Happy Lutheran

I was listening to a story on NPR this morning, talking about a bill in the Ohio House of Representatives that would provide anonymity for pharmacies that compound the drugs used in state-ordered executions, and also physicians who consult on the procedures–read about it here: Death Penalty Reform BillThis has come about because European companies are…… Continue reading Why Secrecy isn’t Good for the Death Penalty

I just landed in Halifax tonight for a public lecture on Monday, and I wanted to write a quick blog post before I go to bed. One of the things I love about flying is that I get to catch up on all my reading. So, for example, today I read one Christian Century , four New Yorkers,…… Continue reading Remembering the Good

This may be my shortest blog post ever, but I wanted to share a little gem of a story with you, which came from chapel yesterday.  Mark Oldenburg, our dean of the chapel and worship [and sometimes preaching] professor, was our preacher for our Wednesday Eucharist service.  I’ve mentioned him before in my blog because…… Continue reading More with Us than against Us

I’m a huge fan of Atul Gawande.  I first discovered him in The New Yorker, where he is a regular contributor, and then I read his books:  Complications, Better, and The Checklist Manifesto.  [I just saw he has a new one out, too:  Being Mortal:  Medicine and What Happens in the End–I just put that in my…… Continue reading Four Questions to ask the Dying

There is a small avalanche of magazines that comes into our home every month:  The New Yorker, InStyle, Smithsonian, Christian Century, The Week, Vanity Fair–and that’s not even the whole list!  So, sometimes, as you might imagine, I get behind–way behind, which explains why it is only this week that I got around to reading…… Continue reading Receiving Gifts from Sinful People–The Case of John Howard Yoder

So, if you’re like me, you have been both moved and shaken by the stories that have come out in the wake of the Ray Rice scandal–particularly the powerful Tweets of women sharing both #WhyIStayed and #WhyILeft.  Personally, I don’t think it is for any of us to judge any woman, particularly for a decision…… Continue reading Leaving begins with "Yes"

Every year, the seminary begins with an opening convocation, and most years, the faculty chooses one of its own to deliver the convocation address.  The purpose of the address?  Oh, not much:  merely to set the tone and theme for the entire academic year.  No pressure, right?  Well, we’ve had lots of great addresses–we have…… Continue reading "Bridge People"