Faith in Action: How Our Theological Principles Drive Social Justice

At LSTC, our adherence to key theological principles forms the foundation of both academic and communal life, with social justice at the heart of our mission. We spoke to faculty members across disciplines to better understand how the seminary’s commitment to justice, inclusivity, and community engagement, rooted in biblical values and scripture, guides our institution in addressing pressing contemporary challenges.

Social justice at LSTC is not an ancillary concern but a theological imperative, deeply embedded in its pedagogy and mission. Marvin Wickware, Associate Professor of Church and Society and Ethics, defines justice as “whatever conditions make it possible for people to be their fullest selves.” This involves removing barriers such as economic hardship, social exclusion, and discrimination that hinder people from thriving.

This perspective was echoed by Raphael Malpica-Padilla, Damm Chair in Leadership and Director of Latine Ministry and Theology.

“For decades, the ELCA has been walking together in accompaniment with the global Lutheran community,” he said. “In that journey, we have discovered five values that shape our work: mutuality, inclusivity, vulnerability, empowerment, and sustainability. These are key values in forming religious leaders, particularly in the context of the rising of Christian nationalist and white supremacy ideologies.”

Karri Alldredge, Assistant Professor of New Testament, further emphasized LSTC’s commitment to forming a community that is “contextualized, intersectional, and justice-focused.”

“We seek to engender a community where diversity is honored and celebrated, where we pay attention to who is marginalized or erased, and strive to work together for the wellbeing of all creation,” she explained.

Faculty at LSTC emphasize social justice as a biblical mandate, not a modern invention. Wickware pointed to the fundamental question posed in Christian theology today: Who is your neighbor? He explained that Christian nationalism often restricts the concept of neighbor to those who are familiar or similar, while the biblical tradition consistently expands it.

“The Hebrew Bible repeatedly asks: ‘Are you caring for the widows, the orphans, and the strangers among you?’” said Wickware. “That is the true test of faith.”

Alldredge extended this perspective, drawing from Paul’s teachings.

“Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12 that the body of Christ is one in which all members are honored, necessary, and cared for. It challenges colonial, imperialist, and capitalistic visions of worth based in hierarchy,” she said. “Instead, the body of Christ is queer, fluid, and disabled. It is comprised of individuals of all races and ethnicities, classes and castes. It seeks to remove the binaries and hierarchies of society.”

Malpica-Padilla further highlighted how misinterpretations of Christian doctrine have fueled exclusionary politics.

“About eight years ago, I was asked to make a presentation at a Lutheran World Federation consultation on Mission,” he remembered. “The question asked of me was to identify the major threat to mission. My response was the rising of extreme right ideologies. This ‘movement’ is undergirded by misguided theologies that erode the basic values and tenets of the Christian faith. As Friedrich Schleiermacher affirmed, heresy is ‘that which preserves the appearance of Christianity and yet contradicts its essence.’”

In the midst of such movements, LSTC prioritizes educating leaders who can navigate the complex intersection of faith and activism. Dr. Linda Thomas, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs and Bernard, Fischer, Westberg Distinguished Professor of Theology and Anthropology, noted that “leaders must prioritize values over immediate pressures to ensure actions align with beliefs,” referencing Exodus 18, in which Jethro advises Moses to delegate responsibilities wisely.

“Adaptability enables innovative solutions to competing priorities without compromising principles,” she explained, invoking the Book of Esther before drawing from the example of Jesus retreating for prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:13) to stress the importance of reflection and self-care in sustaining leadership.

Worship at LSTC also plays a role in developing leadership, particularly through its collaborative approach, added Scharen.

“First, the team that leads chapel is student/staff/faculty, and because of that we work hard to draw students/staff/faculty into leadership week by week, so people see a diverse group of worship leaders over time,” he said.

At LSTC, leadership formation includes equipping students with practical tools for justice work. Wickware noted that community organizing methods are integrated into theological education.

“All of our master’s students take a course called Public Church I, [where we] introduce them to community organizing methods,” he explained. “It helps us to bridge the gap between caring about our community, between caring about the strangers among us, between caring about justice and actually being able to effectively work for justice.”

LSTC sees justice as a global commitment, one that extends beyond the United States, and, as Malpica-Padilla explains, “many professors in theological institutions around the globe are graduates from our school.”

“We must continue to resource our global companions by deepening and extending their theological formation programs,” he says.

Additionally, the seminary emphasizes partnerships with communities facing systemic injustices. Malpica-Padilla notes that issues such as climate change and forced migration have become central to global ministry.

“As a church participating in God’s global mission, we sought to ‘walk and work together for the flourishing of the human community’… This work goes beyond an existentialist approach,” he says. “We join our global companions in their mission to serve a world in need.”

Alldredge agrees, highlighting the ways LSTC fosters this global commitment through its academic programs and events.

“LSTC’s commitments to lifting up voices from around the globe both in the classroom and in its programming is essential to this work. I have witnessed it through the Queer Symposium, Vine Deloria, Black History Month, and Dalit History Month,” she says.

Faculty members stress that faith must be active, engaging communities in concrete justice work and meeting communities where they are.

“We don’t need churches creating new ministries if there’s a shelter down the road that’s been there for 25 years doing good work,” Wickware states. “What we need is for faith communities to join those already working for justice and amplify their efforts.”

In this regard, LSTC’s emphasis on responsiveness to context also plays a crucial role.

“We connect with alumni and friends as worship leaders at LSTC as well as going out into the community through Pray and Break Bread, honoring our value of responsiveness to context,” says Scharen. “And we draw upon preaching and worship classes to plan and lead Midday Prayer on Mondays as a way for them to grow and develop excellence in their formation as pastoral leaders.”

Through its curriculum, worship practices, and global engagement, LSTC fosters a model of theological education that does not separate faith from justice.

“There’s a need for people to see faith as accountable to other people’s wellbeing, not just to assumptions about what church is supposed to be,” Wickware concludes. “And, as Alldredge notes, LSTC can be a part of meeting this need. “LSTC seeks to be in the world and respond to it. It aims to be ever more fluid and adaptative so that it can respond to the political and social changes that are coming at an ever-alarming rate.”

LSTC affirms that justice is not an optional aspect of a Christian faith grounded in theological principles, but the very essence of it.