Luthers Zwei-Regimenten-Lehre und ihre Bedeutung für die politische Ethik der Gegenwart

This article deals with the political ethics of the Wittenberg reformer Martin Luther. It begins by explaining that, according to Luther, every human being finds himself in two relationships: On the one hand, he is in relation to God, and on the other hand, he is in relation to the world and thus to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Catholica <Münster>
Main Author: Leonhardt, Rochus 1965- (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:German
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Published: Aschendorff 2023
In: Catholica <Münster>
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Luther, Martin 1483-1546 / Luther, Martin 1483-1546, Von welltlicher Uberkeytt, wie weyt man yhr gehorsam schuldig sey / Two kingdoms doctrine / Political ethics / Reception / History 1523-2023
IxTheo Classification:CG Christianity and Politics
KAA Church history
KDD Protestant Church
NCD Political ethics
SA Church law; state-church law
Further subjects:B Liberty of conscience
B Wittenberg (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany)
B Sixteenth Century
B Pluralism
B Religious Diversity
B Political ethics
B Religious Ethics
B Luther, Martin, 1483-1546
B Christian Ethics
B Utopias
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Summary:This article deals with the political ethics of the Wittenberg reformer Martin Luther. It begins by explaining that, according to Luther, every human being finds himself in two relationships: On the one hand, he is in relation to God, and on the other hand, he is in relation to the world and thus to his fellow human beings (coram deo/coram mundo). It was particularly important for Luther that the two relationships are categorically differentiated. This has important consequences for political ethics, which is shown in the second section using Luther's book on secular authority (1523). Although the secular legal order is irrelevant to true Christians because they never do evil, since there are very few true Christians, it is indispensable so that the law of the strongest does not prevail. Because this legal protection for the weak is willed by God, Christians also participate in it out of love for their neighbour by rendering obedience to the authorities and cooperating in the enforcement of the law. However, the competence of the secular legal order must not be extended to people's inner convictions. The third and last section asks about the significance of Luther's teachings for contemporary political ethics. This is done by taking into account its reception history. While Luther's political ethics since the 16th century was mostly understood as the basis of a Christian ideal of the state, it has been interpreted in German Protestantism since the 20th century as the basis of an un-derstanding of the state oriented towards freedom of faith and conscience as well as religious pluralism.
ISSN:0008-8501
Contains:Enthalten in: Catholica