In the face of the current administration’s lies, chaos, selfishness, and cruelty, a political solution eludes us. The rapid rate of changes to government and its domestic and foreign policy is breathtaking. Yet, we believe that the Word of God can break through the deceit that calls into question the dedication of government employees, that…
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Norman Metzler New Creationist Eschatology, championed by the New Testament scholar N.T. Wright, addresses the substantive character of the end-time kingdom of God.[1] Wright asserts that this “new creation” will be a physical reality, very similar to our present physical creation. Since Wright is an extensively published and highly respected biblical theologian, his New Creationist…
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Norman Metzler A fundamental question that has dogged Christianity from its earliest beginnings is raised by “the scandal of particularity,” a term coined by the English missionary and theologian Lesslie Newbigin in his book, The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. [Eerdmans, 1989] Why would the almighty God of the universe reveal truth that is meant…
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Dr. Norman Metzler Professor Emeritus of Theology, Concordia University, Portland, OR A significant question regarding the last things and the kingdom of God is how we might best envision the relationship between time and eternity in a way that takes into account the scriptural evidence and plain reason. This question obviously presses us to the…
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Robert Schmidt Editor’s Note: Robert Schmidt has taught theology and political science at Concordia University in Portland. He has also taught homiletics in the Lutheran Seminary in Nigeria and in the Lay-Assistant Program of the Northwest District, LCMS. “Should I say something in my sermon?” The political issues and the religious values behind them are…
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Dr. Norman Metzler Emeritus Professor of Theology, Concordia University, Portland, Ore. Scripture uses various images to portray salvation. Lutherans have tended to emphasize the legal image of “justification” that was frequently used by St. Paul. There is also the economic image of “redemption,” or “ransom,” and the military picture of Christ as the victor over…
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Rev. Dr. Norman Metzler, professor emeritus of theology Traditional Christian theology believes that salvation as the gift of eternal life with God in his heavenly kingdom – the Gospel that Jesus proclaimed – is the hope of all Christians. It is always appropriate for Christians to reflect upon heaven as God’s destiny for his people,…
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Rev. Dr. Steven Albertin Luke 6:20-31 All Saints Sunday November 6, 2022 Pilgrim Lutheran Church Carmel, Indiana You are patiently waiting in a traffic jam. You know those long lines of traffic when the road narrows from two to one lane because of construction. Everyone is patiently taking their place in line. Then you see…
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Rev. Dr. Steven Albertin Luke 13:10-17 August 21, 2022 Pilgrim Lutheran Church Carmel, Indiana “Pastor, how many times to I HAVE TO go to church a year in order to remain a member?” “Pastor, how many services do I HAVE TO attend so that I can be confirmed?” “Pastor, how much money to I HAVE…
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Joel Nickel In November 2022 the Festival Chorale Oregon sang (once again after 40 years) Benjamin Britten’s “St. Nicolas,” a cantata dealing with the legends of Saint Nicolas, Bishop of Myra during the early years of the fourth century. The music was first performed in England in 1948. There seems to have been much historical…
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