Robert Schmidt Introduction Religious nationalism is happening around the world. Netanyahu’s victory in Israel was dependent on a right-wing Jewish extremist party. In India, Modi stays in power with appeals to Hindu nationalists. In like manner, appeals to “Christian” values have impelled Orban of Hungary to authoritarian rule, and Putin enjoys support for war from…
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Dr. Robert Schmidt We live in troubled times. It is a constant refrain and introduction to what comes next. Few disagree. We grieve for those lost in the pandemic. We flinch as we learn more about climate change, conflict in the Middle East, wars in Africa, and Ukraine. Poverty condemns millions to live on barren…
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By Robert Schmidt* The nation was bitterly divided. On one side were the religious nationalists who wanted to make Israel great again. Realists were on the other side. They recognized that the future was in the hands of the Roman military which could enable and control world trade. Heightening the tension was the threat of…
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Rev. Eugene Brueggemann We live in a country and in a time when the religious word evangelical has been politicized. It is a term traditionally used to describe an expression of Protestantism which has thrived in this country practically from its beginnings. It emphasizes evangelism and a more or less literal reading of the Bible….
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Rev. Dr. Norman Metzler Emeritus Professor of Theology, Concordia University, Portland September 2021 The whole topic of eschatology, or the last things, has seen a renaissance within theology at least since the mid twentieth century, and continues to arise in recent theological reflections. The related issue of the extent of salvation and the possibility of…
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Rev. William Shimkus Editor’s Note: Rev. Shimkus graduated from Christ Seminary-Seminex in 1977. He has served parishes in Illinois, Washington, Idaho, Hawaii, and Oregon. In addition, he served 23 years as a chaplain in the Army Reserve, primarily in hospital ministry. He has also served on the board of Holden Village. In his retirement he…
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Rev. Dr. Steven Albertin Editor’s Note: The following sermon was proclaimed “live” on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (July 11, 2021), by Rev. Dr. Steven Albertin at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Seymour, Indiana. Dr. Albertin is a retired Lutheran pastor who lives in Zionsville, Indiana. The text on which the sermon is based is the…
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Editor’s Note: Pastor Richard Gahl was a longtime participant in Daystar. He was the author of “Diakonia” and “Listening,” which are available elsewhere in The Daystar Journal. A native of Chicago, Pr. Gahl attended Lutheran schools and graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1965. After serving as a pastor to LCMS congregations in Indiana…
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Robert Schmidt Several years ago, I attended a “Rethinking Forum” in Pune, India. It was about rethinking Christ’s mission to Hindus. Traditionally the Christian church did well among the Dalits, sometimes called the untouchables. These had little or no status in Hindu society and welcomed the Christian message. Connected with the Dalit congregations and coming…
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Rev. Joseph Hughes Editor’s Note: The following sermon was preached at Peace Lutheran Church, West Salem, Oregon, on Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2021. In addition to serving as the pastor of Peace, Rev. Hughes is the chaplain for the Fire District of Silverton, Oregon. My friends, When I read the Maundy Thursday Gospel my heart…
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