Today was my last day in Kyoto–I have been here as part of my sabbatical, just for 10 days or so. This is my second time in Kyoto, and I find that I love it just as much this time as last time (in 2012)–maybe more. It has been much hotter and more humid than…… Continue reading Looking Back Amida
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.
Lessons from an Epic Vote in Ireland
I have been thinking a lot about Ireland these past couple weeks. Did you see the news about the vote on the abortion amendment? You can see the story here: Ireland Votes to End Abortion Ban. Since 1983, Ireland has had an amendment to the Constitution that recognized equal right to life for the fetus…… Continue reading Lessons from an Epic Vote in Ireland
Happy Mothering Day
Mother’s Day is tomorrow: if you haven’t bought a card or flowers by now, you better move to plan B. I don’t know exactly what it is that makes Mother’s Day feel so different from Father’s Day, but it does–and I’m not saying that as a woman; I think it is true for most…… Continue reading Happy Mothering Day
James Cone: In Memoriam
James H. Cone passed away on Saturday, April 28th, at the age of 79. [Read a tribute here: James H. Cone dies]. Today, then, it is both a privilege and a pleasure to share some reflections in tribute. It is no exaggeration to say that Cone was one of the most significant theological voices of the…… Continue reading James Cone: In Memoriam
Commemoration & Hope in April
The first two weeks of April are filled with significant commemorations, and I’m not even talking about Easter and Passover. April 4th of this year was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. April 9th was the commemoration of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his execution by hanging at the Flossenburg concentration camp…… Continue reading Commemoration & Hope in April
Hope even for Judas
It’s Holy Week, and besides thinking about being able to eat chocolate again as soon as we start singing alleluia at the Easter Vigil, I also am thinking about Judas. I actually always think about Judas this week: Judas, the enigmatic disciple who sets the whole crucifixion in motion, and then repents so deeply and…… Continue reading Hope even for Judas
All Buddhists are Nice People, Right?
I get alerts from The New York Times on a variety of topics, including animals, adoption, religion, and philosophy, among other things. Yesterday, this article came in my inbox, under the “philosophy” category [not religion, which in itself is interesting]: Buddhists and Violence. The article, which actually is titled “Why are We Surprised when Buddhists are Violent,”…… Continue reading All Buddhists are Nice People, Right?
Forgiveness & Accountability
If you orbit the Lutheran world, you probably have heard that United Lutheran Seminary is in the midst of a serious leadership crisis. Damaging information has come out about President Theresa Latini’s past, which in itself is problematic for some [roughly twenty years ago she was the executive director of OnebyOne, a Presbyterian anti-gay organization…… Continue reading Forgiveness & Accountability
The Theology of “Westworld”
I just finished watching the first series of “Westworld”—have you seen it? It is a really interesting tv series, with lots of material for theological reflection. Basically, the plot of the story is this. “Westworld” is an elaborate, sophisticated theme park for very, very, VERY wealthy people, who come into the park by high-speed train.…… Continue reading The Theology of “Westworld”
“How Beautiful is the Earth…”
One of the things that has been of greatest concern to me in the Trump presidency thus far [and I am aware plenty of folks have a long list here], is the rollback of environmental protections, and the risk this poses to all kinds of different animals and their habitats. We’re already in a…… Continue reading “How Beautiful is the Earth…”
Happy Lutheran 