Letters to the editor
For unity, look to fonts and chalices Losses, Palestine, evolution, chaplaincy, Bible and theology stoke responses
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OCTOBER 2011
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Lutheran authors
11 share how work
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Chilstrom by the book 12 Developing godparents 14 Prayer changes us 16 Live into future together 30 Handling staff retirements 34
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Lutheran opinion does not alter the evidence supporting [evolution].
lies severely struck our stewardship goals. We went from black to red, and 2009 played a pivotal role in that. We have chosen to remain with the ELCA. Luckily for us, the controversy that has caused such turbulence has subsided. Yet we have not been able to replace the emptiness in the pews and the stew- ardship contributions of those families that left. The Lutheran’s Twitter feed recently noted: “Resources strong in spite of congregation withdrawals” based on the report of the ELCA secre- tary. Given the focus on “bearing each other’s burdens” that was a catchphrase in 2009, I’m wondering what the ELCA has done, is doing or will do for congre-
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Somewhere between “A God bent on relationship” (September, page 3) and “Unity: Will we ever find it?” (page 49) a message has been lost. I understand and lament with Steven L. Beumer over the brokenness of the church, yet I think it’s a question that has been answered by the God described in Peter W. Mar- ty’s article. We may never experience true harmony in an eternal chorus of kumbaya with each other, but we have already been given the gift of unity and simply need to look in our fonts and
chalices whenever we think otherwise. The Rev. Mark T. Peterson Brockton, Mass.
Lingering effects The 2009 Churchwide Assembly and its controversies may be history for some, but for my congregation the effects still linger. Being a relatively small congre- gation, our loss of four or five fami-
72 The Lutheran •
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gations in a similar position to ours. Curtis Lanoue Miami, Fla.
Error of omission “Investment for positive change in Pal- estine” (September, page 27) summa- rized the very balanced action taken by the Churchwide Assembly that mem- bers can be proud of. While mentioning the encouragement to “seek a deeper understanding of the conflict” and make “positive economic investments” in Palestine, the summary omitted equally important points such as the rejection of divestment and listening to the “per-
spectives of other faith communities.” The Rev. Karl-John N. Stone Mifflinburg, Pa.
Scientific note A note on the assembly was a disap- pointment. “An amendment endorsing evolution failed …” (page 24). The con- text in which it was offered is not clear, but the scientific foundation for evolu- tion has been established for more than a century. Lutheran opinion does not alter
the evidence supporting it. Maybe the ELCA could benefit from some empha- sis on understanding sound science. A
nice task for The Lutheran to tackle. David J. Roslien Decorah, Iowa
Action lamented
Is it Christian to hurt third parties? After reading about the Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod ending military chap- lain training with the ELCA (Septem- ber, page 10), that was how I felt. It is time for religious groups to do God’s work and quit being “it’s my way or the highway.” God put us on earth to help one another, it’s time that we did so. God
will be the judge when heaven opens up. Charles Parker Durham, N.C.
About time I opened the September issue and turned to Peter W. Marty’s article (page 3) because it is always so thoughtful and sound. What caught my eye was the instruction “Read Genesis 3:1-9.” Then I turned the page and read about the change of focus in Marty’s column and the material to come from Lutheran theologians (page 18). Finally, The Lutheran is going to present some- thing solid and something biblical. I am thrilled. For a church that has been her- alding the Bible as a “Book of Faith,” The Lutheran has been woefully lack- ing in getting its readers into the book. For a church that has a strong confes- sional heritage, The Lutheran has been woefully lacking in getting its readers into confessional statements, theology or doctrine. Now it is trying to do both.
Congratulations and thank you. The Rev. Donald E. Zelle Beaver Dam, Wis.
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