How Good is Good Enough?
An email exchange about a sermon theme posted on a church sign leads to a conversation about people’s perceptions of Jesus Christ and eternal life.
The Magazine
The Prodigal Father
by Rev. Ben Eder Sunday, June 15, is Father’s Day. A familiar Bible text regarding fathers is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Although this story is usually told from the perspective of the “lost son,” what about the father in the story? What was his responsibility? And how does he respond to the wanderings—and
It Is My Father’s Word
What greater service can a father render to his children than to point them to their Father’s Word?
Two-Timers
We have all met them. They walk in, talk to a few people they know, leave after the service, and are not seen again until another holiday.
Does Everything Mean Everything?
For a fire-department chaplain, an EMT, and a pastor, the greatest faith-strengthening role he’s ever had is that of dad.
Making Choices in the Civic Arena
by Dr. Leslie (Jack) Fyans I turned 18 this year, and I am excited to vote in the upcoming presidential election. I’ve been following the race and talking with friends and family about my views. My parents and I disagree about presidential candidates for a number of reasons. They imply that I’m wrong because I’m
Shedding Some Light
Why Go to Church? A reader wrote a letter to the editor of his local newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I’ve heard perhaps 1,500 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember
Peace in Anxious Times
We are living in a time of anxiety, conflict, and concern. People are anxious today about employment and job stability; about the price of gas, other fuels, and food; and about the future leadership of our country.
Luther’s Journey with Paul: For Further Reading
Books on Luther and Paul, or on the history of Pauline interpretation, are often quite technical (and often in German). However, here are a few possibilities for further reading that are relatively accessible and provide broader background for the topics touched on in my story that appears in this issue of The Lutheran Witness.
Lutheran Witness: June/July 2008
As with last month, we are overflowing with feature stories, beginning with our Reformation cover story by Dr. Robert A. Kolb and Dr. Charles P. Arand.
Ashes to Ashes?
Dr. Knippa suggests [in the April 2008 Family Counselor] the questioner look at www.lcms.org for a “historical and scriptural perspective” regarding cremation. He then refers to this with no scriptural references. I would suggest that LCMS add the Bible reference of Joshua 7:15, 25, where we are told that an accursed criminal had to be purged
Starting Anew with a Seminary Graduate
by Roland Lovstad Graduating seminarians anticipate seminary “Call Day” as a time to move from preparation to active ministry. At the same time, congregations like Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hampton, Va., anticipate the day when their hopes will be met with a new pastor. “Here we are going into 2008 after four years without a permanent