Ongoing Reformation of Language and Spirituality

Abstract

The Reformation was first and foremost a language event and a reformation of spirituality. There is an urgency to continue to reform Lutheran theological language, especially of God. As a doctrinal issue and a matter of sexism, exclusively “He-language†for God is not acceptable when moving forward with a Lutheran tradition that seeks to offer a spiritual vision for life that promotes justice, equality, and inclusivity. Language for God and the language about justification by faith deserve renewed attention in order to unfold the spiritual promise of this central Lutheran teaching. Perhaps surprising the friends of this reformation of language on matters that matter, Finnish Luther research and feminist scholarship intersect in their fundamental efforts to renew Lutheran theological language and Luther’s potential as a transformative spiritual source for the future.