Do you like to get together and talk theology?
If you get excited about the Gospel, you should join us!
We get together once a month and discuss an essay from our Crossings library. There will be a different discussion leader for each session for the sake of variety and emphases.
These talks are free and we hope you will join us, but you MUST pre-register via email with Cathy Lessmann. After registering, you will receive an invitation to join our Zoom-based Crossings Table Talk.
Upcoming Sessions:
April 30, 2024 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Jerry Burce will lead the Table Talk in April. The topic will be:
"Seminex’s Legacy in 2024: An Assortment of Reflections."
There will also be a time for open discussion.
May 21, 2024 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Two Kingdoms and the Mission of the Church
led by Rev. Dr. Gary Simpson
June 25, 2024 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Law and Gospel are both Grace: God's Double Reign
led by Rev. Dr. Patrick Keifert
Readings: Seminex booklet chapters 6 & 7. Article 3 of Smalcald Article
We are thrilled to be able to connect, talk theology with you, and share in the hope of the Gospel. As you are aware, these events are free to you.
With your generous donations, we are able to offset the costs of these events and will be able to offer more opportunities for discussion and learning in the future. Thank you for your involvement in Crossings and your support in our mission!
Sign up… Spread the news... See you soon!
Previous Table Talks:
March 19, 2024 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Paul Jaster will lead March's Table Talk on his 6-series Thursday Theologies called "A Crossings Guide to Apology IV.
View a trailer for the March Table Talk
January 23, 2024 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
and
Febraury 20, 2024 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Seminex: Its Impact and Significance
Join a panel of alumni and friends discuss the lasting impact Seminex made on their lives and the life of the Church. Suggested Reading: "Seminex Remembered" by Edward Schroeder, edited by Michael Hoy. This is free 62-page booklet was recently published and is available upon request. Request your copy here.
For additional reading on Seminex, please note especially the following articles from our Crossings library:
Seminex Exile – Love It. Don’t Leave It
An excellent essay by Ed Schroeder on the meaning of exilic theology
The WORD for New Orleans
Bob Bertram’s brief 9-point word of warning and hope written in 1973, the year prior to Seminex
Missouri Synod/Seminex/Bethel Church in Crisis (Part 1)
Missouri Synod/Seminex/Bethel Church in Crisis (Part 2)
Art Beckman’s reflections on what all happened at Bethel Lutheran Church during the mid-1970s – how the LCMS/Seminex controversy impacted the congregation where many of the Seminex faculty worshipped
December 12, 2023 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
For December, we are moving our schedule up to December 12 - to help you prepare for Christmas week. We are calling it Christmas Sermon Potluck, to be led by Steve Albertin. We want to involve EVERY ONE of you, so ask you to please bring your own Christmas-sermon ideas to share.
To wit, what has worked for you in the past that you can share with the rest of us? To get us started, we are posting a few sermons.
"A Little Dirt for Christmas." by Steve Albertin
"Luke’s Operetta: Scene 5—2001 Version" by Fred Niedner
"Fighting the Good Fight with Jesus by our Side" by James Squire
"It is what it is" by Paul Otterstein
"Joy and the Christmas Burglar" by Jerome Burce
"Lighten our Darkness" (Text Study for Luke 2:1-20) by Michael Hoy
"Future Market for Advent" by Ed Schroeder
"A Different Movie" (audio recording) by Matt Metevelis
November 28, 2023 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
We are pleased to have Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker (Professor of Theology at Valparaiso University) lead us in a discussion related to The Rise of Atheism in North America - although, as Matt comments in the trailer below, many people don't really know what they mean when they call themselves atheists!
The reading for this discussion is a chapter from Matt's new book, Fundamental Theology, 2nd ed. (Bloomsbury/T&T Clark, 2024). As Matt explained to Crossings, this second edition is quite different from the first, not least because it includes three new chapters, including the one on atheism. Because of publication restrictions, however, we are unable to post the chapter on our website. Nevertheless, if you plan to join the session, please write to Cathy, and she will email you a confidential copy. And thanks for being understanding.
September 26th and October 31, 2023
(Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Rev. Robin Lütjohann is speaking on September 26th and October 31st on
What Elert can Teach the Church Today
Robin has picked Ed's article "Think Gospel, Preach Christ!" Lessons from Elert for Today's Church to discuss. It was posted over a 3-week period. You can read the entire article here:
Robin is pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Cambridge MA. He also co- teaches Lutheran Confessions at nearby Harvard Divinity School and was a feature speaker at our past January conference. Robin is bilingual, so he leads worship and teaches in both German and English. We are excited to have him for 2 sessions!
