Reconstructing Lutheran Theology – Wisdom from the Jewish Encounters

Martin Luther considered Jewish religion futile and the Jewish law “expired.” While curious about the Jewish faith to the point of being suspected of “Judaizing” for his deep interest in the rabbinic interpretations, he unfortunately had no Jewish colleagues or friends and only few (biased) sources. Whereas Luther and the faith community in Wittenberg missed authentic and transformative encounters with any Jewish partners, we today live in a situation where mutual learning is coveted and possible. Luther’s interest in Judaism and the “imaginary Jew” shaped the 16th-century reformer’s theology; Lutherans today can learn about Jewish religion from actual Jewish practitioners, and vice versa. Some of the areas where Lutheran theology can benefit from moving away from Luther’s polarizing argumentation and learning from the wisdom of the Jewish religion are teaching of salvation and faith, justification and grace, and law and religious practices. Coming together on the shared teaching of the infinite goodness of God seems like an obvious starting point for mutual learning.