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, …
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).
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
Dr. Jerald C. Joersz is right that the Sacred Scriptures do not specifically tell us whether pastors should commune themselves or not (Q & A September). Our official doctrine and practice, however, come from the Book of Concord of 1580: “The mass should be a communion, at which the priest and others receive the sacrament …
The September article on Pastor Chehab was truly inspirational. It had special meaning for me, whose primary call for my ministry in India (1954–78) was to share the Gospel with Muslims. Luther T. Engelbrecht Seattle, Wash. Read More Letters to the Editor Send letters to “Letters,” c/o The Lutheran Witness, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, …
In all the years I have been privileged to read The Lutheran Witness, rarely have I had the honor to read a finer essay than Dr. Gene Edward Veith’s “In Praise of Work” (September). The beauty of Veith’s little essay is what he says so simply and elegantly: That there is equal dignity and worth …
I devoutly hope that the Canadian church visited by Donna Holmquist (Letters, September) was not a Lutheran Church. How inappropriate for a musical accompanist to interrupt music that should properly set a godly atmosphere for worship with a secular love song of the World War II era. Instead of “Stormy Weather,” far better had this …