German Protestantism and the Spirit of God. From Luther to Moltmann

Document from the year 2010 in the subject Theology - Systematic Theology, grade: none, , course: Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary, language: English, abstract: 'In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen'. For regular worshippers in German-speaking Lutheran and Reformed churches, these words spoken by the pastor are very familiar, as they mark the beginning of every Sunday service. With these words the pastor reminds the congregation in whose name they are gathered and whom they are called to worship. Later on in the service, the congregation is asked to stand and confess their faith with the words of the Apostle's Creed or, on special occasions, the Nicene Creed. Again, the third person of the Trinity is mentioned. However, in many German-speaking Lutheran and Reformed churches God often is not really worshipped as Trinity. God is presented and understood as God the Father and God the Son. In other words, there is an inadequate understanding of the triune God in mainstream German Protestant churches and a lack of emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. This phenomenon is rooted in German Protestant theology and can be traced back through the ages and the theological schools to Reformation times.

Dr Thorsten Prill is a Crosslinks mission partner and minister of the Rhenish Church in Namibia. He has been seconded by his church to serve as Vice-Principal at Edinburgh Bible College. Before coming to Scotland in 2017 he lectured in missiology, practical theology and systematic theology at Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary and was involved in congregational ministry. He is the author of several books and articles.