by William Carr Where Are You Resting? For exegetical details, see Lessing, Amos, Concordia Commentary (CPH, 2009), 388–409. His treatment of language-oriented matters, especially morphology and syn- tax—sorely lacking in most other commentaries—is important. Another decent choice is Andersen and Freedman, Amos, Anchor Bible 24A (Doubleday, 1989), 544–569. This commentary focuses on a possible poetic ..
by Tim Dost Introduction Preachers who take up this text take up a daunting task, especially if they wish to proclaim the gospel and not simply generate a diatribe based on the law. The paral- lels to our society are striking, but I suspect that in every time and place there are those who lie, ..
by Jonathan F. Grothe Editor’s Note: The following homiletical help is adapted from Concordia Journal, March 1984. Please note that the homiletical help covers only verses 11–16 in detail. Introductory remarks Chapters 33–48 of Ezekiel are dominated by the themes of restoration and renewal. But the corruption of the recent past is always in the picture, ..
King David, The King, Bono, and the cult of celebrity. Did the story arc of celebrity start with the biblical figure of David?
by Andy Bartelt Literary Context Moses is coming to the conclusion of a long “sermon” of encouragement to God’s people on the plains of Moab, of which chapters 5–28 is the major piece. It is also his “farewell discourse” of sorts as he prepares the people to enter the promised land without him, giving them ..
by Travis J. Scholl “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings to search things out” (v. 2). The opening verse of today’s reading from Proverbs bears the haunt of the deus absconditus, and the paradox of the hidden God and the human investigator. Yet, even the human mind is ..
An interview with Robert Fryling, author of “The Leadership Ellipse”
The artist He Qi explains the art that appears on the cover of The American Mind Meets the Mind of Christ, and its connection to the events of 9/11
The Summer 2010 CONCORDIA JOURNAL is on its way
I like the wide open spaces of the great plains, with the wavy hills and the big sky with its incredible cloudscapes. Perhaps it is because I don’t feel claustrophobic. Perhaps it is the size of place puts everything in perspective. This past Spring I traveled through Nebraska to see the SandHill Crane migration. Last summer it was Iowa (I was leading a workshop in West DesMoines). This summer it is Kansas (for a workshop in Colby)
A little over a year ago, I wrote here about the premiere of the short film “Ragman.” Now, with over 25 international film festivals on its cart, two awards and a finalist for a third, “Ragman” is finally available on DVD . The film, directed by local artist Dale Ward (I was the production designer), is a direct adaptation of the well-known parable by renowned writer Walter Wangerin . Simply, it is a subtle story of grace and transformation
By Kyle Castens The House Restored It looked like something no one gave much thought to anymore. It was old and worn, ugly, in fact. Yet, somehow, also beautiful, reflecting a former glory. Faded, splintered pieces of plywood replaced window panes. However, its form still stood brilliant. Tall and majestic, red brick with white trim. ..
By Travis J. Scholl The crux of this text is the ongoing conflict in Jeremiah between true and false prophets and Jeremiah’s own ongoing conflict with those whom he perceived to be false prophets in Israel’s midst. “They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord” (v. 16). Their word ..
By Robert W. Weise Inseparable Righteousness and Faith Introduction When someone promises you a special gift, you have faith in them and in their promised word. You believe them, regardless of the nature of the promise. Your faith in that person holds to that person and to the promise. This is unconditional, for you know ..
While at the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, a gentleman from Southern Illinois approached me after my presentation and asked, “why hasn’t the church taken the lead on issues regarding our responsibility for creation?” It is not the first time that someone has asked me that question. Their questions implied that the church should be at the forefront of advocating for the responsible care of creation. The instincts of these questioners are sound
So the story has been kind of buried with all the other news making the headlines, but it’s still worth talking about. With the retirement of John Paul Stevens and the impending confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, the Court faces the prospect of not having a Protestant justice for the first time in its history