The Bible and the liturgy need each other. The Bible was being read in the liturgical assemblies of Christians already by the middle of the second century, according to Justin Martyr (Apology, I, 67), “as long as time permits.” What Justin called “the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets” were the […]
The Public Role of the Minister of Word and Sacrament
On or about the 4th of July, our Presiding Bishop, Mark Hanson, sent an electronic encyclical to ELCA pastors enjoining us to use our public office of word and sacrament to address public issues, such as matters of social justice and world peace. He gave several examples of his own recent forays into the field […]
Is Theological Discussion Possible in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod?
Let me answer the question in the title in the affirmative. We have had theological discussions in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod. One major discussion concerned the ecumenical proposals before the ELCA in 1997. I remember several hundred people making it through a Thursday night rainstorm to Carthage College in 1996 to engage in a discussion […]
The Challenge of Modern/Postmodern Culture
I have deliberately chosen the terms “modern” and “postmodern” as opposed to “contemporary” culture. This is because “modern” and “postmodern” are specific. Modern can be understood to refer to the culture generated by the mindset of the Age of Enlightenment, which gained momentum in the Age of Romanticism and came to a head in the […]
A Flawed Psalter
In October Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) will be rolling off the press and into pew racks. By Advent 2006 Augsburg products will support ELW rather than Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW). That includes bulletin inserts which will include the new cycle of prayers of the day and the psalms. I’m not too concerned about the […]
The Social Dimension of Marriage
“Many lands, many customs,” wrote Martin Luther at the beginning of his Order of Marriage for Common Pastors. He advised pastors not to tamper with local custom since these customs were deeply entwined in the culture of the people. He left many medieval customs intact in his own Order of Marriage, including the announcement of […]
Another Way to Interpret the Bible
On the basis of Bishop Landahl’s introduction of Dr. Ralph Klein at the 2007 Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly, I thought that Dr. Klein would address options for interpreting the Bible. In other words, he would give us a lesson in hermeneutics. The bishop introduced the professor by reminding the assembly that the ELCA is engaged […]
A Canonical Exegesis of Leviticus
Pastor Robert Goldstein responds to my article on “Another Way to Interpret the Bible” with two main points (See “Readers Responses” in this issue.) First, “modern science” gives us an understanding of physical (including sexual) reality that goes beyond the knowledge in the Canon of Scripture. Second, we need to be clear about our motivations […]
The Multi-Faceted Ministry of Café Immanuel
Our members Chris Djuric, who works a lot of farmers’ markets, and Sarah Stegner, former executive chef at the Ritz Carlton who is now co-owner and chef of the Prairie Grass Café in Northbrook, saw beyond my limited vision. “Let’s serve a gourmet breakfast and invite the whole community of Evanston to come to breakfast—and […]
On the Receiving End of the Ministry of Healing
Over the past several years I have had plenty of opportunity to think about disease, pain, suffering, medical science, and faith. Afflicted by colon cancer, I had a colectomy on August 26, 2006. I received a chemotherapy protocol that lasted almost a year, during which I experienced dry mouth, nausea, and rashes and lost hair, […]
The Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality Needs a Worldview
I fear that joining together the Policy Recommendations regarding the ordination of persons living in same-sex relationships with the proposed social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust” is eclipsing detailed discussion of the proposed social statement. Homosexuality has become the tail that wags the sexual dog. Yet the number of social issues related to human […]
A Different Way to Talk About Sex
It should not surprise anyone that the social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust”, adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2009, did not settle the most presenting issue in human sexuality in our time: homosexuality. The statement itself acknowledged that the issue is not settled because it concluded that “There is no consensus in […]
Dealing with Those Who Remain
It was easier for American Lutherans to practice schism in the 19th century. Whole synods moved in and out of fellowship with one another. In 1864 the delegates of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania walked out of the Convention of the General Synod over dissatisfaction with S. S. Schmucker’s Definite Synodical Platform and the admission of […]
That Was Then, This Is Now
This issue of Let’s Talk features essays by seminarians who responded to the invitation to imagine the church and the world they will be serving in the years to come. This is a difficult question to put to students who are immersed in what’s happening now — like, what’s on the next test. Asked to […]
Not the Way to Show Compassion
The voice on the phone was hesitant and apologetic. The story that unfolded was as follows. He said he was a German translator. He had worked in Berlin and Leipzig, but work was drying up so he returned to the United States with his wife and six children. He had taught German and Latin in […]