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News & Events

Non-white Lutherans Share Concerns

Via LCMS e-News By Paula Schlueter Ross It was a telling moment when Rev. Eloy Gonzalez posed a question to more than 100 mostly non-white participants at the recent multi-ethnic symposium: “How many are delegates to the next [LCMS] convention?” Only one person, a Black woman, stood. “That’s the problem,” responded Gonzalez, senior pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Irving, Texas. “The issue” he was trying to illustrate, Gonzalez said later, “is that people who serve in ethnic minority ministries have very few venues … to share their voice with the broader church.” How to share multi-ethnic perspectives with the church at-large — and encourage the Synod’s 95 percent... (more...)

Dutch Church Decides Not To Discipline Atheist Pastor

Image via ClintJCL [Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/ (ENI) — A self-proclaimed atheist can continue to serve as a local pastor of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, and no longer faces disciplinary action because of his controversial position on how to describe God. A special assembly of Zierikzee, a regional church body given the task of investigating the theological statements of Pastor Klaas Hendrikse, has said its work is, “completed.” The February 3 decision to allow Hendrikse to continue working as a pastor followed the advice of a regional supervisory panel that the statements by Hendrikse, “are not of sufficient weight to damage the foundations of the Church.” “The ideas of Hendrikse... (more...)

Another Issue with Sex in the ELCA

A year ago, members of Zion Lutheran Church in Hummelstown, Pa., woke up to the news that their pastor had been arrested. The Rev. Alan Curtis Wenrich was charged with “patronizing prostitutes” and for solicitation of prostitutes, according to the police report. “He admitted his guilt to me,” Bishop B. Penrose Hoover recently told Pretty Good Lutherans. Hoover leads the ELCA’s Lower Susquehanna Synod in Pennsylvania. Soon after his arrest, Wenrich, who is married, resigned his post at the Hummelstown church. Yet he remains on the ELCA clergy roster. His status is listed as “on leave.” When asked why Wenrich is still a pastor, Hoover said: ”Because his misconduct did not rise to the level of sexual misconduct as we define it.... (more...)

January Letter to Pastors

Via lcms.org, here is Jerry Kieschnick’s pastoral letter to pastors of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod for January. January 27, 2010 Dear Brothers in Christ, Americans are giving generously for relief effort in the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. Donations have exceeded the amounts given immediately following the 2004 Asian tsunamis and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. In the first 10 days after the Haiti earthquake struck, more than $380 million was contributed to 35 U.S. non-profit groups, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Among the 35 is Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, which reported $1.6 million in contributions for Haiti relief as of this past Friday. As of two days... (more...)

Coordination Among Lutheran Ministries

Via WordAlone NEWS RELEASE Jan. 27, 1010 For Information: WordAlone: Tom Walker, vice president. Email: thw1953@gmail.com. Cell: 712-389-1735 Lutheran CORE: Mark Chavez, director. Email: lcore@popp.net. Cell: 717-823-7739 LCMC: Bill Sullivan, service coordinator. Email: wtsullivan@sbcglobal.net. Cell: 734-788-2820 Leaders of Lutheran groups meet, pledge cooperation and support by Betsy Carlson, WordAlone editor MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Leaders of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, Lutheran CORE and the WordAlone Network met jointly in a Minneapolis suburb in mid-January to discuss and coordinate their ministry to individuals and churches seeking biblical, confessional, Lutheran teaching and practice. The three groups were founded... (more...)

How have changes in the ELCA affected you?

Minnesota Public Radio is working on a project looking at the ways in which a change and a divide in the ELCA is affecting individuals, churches, and communities beyond them. What does the ELCA’s stance on homosexual clergy mean to you and your community? What changes have you observed in your church and community since the vote in August? What changes do you anticipate? You can respond to the survey HERE Read More →

Statement on Roe v. Wade

Statement issued for 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade January 20, 2010 Friday, January 22, marks the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that altered how our nation had valued life for the previous 200 years. Abortion has caused nearly 51 million deaths since 1973, when medically assisted termination of a pregnancy was declared legal. Yet this solemn anniversary also gives us reason to hope as throngs of people will converge on our nation’s capital – as they have each of the past 37 years – to call for repeal of the Roe v. Wade decision. We thank the LCMS Lutherans who will join an anticipated crowd of more than 200,000 pro-life marchers on this day to worship, to pray, and to share with the nation the truth of God’s... (more...)

If God be for us, who can be against us?

The following sermon was delivered by Jaynan Clark, president of the WordAlone Network, at the Lutheran CORE Convocation at Fishers, Indiana in September, 2009. (via WordAlone) I would like everyone to pretend that this is my white card… and it’s my point of personal privilege, as the appointed preacher of the day. Hi, I’m Jaynan, and I’m a recovering CWA attendee. And we are all, in some sense, in a state of recovery, one that will affect our children, their children, and on, and on, without end. Over and over, year after year, we have heard the world is watching. What will be our witness? Well, we made it, and the world is not receiving it as the gospel truth, thank God for that. We’re all caught up in an ecclesial version of the... (more...)