July 25, 2023 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Dr. Fred Niedner will be discussing his article, Proclaiming the Sweet Swap's Gift of Metanoia; How preaching can serve the church's continual practice of shedding the false stories in and by which we live, and inhabiting Christ's story instead.
June 20, 2023 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
Rev. Matthew Metevelis will be discussing his article "Where the Kingdoms are Held Together": Free Institutions and the American Church's Political Vocation. This article was first published in Word and World, Vol 43 #2, Spring 2023. Shared with permission.
You might also want to read Matthew's Pentecost Text Study (on the Acts reading). Additionally read our recent Thursday Theology, an uncovered gem by Bob Bertram explaining our Crossings 6-steps, called "From Three to Four and Not Before."
April 24, 2023 (Monday at 1 PM Central)
“A Law-Gospel Approach to Influencing Our Children’s Faith”
A Midsummer Reflection on Parenting, by Carol Braun
Discussion Leader: The Rev. Lori Cornell
A question to consider: How would you, as a parent, explain to your young child—in good law-gospel terms—why you are so careful about your child’s safety at the ocean?
May 23, 2023 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
David Zahl, theologian and author, will be discussing his latest book, Low Anthropology. David is also the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the popular Mockingbird website, and cohost of The Mockingcast.
You can find his book on Amazon or through Baker Publishing Group. Our suggested readings for this month (if you can't finish the book in time!) are:
- David's announcement article about Low Anthropology
- Bruce Modahl's Thursday Theology's review of the book
- Chad Bird's review of the book from 1517.org
View a trailer for the May Table Talk
A Midsummer Reflection On Parenting
March 28, 2023 (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)
"Proclaiming and Receiving Christ in Liturgical Worship"
Discussion Leader: The Rev Brian Stoffregen
Proclaiming and Receiving Christ in Liturgical Worship
February 28, 2023 (Tuesday at 1 PM CST)
"Telling Time, or Whose Millenium is it Anyway?"
by Robert Bertram
Discussion Leader: Steve Albertin
Telling Time, or Whose Millenium is it Anyway? -Part 1
Telling Time, or Whose Millenium is it Anyway? -Part 2
December 13, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CST)
"How I Finally Got Advent"
by The Rev Dr Jerome Burce
Discussion Leader: The Rev Dr Jerome Burce
November 15, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CST)
"In Praise of Thanks"
by The Rev. Dr. Marcus Felde
Discussion Leader: The Rev. Dr. Marcus Felde
In Praise of Thanks
October 18, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
"How the Distinction of Law and Gospel Shapes My Preaching"
by Fred Niedner
Discussion Leader: Fred Niedner
How the Distinction of Law and Gospel Shapes My Preaching
September 27, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
Robert Bertram’s Dissertation: Chapter 11; The Human Subject as the Object of Theology: Luther by Way of Barth
by Robert Bertram
Discussion Leader: Matthew Becker
July 19, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
"Death and 'the Divided I': Law, Gospel and the Reality of Death"
The Theology of Helmut Thielicke by Edward Schroeder
Death and the "Divided I": The Law and Gospel of Dying by Matt Metevelis
Discussion Leader: Matthew Metevelis
June 21, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
Robert Bertram’s Dissertation: Chapter 10; The Human Subject as the Object of Theology: Luther by Way of Barth
by Robert Bertram
Discussion Leader: Matthew Becker
May 24, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
'From "Tappert" to "TroBoc" Sola Fide' by Robert Bertram
Discussion Leader: The Rev Dr Kurt Hendel
From "Tappert" to "TroBoc" Sola Fide
April 26, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
"Third Use of the Law - One More Time" by Edward Schroeder
"A Third Use of the Law? Does the Formula Say That? Does the Notion Make Sense?" by Edward Schroeder
Discussion Leader: Martin Lohrmann
Third Use of the Law - One More Time
A Third Use of the Law? Does the Formula Say That? Does the Notion Make Sense?
