Doctoral defence: Indrek Pekko "Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1991–2015 – Changes, Identity and Theological Orientation"

On 11 November at 16:15 Indrek Pekko will defend his doctoral thesis "Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1991–2015 – Changes, Identity and Theological Orientation" for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Theology). 

Supervisors:

Associate Professor Lea Altnurme, University of Tartu 

Associate Professor Priit Rohtmets, University of Tartu 

Opponent:

Doctor Sebastian Rimestad, Leipzig University (Germany)

Summary

Estonia is known as one of the most secular countries in Europe. This means that organized religion – Christianity in particular – plays little role in people's lives. It is estimated that about a quarter of the Estonian population belongs to different churches and denominations, and the number of active churchgoers is even smaller. On the other hand, the Estonian population can by no means be regarded as not religious, with no interest in religious matters at all. Estonians' religiosity simply manifests itself in various forms outside the boundaries of institutional religion. 

What has been the position of the churches in such changes? How have churches coped with the decline in membership and the change in people's religiosity? What have been the changes in theological emphasis among clergy in this context, and which theological trends have emerged most and influenced the development of the church? This doctoral thesis examines the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (EELC) in the years 1991–2015. It deals with the changes in membership and clergy, Lutheran identity, different forms of piety, church models, and the relationship of the EELK with society and the state. 

Although church membership is declining across Europe, as people's religiosity no longer needs to be defined in ecclesial terms, Christian values and traditions are still important, and conservatism associated with them helps churches to cope with declining membership. Thus, the EELC has also become more supportive of conservative and traditional values in society. Among the theological pieties, the “high church” direction has been the most prominent in church leadership, which, in addition to reforming the liturgical order of worship, has attached importance to reorganizing the ecclesiastical structure and increasing the authority of the clergy. The social importance and role of the EELC has been marginalized: it is no longer the norm but an alternative. What was once a free people's church has now become one church among others, which has chosen the path of representing conservative values instead of uniting and reconciling the various parties in society. This, in turn, leads to greater confrontation and opposition with secularized society.