A Church that wrestles with the questions

From my Eastern Synod Witness/Evangelism Blog:

REACH INWARD-OUTWARD TO THOSE WHO HAVE QUESTIONS

• As Lutherans we are the “teaching” church, as we began with a campus pastor and teacher (university/seminary) in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther. We are a church where we wrestle with the questions  of faith. John Dominic Crossan is a n excellent source for those who wish to wrestle with the questions. He’s written many books, and one of his latest can be of great help: “How the Read the Bible and Still be a Christian.”

  

  For those already in the door, and those we invite inside, Crossan is a great resource. He challenges are held beliefs while still showing a way to still count yourself as a faithful Christian.

  http://www.johndominiccrossan.com/
  markvanhouse
  June 20, 2016

Unconventional Lutherans

Feminist Lutheran Kara Johnston recently posted on Face Book about ELCA Lutheran Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber, who serves in my former Synod (Rocky Mountain Synod):
"Singing in the midst of evil is what it means to be disciples.
Like Mary Magdalene, the reason we can stand and weep and listen for Jesus is because we, like Mary, are bearers of resurrection, we are made new. On the third day, Jesus rose again, and we do not need to be afraid. To sing to God amidst sorrow is to defiantly proclaim, like Mary Magdalene did to the apostles....that death is not the final word. once again, that a light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot, will not, shall not overcome it. And so, evil be damned, because even as we go to the grave, still we make our song alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia." Nadia Bolz-Weber from her book, Pastrix; the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

Pastor Nadia’s ministry in Denver has been ground breaking and unorthodox. She's reached the 20 - 40 somethings, the over 60's, poor and rich in the tradition of the emerging church. She's spoken to 10's of thousands of Lutheran youth in the ELCA. Nadia doesn't look and sound like most pastors (my Lutheran tattoos are temporary), but through her "course" language she speaks the Good News, an unlikely pastor to an unlikely people (outsiders and insiders).

We say we want to and will reach out to the outsiders and strangers. Nadia has done just that. I recommend we consider some of the lessons learned by Pastor Nadia and think how we might apply ourselves to welcome and invite those who are different, those who are not in most of our congregations, the 20's to 40's somethings, the outsiders, the least of these,the sinners and saints, etc. Check out one of her New York Times Bestselling Books - from 2013 "Pastrix: the Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint"  (Warning - Explicit Language Content) or her 2015 "Accidental Saints, Finding God in All the Wrong People."

You can view her on YouTube and also check out her website: http://www.nadiabolzweber.com/

Where are the Lutheran Feminists & Theologians?

The past 2 1/2 years, since my last post here, I've concentrated on Face Book, e-mails and on rare occasion Twitter to speak on topics related to Lutheran Feminist Theology.
There are Lutheran Feminists blogging such as Caryn D. Riswold  http://www.patheos.com/blogs/carynriswold/

In Mary J. Streufert's 2010 book "Transformative Lutheran Theologies, Feminist, Womanist and Mujerista Perspectives (Fortress Press), contributors to various chapters include prof. Riswold, prof. Alicia Vargas (PLTS), prof. Marit Trelstad (PLU), Beverly Wallace - Shaw Divinity School, prof. Deanna A. Thompson among others.

There is also the annual meeting of the Lutheran Women in Theological and religious Studies, which includes some of those named above and others who gather. The November 2015 meeting included topics such as "Setting the Context: A Vision for Public Engagement"  - Caryn D. Riswold, Being Lutheran and Coming Out Feminist on the Other Side of the Gutenberg Parenthesis, and a panel discussion including Beverly Wallace and Deanna Thompson.

The Lutheran Feminists are out there, teaching, writing and lecturing.
Feminist Lutheran pastors are preaching and teaching in the local context.

I've started blogging again so I'll post in the coming weeks and months.

That's the Word.
Micah 6:8