It’s April, but it doesn’t quite feel like spring yet. Sure–spring is coming–everyone knows that, but it’s still more like a promise than a reality at this point, which I have found quite discouraging of late. But, today, this poem by Wordsworth came in my inbox; and as I was leaving for church this morning…… Continue reading Daffodils and Doubting Thomas
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.
The Stories We Tell
Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, which most Christians deem the holiest week of the Christian calendar. [I don’t want to get into an Easter vs. Christmas debate here, but let me just go on record as saying I think more theological importance should be vested in the incarnation, which has…… Continue reading The Stories We Tell
"Far From the Tree"
For the past few weeks, I have been reading the most interesting book: Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, by Andrew Solomon. We talked about it today in the Introduction to Systematics course, where we had a great discussion regarding about issues of Christian anthropology, so I decided to…… Continue reading "Far From the Tree"
The Strange New World of Pope Francis I
Here’s how I found out about the new pope. I was working at my computer yesterday afternoon and I thought I would check The New York Times to see if there was any news [not really expecting anything]. Immediately I saw what the world had seen: white smoke, but no announcement yet. So, I went…… Continue reading The Strange New World of Pope Francis I
Thinking about Orthodox Judaism during Lent
So Western Christians are well into Lent at this point: if you compare it to a half-marathon [which probably isn’t the best comparison, but I’m a runner, what can I say?] soon the pace will pick up, and the finish line of Easter will come into view. Once we cross the line, most of us…… Continue reading Thinking about Orthodox Judaism during Lent
Tradition: Precious Gift or Ball-and-Chain?
Well, the Catholic Church is officially pope-less, and conversation about the future direction of the church and the possibilities a new pope presents has reached a fever pitch. Of all the things I have read about the current state of affairs in Vatican City, this article is my favorite: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/opinion/a-vatican-spring.html?src=me&ref=general&_r=0 It’s written by brilliant theologian…… Continue reading Tradition: Precious Gift or Ball-and-Chain?
Living Life Theologically
If, to a hammer, all the world’s a nail, to a theologian, every event, every relationship, every encounter are fodder for theological reflection. Theologians know that one’s understanding of God, God’s own self-revelation, and God’s abiding presence within creation cannot be compartmentalized; instead, we find God everywhere God seeks us, in all the different venues…… Continue reading Living Life Theologically
Loving "the strange, the uncommon, the odd"
I am lucky to have a good friend who reads the Sunday New York Times cover to cover–she always alerts me to the good stories I otherwise would have missed. This week, it was this story:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/fashion/a-writers-tortoise-leads-the-way-to-happiness-modern-love.html?pagewanted=allthe story of a woman and her beloved pet tortoise. Yes, you read that correctly: beloved pet tortoise.Now, anyone who…… Continue reading Loving "the strange, the uncommon, the odd"
"Adam and Dog"
I don’t go to movies all that often, so I never have any hope of seeing all of the Oscar nominated movies before the Academy Awards. However, I always try to make it to the showing of the nominated “Short films”–particularly the animated short films, which are always my favorite.After seeing them this year, I…… Continue reading "Adam and Dog"
Reflections on Death–and a Poem
I have been thinking about death this January. Winter is the season for it, I suppose–the still barrenness of the ice and the shroud of the snow; but there also have been some significant deaths this past month in the larger communities of which John and I are a part, and there are those who are dying,…… Continue reading Reflections on Death–and a Poem
Happy Lutheran 