by Rev. Dr. Greg Wismar The vocabulary of the church is filled with big words, large and meaningful words that sum up a great quantity of theological content. There are words like redemption and sanctification, words like liturgy and sacramental and words like propitiation and atonement. These great words may well need some reflection and …
by Rev. Dr. Dennis J. Goff Each year on September 29, the church remembers the minor festival known as St. Michael and All Angels day. The 29th day of September is closest to the first Sunday following the autumnal equinox. From now until the following March when the spring equinox occurs, the hours of darkness …
Words Save Lives This morning, the kids and I were talking about upcoming events, and we came to the topic of our pastor’s retirement. I said, “In a few weeks, it will be Pastor’s last day at church because he is retiring. Then we will get a new pastor.” My son Matthew asked, “Then what …
by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz Q: Tattoos are all around us. As a 60-something lifelong Lutheran, I’ve never liked them or wanted one. Recently someone in my church strongly disagreed with me about this. On the basis of the Bible, what should we say about this practice? A: As far as I am aware, only …
by Rev. Heath Curtis Most religions are quite spiritual. They are about teachings, thoughts, philosophies. They are misty and magical and otherworldly. Not so Christianity. Our faith is earthly, tangible; you can sink your teeth into it. The God we know created mankind from the dust of the ground and then stepped Himself into Mary’s …
In Greg Wismar’s article “Remembrance” in the June/July Lutheran Witness he states, “The reason for that remembrance is well expressed in the Augsburg Confession . . . “That we may imitate their faith and good works according to our calling.” Should this also not apply to the recently departed saints who have served the Synod? …
In “Why Read Scripture?” in the June/July issue, Rev. Schaum claims, “You have to feel the cross utterly crush you, make you despair of any attempt you might try to please God.” I am not convinced that Scripture requires us to “feel” a certain way. Is it not adequate simply to trust in Jesus? Bob …
In his essay “Come, Lord Jesus,” Dr. David Loy did his best to extol the virtues of inviting Jesus to be our guest. On the night He was betrayed, our Lord served us as our most gracious, forgiving, life-giving Host. I remain convinced that Jesus as Host to His Christian guests is the essential relationship …
I so enjoyed the article “Come, Lord Jesus” by David W. Loy (June/July). My father, grandfather and three cousins were all LCMS ordained pastors, and we were taught to say: “Come, Lord Jesus, Be our Guest, and Let this food to us be blessed.” I have always called it the “uncommon” Common Table Prayer. Maybe …
I’ve been known to hold on to craft magazines and Christmas editions of decorating magazines for ideas. All others go to the laundromats around town or to other places where people have to wait. Today when I was tidying up my desk space, I realized that I have quite a collection of Lutheran Witnesses saved …
We serve beside God’s beloved children in good times and bad.
How can the church make history come alive for us who are so far removed from the Early Church and the historical places of Scripture?