Yes, Virginia. There Are Angels!
Hallmark, Hollywood, and even some favorite traditions portray angels as chubby, happy cherubs. Why does the Bible say they strike fear in the hearts of those who see them?
The Magazine
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?
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.
Pointing to Christ
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
Living a Life of Significance in a Post-Christian Culture
Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life? Kurt Senske reminds you of your Baptism and your self-worth in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Life worth living
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
Supporting Our Soldiers of the Cross in Crisis Battles
America’s struggling economy is affecting the Church as well. See how the Soldiers of the Cross emergency assistance fund reaches out to LCMS church workers.
From sniper to shepherd
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,
Handing on the Word of Truth
With so many Bible translations to pick from, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Which version best drives home what God means to say?
The most desirable way
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
How to Escape the Christmas Madness
Why celebrate Advent when you’re already surrounded by Christmas trees, Christmas carols, and Christmas presents? Rev. Hans Fiene reminds you of what Advent means.
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