Editor notes
By Daniel J. Lehmann
Daring to tread in controversy
Certain topics fraught with risks T
hese are perilous times for religious publica- tions, given declining circulation and adver- tising. Controversial topics are often avoided,
but sometimes editors just can’t help themselves. We have two such cases in this issue.
Income and wealth distribution in the U.S. has bubbled up as a concern in
recent years, culminating strikingly in the 2013 “Wealth Inequality in Amer- ica” video that has drawn more than 15.5 million views (
www.youtube.com/ watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM). Most jarring: the top 1 percent of Americans own 40 percent of the nation’s wealth, with the bottom 80 percent owning 7 percent. Then came an Associated Press report (May 27) that the typical CEO of a top
500 U.S. company saw his/her annual income rise 9 percent last year to $10.46 million while workers’ wages rose 1.3 percent. “That CEO now earns 257 times the national average, up from a multiple of 181 in 2009,” the AP analysis said. The figures haven’t been widely challenged. Instead, the debate has centered
around whether wealth inequality is unfair. And what does it mean for a society to be unfair? So we asked three ELCA scholars to tackle the subject (page 16). The answers might come as a surprise as they don’t fall within certain politically popular narratives. The choice of cover art prompts conversation as well. The parable of Laza-
rus and the rich man is found only in Luke (16:19-31). For centuries most read the story literally, a cautionary tale of selfishness and consequences. Martin Luther saw it as a parable of the conscience, while others saw it as a tale about the Pharisees, etc. Spend time with different Bible commentaries to dissect this well-known text. Then there is Thrivent Financial. As a nonprofit, Thrivent donates to chari-
[T]he debate has centered around whether wealth in- equality is unfair. And what does it mean for a society to be unfair?
ties in lieu of paying income taxes, supporting congregations, schools and agen- cies, as well as nonreligious nonprofits as directed by eligible members. Last year, some raised objections over Thrivent charitable dollars reaching certain groups. Thrivent took an advisory vote in 2011 that broadened eligibility to organizations previously excluded, such as gay-supportive Reconciling Works and Extraordi- nary Lutheran Ministries, and anti-abortion/pro-life Lutherans for Life. Feedback prompted another review this year, with Thrivent adopting a policy
of neutrality that keeps funds from going directly to organizations or projects that focus on issues where significant disagreement exists among members— such as abortion and sexuality. (Unrestricted money going to congregations and its Thrivent members can be redirected to causes of their choice.) A few subscribers canceled subscriptions because The Lutheran continues a decades-old advertising partnership with Thrivent. Perilous times, indeed.
4
www.thelutheran.org
The Lutheran is the magazine of the ELCA
Subscriptions & customer service Subscription issues, address changes, billing questions: phone—(800) 328-4648 email—
subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org
Editorial offices: 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631
(800) 638-3522; (773) 380-2540 Fax: (773) 380-2409 Email:
lutheran@thelutheran.org Web:
www.thelutheran.org
The Lutheran is a member of the Associated Church Press
Editor Daniel J. Lehmann
lutheran.editor@thelutheran.org
Section editors Julie B. Sevig Congregations & Community
julie.sevig@
thelutheran.org Elizabeth Hunter Church & World
elizabeth.hunter@
thelutheran.org
Manager, editorial production Andrea Pohlmann Kulik
andrea.pohlmann@thelutheran.org
Manager, editorial art Michael D. Watson michael .
watson@thelutheran.org
Director, circulation/marketing Curtis Peterson
curtis.peterson@
thelutheran.org
Study guide editor Robert C. Blezard
rcblezard@hotmail.com
Senior administrative assistant Barbara A. Fletcher Advertising
barbara.fletcher@thelutheran.org advertising@thelutheran.org
The Lutheran is published monthly through Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440. (ISSN 0024-743X USPS 322080)
For display and classified advertising sales: (800) 638-3522 Ext. 2541;
advertising@thelutheran.org. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement.
Subscription rates: $19.95 a year; outside N. America add $9.20 for postage. Payable in U.S. funds. Send subscription requests to The Lutheran Circulation, % Augsburg Fortress, PO Box 1553, Minneapolis, MN 55440-8730. Or subscribe online:
www.thelutheran.org.
On tape: Customer Service, Box 1553, Minneapolis, MN 55440; (800) 328-4648.
On microfilm: National Archive Publishing Company (NAPC), 300 N. Zeeb Rd., PO Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998.
Copyright ©2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Duplication in whole or in part in any form is prohibited without written permission from the publishers. Printed in the U.S.A.
Nonprofit Periodicals Postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Lutheran, Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, PO Box 1553, Minneapolis MN 55440-8730.
The Lutheran magazine belongs to the people of the ELCA in all our diversity. The magazine: • Nurtures awareness of Christ’s presence in our lives and the world. • Shares stories of God’s people living their faith. • Connects us with the global Christian community. • Provides an open forum for discussion. • Challenges us to bring God’s grace and care to all.
MICHAEL D. WATSON
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52