Letters
Deeper understanding on prayers for sick Presiding bishop’s column hits high notes, but division on other articles
Lutheran Our
MARCH 2015
www.thelutheran.org $2.50
malaria moment
● ● ● ●
cover1-0315.indd 1
Story Page 16
Study
guide Page 23
12 Holocaust education 28 Advance directives 36 Returning to Honduras 40 Living among Roma ® 2/6/15 7:01 AM
Learn from history As usual, the March 2015 issue was very interesting. I especially appreci- ated the article about the Holocaust (page 12). I read Martin Luther’s anti- Semitic comments a couple of years ago and was disgusted by them. It was disturbing to learn in the magazine’s article that the Nazis quoted Luther when initiating the Holocaust. I have always wondered why most German Christians did not confront Adolf Hitler, except for a few like Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is reassuring to know that the ELCA condemned Luther’s comments in 1994. Kimber A. Wald Woodbine, Md.
The answer to the often-asked ques- tions about prayers for the sick (March, page 14) has to do with the meaning of prayer in the first place. Our prayers are not a request for God to intervene and miraculously heal a certain person (out of the millions who may be sick). When the disci- ples asked Jesus to feed the 5,000, he replied, “You feed them!” When we ask God to heal the sick, the answer is quite similar, “You heal them” (or make it possible for others to do so). This is what Courtney Wilder was suggesting when she wrote: “What is the purpose of our prayers for heal- ing? Not to expect miracles. God doesn’t usually intervene in human lives and transform us from the crea- tures that we are ....” Thanks for this practical discussion that leads to “Deeper understandings.” The Rev. M. Laurel Gray El Cajon, Calif.
48
www.thelutheran.org
Jesus was different too Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) per- sonnel bowed to the accusation that those who produced the campaign for “One Great Hour of Sharing” were culturally and socially insensi- tive (March, page 8). The campaign’s creators acted more like folks who put words to the Spirit’s inspiration. Recognition should be given to those who produced reports that first made readers laugh, and then made them think. Many folks in Jerusalem com- plained that Jesus was acting in cul- turally and socially insensitive ways too. Arthur Kappler Rohnert Park, Calif.
Faith, not works Oh that some of our do-good pas- tors would set aside their programs- programs zeal and read our presid- ing bishop’s “Subtle shift to works righteousness” column (March, page 50). It seems we have selected a solid
theologian to instruct and guide the leaders (and followers) of our beloved church, here with her finely written message of the just shall live by faith. The Rev. D.W. Vriesman Westminster, Colo.
Church, not party Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton’s March column well describes the problem for Lutherans and many North American Christians. Michael Horton in his book Christless Christi- anity calls the problem moral thera- peutic deism. I appreciate deeply the prophetic warning issued in the col- umn and applaud our bishop for her courage to name the dangers of the cultural right and left. I pray that we heed her challenge and be the church and not a political party with prayers. The Rev. Tony A. Metze Columbia, S.C.
A blessing When The Lutheran arrives, the first thing I now go to is the message from the presiding bishop. Her crisp and insightful writing is Christ-centered and so relevant to everyday life. Her Christmas message (December, page 50) was a real gem. I pray that she can lead a revitalization of the ELCA. Charles Sukup Sheffield, Iowa
Send “Letters” to: The Lutheran, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631;
lutheran@thelutheran.org. Include your name, city and state. All letters are subject to editing. Be brief and limit your letter to a single topic. Requests for anonymity will be considered but not guaranteed.
The
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