Your Light Has Come!
After the joy and happiness of Christmas are over, it’s easy to feel a post-holiday letdown. But Dr. Lessing has the cure for your winter blahs: Jesus’ death and resurrection . . . for you!
When Half-Spent Was the Night
Headed to the first Divine Service of Christmas? Here’s what to expect.
Lutheran Witness: November 2010
Allow this penitential season to add to the approach of Christmas. Wait with us in eager anticipation of the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior.
To the Reader
by Adriane Dorr It’s happened. Already stores are playing Christmas carols and plying you with promises of perfect presents. What happened to Thanksgiving? What happened to Advent? What happened to waiting? Not to worry. The Church does not operate like the world. The Church, in fact, thrives on waiting. It is unhurried, deliberate, thoughtful. So …
All Those Translations!
by Dr. Jeffrey A. Gibbs The question is raised by all kinds of people: seminary students, devout church members, confirmation students, and perhaps every single Christian at one time or another. And the question is, “What is the best translation of the Bible?” We have, after all, the KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, NIVI, JB, …
Jesus—the example to follow
In Scripture, we read what Jesus said to His disciples when they had argued among themselves about their importance. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:27–28).
Faith like a child
I really like Portals of Prayer. It comforts me when I’m sad or mad. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Morgan Irvine, age 9 Sheridan, Wyo. (Although this letter compliments Concordia Publishing House’s Portals of Prayer, The Lutheran Witness’s close partnership with CPH, as well as the age and sentiment of the writer, made printing …
We believe
After reading the August issue, which was dedicated to the Synod’s convention, I was looking forward to seeing similar treatment for the National Youth Gathering in the September issue. Imagine my disappointment when I opened the magazine to see a two-page article instead. The article didn’t come close to capturing what the NYG is about. …
The Church’s future
This past July, I had the distinct pleasure and honor to help chaperone 39 young adults to our LCMS National Youth Gathering (NYG) in New Orleans. The theme was “We Believe,” yet if there is one thing I believe it is this: With the loving guidance of our Lord (Prov. 3:6), our Church’s future is …
The pastor as Christ’s representative
I thought Dr. Joersz gave a very helpful reply in a recent answer to the question of a pastor communing himself in a worship service. The practice is an adiaphoron, i.e., it’s neither forbidden nor commanded in Scripture. An example by itself does not establish doctrine or church practice, but still it bears some weight …
In support of pastors
Dr. Joersz had an opportunity to offer support to a pastor who was just doing what the LSB Altar Book directed him to do. He was being faithful. Instead, the Q & A gave the members of his congregation support for criticizing their pastor. Thomas M. Winger, Acting President Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary St. Catharines, …
Allowing the opposite
Dr. Joersz’s response to the question about the pastor’s self-communion is slightly misleading. He claims that “The Altar Book . . . allows a pastor’s self-communion.” That is not completely false, but it is terribly inaccurate. The Altar Book allows the opposite thing. It allows a layman to distribute the body and blood of Christ …