It was with great delight that I read the May article that featured Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor. I met Dr. Taylor at Fordham University when we were both pursuing studies for the doctoral program. He not only excelled in his academic studies but also became noted as a talented musician. Dr. Taylor freely shared his […]
Dr. Gerhard Bode, in “The Gift of the Holy Spirit” (May 2008), had the right idea when he wrote, “The Holy Spirit active in the apostles on Pentecost is the same Spirit who works in believers today.” But he really did not say how, when, or why this is true. How can you write an
The gift of the Spirit Read More »
I must express my profound disappointment and sorrow that you chose for your April issue to print such a mean-spirited letter from a reader directed toward Paine Proffitt’s illustrations in the December Lutheran Witness. It was a serious lapse in judgment. We Christians are called to encourage one another, not to tear each other down.
Profoundly disappointed Read More »
Thank you for Chaplain Schroeder’s “Lifeline” story, “They Will Place Their Hands on Sick People,” in the May Lutheran Witness. Jesus commissioned His followers to preach, teach, and heal. While Luther valued all three Gospel outreaches, the LCMS often seems ambivalent about Jesus’ ministry of healing. If, after reading Chaplain Schroeder’s article, some would like
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In the May article on Hiruy Gebremichael, Roland Lovstad describes Gebremichael as being on the periphery when he was a teacher in a Lutheran school. This denigrates the teaching ministry of the church by suggesting that the pastoral ministry is a “higher” calling rather than a different calling. In Romans 12, Paul declares that we
I would like to commend The Lutheran Witness for the cover of the May issue. It is the first time I can remember seeing a pastor prominently displayed wearing the full Eucharistic vestments. Pastor Taylor serves as a wonderful example of pastoral ministry and the ability to reach today’s largely non-Christian, cynical generation without sacrificing
Placing a full-time missionary does not just happen. It takes planning, and it takes money. Our missionaries are reaching people with the Gospel thanks to LCMS individuals and congregations who have been part of Fan into Flame, the first Synodwide capital campaign in more than two decades.
by Rev. Terence Groth Our Lutheran Confessions urge us to remember exemplary saints for two reasons: (1) “so that we may strengthen our faith when we see how they experienced grace and how they were helped by faith”; and (2) that we may “take the saints’ good works as an example” (AC XXI:1). Jesus testified
So, This Is Sainthood? Read More »
Heavenly Yoga? Josiah, my 6-year-old grandson—a “preacher’s kid”—prays each night for those who are sick. He has his own system: If they are mildly sick, he asks God to “put Your hand on him.” If they are very sick, he asks God “to put two hands on him.” When a family friend lay gravely ill
Shedding Some Light Read More »
by Theresa M. Shaltanis I don’t have a question, but I have an observation that may help others. My 17-year-old son lost his best friend to suicide earlier this year. In the days following that tragedy, well-meaning friends and family questioned (judgmentally, it seems to me) how a teenager could reach such a point of
Confronting Suicide Read More »
In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, Through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. –Gal. 3:26-27 ESV
A Shabby Approach to Outreach Read More »
Mormon polygamous sects such as the FLDS believe spiritual benefits are attached to having multiple wives, including a higher level of salvation.
Mormon Fundamentalism and Plural Marriage Read More »