Politisk etik i luthersk teologi

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze some contributions to political ethics within Lutheran theology. The doctrine of God's two kingdoms in Luther's theology is examined, as well as the theology of orders as it is developed by Friedrich Gogarten and Paul Althaus. From this perspective, the article gives a critique of the ethical positions of Helmut Thielicke and Gustaf Wingren. Their idea, that political ethics is based on creation and reason alone, implies that Lutheran theology does not provide resources for a critique of prevailing political power structures. In order to be reasonable, Lutheran political ethics should be related not only to the doctrine of creation but also to Christ­ology and Eschatology. This means that the distinction between law and gospel should not be the starting point for ethical reflection.