Items included for this subject area 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.
Sexual Inactivity During Young Adulthood Is More Common Among U.S. Millennials and iGen: Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Having No Sexual Partners After Age 18 — Here is the study on diminished sexual interest among young adults that is receiving current attention. See for ex why-more-millennials-are-putting-off-sex in the Washington Post.
Special Feature: Symposium before the oral arguments in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Pauley: Scotus Blog has hosted a symposium of 7 essays on the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on this case of whether the state of Missouri must provide playground surfacing for a church preschool. From the Intro essay: “The two sides (and […]
After This, the Deluge: Alan Sears, CEO for Alliance Defending Freedom, offers this perspective on the preaching office, the sermon, and public issues in the pulpit. Students in the congregation and college can consider the office and role of the preached word, whether education should be located in the pulpit or the class, and what […]
Why Religious Employers Can Fire Trans People: Agree or disagree with the views of Atlantic religion writer, Emma Green, but the case she reviews is indicative of the confusion and conundrums about First Amendment rights that students and our society are currently enduring. “The district court rejected the argument about the dress code, but it accepted […]
When Learning Hurts: Some thoughts on safe and not-so-safe from a prof at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. “Educators often know the issues for which students need some additional preparation. In my classes, I often know some of the specific issues that students are dealing with, having early on assigned papers that ask them to describe and […]
Open Letter to the College Senior: Students and profs may find this point / counterpoint on perennialism and essentialism worth discussing. Dan Camacho, graduate of Calvin College, offers some thoughts about his former prof’s comments in the WSJ. See also Has Anyone Seen Last Year’s Promising Freshmen?
Essays From CSStL Multiethnic Symposium: In this post-Feguson, post-Dallas period, the symposium has shifted to ethnic representation and examining cultural presuppositions within the LCMS. Included are essays from Kou Seying, Bill Schumacher, Mason Okubo, and Leo Sanchez.
Meet the unelected bodies chipping away at religious freedom: SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) commissions and regulators continue to receive attention, pro and con. This World Mag article can be used as an intro for students. (See also Liberty and SOGI Laws: An Impossible and Unsustainable Compromise.”) A cursory search engine scan does’t immediately produce […]
A Madisonian Vision of Religious Liberty: (Note–one free download) This essay summarizes Madison’s understanding of religious liberty, with specific reference to religious toleration, natural rights of conscience, religious exemptions in law, and establishments of religion. The essay draws attention to points of agreement and disagreement between Madison and John Locke.
Christian physicians join the emerging transgender debate: Veteran religion reporter Richard Ostling offers this coverage on the “Transgender Identification Ethics Statement”issued by the Christian Medical and Dental Associations. The statement, approved at a CMDA conference April 21 but publicized only recently, urges doctors to treat these patients with understanding and grace. On the other hand, CMDA champions […]
