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Letters to the editor


Magazine informative, challenging ‘My view’ draws split views, theology articles hit and miss


SEPTEMBER 2013 • www.thelutheran.org • $2.50 ®


ELCA assembly: ‘Made new’


Eaton elected presiding bishop 22


Justice statement gets record ‘yes’ 24


First ever funding campaign approved 26


I’ve been a subscriber to The Lutheran for several years. I thoroughly enjoy the publication and read it cover to cover. In the August issue alone, there were interesting articles about the begin- nings and future of the ELCA (page 20) and Lutheranism in Central Asia (page 34—I had no idea). I always find the magazine to be informative, insight- ful and challenging. Those Christians (not just Lutherans) who don’t read The Lutheran don’t know what they are missing. I’ve heard of other denomina- tions’ publications being discontinued due to the lack of funding. That’s very shortsighted. I hope there is never a decision to shut it down. In the mean- time, I will continue to subscribe to it


and encourage others to do so. Michael Pritchett O’Fallon, Ill.


Got it backward After reading “Looking back, leaning forward” in the August issue, isn’t the Christian church’s purpose to lead sec-


ular culture, not the reverse? Douglas Wessell La Quinta, Calif.


Beg to differ Thank you for Amalia Vagts’ “My view” (August, page 49). But I dis- agree with her on one point. I always understood the Q in LGBTQ stood for “Questioning” not “Queer” as she wrote. To many in the LGBTQ com- munity, queer is a pejorative term, while questioning refers to young (or old) people who still have not discov- ered their true sexuality. Again, thanks for the article and I hope you will con- tinue to air controversial subjects in


our magazine. Eloise Joppa Brush, Colo.


Enough already The “My view” in the August issue was extremely disturbing. Although only her view, it seems more and more of that view is seeping into the magazine. Does not anyone read their Bible any-


more? May God have mercy. Norma Fristad Letcher, S.D.


Like to read more “The Christian God isn’t almighty in the magical sense and never was.” Thanks for this and the entire “Deeper understandings” by Lisa Dahil l (August, page 18). I’d welcome a follow-up piece by her on how our Christian God is portrayed in Sunday school material. My Sunday school teachers and our lessons in the 1930s and ’40s may not be faulted for know- ing nothing about how German theolo- gian Dietrich Bonhoeffer struggled to confess the Christian faith. How about


now? Richard E. Olson Edgartown, Mass.


Rapture is real


Christians are not to fear Jesus com- ing back, but rejoice. The fears Bar- bara Rossing mentions (June, page 18) should be for nonbelievers as they will be left behind to deal with the tribula- tion period. The theology of the rapture was spoken about by Paul in 1 Corin- thians 15:51-52 and in Hebrews 9:28. How can she say that people desire to experience the Bible coming to life but imply that is not so? The Bible’s mes- sage is real and it does tell us of things to come. You have to be willing to read, listen and believe what the Bible is tell- ing you. I do believe in the rapture and


feel sorry for her that she doesn’t. Rosalyn Scherf Hollywood, Fla.


It’s God’s creation I am disappointed that the church has become involved in the political process of attempting to control the Earth’s climate (July, page 20). Car- bon credits are now being traded. We as the consumer will pay the cost of this experiment. Yes, there is climate change. This has been happening since the beginning of time. The Bible speaks of the Great Flood and scien- tists of an Ice Age. As a retired farmer, I’ve been fortunate to live close to nature and have observed what God has created and continues to provide for us humans. My wife and I have attempted to preserve our land for the next generations. I’m disappointed that our religious and political leaders are informing the youth and adults that we humans have the ability to change our climate. God bless America and


Earth. Ernest Kroeger Hartford, S.D.


48 The Lutheran • www.thelutheran.org


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