Finding Christmas in an incomplete sentence
The current liturgical church year is a year to read the Gospel of Mark. But what are we to do at Christmastime with the only gospel that says nothing about the nativity?
In memoriam: Vaclav Havel
A second prolific writer and public intellectual has died in the space of a few days. But their lives couldn’t have been more different
The 4.74 degrees of separation between you and me
So, apparently, the six degrees that used to separate you and me has shrunk. The number of people separating anyone from anyone else in the world is now 4.74
The Bible as literature: how a book transforms time and space
In preparing for a class on “The Bible as Literature,” I discovered again how time and space are transformed by one written word
The fall of Joe Paterno
Minute by minute, the details of the sexual abuse scandal at Penn State University are becoming more appalling, despicable, and sad. Among other things, Joe Paterno gives us a textbook definition of t
Fall 2011 CONCORDIA JOURNAL sneak peek
Highlights from the Fall 2011 issue of CONCORDIA JOURNAL, due out in early November
Hearing Robert Putnam on the puzzle of American religion
Last night, Robert Putnam, America’s foremost social scientist, spoke at Wash U about his latest research into the “puzzle” of American religion. Could there perhaps be a paradox at the heart of the p
A time to celebrate 400 years of the King James Bible
The King James Bible is an unparalleled work of English literature. It’s high time to celebrate its anniversary
C.F.W. Walther turns 200 today, and this is why you should know who he is
Many American Lutheran Christians will be marking the 200th birthday of one C. F. W
Stanley Hauerwas and the story of disability
Last night, Stanley Hauerwas spoke at Fontbonne University, as part of its Carondelet Lecture Series. His lecture was entitled “Disability: An Attempt to Think With.”
Who was invited to the Dragon King’s wedding?
Turns out the United Kingdom isn’t the only country that can turn out elaborate fairy-tale royal weddings
Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee’s story of faith
This morning the Nobel committee announced that Leymah Gbowee, along with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Tawakul Karman, are the recipients of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. But to know the whole story, hear
New evening seminar on religion and politics at Concordia Seminary
Just in time for the campaign season, Concordia Seminary will host its latest Lay Bible Institute (an evening seminar program) on the intricate maze that is religion and politics. Led by Prof. Joel Biermann..
Why this night was different from all other nights in baseball history
Not only did I stay up last night to see the Home Team’s sweet victory. Not only did I stay up to see the Phillies pull off the improbable extra-inning win to put the Home Team into the playoffs
Why this night was different from all other nights in baseball history
Not only did I stay up last night to see the Home Team’s sweet victory. Not only did I stay up to see the Phillies pull off the improbable extra-inning win to put the Home Team into the playoffs
Special Bach concert upcoming in memory of Robert Bergt
A special concert in memory of Robert Bergt, the renowned conductor and music director of Bach at the Sem, will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 3:00 p.m