by Anthony A. Cook The View from Here Editor’s Note: With this online column, we offer occasional essays on topics that appear in The Lutheran Witness or that have broad interest among our readers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Every social group has a story–a narrative that gives the group meaning, defines values, articulates goals, identifies enemies, and records
by Rev. John T. Pless As I write these lines, the world reels with the news of a devastating earthquake in Haiti that has left a death toll numbering in the thousands. In this impoverished nation, the magnitude of suffering cannot be measured. Closer to home, senseless workplace murders, seemingly random violence, and cases of
In an increasingly secular and pluralistic society, what is the status of the Church, and how do we engage the unchurched around us?
From the differently formed to the unborn without an opportunity to ever form, Luther links our mission with how we live.
At the heart of it all, as so vividly expressed by Luther’s famous Christmas hymn, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come”—the focus of two of our stories this month—is the birth of God’s Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
A family Christmas tradition offers an opportunity to ponder the amazing miracle of God’s grace and rejoice at the birth of His Son.
The history of this favorite Christmas hymn is as vibrant and compelling as the hymn itself.
If we simply tell “how much the Lord has done for [us],” wonderful miracles can happen.
A trip to a hometown ‘holiday’ celebration creates an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus’ birth.
A number of Christmas hymns are associated with Martin Luther. Here are the most familiar.
‘This is all I have to give you,’ she said sadly. What a wonderful gift! It reminded me of Mark 12:42.
by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz Some TV evangelists and writers of popular religious books promote a view of the end times called “dispensationalism.” What is dispensationalism? How does it differ from how Lutherans understand biblical teaching about the end of the world? Dispensationalism (or “premillennial dispensationalism”) is a teaching that divides biblical history into seven