Carl E. Braaten

Union with Christ: The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther Carl E. Braaten

Publisher Marketing: This book introduces the English-speaking world to the new Finnish interpretation of the theology of Martin Luther, initiated by the writings of Tuomo Mannermaa of Helsinki University. At the heart of the Finnish breakthrough in Luther research lies the theme of salvation. Luther found his answer to the mystery of salvation in the justifying work of Christ received through faith alone. But Protestant theology has never enjoyed a consensus on how to interpret the Reformation doctrine of justification by faith. In opposition to the traditional forensic understanding of justification, Mannermaa argues that for Luther "Christ is really present in faith itself." Mannermaa's interpretation of Luther's view of justification is thus more ontological and mystical than ethical and juridical. As such, his work challenges a century of scholarly opinion concerning a foundational doctrine of Protestant theology. Publisher Marketing: This book introduces the English-speaking world to the new Finnish interpretation of the theology of Martin Luther, initiated by the writings of Tuomo Mannermaa of Helsinki University. At the heart of the Finnish breakthrough in Luther research lies the theme of salvation. Luther found his answer to the mystery of salvation in the justifying work of Christ received through faith alone. But Protestant theology has never enjoyed a consensus on how to interpret the Reformation doctrine of justification by faith. In opposition to the traditional forensic understanding of justification, Mannermaa argues that for Luther Christ is really present in faith itself. Mannermaa's interpretation of Luther's view of justification is thus more ontological and mystical than ethical and juridical. As such, his work challenges a century of scholarly opinion concerning a foundational doctrine of Protestant theology. Contributor Bio:  Braaten, Carl E Ronald F. Marshall (MA, Claremont Graduate School) has been the pastor at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle since he was ordained there in 1979. He is the author of more than fifty articles, specializing in the thought of Martin Luther and Soren Kierkegaard. For more details on Pastor Marshall, go to flcws.org. Contributor Bio:  Jenson, Robert W Robert W. Jenson is Senior Scholar for Research at the Center for Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey, and Professor Emeritus of Religion at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.