Matching Funds for Donations to Haiti

A letter from LC-MS president Gerald B. Kieschnick Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is with a grateful heart that I write this update regarding support for Haiti earthquake response. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced today a 50-percent matching gift – $1 for every $2 its members contribute – to Lutheran disaster relief agencies including LCMS World Relief and Human Care in St. Louis and Lutheran World Relief in Baltimore. Thrivent Financial has pledged to contribute as much as $1 million to this effort, which they are calling “Helping Haiti.” This campaign may generate $3 million for desperately needed earthquake relief efforts in Haiti – $1 million from Thrivent Financial added to $2 million or... (more...)

History

Michelangelo

Michelangelo Buonarroti, Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor and architect, was born on this day in 1475 in Caprese, Italy (d. February 18 1564). While he is known most famously, of course, for his works of art, here are a couple of his poems. TO THE SUPREME BEING The prayers I make will then be sweet indeed, If Thou the spirit give by which I pray: My unassisted heart is barren clay, Which of its... (more...)

Pietism & Mission

Pietism and Mission: Lutheran Millennialismin the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries by Lawrence Rast Jr. Introduction A noted historian of Christianity in the United States assessed the influence of pietism in the following sweeping terms: “There is no area of American life which is free from our pietistic concern; none in which the pietistic attitude is not a significant factor.”1 Pietism... (more...)

Letter to Rome

Manichaean priests, writing at their desks (artist unknown) Julian of Eclanum’s Letter To Rome Edited By Rev. Daniel R. Jennings Synopsis: This letter was a defense against the doctrines of the established church and a statement of faith of the Pelagian Christians. It was sent to Rome, as a defense of sorts as well as a warning against what they understood to be Augustine’ s infusion of Manichaean... (more...)

Johnny Cash

We just recently posted one of the songs (Ain’t No Grave) from the new Johnny Cash album, but since today marks his birth in the year 1932, here are a few more from the Man in Black. Read More →

Death’s Duel

Pastor and poet John Donne (1572–1631) preached his final sermon on this day (Feb. 15) in 1631. It was delivered before the King at the beginning of Lent, 1630. Donne, at that time, was Dr. in Divinity, and Dean of Saint Paul’s, London. This sermon was preached not many days before his death; and the matter is of death–the occasion and subject of all funeral sermons. Death’s Duel Or... (more...)

Vehementer Nos

It was on this day (February 11) in 1905 Pope Pius X (1835–1914) published the encyclical Vehementer Nos, in which he denounces the idea of separation between the state and the Roman church, calling it “a thesis absolutely false, a most pernicious error.” Here is the full text of the encyclical (via Vatican.va): VEHEMENTER NOS ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PIUS X ON THE FRENCH LAW OF SEPARATION To... (more...)

We Plow the Fields

Here is a hymn for today from Matthias Claudius, who died on this day (Jan 21) in 1815 (b. August 15 1740). The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. (Matthew 13:38) We plow the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand; He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine,... (more...)

Albert Schweitzer

Theologian, musician, and philosopher Albert Schweitzer was born on this day (Jan 14) in 1875. Here is Schweitzer playing JS Bach’s Adagio BWV 564. And here are a few quotations. Read More →

On Christ’s Ascension Now I Build

Here is a hymn for today (Jan 11) from Joshua Wegelin, who was born in Augsburg on this day in 1604 (d. September 14 1640). On Christ’s ascension I now build The hope of my ascension; This hope alone has always stilled All doubt and apprehension; For where the head is, there as well I know his members are to dwell When Christ will come and call them. Since Christ returned to claim his throne, Great... (more...)

Olavus Petri

On the anniversary of Swedish reformer Olavus (Olaus) Petri’s birth in 1493, here is a note from the Lutheran calendar, along with ’s biography, Olavus Petri, Church Reformer of Sweden. Laurentius Petri, Archbishop of Uppsala Olavus Petri (born 1493) and his brother Laurentius (born 1499) were the principal leaders of the Lutheran movement in Sweden. Both studied at Wittenberg, where they... (more...)

The English Works of Wyclif

Today in 1384 English reformer John Wyclif (Wycliffe) died. Wycliffe's Bones Being Burnt in 1527 Here you can read The English Works of Wyclif. Read More →

The Rebel’s Guide to Joy

Here is a brief biography, and a few hymns, from Charles Wesley, who was born on this day (Dec. 18) in 1707 at Epworth Rectory, England (d. March 29 1788). Read More →

A Christian Home

Here is a hymn for today from Jean Sibelius, who was born on this day (Dec 8) in 1865 in Hämeenlinna, Finland (d. September 20 1957, Järvenpää). A Christian Home Barbara B. Hart, 1916 Jean Sibelius, 1865-1957 O give us homes built firm upon the Savior, Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide; Where ev’ry child is taught His love and favor And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified: How... (more...)

Ambrose of Milan

Today (December 7) marks the celebration of one of the most influential early Christian theologians, Ambrose of Milan. Born in Trier in A.D. 340, Ambrose was one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church (with Augustine, Jerome and Gregory the Great). He was a prolific author of hymns, the most common of which is Veni, Redemptor gentium (“Savior of the Nations, Come”). His name is also associated... (more...)

