The Lutherans (Denominations in America (Paperback)), Cover may vary (Denominations in America, 9)

Lutheran churches in the United States have included multiple ethnic cultures since the colonial era and continue to wrestle with increasing internal variety as one component of their identity. By combining the concerns of social history with an awareness for theological themes, this volume explores the history of this family of Lutheran churches and traces the development from the colonial era through the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988. An introduction details the origins of Lutheranism in the European Reformation and the practices significant to the group's life in the United States. Organized chronologically, subsequent chapters follow the churches' maturation as they form institutions, provide themselves with leaders, and expand their membership and geographic range. Attention is given throughout to the contributions of the laity and women within the context of the Lutherans' continued individual and corporate effort to be both authentically Lutheran and genuinely American. Offering a rich portrayal of the Lutherans' lives and their churches, the social historical approach of this study brings the Lutheran people to the foreground. The dynamic relationship between pietist, orthodox, and critical expressions of the tradition has remained among Lutherans even though they have divided themselves by several factors including ethnicity and confessional stance. Of interest to scholars and researchers of Lutheran history and religion in America, this engaging, multifaceted work balances narrative history with brief biographical essays. A chronological listing of important dates in the development of the Lutheran church is especially helpful. Annotation. Lutheran churches in the United States have included multiple ethnic cultures since the colonial era and continue to wrestle with increasing internal variety as one component of their identity. By combining the concerns of social history with an awareness for theological themes, this volume explores the history of this family of Lutheran churches and traces the development from the colonial era through the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988. An introduction details the origins of Lutheranism in the European Reformation and the practices significant to the group's life in the United States. Organized chronologically, subsequent chapters follow the churches' maturation as they form institutions, provide themselves with leaders, and expand their membership and geographic range. Attention is given throughout to the contributions of the laity and women within the context of the Lutherans' continued individual and corporate effort to be both authentically Lutheran and genuinely American Contents......Page 8 Foreword......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 Abbreviations Used in This Volume......Page 16 1 Two Contexts and a Question......Page 18 2 Scattered Beginnings......Page 38 3 Planting a Church......Page 58 4 An American Church?......Page 80 5 New Beginnings......Page 104 6 The Next Step for American Lutheranism......Page 130 7 An American Reformation?......Page 154 Chronology......Page 176 Bibliographic Essay......Page 180 C......Page 186 G......Page 187 L......Page 188 R......Page 189 W......Page 190 Z......Page 191 A study of Lutheran history with increased attention to the activities and contributions made by the laity, by women, and by persons from outside the dominant ethnic groups. In the early 1990s a character on the popular television situation comedy Cheers was about to be married. L. Deane Lagerquist. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.