A Daily Lectionary for Lent
Dwelling in the Word of God on the way to the cross
The Advent of the Word
Reflecting on the advent(s) of Christ in a year of interruptions
ICYMI: Chanting Luke’s Passion
Every year now, for nearly 20 years, I have chanted one of the Synoptic passion narratives in our chapel service for the Monday of Holy Week. I have also received requests from pastors every year for a copy of my notation of the text, remembering it chanted when they were here as students. I’m always ..
He Came Down To Earth From Heaven
Welcome all wonders in one sight ! Eternity shut in a span! Summer in winter! Day in night! Heaven in earth! And God in man! Great little one, whose all-embracing birth Lifts earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to earth! (Richard Crashaw, Quem Vidistis Pastores) Adventus Domini: The coming of the Lord—it is the great theme ..
Social Media: Weaponizing the Tongue
A sermon on Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Good Beer is Likely a Mortal Sin
The following is from a “soapbox” talk at the Student Association’s “Prof n’ Stein,” a regular convivial gathering of students and professors for the sake of enjoyment, laughter, and theological levity. Corresponding to the Theological Symposium, Prof. Erik Herrmann was asked to give the soapbox on Martin Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation. September 18, 2018. Good beer is ..
Today … Paradise.
Even though our winter was mild this year, spring always seems delayed. The cold … a brief warming … cold again. It makes one ache for spring. But spring is finally here and I’m glad. The ground has warmed and the grass has greened. My family and I spent some time last week turning the soil ..
Erik Herrmann on making “Martin Luther”
Prof. Herrmann served as a historical consultant for the forthcoming movie “Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World.”
Winter Lay Bible Institute set for Feb. 4, 2017
One-day class with Prof. Erik Herrmann to examine the lasting impact of Martin Luther
Christmas Peace
As we near Christmas, I am struck by how old the world is, how little it has changed, in spite of our celebration that a new world was beginning in a manger in Bethlehem. The reports from the news of tragedy and turmoil throughout the world continue to shout down my “Christmas cheer.” Especially the images from ..
Book Blurbs: Erik Herrmann on editing Luther (Part 2/2)
Erik Herrmann discusses his new work editing Martin Luther’s “Babylonian Captivity of the Church.”
Book Blurbs: Erik Herrmann on editing Luther (Part 1/2)
Erik Herrmann discusses his new work editing Martin Luther’s “Babylonian Captivity of the Church.”
Proper 19 • Luke 15:1–10 • September 11, 2016
By Erik Herrmann Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” The parables of the “lost” in Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son—are perhaps the most well-known parables of ..
Law and Gospel: Not Just for Lutherans Anymore
Episcopalians in love with the distinction of Law and Gospel? Reformed theologians interested in Law and Gospel? Who knew?
Journey with Jesus: the Passion according to St. Luke
The threefold Gospel cycle of our lectionary gives us the opportunity to hear our Lord’s passion in a new voice each year. This year the voice is St. Luke’s. The passion of Luke is the longest of the synoptics and the voice of Jesus is heard more often as well. If one chants it in ..
Holy Trinity • Acts 2:14a, 22–36 • May 31, 2015
By Erik Herrmann The Christian confession of the Trinity is both sublime and difficult. Trying to grasp the distinction of the divine persons while maintaining the unity of the Godhead can feel like an abstraction that places God further away from us instead of drawing near. The distinctions are important as the language of the Athanasian Creed gives ..