Principles of Lutheran Theology (Philadelphia, Fortress Press, 1983) Professor (Systematic Theology at the Chicago Lutheran School of Theology) Braaten neatly divides the major issues of theology into seven key issues which are central to the Lutheran way of thinking. The title is slightly misleading, as the good doctor does take a few digressions to show the wider world views some of these principles, but these are useful to our end of understanding the subject. For a card-carrying Lutheran who has been through the drill with the Shorter Catechism and many, many sermons, this book has a few surprises, especially in the relation between Lutheranism and Catholicism. These are Dr. Braaten's seven principles: 1. The Canonical Principle. Lutheranism is all about the authority of the scripture, but with several very important qualifications, which firmly separate the Lutheran way of reading the scripture from those who abide by an unvarnished sola scriptura (scripture alone). Luther believed the scripture said what it meant, and meant what it said. This principle discards centuries of allegorical readings of scripture, which began as early as the second century CE, with Clement of Alexandria and Origen. Balanced against this literalism is the realization that you still have to read the scripture with a critical eye. It can discount an elaborate allegorical reading of The Song of Solomon, yet be content with treating the Genesis story as metaphor, if that is what the original author intended! Luther's most important lens for examining scripture was that it must be a witness to the gospel and divinity of Jesus Christ. Luther showed great restraint in not excising James and Revelation from the canon (due to tradition) because they did not profess this gospel. Critical reading, plus Luther's primary theological insight, yielded `the canon within the canon', comprised of John, 1 John, Romans, Galatians, and 1 Peter. Luther's second lens was the doctrine that `scripture interprets itself'. This is the keystone behind virtually all modern Biblical scholarship. If a statement is difficult (and many are), see how the same words and ideas are used elsewhere in similar passages. This scrutiny feeds both theory (orthodoxy) and practice (orthopraxy), and our practice is superior to our theory. 2. The Confessional Principle. I suspect that many practicing Lutherans are unaware of The Book of Concord, even if they are quite familiar with the Apostle and Nicene creeds and Luther's Shorter Catechism. From the outset, even before Luther's death, the reformers insisted on a doctrinal consensus, which brought together several `Lutheran' factions in 1580, under the Articles of Concord. Even compared to other denominations which have confessions, the Lutherans elevate their creed to a place second only to scripture. The Book of Concord is not theology, but Braaten states that it's importance generates a lot of systems of dogmatics. And yet, there

Carl Braaten is one of the leading Lutheran theologians in America today. This book is an excellent statement of theology, though it would be dry and technical for the regular lay person. It should not be the first such book that one reads. Still, it is solid theology.

Great read on Lutheran church theology (although the word "Principles" should be emphasized in the title), ecumenical thought, and early Reformation vs. modern thought theology. Carl E. Braaten is clear and concise to pack a lot of chapters in this little 154 page book. The term "Principles" should be emphasized, as Braaten does not write or present a systematic theology. The chapters are as follows: 1) The Canonical Principle, 2) The Confessional Principle, 3) The Ecumenical Principle, 4) The Christocentric Principle, 5) The Sacramental Principle, 6) The Law/Gospel Principle, and 7) The Two-Kingdoms Principle. Carl E. Braaten, accomplishes a couple of things for me, through this little intro to the theology of the Lutheran-"movement": a) covers the whole wide horizon on how various Lutherans look at these important theological principles, b) is not shy of showing the catholicity and also the ecumenical flavor of the Lutheran movement, and c) presents Lutheran theology not as a stand-along theology but as a theology of a "movement" (Evangelical or Lutheran) whose scope is to reform (or revive, renewal of) the church, its members, and the role of Christianity and Christians in our modern times. I would also need to add that in my search for an ecumenically-minded, creedal, liturgical, and historical Protestant church (coming from a neo-Protestant, free-worship, insular church and background) this book has been instrumental towards my finding the conservative Lutheran church as my home church. A church as a member of the Church (of Jesus Christ)! Doing a search on Carl E. Braaten will show that his writings are focused on: ecumenism or Christian unity theology, ecclesiology, and Lutheran theology. These subjects should be welcomed also by Roman-Catholics and Reform Protestants.

A great overview of Lutheran beliefs and schools of theology. If you want to learn more about Lutheranism, as a church member or as a non-Lutheran, this is a good place to start. Not too difficult to read or too long, this book nonetheless packs in a lot of information. As a Missouri-Synod Lutheran I found it very helpful in understanding other Lutheran viewpoints. The price is right too.

Carl Braaten has been one of my favorite lecturers and authors on t he subject of Lutheranism and the ecumenical movement. While he may be a little "circle the wagons", his points are always thoughtful and based upon a sound understanding the both the ancient and modern trends and writings. With only 138 pages of text, this book is one of the best introductions to Lutheranism around. Braaten doesn't paint a romantic picture of the movement nor its theology, but rather shows the context out of which the movement began, as well as its relevance for today by asking the question, "What is the protest about for today?" Packed with sound scholarship and a general survey of the modern situation (although it is dated to 1982), topics include:The Canonical Principal, The Confessional Principal, The Ecumenical Principal, The Christocentric Principal, The Contemporary Shape of the Soteriological Question, The Sacramental Principal, The Law/Gospel Principal, The Two-Kingdoms Principal.Highly recommended, along with is another of his books on ecclesiology, "Mother Church".Enjoy!