The strategic goal of LA scientific research is to ensure and develop high-quality scientific and applied research in accordance with the requirements of the regulatory acts of the Republic of Latvia and guided by the corresponding documents of ELCL – ELCL Constitution (http://www.lelb.lv/lv/?ct=satversme), ELCL mission (http://www.lelb.lv/lv/?ct=par_lelb), ELCL regulations on pastoral ministry (http://www.lelb.lv/lv/?ct=noteikumi_instrukcijas ) and other documents expressing the ministry's needs of ELCL, as well as from today's trends in theology and religion that affect the church's involvement in society. This research objective is pursued by LA by involving lecturers, students, local and international cooperation partners.
In the study field "Religion and Theology" LA has established the following directions of scientific and applied research:
· general and Church history of Latvia,
· systematic theology,
· biblical and exegetical theology,
· practical theology.
The main direction of scientific research of the Luther Academy: research of church history, especially aspects of the history of the Church of Latvia.
The research directions derive from the LA strategy and are derived from the relevant areas of theology and characterize the role of each field in the study of theology and religion:
the general history of the Church, with the special place of Lutheranism in it, makes it possible to see the role of the Church as a carrier of spiritual values, both globally - in Western and general world civilization, as well as locally - the permanent role of ELCL in the development of the Christian faith, culture and national self-consciousness of the Latvian people;
systematic theology articulates in a structured way the prophetic and apostolic insights of Scripture in a unified vision, as attested in ecumenical creeds, explained in Lutheran creeds, and enshrined in rationally fixed dogmas, and provides spiritual landmarks for today's environment and society;
biblical and exegetical theology explains biblical texts, pointing to the biblically based spiritual origin of universal human values;
practical theology provides specific ecclesiastic competencies to act with appropriate understanding and conviction in the ministry of the Church and to engage in current societal developments.
Scientific work in LA is coordinated by the Council of Science, whose activities are regulated by the by-laws of the LA Council of Science.
By-laws:
