Homosexuality and Creation Theology

Colleagues, Not everybody was pleased with last week’s critique (ThTh 352) of those 17 prominent theologians urging the ELCA to reject what the sexuality taskforce proposed. Samples: Sorry Ed, but I think you may have gone a bit too far–from a guy who was “liberal” until about a year ago. I find the whole process fails the double-dipstick …

Homosexuality. Demonic Diversion from Gospel Mission and Ministry Today

Colleagues, My framing the topic above so sharply will come as no surprise to regular readers. The battle to get homo-hetero-deck-chairs on the Titanic rightly arranged is heating up. World-wide Anglicanism is in chaos on this one, so Anglican friends tell us. Some even say “death-throes.” And the homo-hetero-hullabaloo in the ELCA right now is not far …

Database Theology

Colleagues, Today’s guest contributor is Nathan Schroeder. He’s part of the Crossings team. He manages the Crossings listserve. Apparently he also reads the stuff that gets posted. He and his wife Ellen are parents of our three oldest grandchildren.Peace & Joy! Ed Schroeder Database TheologyA few months ago, Bethel’s adult aducation class [@ Bethel Lutheran Church, St. …

Theology of Freedom, Part 3

Colleagues, Recapping: The starting point for Christian freedom is freedom with God: no more bondage, neither rebellion, nor servility nor despair in the God connection. God-connected in a brand new way–in freedom. What is that? Like being “born anew” in last Sunday’s Gospel (John 3). Freedom with God is not separation and “now out on my own.” That’s …

Theology of Freedom, Part 2

Colleagues, ThTh #346, posted three weeks ago, examined the “theology of freedom” in President Bush’s 2005 inaugural address. At the end of that posting came this: “For a look at the Gospel’s radically different freedom GO to an early ThTh posting, now archived on the website <www.crossings.org>. Click on Dec. 18, 1998. I hope to work from that …

A Lenten Devotional Booklet for 2005 on the Crossings Website

Colleagues, For Lent 2005–A Series of Devotions on the Crossings website. Crossings office manager Cathy Lessmann and Crossings website guru Tom Law hope it will be up and ready before Ash Wednesday. What is it? Actually a re-run of a print-medium piece from a few years ago published by Creative Communications for the Parish, the St. Louis-based …

Theology of Freedom in President Bush’s Inaugural Address 2005

Colleagues, Freedom was the mantra of President Bush’s Inaugural Address last week. Twenty times (20x) he used the word. Fifteen times (15x) he spoke of “liberty.” That’s what America is all about. Freedom “is the mission that created our nation.” “Now it is the . . . calling of our time . . . with the ultimate goal …

The ELCA Task Force report on Sexuality: Conscience-bound or Conscience-freed?

Colleagues, Last week the ELCA released its Report and Recommendations on the homosexuality issue. It is to be acted upon at this coming summer’s “churchwide” assembly. It addresses the ELCA’s “canon law,” the denomination’s rules and regulations, its operating procedures. It recommends that the ELCA stick with the canon law now in place (no blessing of same-sex …

Are Lutherans really “Strong on Justification,” but “Weak on Sanctification?”

Colleagues,One of you recently asked my opinion on the generally accepted wisdom that Lutherans are “Strong on Justification,” but “Weak on Sanctification.” You gave me a quotation attributed to a prominent voice for renewal in today’s LCMS: “A major weakness of traditional Lutheran theology has been providing people with guidelines and inspiration for spiritual growth. We are strong …