Author Description

Since the 19th century the Social Protestantism has delivered fundamental inspiration for a humane creation of the modern order of labour and society. In this tradition stands the Annual Book of Social Protestantism. Property and prosperity are understood as a gift from God, which should be used for all human beings. Social disparity can impair the dignity of people and their ability to follow their vocation in daily life. Social justice implies to avoid unjustified concentration of power, needs constant redistribution and a fair educational system. Especially, the concept of Social Economy is developed further on the basis of freedom, solidarity, and justice. On the occassion of the 500th anniversary of the Wittenberg Reformation this volume asks for the actual social ethical effects of Luther's Justification Doctrine. From the very beginning it was doubted that unconditional grace could have social consequences at all, and as a matter of fact some developments were rather merciless than shaped by the overwhelming love Luther was preaching.