I just finished reading this interesting Huffington Post piece http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-raushenbush/martin-luther-king-faith_b_4623051.html?utm_hp_ref=religionwhere the author offers a list of seven criterion by which you might evaluate whether or not you are a “Martin Luther King, Jr. kind of Christian.” Here they are, without the supporting King quotes:1. Does your faith encourage an active and prophetic stance towards…… Continue reading A Reflection on MLK Day: What Does Your Faith Mean?
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.
An Experiment with Siri
So, I just read this story on Huffington Post:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/14/siri-religious-beliefs-iphone_n_4590708.html?utm_hp_ref=religionIt's about trying to get some theological answers from Siri–in light of the new movie, “Her,” in which the main character falls in love with his operating system [haven’t seen the movie yet, but I will when it comes to Gettysburg]. I thought it was funny–and thought…… Continue reading An Experiment with Siri
Anticipating Conversation about Pope Francis: Style vs. Substance
Of course, it is impossible to be teaching a course on Religion and Media without talking about Pope Francis: THE MOST photographed and talked /blogged/tweeted about religious figure ever [OK–I have no hard data to back that up, but really, who is even a close second?!]. We’re going to talk about him [and the media…… Continue reading Anticipating Conversation about Pope Francis: Style vs. Substance
Bonhoeffer’s Life Together
Boy, I forgot what a marathon it is, teaching all day, every day for a week! I want to blog more, but not when I spend every evening reading and getting ready for the next day–I’m already tired and it’s only Tuesday! But, don’t get me wrong: I’m really, really loving the class. The conversation…… Continue reading Bonhoeffer’s Life Together
Religion and Media
Today [actually, in 5 minutes!], I am beginning my Religion and Media J-term course. This is the second time I have taught it, with my colleague Mary Hess from Luther: I love team-teaching with her, not only because she is a warm, interesting person, but because I learn so much, and we have similar pedagogical…… Continue reading Religion and Media
Using My "Soul Camera"
Who has time for a blog post on Christmas Eve?! Not me, really–I should be home cooking–but I wanted to share something I read last week that I think is especially appropriate for this season. As I’m sure I’ve said before, when I’m on the elliptical machine at the gym, I can’t process heavy-duty reading,…… Continue reading Using My "Soul Camera"
A Letter of Thanks to My Birth Mother at Christmastime
I don’t know you, and that has been my choice. Of course, you don’t know me, either, and I assume that is your choice as well. It’s a fine arrangement, as far as I’m concerned, and I’ve never sought to change it. You offered me for adoption in 1968, two years before Roe vs. Wade…… Continue reading A Letter of Thanks to My Birth Mother at Christmastime
Luther and the Jews
On Monday, at our monthly faculty forum, my colleague, Brooks Schramm presented the new book he and Kirsi Stjerna wrote: Martin Luther, The Bible, and the Jewish People–and I have to say, my mind was kind of blown! First, if you don’t already know it, Luther wrote some really, really horrific things about the Jewish…… Continue reading Luther and the Jews
Being Thankful for ALL Families
I read with great interest this article in The New York Times this morning: http://nyti.ms/18TEgrp.Here is the caption about it: “Same-sex parents. Cohabiting couples. Voluntary kin. Children with parents in prison. Immigrant-Americans. What we thought of as the typical American family is being rapidly redefined. It is more diverse than it was even half a…… Continue reading Being Thankful for ALL Families
Thinking More About Double-Religious Belonging
I’m here at the American Academy of Religion annual meeting, which is really stimulating and very interesting. I’m exhausted tonight [an introvert can only function in an extroverted shell for so long!], but I wanted to write a quick post about my presentation this morning. My panel was on the concept of dual religious belonging…… Continue reading Thinking More About Double-Religious Belonging
Happy Lutheran 