We Sinners is the title of a new book by Hanna Pylvainen [there should be two dots over the “a” in her last name–she is Finnish–but I can’t do that in Blogger, apparently!]. Anyway, it is about a family of Finnish Laestadian Lutherans–a conservative branch of Lutheranism that started in the middle of the 19th…… Continue reading "We Sinners"
Remembering
September 11th has become a national day of remembrance, both in this country and beyond. Particularly for those who were living in New York City and Washington DC, and especially for those who lost loved ones in the attack, September 11th is a day to remember, to lift up connections with individuals and communities, to speak…… Continue reading Remembering
A Bit of Feminist Ecclesial Disobedience
There is a reason why it is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s because images convey reality with lasting force and intensity, an intensity that trumps words every time. For this reason, no matter what we SAY about who we are–as a church, for example–if the visual images we put in…… Continue reading A Bit of Feminist Ecclesial Disobedience
What would you do if you didn’t have to work?
http://gigaom.com/2012/09/02/when-did-addiction-become-a-good-thing/Can't resist another quick post today–although heaven knows I should be working! This is an article a friend sent me here at seminary; and, so close to the Religion & Media course, I find it really interesting, especially these two paragraphs:I believe that the purpose of technology is to take over the grating, tedious tasks…… Continue reading What would you do if you didn’t have to work?
Doing [and Living] Theology with My Neighbor
As I get ready to start teaching the “Doing Theology with My Neighbor” class next Tuesday, I thought this story is such a great example of why Christians need to be better informed about their other-faith sisters and brothers.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/03/education/muslims-enroll-at-catholic-colleges-in-growing-numbers.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=us&src=me&adxnnlx=1346771491-eIuKDYdBv/juQP35PKMReQHere are a couple quotes from the article: At those schools, Muslim students, from the United States…… Continue reading Doing [and Living] Theology with My Neighbor
Preparing for Rosh Hashanah
I just finished reading this interesting blog post about Rosh Hashanah, which begins on September 16th. http://www.stateofformation.org/2012/08/reflections-on-elul-and-rosh-hashanah/What is interesting and powerful to me as a Lutheran is the emphasis on one’s own preparations and actions during this sacred time. The author writes that Jews are urged to ask for forgiveness–not just from God but from…… Continue reading Preparing for Rosh Hashanah
More dance, less math!
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.htmlI loved this video–it is a little long [around 20 minutes], but Ken Robinson is really funny, and the argument is very interesting. He argues that we need to do much more to faciliate creativity in education, rather than trying to make everyone conform to one specific outcome, using only one type of curriculum. Here is the part that I especially liked: …… Continue reading More dance, less math!
Woman Caught in Adultery
We’ve asked the students in the Religion & Media course to post an image of Jesus for our discussion on Friday–either a favorite, or one that is provocative in some way: don’t you wish you could be there?!I thought I would post my favorite image of Jesus–it’s from the Chinese artist He Qi:Do you recognize…… Continue reading Woman Caught in Adultery
Flesh-eating Bodies
Victoria Larson, one of our outstanding students, preached in chapel today, and it was a really fabulous sermon. In honor of our hard-working Greek students, she started with some Greek that gave them hope that there are some interesting discoveries waiting for them as they become more familiar with the language. Did you know that…… Continue reading Flesh-eating Bodies
Sacred Wonder in a Darth Vadar Costume
I want to take five minutes and say how much I am enjoying the Religion & Media class I am teaching with my colleague from Luther, Mary Hess. I am learning so much, and really, really enjoying the conversation–the students are great!What I am most appreciating is the way we are discussing deeply how theology…… Continue reading Sacred Wonder in a Darth Vadar Costume
Happy Lutheran 