Stories from Global Lutheranism: A Historical Timeline

by Martin J Lohrmann

In an engaging and accessible style, Martin J. Lohrmann introduces readers to fascinating glimpses of faith, courage, and love in action within the global Lutheran community that now numbers over 70 million members in churches worldwide. He shows how Lutheranism is a much more diverse and global expression of the Christian tradition than most realize. This matches the expansive view of the church universal that the Reformers held when they presented the Augsburg Confession in 1530. As Philipp Melanchthon put it, the church "consists of people scattered throughout the entire world who agree on the gospel and have the same Christ, the same Holy Spirit, and the same sacraments, whether or not they have the same human traditions." Although Lutheranism first grew and spread in central and northern Europe, some of the most vibrant Lutheran communities are now in Africa and Asia. There are more Lutherans in Tanzania than in Sweden, and more Lutherans in Indonesia than in Norway. The single largest Lutheran church body in the world is the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, with over 8 million members and a focus on caring for the whole person. Outside of Europe, Namibia is the only country with a majority Lutheran population. Lutheran members of the global body of Christ have much to learn from and share with one another. The book largely follows the subjects listed in the Timeline of Global Lutheranism that Lohrmann created for Lutheran Quarterly Journal to commemorate the 500-year anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

272 pages, Paperback

Published January 12, 2021

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scattered discussion that looks at Lutheran groups, figures, and events over the last 500 years. Mentions Lutheran groups in South America, Australia, African countries, and Eastern Europe during the Cold War. He understandably keeps an international focus on activities outside Western Europe and North America, mostly. But selfishly I wanted more information about the formation of the ELCA, AALC, WELS, ELS, Lutheran Brethren, and Free Lutherans. Odd that he would cover the formation of the LCMS, but not the ELCA.

[Chris Halverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm late to the party on this one,but can't recommend it enough.
Lohrmann's timeline is well done and inspiring! It doesn't sugarcoat the sinful side of the Lutheran tradition, but it does uplift some of the saintly moments and figures God has blessed Lutheranism with!