Truth-Telling and Other Ecclesial Practices of Resistance

Christine Helmer is professor of German and religious studies at Northwestern University.

• Chapter 1. Ecclesial Practices of ResistanceChristine HelmerChapter 2. Taking Responsibility for Truth: Ecclesial Practices in an Age of HypocrisyJan-Olav HenriksenChapter 3. Embodying Truth in Ecclesial PracticesAllen G. JorgensonChapter 4. Telling the Truth about Doctrine: Justification and JusticeChristine HelmerChapter 5. Complicity and the Christological Path of Ecclesial Resistance: Summons to a New Catechesis for a Time of DespairPaul R. HinlickyChapter 6. Lutheran Ecclesiologies of Resistance: Starting with the SpiritCheryl M. PetersonChapter 7. Resisting Tyranny and Polarization: An Ecclesiology of Word and Sacrament from the Midwestern HeartlandAmy CarrChapter 8.Creation Piety and Spiritual FormationGordon J. StrawChapter 9. Remembering the Immigrant Experience: The Body of Christ as a Borderless Space to Embrace Our Shared Humanity in the Face of Rising XenophobiaMan Hei YipChapter 10. Practicing Jesus Christ in Public, Embodying ResistanceCra

In a culture of increasing violence and disregard for God's creatures, the church plays a prophetic role that is critical and constructive. She exposes and stands firm against the lure of accommodation to the ways of the world, but more importantly, she speaks and lives out a hopeful faith and love that opens our eyes to the beauty of God in his lavish care for a suffering creation. The church shares by grace in this divine work of healing. But how? The contributors propose an ecclesiology grounded in the Lutheran tradition that does not only talk about but invites us to be formed in habits of truth-telling and other practices of resistance and hope. What we have here, with this collection of essays, is nothing less than the makings of a rich spirituality of resilience and restoration to guide and sustain us in our journey with hurting neighbors amidst the wilderness of our times.