March 29, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
"Reformation Resources: Law/Promise Hermeneutics & the Godly Secularity of Sex" by Edward Schroeder
Discussion Leader: Rev Lori Cornell
February 22, 2022 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
“Confessional Allegiance and Historical Method: Conflicting Accountabilities?" by Robert W Bertram
“Informal Remarks on the Historicity of Adam" by Robert W Bertram
Discussion Leader: Rev Dr Arthur (Chris) Repp
Confessional Allegiance and Historical Method: Conflicting Accountabilities?
Informal Remarks on the Historicity of Adam
December 14, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
“Let’s Roll!” The Mission of Christ the Insurgent, A.D. 2010" by Jerome Burce.
Discussion Leader: Rev. Dr. Jerome Burce
Let’s Roll!” The Mission of Christ the Insurgent, A.D. 2010 - Part 1
Let’s Roll!” The Mission of Christ the Insurgent, A.D. 2010 - Part 2
November 16, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
“Confessing the Faith" by Robert Bertram.
Discussion Leader: Rev. Dr. Michael Hoy
Confessing the Faith of the Church
October 26, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
“Freedom Under Law" by Robert Bertram.
Discussion Leaders: Rev. Dr. Steven Kuhl
Freedom Under Law
September 28, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
“Funeral Fails and Grace: How I Learned to Stop Celebrating Life and Preach the Gospel" by Rev. Matthew Metevelis.
The second reading is: "Memento Mori" (Thursday Theology June 28, 2007) by Edward Schroeder. Ed includes a Memorial Funeral "The Last Passage" preached by Fred Niedner.
Discussion Leaders: Rev. Matthew Metevelis and Rev. Dr. Fred Niedner
Funeral Fails and Grace: How I Learned to Stop Celebrating Life and Preach the Gospel
Memento Mori (Thursday Theology June 28, 2007)
Homily for Thomas A. Droege Memorial Service
July 27, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
"Preaching the Prognosis: Keeping the Gospel in Good Works" by Steve Hitchcock.
Discussion Leaders: Steve Hitchcock, Rev. Candice Wassell and Rev. Dr. Bruce Modahl
Why is the Gospel not Preached? A Note to a Friend
Preaching the Prognosis: Keeping the Gospel in Good Works
June 22, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
"It can't be all that bad: Why God's Deadly Diagnosis of our Human Condition Matters" by Steven E. Albertin.
Discussion Leader: Steve Albertin and Lori Cornell
It Can’t Be All That Bad: Why God’s Deadly Diagnosis Of Our Human Condition Matters
Talk to My Lawyer
May 18, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
"How our Sins were Christ's" by Robert Bertram.
Discussion Leader: Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker
How our Sins were Christ's
April 20, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
“The Homiletical Bind: Preaching Law and Gospel in the Congregation” by Rev. Dr. Steven E. Albertin
Discussion Leader: Rev. Dr. Steven E. Albertin
The Homiletical Bind: Preaching Law and Gospel in the Congregation
March 23, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CDT)
“Is There a Lutheran Hermeneutics?” by Edward H. Schroeder
Discussion Leader: Rev. Dr. Bruce Modahl
Is There a Lutheran Hermeneutics?
February 23, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CST)
“Ethical Implications of Military Leadership” by Robert W. Bertram
Discussion Leader: Steven Kuhl
Ethical Implications of Military Leadership
January 26th, 2021 (Tuesday at 1 PM CST)
“The Orders of Creation—Some Reflections on the History and Place of the Term in Systematic Theology”
by Edward Schroeder
Discussion Leader: Dr. Kathryn Kleinhans
The Orders of Creation - Part 1
The Orders of Creation - Part 2
The Orders of Creation - Part 3
December 8th, 2020 (Tuesday at 1 PM CST)
“The Hermeneutical Significance of Apology IV” by Robert W. Bertram
Discussion Leader: Steven Kuhl
The Hermeneutical Significance of Apology IV
November 10, 2020, at 1 PM CST
The Miller Lectures: “Luther and the Liberation of the Laity: Part I: The Liberation They Enjoy”
and
“Part II: The Freedom They Employ” by Edward Schroeder
Discussion leader: Fred Niedner
Luther and the Liberation of the Laity: Part I: The Liberation They Enjoy
Luther and the Liberation of the Laity: Part II: The Freedom They Employ
October 6, 2020, at 1 PM CST
“The Lively Use of the Risen Lord” by Robert W. Bertram
Discussion Leader: Steve Albertin
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