Crossings Table Talk

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:


    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

    View a trailer for the Sept/Oct Table Talk

     

    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!



    November 28, 2023  (Tuesday at 1 PM Central)

    Matthew Becker will lead a Table Talk on The Rise of Atheism in North America.  We will use excerpts from his soon-to-be published book. (Details to follow.)

     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:



    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. 

    View a trailer for the July Table Talk



    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 VocationThis 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:

    1. David's announcement article about Low Anthropology
    2. Bruce Modahl's Thursday Theology's review of the book
    3. 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?

    Placeholder

     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




    Please also take a minute to read and/or listen to the sermon "Talk to My Lawyer"  by Steve Albertin.  It will be part of the discussion at this month's Table Talk.

    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

    We ask that you please read the attached sermon, "Having It All" before the session begins.  Steve hopes it will provide a concrete example of what can seem simply theoretical.

    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
     


    The Lively Use of the Risen Lord