Award-winning book surveys attitudes in the ancient world toward erotic same-sex relations and how biblical and nonbiblical ancient texts are not appropriate for today's discussion.

Mannermaa's revisionist work on justification in Luther's theology--a notable contribution from one of the most influential Finnish scholars of Luther studies-- is now available in English. His book opens up new interpretive questions for historical theology with striking implications for ecumenism, ethics, and spirituality. He writes, "the idea of the divine life in Christ which is present in faith lies at the very center of the theology of the Reformer." He argues that later Lutheran interpretation of this teaching has portrayed justification as more mechanical and forensic than Luther did,...

Women and the Reformation gathers historical materials and personal accounts to provide a comprehensive and accessible look at the status and contributions of women as leaders in the 16th century Protestant world.

• Explores the new and expanded role as core participants in Christian life that women experienced during the Reformation
  
• Examines diverse individual stories from women of the times, ranging from biographical sketches of the ex-nun Katharina von Bora Luther and Queen Jeanne d'Albret, to the prophetess Ursula Jost and the learned...

Published in Finland in 1983, Two Kinds of Love is the second of Tuomo Mannermaas provocative books offering a distinctly different interpretation of Martin Luthers theology. In Two Kinds of Love, Mannermaa unfolds Luthers understanding of love as the key to the reformers theology of grace. Human love orients toward that which is already good and beautifuland, as such, comes into being only through the prestige and glory of the loved one. In contrast, Gods love is a pure gift of grace, which makes possible our love for God and for one another.

There is little doubt about the fundamental importance of both Augustine of Hippo and Martin Luther for western theology and anthropology. Both continue to invite critical debate on a host of issues that persist in their contemporary relevance, such as questions about human identity and destiny. This engaging volume brings together a group of scholars pursuing new directions in Lutheran and Augustinian scholarship on these issues. The first section on "Luther and Apocalyptic" highlights Luther's deep groundedness in the this-worldly dimensions of his apocalyptic thinking. The authors in this...