Author: happylutheran

I am the president at Wartburg Theological Seminary, my beloved alma mater. I am an inveterate optimist, runner, vegetarian, and harp player. I love Mary Oliver and Gerard Manley Hopkins, and like them, I'm continually delighted by all the surprising and wonderful ways God shows up in the world.

Advent Thoughts on Running the Race

Posted in Advent, Hope, Imagination, Scripture, Sin, SportsLeave a comment

So, I have another reflection from my Advent devotional; this time on Hebrews 12:1-3: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the…… Continue reading Advent Thoughts on Running the Race

Thoughts on the Beginning of Advent

Posted in Advent, Hope, Relationships1 Comment

I am so excited that Advent is finally here; it really is my favorite time of year.  Of course, some of this is because of the secular [read: commercial] Christmas season that started with Thanksgiving, really.  I can’t help myself:  I love decorating the house, writing Christmas cards, shopping for presents, baking, etc., etc.; and…… Continue reading Thoughts on the Beginning of Advent

The Parliament of the World’s Religions

Posted in Hope, Interfaith, Life and Living, Relationships, Social Issues, Social JusticeLeave a comment

I just returned from The Parliament of the World‘s Religions and I’m still processing the whole experience. It was my third time to go, and I think this was the best time yet, because I had six Gettysburg College students with me. I was so proud of them: they engaged the whole experience with enthusiasm,…… Continue reading The Parliament of the World’s Religions

Who Do You Say that I Am?

Posted in Bodies, Gender Identity, Laws, Politics, Science, Social Issues, Social JusticeLeave a comment

No, this post is not about Jesus’ identity, but about the identity of roughly 1.4 million Americans who identify as transgender.  The story broke on Sunday that the Trump administration is seeking to more narrowly define gender as something immutable and unchangeable, determined exclusively and definitively by genitalia at birth.  [Read about it here:  Transgender Could…… Continue reading Who Do You Say that I Am?

Reflections on “Just Mercy”

Posted in Bodies, Death Penalty, Ethics, Laws, Racism, Social JusticeLeave a comment

The first year students at Gettysburg College are all reading Just Mercy:  A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson.  Stevenson is a lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization that works to defend those most in need of an advocate, especially those wrongfully convicted–including those on death row. It is a powerful…… Continue reading Reflections on “Just Mercy”

Rosh Hashanah & the Optimism of a New Year

Posted in Judaism, Life and Living1 Comment

Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year and the beginning of the High Holiday season, began Sunday night. Like last year, I attended the Monday morning services at Gettysburg College, and once again, I was deeply moved by the beautiful liturgy. We use the Mishkan Hanefesh, the machzor from the Reform Jewish Community.…… Continue reading Rosh Hashanah & the Optimism of a New Year

The Catholic Church, The President & Abuses of Power

Posted in Church, Ethics, Laws, Politics, Sexuality, Sin, Social Justice, Suffering2 Comments

If you don’t live in Pennsylvania, you might have missed the story, but those of us who live here couldn’t escape it.  And, if you are a regular news reader/watcher, surely you saw something about it:  it has received national news coverage. Of course, I am talking about the huge scandal in the Catholic Church…… Continue reading The Catholic Church, The President & Abuses of Power