Thérèse and Martin () von Karin Johannesson

The Carmelite nun Therese of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) lived a contemplative monastic life. Through her writings, she continues to help people who live in completely different contexts to discover that God is always present in the middle of everyday life. Like Martin Luther (1483-1546), Therese clearly distances herself from the idea that we can earn our salvation from God. This book begins by highlighting the extensive similarities between Therese's teaching and Martin Luther's theology. With the help of the three Carmelite Doctors of the Church - Therese of the Child Jesus, Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) and John of the Cross (1542-1591) - the discussion develops further, and a receptive ecumenical study is carried out. The overall question is how the Carmelite tradition can enrich the Evangelical-Lutheran tradition in a way that contributes to the renewal of the church. It is argued that such a renewal is of vital importance if people today are to receive the spiritual guidance that they are longing for.

Karin Johannesson is bishop in the diocese of Uppsala and associate professor in philosophy of religion at Uppsala University. She is the author of the bookGod Pro Nobis (2007).