Today is Good Friday. And, as always today, I am thinking of Judas. I have both written and preached about Judas before, and I have a heartfelt theological interpretation about him that always surfaces today in particular, but it actually informs much of my theological understanding of salvation in its entirety. There is a medieval…… Continue reading A Thought for Judas
Category: Imagination
Faith and Doubt
“German 15th Century, Doubting Thomas, c. 1460, hand-colored woodcut, Overall: 6.8 x 5.5 cm (2 11/16 x 2 3/16 in.) overall (external frame dimensions): 39.4 x 31.8 cm (15 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.), Rosenwald Collection, 1951.10.2” Yesterday I preached in chapel on the “doubting Thomas” text: you remember the story. Thomas misses Jesus’ appearance…… Continue reading Faith and Doubt
A Christian Imagination
This frigid windy winter morning, I got up early and met other colleagues from Wartburg Seminary down at the Grand River Center for Dubuque’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration. I was really looking forward to the keynote speaker, The Rev. Dr. Joy Jittaun Moore, whom I had met previously through her connection with…… Continue reading A Christian Imagination
Christmas Day: Love has Come!
Photo by Daniel Reche on Pexels.com The Christmas Day service is my favorite service of the year, and I love that we host a Christmas service at Wartburg Seminary. I preached this year, and in my sermon I emphasized the gift of God’s radical and unconditional love and grace that comes to us in Jesus…… Continue reading Christmas Day: Love has Come!
Our Lady of Guadalupe
A sermon delivered at Wartburg Seminary, on the commemoration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I invite you to reflect on the image above as a focal point for the sermon: “The Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe,” by Yolanda López. López imagines Mary as a vibrant, energetic woman of strength, determination and…… Continue reading Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mary’s song, and ours
Plaque with the Annunciation (ca. 1200–1225). Catalan or Central Italian. Made in Central Italy. Accession number: 41.100.180 This is the season [sometimes the only season!] when Protestants give space for intentional reflection on Mary. We set up our creches and prepare for the coming of Christ, giving thanks for Mary’s faithful witness and her participation…… Continue reading Mary’s song, and ours
Thankful for one’s wild and precious life
Photo by Eusebiu Soica on Pexels.com Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Surely, you have heard this question before. Perhaps in a sermon, perhaps you read it in a book, or perhaps you came across it in a TED talk, or some other presentation. Or,…… Continue reading Thankful for one’s wild and precious life
Changing Your Mind
This weekend, I was in Detroit for the half marathon, and I spent a few hours at the Detroit Institute of Arts, which was really great. [I would recommend the whole city, actually; the Riverwalk is really beautiful, and the downtown is interesting and vibrant]. Anyway, while I was at the art museum, I ran…… Continue reading Changing Your Mind
Thank you, Jane Goodall
Today, on the feast day of Saint Francis, when churches around the country and around the world celebrate God’s love for the entire cosmos, and especially the animal kingdom, it seems like a good day to commemorate Jane Goodall, who died at the age of 91 on Wednesday. I encourage you to read more about…… Continue reading Thank you, Jane Goodall
Bearing Witness
In my work with the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, we had many conversations about the word “evangelical,” and the name “Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.” There are strong feelings about both, with plenty of people feeling like we should change our name, and ditch “evangelical” altogether. We heard from many people that the…… Continue reading Bearing Witness
Happy Lutheran 