An image of Mary from the Catholic Parish I just want to share a couple quick reflections and a few pictures from yesterday’s activities. Yesterday we were fortunate to have some ecumenical conversations. In the morning, we spoke with Bishop David Joseph Mollel, from the Assemblies of God Church in Monduli. The denomination is the…… Continue reading Ecumenical Work in Tanzania
Category: Theology
You’re Not the Subject of the Verb
We interrupt our usual Tanzanian programming for a brief theological reflection. Turn the verbs. It’s Lutheran historian Tim Wingert‘s phrase, something I read in one of his books a long time ago, and I’ve never forgotten it. I love it, because it points so clearly and concisely to how we as Lutherans distinguish between law…… Continue reading You’re Not the Subject of the Verb
Life without Wonder is not worth Living
sadfgasd Zechariah “Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’” Luke 1:18 Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the great Jewish theologians of the 20th century, once said, “The beginning of our happiness lies in the understanding…… Continue reading Life without Wonder is not worth Living
The Ethics of Doing Nothing
One of the best parts about attending the American Academy of Religion Conference is the chance to wander through the book displays. I picked up a couple new books, and read this one on the plane ride home. It was interesting, and I wanted to share a few thoughts from it. The thesis of the…… Continue reading The Ethics of Doing Nothing
Rekindle the Gift Within You
I want to share the verses from Jeremiah that are guiding our work at Wartburg Seminary in our new strategic plan, “Rooted and Renewing.” Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall…… Continue reading Rekindle the Gift Within You
Jesus, No Respecter of Locked Doors
Jesus is no respecter of locked doors. That was the heart of the fantastic sermon that our homiletics professor, Sam Gilmore, preached this morning in chapel. This weekend, we welcomed to Wartburg a group of prospective students who are discerning a call to public ministry, and listening for how God might be calling them to…… Continue reading Jesus, No Respecter of Locked Doors
Unto You, a Savior is Born
Christmas is a labor of love, is it not? So much had to be done to get us to today—either by you, or by others: a tree was selected and cut, purchased and brought home, set up and decorated; lights were hung, decorations were placed; cards were written and mailed; food—mountains of food—was shopped for,…… Continue reading Unto You, a Savior is Born
God’s Holy Darkness
All my friends know that winter is my favorite season. I love the snow, I love the cold, I love the crisp air, I love the stark landscape—and I love my winter wardrobe of sweaters, boots and tights. It doesn’t bother me that I am the exception in my affection; I know full well that…… Continue reading God’s Holy Darkness
Beyond Profession
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I am here at the Association of Theological Schools Biennial Meeting, which has been great so far–great things to learn and good colleagues to meet. It seems like a good time to share a brief review of a great new book I just read, which is about theological education. Beyond…… Continue reading Beyond Profession
The Mother Hen on the Cross
This blog post is coming a week late, but nonetheless, I wanted to share a wonderful sermon that I heard last week. The Gospel text was from Luke, and the specific verse that was the focus for the sermon was Luke 13:34: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are…… Continue reading The Mother Hen on the Cross
Happy Lutheran 