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.
Court Returns Again to Death Penalty and Intellectually Disabled: For a course unit or sub-unit on the death penalty issues, this discussion of recent and current Supreme Court decisions can help students survey the issues and arguments. The justices will further consider the legal definition of the mentally disabled exclusion and, in particular, how up-to-date the […]
Answering the biggest question of all: why is there something rather than nothing? — Students can get a start on Liebniz’ question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” with this brief essay. The author summarizes the usual responses from theism to multiple universes while leaving the question open.
I and Thou and Ze? — “What are your preferred pronouns?” My students say such things out of sensitivity to others. In the instances I’ve observed, it’s not a case of narcissistic identity politics gone mad, as some media pundits would have it. But the “identify as” wording does reflect a pervasive unease. We’ve lost our bearings […]
The Murder Ballad of Abraham and Isaac: For another angle on the Gen. 22 account, Rabbi Daniel Landes says this about the sacrifice of Isaac: “If you want an image for it, it’s very simple. You drive your child to the Jerusalem bus station, you put him on the bus to the army base and you […]
No Protestants on the Court: This essay considers whether and how the religious orientation of the Supreme Court justices may or may not influence the court’s use of the “compelling interest” test when adjudicating cases that involve religious liberty. Use of this and the other usual tests of “substantial burden” and “least restrictive” depend on […]
Are Religious Kids Meaner or Nicer? A Christian sociologist responds to two closely followed but contradictory studies and what they tell us about science. The contradictory studies raise larger questions about the role of research in understand the social world around us as well as the church. Flawed science like one of these study provides justification […]
The Surprising Theological Possibilities of Virtual Reality: “What has Silicon Valley to do with Jerusalem?” Why should Christians care about this new wave of technology, and what are we to think of it? How do Christians, who are both consumers and creators of culture, react to this new medium?
One-in-Five U.S. Adults Were Raised in Interfaith Homes: One-in-five U.S. adults were raised with a mixed religious background, according to a new Pew study. This includes about one-in-ten who say they were raised by two people, both of whom were religiously affiliated but with different religions. An additional 12% say they were raised by one person […]
What you need to know about Colorado’s new Aid in Dying law: Coloradans have passed Proposition 106 by a wide margin (2/3 majority), authorizing certain individuals to receive medical aid in dying if they meet several requirements. Here are some answers to questions about the process from the Denver Post.
The Great Good Thing: Andrew Klavan’s testimony — Among several interesting conversion testimonies in the past few years is a new book by a secular Jew, now baptized. This review provides access to and background on the book and the author’s story. Students may find it helpful in their generation of secular rationalism and its alternatives.
