“The Only Safe Guide is Love”: Models of Engaging Luther's Ethical Hermeneutic for Theological Responses to the Affirmation of Same‐Sex Sexuality

Abstract

Lutheran theological discussions over the morality of same-sex sexuality not only raise "ethical" questions, but point to deeper interpretive tensions that arise when resources of the tradition are interpreted in new contexts. Responding to these debates, in this article I propose that Luther's application of the law to challenging ethical situations provides a historically situated hermeneutic that can redirect theological discussions on same-sex sexuality. Drawing upon feminist Lutheran and queer theological work, I consider how we may reengage with Luther in a way that is both faithful to his commitments, and also takes queer people seriously as moral subjects.

The Beauty of Holiness: Holy Icons as Spiritual Education

“…Through it, filled, as it were, with a divine power and grace, my salvation has come to me. 3 St. John argues that God Himself has blessed each of the lifegiving elements of our salvation: from the blessed wood of the Cross, the sacred mountain of Calvary, the Holy Sepulchre, and the Gospels, to the blessed altar, "which give us the Bread of Life", and the crosses, altar plates and chalices. Moreover, as he notes: "And before all these things, is not the body and blood of our Lord matter?…”