Items included on this page come from a variety of sources. The perspectives conveyed may or may not express a Lutheran ethos. They can serve our instruction as discussion-starters, examples (positive and negative), and illustrations of intersections between God’s two kingdoms, intersections sometimes characterized by tension, sometimes by congruence. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
From Word to image: Christian colleges expand visual art programs — Over the past decade, more than 85 Christian colleges and universities have added new degree programs in the arts, according to data from college associations. At least 10 have introduced new degrees specifically in visual arts since 2012. Some have also hired new visual arts […]
The changing nature of sacred spaces: While for the present time congregation-based religion is contracting, the desire for sacred or devoted space continues. Students can use this article and photo spread to consider the Reformation’s themes on incarnational theology and a biblical anthropology of space and location as well as our incorrigibly human inclination toward the transcendent […]
A new kind of sacred space on campus: Despite a drop in enthusiasm for organized religion among young people, many are still looking for avenues to spirituality that value dialogue, understanding, empathy and authenticity. The recently opened Snyder Sanctuary at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., is an architectural answer to facilitate this spiritual search, to help people of […]
Dr. Daniel Siedell presentation, “Who’s Afraid of Modern Art”: In this 45 min. video Art Historian Dan Siedell presents both a perspective on the modern art scene and engaging its content by applying key Reformation themes such as justified-and-sinful, vocation, and the two kingdoms. The presentation may suggest some ways for other academic disciplines to locate […]
In Judaism, Holiness Is as Holiness Does: The fire at the core of Leviticus — Students may find interesting Rabbi David Wolpe’s observations about Leviticus and Lutheran theologian Rudolph Otto on the numinous and the human condition. Leviticus would seem to lend itself to Otto’s approach. Not a rational or utilitarian pursuit, sacrifice required acknowledgment of […]
Christian Bakers, Gay Weddings, and a Question for the Supreme Court: This readable article provides a succinct and balanced summary of the small business issues of religious freedom and civil rights–mom-and-pop stores, artistic liberty, corporate regulation, and competing goods in the commonwealth. It can serve as an introduction to the court cases, arguments, and principles at […]
Anabaptist in America: This set of photographs portrays Anabaptist life in Lancaster, PA. The photos have no captions and invite students to an exploration of Menno Simons’ (1496-1561) reformation themes in the Low countries as well as Amish piety and the works of Swiss Anabaptist Jakob Ammann (b. 1644). Their understanding of the two kingdoms […]
Christian Women Writers of the Medieval World: Meet the first known dramatist of Christianity, the most famous female exegete of the nature of the Trinity, the author of the earliest known autobiography in English, and three more fascinating contributors to the life and mind of the medieval church. And Joan of Arc is not even mentioned! […]
Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life by Makato Fujimura (IVP, 2017) — In Culture Care, artist-author Fujimura issues a call to cultural stewardship, in which we become generative and feed our culture’s soul with beauty, creativity, and generosity. We serve others as cultural custodians of the future. This book on cultural stewardship is […]
Daily Life May Collide with Law: Why do so many religions care what believers wear? — Students can use this brief article from Richard Ostling to consider the many cultural textures about religion and the textiles we wear: sociology; rites, ceremonies, and liturgies; social psychology; anthropology; and neuroscience.
