The American Myth

Colleagues, Theology is suddenly up for discussion again in the old public square. By “old,” I mean the square as Richard John Neuhaus conceived it when he wrote his famous book about its nakedness. Since then a new square has been imagined and built under names like Facebook and Twitter, the public flocking there en masse to say …

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Epistle, Year A

SEEKING GOD’S WISDOM 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16] Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Analysis by Michael Hoy 1When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I came to …

What Does It Mean “To Follow Jesus”? Tips from Ed Schroeder

Colleagues, This coming Sunday’s Gospel will feature two of John the Baptist’s disciples hearing him identify Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” whereupon (as it will say), “they followed Jesus” (John 1:37). “Following Jesus” is something of a mantra in American Christian discourse these days, especially in so-called “evangelical” circles. Lutherans who lean in that direction are increasingly …