Reader Questions
Lutherans and grace
Friday, September 10th, 2010I try to believe that grace is a fundamental teaching of the Lutheran faith. I have trouble with that at times. Any ideas?
Who Created God?
Friday, September 10th, 2010Who created God? —————— Just for the record, it’s not that I’ve been watching soaps for some time. I’ve been reading up on this question. That’s all the reader gave me. “Who created God?” At first blush, it could seem like a trip-up question, right, a “gotcha”–which isn’t to say that this is the intention [...]
Hunches, hopes, hints about grace
Thursday, July 29th, 2010Question: If we are saved by God’s grace and yet we continue to turn our back on God, i.e., we don’t practice our faith, we don’t pray, we don’t read God’s word, we continue to repeat the same sins over and over, etc. if we die are we saved or did we fall short of [...]
YWHW clearly means, um…I’ll get back to you…..
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010Question: In the Exodus rendition of God’s self-description, the syntax takes on expansive meanings: “I am who I am” could be “I will be what I will be” or “I am what I will be”. God continues in the passage to describe Himself in relationship to mankind as the “God of your fathers”, etc. It [...]
Is God just laughing at our expense?
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010Question: Why doesn’t God make things more evident, such as important life and death decisions, or directions to take in life or in ministry. I’m not saying that God would do so with miraculous signs or anything, but why not at some point in the process of trying to figure out the next best step, [...]
Does God Need Humanity?
Sunday, April 11th, 2010Question: Okay, Anna, you hooked me. 1) Why does mankind exist; in an otherwise previously perfect world? 2) An axiom of religious belief is that mankind needs God; does God also need mankind? How much? Have the needs changed over time? Response: Well. There’s one for you. Several actually. And if the number of books [...]
ELCA conversation about homosexuality
Friday, March 5th, 2010Question: Hi! was wondering if you had an opinion on the whole gay minister thing, particularly re: the editorial yesterday;03/03/2010 in the Argus Leader from Lutheran minister who equated the issue to the rebellion of Lucifer; wanting to place his throne above God’s throne. Thanks for the question! I do have an opinion. I actively [...]
Technology and Religion
Friday, March 5th, 2010Question: As we live an work in a society of technology how can we bring worship into this realm? Religion seems to be the one area in many people’s lives where there very little modernization in comparison to the rest of society. Google has brought the whole world to our finger tips. Can church as [...]
Does Paul care about and move us toward justice?
Friday, March 5th, 2010Question: A thought I gleaned from someone else: Remember for a moment the prophets, critiquing Israel’s priests: it’s not animals and blood upon the altar that God desires, it’s a broken and contrite heart, righteousness in our hearts and in our relationships. (Gross oversimplification, I know – but I think mostly accurate.) Fast-forward to Paul, [...]
Who should go forward for Communion?
Friday, March 5th, 2010Question: My sister-in-law grew up Bapist (she’s from GA). She didn’t receive communion with us during a visit to MN-she explained due to her thoughts, words, deeds. I told her that’s the best time to go and mentioned Eph 2:8-10. She came back to me with James 2:14-19. So what do I say to a [...]
