Kurt Lüthi
Encyclopedia
Kurt Lüthi was a Swiss Reformed
theologian and a professor at the University Vienna.
Lüthi studied Protestant theology
in Bern and Basel
, amongst his teachers were Karl Barth
, Karl Ludwig Schmidt and Oscar Cullmann
. In 1949 he became pastor
at the Reformed church of the Canton of Bern, first in Beatenberg
, lateron in Biel. In 1955 he achieved his doctorate in theology at the University of Basel
with a thesis on Judas Iscariot
, in 1959 he habiltated at the University of Bern. From 1964 until his retirement 1990 Lüthi held the chair for systematic theology
(Helvetic Confession) at the Protestant faculty of the University of Vienna
. For many years Lüthi served as a member in the synod of the Helvetic Church in Austria, as well as in the general synod of all Lutherian Churches in Austria.
Lüthi's work focused on political philosophy
, feminist theology
and the relation between theology and psychoanalysis
. In 1965, together with well respected theologians Wilhelm Dantine, Ferdinand Klostermann and Otto Mauer, he instigated the foundation of Austrias first Ecumenical Study Group. From 1967 to 1988 he was engaged in Christian-Jewish reconciliation
work and served as member of the board in the Commission for Christian-Jewish cooperation. In 1970 he was appointed as honorary member of the foundation Pro Oriente
. Lüthi also furthered the dialogue between Christianity
and Marxism
, as well as talks between the arts
and theology.
Reformed churches
The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
theologian and a professor at the University Vienna.
Life
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
in Bern and Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
, amongst his teachers were Karl Barth
Karl Barth
Karl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian whom critics hold to be among the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century; Pope Pius XII described him as the most important theologian since Thomas Aquinas...
, Karl Ludwig Schmidt and Oscar Cullmann
Oscar Cullmann
Oscar Cullmann was a Christian theologian in the Lutheran tradition. He is best known for his work in the ecumenical movement, being in part responsible for the establishment of dialogue between the Lutheran and Roman Catholic traditions...
. In 1949 he became pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
at the Reformed church of the Canton of Bern, first in Beatenberg
Beatenberg
Beatenberg is a municipality in the Interlaken district of the canton of Bern in Switzerland.-History:Beatenberg is first mentioned in 1275 as super rupes. In 1281 it was mentioned as ob den fluen and in 1357 as Sant Beaten berge....
, lateron in Biel. In 1955 he achieved his doctorate in theology at the University of Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
with a thesis on Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
, in 1959 he habiltated at the University of Bern. From 1964 until his retirement 1990 Lüthi held the chair for systematic theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
(Helvetic Confession) at the Protestant faculty of the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
. For many years Lüthi served as a member in the synod of the Helvetic Church in Austria, as well as in the general synod of all Lutherian Churches in Austria.
Lüthi's work focused on political philosophy
Political philosophy
Political philosophy is the study of such topics as liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why they are needed, what, if anything, makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it...
, feminist theology
Feminist theology
Feminist theology is a movement found in several religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and New Thought, to reconsider the traditions, practices, scriptures, and theologies of those religions from a feminist perspective...
and the relation between theology and psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a psychological theory developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis has expanded, been criticized and developed in different directions, mostly by some of Freud's former students, such as Alfred Adler and Carl Gustav...
. In 1965, together with well respected theologians Wilhelm Dantine, Ferdinand Klostermann and Otto Mauer, he instigated the foundation of Austrias first Ecumenical Study Group. From 1967 to 1988 he was engaged in Christian-Jewish reconciliation
Christian-Jewish reconciliation
Reconciliation between Christianity and Judaism refers to the efforts that are being made to improve understanding of the Jewish people and of Judaism, to do away with Christian antisemitism and Jewish anti-Christian sentiment...
work and served as member of the board in the Commission for Christian-Jewish cooperation. In 1970 he was appointed as honorary member of the foundation Pro Oriente
Pro Oriente
The foundation Pro Oriente was founded in 1964 by the Viennese cardinal Franz König to improve relationships between the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. The foundation was established during Second Vatican Council which opened the Catholic Church's doors to...
. Lüthi also furthered the dialogue between Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
, as well as talks between the arts
ARts
aRts, which stands for analog Real time synthesizer, is an audio framework that is no longer under development. It is best known for previously being used in KDE to simulate an analog synthesizer....
and theology.
Selected publications
- Judas Iskarioth in der Geschichte der Auslegung von der Reformation bis zur Gegenwart. Zürich 1955. [Judas Iscariot in the History of Interpretation from the Reformation Age to the Present]
- Gott und das Böse. Eine biblisch-theologische und systematische These zur Lehre vom Bösen, entworfen in Auseinandersetzung mit Schelling und Karl Barth. Zürich 1961. [God and the Evil]
- (with Kurt MartiKurt MartiKurt Marti is a Swiss theologian and poet. His poetry often has theological and religious aspects to it. He is also known for "dialect literature" said to have intellectual quality.- References :...
and Kurt von Fischer): Moderne Literatur, Malerei und Musik : 3 Entwürfe zu einer Begegnung zwischen Glaube und Kunst. Zürich 1963. [Modern Literature, Painting and Music: Encounters between the Faith and the Arts] - Die neue Welt der Schriftsteller. Theologische Argumente für die Literatur der Gegenwart. Stuttgart 1968. [The New World of Writers. Theological Arguments for the Contemporary Literature]
- Theologie als Dialog mit der Welt von heute. Freiburg im Breisgau 1971. [Theology as Dialogue with the World of Today]
- Gottes neue Eva. Transformations of the Feminine. Stuttgart 1978.[Gods new Eve]
- Feminismus und Romantik. Sprache, Gesellschaft, Symbole, Religion. Wien - Köln - Graz 1985. [Feminism and Romanticism. Language, Society, Symbols, Religion]
- (ed. with Koloman N. Micskey): Theologie im Dialog mit Freud und seiner Wirkungsgeschichte. Wien 1991. [Theology in Dialogue with Freud and his Impact]
- Mut zum fraglichen Sein. Wege eines Theologen zu zeitgenössischer Kunst und Literatur. Wien 1996. [Courage to a Questionable Existence. Way of a Theologian to Contemporary Art and Literature]
- Christliche Sexualität. Traditionen, Optionen, Alternativen. Wien 2001. [Christian Sexuality. Traditions, Options, Alternates]
Literature
- Thomas Krobath, Dieter Olaf Schmalstieg, Max J. Suda (ed.): Befreiung in Zwängen : für Kurt Lüthi. Wien: Verlag für Gesellschaftskritik 1986. [Liberation in constraints - for Kurt Lüthi]