Letters


Live the word I have been challenged and enlightened by the monthly messages of our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton. The August 2016 issue (page 50) published her thoughts on the Lutheran “proclivity for paradox,” which really excited me with a fresh portrait of what it means to be a Lutheran today. Gone are the days of solas—Scripture alone, faith alone, Christ alone. Today’s Lutherans live the word and—“law and gospel, saint and sinner, free and bound.” It is a more balanced view of what it means to be a Lutheran Christian—a view tested by 500 years of living Reformation history. Thank you,


Bishop Eaton, for this valuable insight! Richard Kaeske Deerfield, IL


All God’s children I really liked the article by Joshua Jerome, “I’m a Lutheran” (August, page 12). I would like to see more articles on the accomplishments of people who have physical or mental disabilities. I worked in special education for 25 years, and I was amazed at what some of these young people can do. Joshua is right in wanting to eliminate the word “retards” when referring to people with disabilities. Always remember, you are a child of God and he loves you and so do many others! Thank you, Joshua, and


God bless you! Marjorie Newman Roswell, N.M.


Inference is not enough Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton has an excellent article on what it means to be Lutheran (July 2016, page 50): “What is distinctive ... [is] our understanding of the gospel.” This is good. So an article in each issue of Living Lutheran that explicates our understanding of the gospel will be helpful. From the current articles we can infer what is distinctive, but


inference is not enough for all of us. The Rev. Robert G. Wollenburg New York, N.Y.


A voice for our whole church I’m writing to you with a divided heart. I was excited to see you feature an article from Krista Webb about millennial-aged pastors utilizing technology combined with our Lutheran theological heritage to “expand the view of Lutheranism” (July, page 32). As a fellow millennial pastor, this was heartening to me as I endeavor to do the same in my ministry. I was then saddened to see that all three of these young pastors where white men. Truly, I understand that there are many gifted European-American pastors, both male and female, in our church, but to see an all-white, all-male panel on such a pertinent issue that many pastors and rostered leaders of color could also speak to felt to me like we were missing out on the gifts of a limb of the body of Christ. I would like your publication, as a voice for our whole church, to bring the full expression of our denomination to life for folks who might not otherwise encounter it except from


Living Lutheran. The Rev. Bre Roberts Albuquerque, N.M.


Question of statement I was puzzled at statements in “5 Facts about Tubman’s Faith,” from the June Living Lutheran (page 11) that Harriet Tubman is “the first unabashed Christian to be portrayed on a bill.” From what I know about Woodrow Wilson ($10,000 bill) and John Quincy Adams (formerly on $500 bill), I would consider both to have been unabashed Christians. I am not questioning either Tubman’s faith, or the decision to put her on a bill, but I must question the


accuracy of the statement. Fred H. Hait Carlisle, Pa.


For additional “Letters” visit LivingLutheran.org. Submit a letter to LivingLutheran@elca.org. Include your name, city and state. All letters are subject to editing.


On the cover


Mural in Amsterdam spray-painted by Andreas von Chrzanowski, aka Case, for the 2013 Stick Together street art event. Image licensed from StreetArtNews.


Looking for stories from this issue on LivingLutheran.org? Articles from the print issue (as well as other new content) are uploaded daily to the site throughout the month.


6 OCTOBER 2016


Living 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.


VOICES OF FAITH


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