Lutheran Witness: January 2011
This issue of The Lutheran Witness may be difficult to read: Exploring the topic of sin hits close to home.
Lutheran Witness: December 2010
This issue of The Lutheran Witness may be difficult to read: Exploring the topic of sin hits close to home.
The Visit of the Magi: Fact or Fiction?
by Dr. Paul L. Maier For years, biblical critics have questioned many details in the Christmas Gospels, such as the Annunciation, the Roman census, the Virgin Birth, the angelic announcement to the shepherds, and the infant massacre at Bethlehem. While secular evidence from the ancient world actually supports many aspects of the Nativity, one objection …
Why Did He Bother?
by Rev. Thomas Chryst It’s finally here. After all the preparations, all the waiting, all the expectation, Christmas is here. And Christmas is many things. Christmas is decorations and celebrations. Christmas is ham and eggnog and cookies. Christmas is white and red and green. Christmas is visions of sugarplums and big-hearted grinches. Or is it? …
The View from Here: ‘Come and See’
by Rev. Dr. Robert Rosin The fall quarter of teaching in St. Louis has come to a close. (We’ve squeezed in extra days to finish a bit early, and the students don’t mind–more time free for other papers and exams.) For me, the overseas work is about to begin–Germany, Czech Republic, and part of Asia …
LIFE TOGETHER: Confession or Witness?
In this month’s letter, President Harrison concludes his series of three articles on the “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” emphasis for the church and the world. To find out more about these themes, check out www.lcms.org/emphasis.
Christmas Presence
by Rev. Steven B. Borst When we were children, Christmas was about presents. The beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree—trimmed with ribbon, bows, and name tags—captivated our imagination. As Christmas Day drew near, the anticipation became almost unbearable as we dreamed about what those pretty packages might actually produce. Now that we are older, Christmas …
Where Does God Come From?
Dr. Jerald C. Joersz My seven-year-old grandson asked me where God came from. I could not tell him. I hope you can. Dear reader’s grandson, I have a grandson about your age. His name is Joey. Like you, he is a very smart and curious person. He asks hard questions, some that even adults do …
Caring for Caregivers
by Dr. Leslie (Jack) Fyans My mother lives in a nursing home in another state and is becoming more erratic in how she reacts to staff there. My siblings and I get calls asking us to “convince” Mom to cooperate when they have to take her to the hospital or to have a procedure. Our …
Providing solace from society
It has been my recent experience that many churches, including Lutheran churches, appear to be emphasizing contemporary technology. This takes the form of screens, amplified instruments (usually guitars), and monitor stations. In some churches, the architecture accommodates the monitor station, which is plainly visible. Often the amplified music is loud. The lyrics may not always …
Heads and tails above the rest
Having read your monthly journal for a number of years now, I wanted to express my gratitude for your work. The last two months especially have been heads and tails above the rest! The writing is well done, and the choice of topics and presentation address many of the concerns of my congregations here in …
Hitting the million mark
I think the last issue of The Lutheran Witness was wonderful and filled with great articles. I especially loved the hymnal article (“Hitting the Million Mark”). I hope many people read it so they start to realize how special it is to use a hymnal for worship. Too many churches in our Synod don’t. I …