Theology

The Life-Thread of Faith

Thursdays with Iwand Via Iwand’s sermon “The Loincloth” James Tissot, "The Prophet Jeremiah" (1888) For when this thread, the life-thread of faith, breaks, when the nail on which everything hangs is loosened, then it is the same with everything else as well. Being able to... (more...)

The People of God

Wednesdays with Augustine Via Augustine, The Writings Against the Manichaeans and the Donatists Chapter 15.—23. For it is the Church that gives birth to all, either within her pale, of her own womb; or beyond it, of the seed of her bridegroom. Bertram of Minden, "Isaac asks Esau to hunt for venison"... (more...)

A Passive Capacity

Tuesdays with Forde Via On Being a Theologian of the Cross pp. 54-56 Thesis 14. Free will, after the fall, has power to do good only in a passive capacity, but it can always do evil in an active capacity. Peter Paul Rubens, "Raising of the Cross" (Antwerp Cathedral, 1610) What does this mean?... (more...)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Mondays with Martin Via Luther’s Church Postil, this sermon appeared first in pamphlet form entitled: “A sermon on the Lost Sheep, by Dr. M. Luther, delivered at Wittenberg in the presence of of the Elector of Saxony, Duke John Fredrick, etc., 1533.” Taken from Volume IV:67-96 of The... (more...)

I Want to Acknowledge His Name

Weekends with Bach J.S. Bach BWV 200, ‘Bekennen will ich seinen Namen’ (I want to acknowledge His name) Giotto, "Presentation in the Temple" (1304-06) The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (The Presentation of Christ in the Temple). Poet unknown (fragmentary). After 1735,... (more...)

The Religion of Morality

Franz Friday Via Franz Pieper, Christian Dogmatics Vol. 3 Titian, "Abraham & Isaac" (1542-44) Thieme reports that the Lutheran doctrine that good works are not necessary for salvation has been given up by most modern Protestant theologians, including the so-called “positive”... (more...)

Evangelical Words

Thursdays with Iwand Via Hans Iwand, The Righteousness of Faith according to Luther Andrea Mantegna, "The Resurrection" (1457-59) We are today in a similar situation: grace, compassion, love, and mercy are words that we like to hear. They are “evangelical words.” But doesn’t... (more...)

The True God

Wednesday’s with Augustine Via Augustine’s City of God Adriaen van Stalbemt, "Paul & Barnabas at Lystra" Argument—In this book it is shown that eternal life is not obtained by the worship of Janus, Jupiter, Saturn, and the other “select gods” of the civil theology. Preface. It... (more...)

Law & Sexual Behavior

Tuesdays with Forde Masaccio, "Adam & Eve Expelled from Paradise" (1424-25) This is an essay about the function of law as it confronts sexual behavior. Therefore the first thing that needs saying is that it cannot be a paper about compassion. To be sure, Christians, not to say human beings... (more...)

Confession & the Lord’s Supper

Mondays with Martin A sermon by Martin Luther published in eight editions in 1524-1525. Via Volume II:193-214 of The Sermons of Martin Luther, published by Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI). It was originally published in 1906 in English by Lutherans in All Lands Press (Minneapolis, MN), as The Precious... (more...)

Where Shall I Refuge Find?

Chorus [S, A, T, B] Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Tromba da tirarsi col Soprano, Continuo Johann Heinrich Schönfeld, "The Flood" (1634-35) Wo soll ich fliehen hin, Where should I flee Weil ich beschweret bin since I am weighed down Mit viel und großen Sünden? by my many grievious sins? Wo... (more...)

The Hallmark of the Christian Religion

Franz Friday Via F. Pieper, “C.F.W. Walther as Theologian” Elijah Calling Upon Yahweh According to Walther, the doctrine of justification is what differentiates the Christian religion from all other so-called religions; it is the hallmark of the Christian religion. If we speak of justification,... (more...)

In Defense of Barth

Thursdays with Iwand Via Iwand, Nachgelassene Werke 2, pp. 404-405 As unlikely as one can trace Barth’s “fear” to the “anthropocentrism” of the nineteenth-century but instead to the necessity of proclamation (1 Cor. 9:16), just as unlikely can one maintain that Luther did... (more...)

Ain’t No Grave

A song from the grave from American VI, the latest Johnny Cash album. There ain’t no grave Can hold my body down There ain’t no grave Can hold my body down When I hear that trumpet sound I’m gonna rise right out of the ground Ain’t no grave Can hold my body down Well, look way... (more...)

Impious Madness

Wednesdays with Augustine Via The City of God Chapter 1 Chapter 1.— Of the Adversaries of the Name of Christ, Whom the Barbarians for Christ’s Sake Spared When They Stormed the City. Gustave Doré, "Death on the Pale Horse" (1865) For to this earthly city belong the enemies against... (more...)

In Name Only

Tuesdays with Forde Thesis 13. Free will, after the fall, exists in name only, and as long as it does what it is able to do it commits a mortal sin. Gustave Doré, "Adam and Eve Driven out of Eden" (1865) After the fall, free will exists in name only and not in reality. How is this audacious... (more...)