The Magazine
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
Not Our Will, but Thine

My mother, Louise Cady, was a hard-working farm wife and mother of five. She never claimed to be a noted scholar, a talented musician, or a great educational leader. But she loved God…
How to Write a Letter to the Editor

The Lutheran Witness receives a steady supply of letters from our readers. Although we can’t answer every letter personally, we read every one and appreciate receiving them. Each month, we normally have space to publish only four or five letters, so the competition is tough. Still, letters from readers add vitality to a magazine, and
I believe in the Holy Spirit

Two phrases in the August Lutheran Witness report on the recent LCMS convention impressed me. One was by President–elect Rev. Matthew Harrison who used the phrase “guided by the Spirit of God.” The other was in the final sentence of the convention by President Gerald Kieschnick: “May our almighty God lead this church by the
Pray continually

In a 24-7 news cycle, one can easily suffer from a fatigue of constant communication and stories on floods, disasters, dying, and various other torments . . . including frenzied fear. The story of this “Light on a Hill” on the part of Pastor Tursic and the shining light of hope in hopelessness can be
Baptism: Dunking, Sprinkling, or Pouring?

by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz I once witnessed a Lutheran pastor baptizing a person by immersion. I didn’t know we Lutherans baptized that way. Is this a proper way to baptize? Lutherans have understood the Bible to teach that a valid Baptism must include the application of water (together with the Word), but the manner in
A Modern Reformation

by Rev. Steven B. Borst In the year 1517, on the evening before All Saints, the Castle Church in Wittenberg was prepared for the festival services to be held the next day. Inside the church, 19,000 relics were laid out to be adored by the arriving throng of worshipers. Outside the church doors, however, a
Witness: Before God and to the World

In this month’s letter, President Harrison begins a 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.
10 Minutes with…Matt Harrison

by James H. Heine Rev. Matthew C. Harrison was installed as the 13th president of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Sept. 11. Several days before his installation, The Lutheran Witness sat down with President Harrison for a conversation about the LCMS, his new responsibilities, his family, and himself. ~~~ TLW: We suspect the past few weeks

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