Considering the tenderness and detail with which Luther attends to matters "all about Eve" in his... more Considering the tenderness and detail with which Luther attends to matters "all about Eve" in his Genesis lectures-and how he treats the matriarchs in the Genesis narrative-we can say that gender and women constitute a central interest for the reformer. He developed, in his context, a new theological anthropology that valued women's biological distinction, difference within sameness in creation, and absolute equality in redemption and callings. While his gender ideology is a work in progress, Luther's instincts are modern, if not even feminist, when placing the uterus at the central place of the delivery of the saving incarnate Word.
Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective By Martti Nissinen Nissinen's award... more Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective By Martti Nissinen Nissinen's award-winning book surveys attitudes in the ancient world toward homoeroticism, that is, erotic same-sex relations. Focusing on the Bible and its cultural environment-Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Israel-Nissinen concisely and readably introduces the relevant sources and their historical contexts in a readable way. Homoeroticism is examined as a part of gender identity, i.e., the interplay of sexual orientation, gender identification, gender roles, and sexual practice. In the patriarchal cultures of the biblical world, Nissinen shows, homoerotic practices were regarded as a role construction between the active and passive partners rather than as expressions of an orientation moderns call "homosexuality." Nissinen shows how this applies to the limited acceptance of homoerotic relationships in Greek and Roman culture, as well as to Israel's and the early church's condemnation of any same-sex erotic activity. For readers interested in the ancient world or contemporary debates, Nissinen's fascinating study shows why the ancient texts-both biblical and nonbiblical-are not appropriate for use as sources of direct analogy or argument in today's discussion.
The place and significance of Martin Luther in the long history of Christian anti-Jewish polemic ... more The place and significance of Martin Luther in the long history of Christian anti-Jewish polemic has been and continues to be a contested issue. The literature on the subject is substantial, and diverse. While efforts to exonerate Luther as merely a man of his times who merely perpetuated what he had received from his cultural and theological tradition have rightly been jettisoned, there still persists even among the educated public the perception that the truly problematic aspects of Luthers anti-Jewish attitudes are confined to the final stages of his career. It is true that Luthers anti-Jewish rhetoric intensified toward the end of his life, but reading Luther with a careful eye toward the Jewish question, it becomes clear that Luthers theological presuppositions toward Judaism and the Jewish people are a central, core component of his thought throughout his career, not just at the end. It follows then that it is impossible to understand the heart and building blocks of Luthers theology (justification, faith, liberation, salvation, grace) without acknowledging the crucial role of the Jews in his fundamental thinking.
Considering the tenderness and detail with which Luther attends to matters "all about Eve" in his... more Considering the tenderness and detail with which Luther attends to matters "all about Eve" in his Genesis lectures-and how he treats the matriarchs in the Genesis narrative-we can say that gender and women constitute a central interest for the reformer. He developed, in his context, a new theological anthropology that valued women's biological distinction, difference within sameness in creation, and absolute equality in redemption and callings. While his gender ideology is a work in progress, Luther's instincts are modern, if not even feminist, when placing the uterus at the central place of the delivery of the saving incarnate Word.
Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective By Martti Nissinen Nissinen's award... more Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective By Martti Nissinen Nissinen's award-winning book surveys attitudes in the ancient world toward homoeroticism, that is, erotic same-sex relations. Focusing on the Bible and its cultural environment-Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Israel-Nissinen concisely and readably introduces the relevant sources and their historical contexts in a readable way. Homoeroticism is examined as a part of gender identity, i.e., the interplay of sexual orientation, gender identification, gender roles, and sexual practice. In the patriarchal cultures of the biblical world, Nissinen shows, homoerotic practices were regarded as a role construction between the active and passive partners rather than as expressions of an orientation moderns call "homosexuality." Nissinen shows how this applies to the limited acceptance of homoerotic relationships in Greek and Roman culture, as well as to Israel's and the early church's condemnation of any same-sex erotic activity. For readers interested in the ancient world or contemporary debates, Nissinen's fascinating study shows why the ancient texts-both biblical and nonbiblical-are not appropriate for use as sources of direct analogy or argument in today's discussion.
The place and significance of Martin Luther in the long history of Christian anti-Jewish polemic ... more The place and significance of Martin Luther in the long history of Christian anti-Jewish polemic has been and continues to be a contested issue. The literature on the subject is substantial, and diverse. While efforts to exonerate Luther as merely a man of his times who merely perpetuated what he had received from his cultural and theological tradition have rightly been jettisoned, there still persists even among the educated public the perception that the truly problematic aspects of Luthers anti-Jewish attitudes are confined to the final stages of his career. It is true that Luthers anti-Jewish rhetoric intensified toward the end of his life, but reading Luther with a careful eye toward the Jewish question, it becomes clear that Luthers theological presuppositions toward Judaism and the Jewish people are a central, core component of his thought throughout his career, not just at the end. It follows then that it is impossible to understand the heart and building blocks of Luthers theology (justification, faith, liberation, salvation, grace) without acknowledging the crucial role of the Jews in his fundamental thinking.
Resumo: O artigo apresenta a história de Argula von Grumbach, apoiadora e amiga de Lutero, bem co... more Resumo: O artigo apresenta a história de Argula von Grumbach, apoiadora e amiga de Lutero, bem como ativa participante no movimento da Reforma. Destaca os seus escritos, especialmente as cartas e panfletos que foram publicados e distribuídos. Argula, como muitas mulheres do seu tempo, assumiu o papel de esposa e mãe, e o expandiu com compaixão defendendo pessoas vulneráveis à sua volta. Palavras-chave: Argula von Grumbach. Mulheres da Reforma. Teologia da Reforma Abstract: The article presents the story of Argula von Grumbach, Luther's supporter and friend, as well as and active participant in the Reformation movement. Highlights her writings, specially the letters and panphlets that were published and distributed. Argula, as many women of her time, took on the role assignet to her as wife and mother, and expandeded it with compassion skeaking out for the vulerable around her. Keywords: Argula von Grumbach. Women of the Reformation., Reformation theology. Algumas palavras de int...
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