Letters
God language column brings cheers, jeers Bishop, editor columns & economic inequality articles divide readers
Lutheran AUGUST 2014
www.thelutheran.org $2.50 for evangelism Advice Building through the years 28
Story Page 16
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Study guide Page 22
‘Home’ mission trip Sending moms to camp Two into one 24
Thoughtfulness in our “God lan- guage” (August, page 3) can be a gift and welcome method for pastoral care and counseling. The first time I felt moved to say “God, she … ” was at the bedside of a woman hospital- ized after domestic abuse. The life she described was from childhood, a saga of violence at the hands of males. Despair and anger hung in the air. Then prayer, naming God our Mother, came readily. The Spirit led us to evoke—as Peter W. Marty puts it in reference to both the Father and Mother God—“the best of parental love.” The Rev. Randina J. Cragg Golden Valley, Minn.
Enough already Marty’s article distracts from, rather than enriches, our worship of God. Why would it bother anyone to think of God in masculine terms? Is God ever referred to in the Bible as any- thing but “he”? We cannot make God over to fit our human terms because
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God is God. Traditional hymns in Evangelical Lutheran Worship have already been reworded to avoid mas- culine pronouns for God. Now this. Enough. Hildegard P. Lamparter Lititz, Pa.
In God’s image I enjoyed Marty’s column about God language. However, he never quoted what to me is the strongest argument for using inclusive language. Genesis 1:27: “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Since both males and females are created in God’s image we need to think and write about God in an inclusive manner. Arne Selbyg Edina, Minn.
Noting the positive Cheers to the editor and Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton (August, pages 4 and 50) for their positive approaches to current life in the ELCA. I hear nothing Pollyanna- ish in either piece. Rather, I hear an objective look at signs of life and a reminder to have high expectations of God’s power and promise. These are most timely, especially given the continuing litany of negatives across the landscape of global con- flicts, political gridlock and religious decline. May we who have ears listen and pay attention. Michael Anton Hastings, Mich.
Not the whole story The positive articles heed Martin Luther’s admonition to put the best
construction on any person or situa- tion. He also said, “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” What is not stated is that some bishops only nom- inate revisionist pastoral candidates to congregations. And how many members left congregations owing to the 2009 sexuality decisions when their pastors were agreeing or silent out of fear? Raymond J. Brown Londonderry, N.H.
Message on target Many thanks for the upbeat edito- rial in the August issue. I fully concur with your views and your “walk on the positive side.” The Lutheran con- tinues to be a superb avenue of com- munication for understanding the life and mission of our ELCA. Keep it going. The Rev. Jerry H. Miller Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Not buying it I am all for elevating people out of poverty (July, page 16). But I do not share your cheerleading enthusiasm that paints economic inequality as demonic injustice. Nor do I share your animosity toward the so-called “1 percent.” I thought the Bible was a staunch critic of envy. Oh, I forgot this is all Democratic Party talking- points. Carry on. The Rev. John R. Thompson Treasure Island, Fla.
Cover story hits home As a lifelong Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod member, I want to commend The Lutheran for the articles on economic inequality.
The
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