Colleagues, Walt Bouman and I were seminary classmates in St. Louis 55 years ago. Our lives have been linked ever since. E.g., he nudged Marie and me into meeting each other. [You’ve both got the same sense of humor, he said. You “deserve” each other.] After seminary it was grad school for both of us in Germany …
THE LEGALISATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part II)
Colleagues, Here is Part II of Joe Strelan’s article. Strelan is a retired theology professor who taught many years at the seminary of the Lutheran Church in Australia. He wrote this article for the “Vic Pfitzner Festschrift” honoring the principal of the seminary, now recently retired as well. It will appear downunder in the Lutheran Theological Journal …
THE LEGALISATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part I)
Colleagues, Another unsolicited serendipity on legalism and the Gospel! This one, like last week’s from Anton Lutz in Papua New Guinea, came my way as another pleasant surprise. Its author is John Strelan [“Joe” to all who know him], retired prof at Australian Lutheran College, the seminary of the Lutheran Church in Australia. Way back in 1992 …
Legalism and the Gospel in Papua New Guinea
Colleagues, Last week’s ThTh post predicted that this week we’d ship out Part II of “Legalism and Ascension Day 2005.” The prediction did carry a “D.v.,” (Deo volente = God willing), and gave a couple of signals of what was to come.That was the plan. But then came an alternate Deo volente, an unanticipated essay on the …
Legalism and Ascension Day 2005, Part I
Colleagues, Legalism and Ascension. How, pray tell, do THESE two fit together? I too wondered. Legalism was intended as the topic for today (actually in response to a request!) and then–liturgically challenged as I am–I found out at today’s morning devotions that today is 40 days after Easter, the “Feast of our Lord’s Ascension.” Every time this day …
Art Simon’s book on American Affluence, a Review
Colleagues, Art Simon attended Concordia Seminary the same time as I did (50 yrs ago). He had chutzpah then already. Example: he once recruited a bunch of us seminarians on Saturdays to go across the Mississippi River and head for nearby Troy, Illinois, to get involved in politics. Yes! To wit, to do door to door campaigning …
Pastoral Theology From an Atheist Who Became a Bishop
Colleagues, Today’s posting is a book review by Robin Morgan.Peace and joy! Ed Schroeder Bo Giertz. THE HAMMER OF GOD, revised edition (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Fortress, 2005). 335 pp. Paper. Online price: US$18. “The Hammer of God” is a fictional look at Lutheran parish life in Sweden from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the middle …
Clinging for Dear Life in the Season of Easter
Colleagues, We’ve had two world-publicized instances of clinging to life for Eastertide 2005. One in Florida, one in Rome. To cling or not to cling–and if so, how long? That is the question that got public attention. Theological attention too, though none that I heard–even from the talking heads speaking from and for Rome–got around to the …
Crossing Real Life With Easter–In Bangkok, With Terri Schiavo
Colleagues, Two pieces for the Octave of Easter make up this posting. Both received this Easter weekend from dear friends. Each one “crossing” a slice of life in the world of its author with the Gospel of Easter. Ken Dobson, Presbyterian missionary and college prof, lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand. Ken was our host last year …
Rehabilitating Rejects. God’s Building Project in Psalm 118, the Psalm appointed for Easter
[PRELIMINARY NOTE: Another voice on the web for law/promise theology is the new ezine [=electronic magazine] “The DayStar Journal.” Senior Editor: Stephen C. Krueger. Editorial Group: Matthew Becker, David Benke, Eugene Brueggemann, Carol Hannah, Marie Meyer, Jim Rogers, David T. Stein. Some of the ezine team have written ThTh postings in the past. They’re on the side …