One of the perks of my work is that occasionally I get invited to write a back-cover endorsement for a new book. I always love these opportunities: I get to read a manuscript of some interesting book before it comes out in print, and try to offer a pithy, inviting endorsement. It’s so much fun!…… Continue reading The Power of a Theological Imagination
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.
Opposing the Death Penalty
With all that is going on in the world–Syria, North Korea, health care, border wall–you can be forgiven for not having read that Arkansas just executed its fourth prisoner in eight days. This “frantic execution schedule” (in the words of The Washington Post) was sparked by the impending expiration of one of the drugs used…… Continue reading Opposing the Death Penalty
Fighting a "Scarcity" mentality with the Resurrection
Thanks to my book group, I have a few new podcasts that I’ve started listening to and one of the ones I’m really liking is “Hidden Brain,” with Shankar Vedantam. I always enjoy his NPR segments on social behaviors and how we are wired; this is more of the same and equally interesting. …… Continue reading Fighting a "Scarcity" mentality with the Resurrection
Bonhoeffer, Palm Sunday and Our Walk to the Cross
This Sunday, we have a meaningful and poignant confluence of Christian commemorations: it is, of course, Palm Sunday, but it also is the feast day of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This means that we will be beginning Holy Week–starting our long walk to the cross–hand in hand with Bonhoeffer; with his words in our ears, and the…… Continue reading Bonhoeffer, Palm Sunday and Our Walk to the Cross
Love Locally, Learn Globally: Plant Earth II
Like many of you, I hope, I have been mesmerized every Saturday night these past few weeks, watching Planet Earth II. I loved the first one–we even bought the DVDs, and I used some of them in class for a few years–and this one has been just as good; in some ways, even better.…… Continue reading Love Locally, Learn Globally: Plant Earth II
With Gratitude to all the Women: A Rock, A River, A Tree
“A Rock, a river, a tree.” These are the words that open Maya Angelou’s Inaugural Poem from January 20th, 1993. A rock, a river, a tree. I’ll come back to you shortly. Today is March 8th, International Women’s Day, and I find myself wanting to give thanks. All my life, I have been surrounded by…… Continue reading With Gratitude to all the Women: A Rock, A River, A Tree
#Sorrynotsorry and Lent
Have you seen the “Sorry, Not Sorry” hashtag? You know, #sorrynotsorry. You’ve probably seen it, and maybe you’ve even used it once or twice. In its more benign and humorous form, it’s used to indicate an indulgence in a guilty pleasure when one actually doesn’t feel all that guilty. Like, “I ate an entire…… Continue reading #Sorrynotsorry and Lent
Sanctuary, Religious Freedom & the 8th Commandment
This morning, I heard the story on NPR about a woman who has sought sanctuary in a Denver church in order to avoid deportation–here is the link: Colorado Church offers Sanctuary. In the story, the concept of religious freedom was mentioned, which the new administration has promised to uphold; but a spokesperson who opposes the…… Continue reading Sanctuary, Religious Freedom & the 8th Commandment
The Christa Project
Yesterday, President Cooper-White and I took a group of students up to New York City to see “The Christa Project,” an exhibit that is currently at St. John of the Divine Cathedral. It was an amazing trip, and I really loved the various pieces. I want to share a few of those here, with a…… Continue reading The Christa Project
Reflections on a Topography of Terror
I’m trying to get my thoughts together here in the first week of Trump’s presidency. It’s hard, because I am feeling so rattled, so apprehensive, and frankly, so sick to my stomach. I live and operate out of a place of deep optimism and hope, always, but I am finding that place hard to…… Continue reading Reflections on a Topography of Terror
Happy Lutheran 