Is it possible? Is there a political cause everyone can feel good about supporting? As we enter into the final stages of this political season, one thing is clear: there is much confusion and much controversy regarding most political issues. There is, however, one issue that stands out in contrast --- one issue that enjoys broad bipartisan support. That unifying issue is greater parental choice in education ..read more

     As is obvious from the change in title – no longer the “2024 Lutheran Voter Guide” but rather the “2024 Citizenship Guide” – this election year we have chosen to broaden the focus of our comments. No longer restricting our discussion to specific political issues or specific pieces of legislation, we will instead be offering thoughts regarding the attitudes and approaches that Lutheran Christians might consider as they seek to be faithful in serving their neighbor through the exercise of their citizenship. Of course, the Bible, as well as centuries of well-developed Christ ..read more

It’s a difficult time to be a Christian in America - that much has been clear for some time. Recent legislative sessions here in Minnesota and this current election cycle seem to have clarified that it will be much more difficult to stay faithful in the coming days ..read more

Whenever Jesus begins by saying “Beware” it’s best you sit up and listen. Beware means to be on guard; to get your attention. “Beware” means a warning is about to be spoken. Ignore it at your own risk. One occasion was the sermon on the mount. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15 ..read more

The noted German novel Steppenwolf (1927) has a foreboding line in it: “There are times when a whole generation gets caught to such an extent between two eras, two styles of life, that nothing comes naturally to it since it has lost all sense of morality, security, and innocence.” Though describing the plight and lament of the story’s protagonist, I think it’s also descriptive of our time. We live when the morality, style of life, and security of one era is fading into the morality and lifestyle of an emerging era. Nothing seems natural anymore. For many, this causes anxiety, unrest, and anyth ..read more

     Something very good happened on Pentecost. That is certainly true of the original Pentecost as God showered His Spirit on those assembled. It also appears this was the case this past Sunday – Pentecost Sunday – as two very good legislative goals became legislative realities.   The first of those realities was the unlikely and dramatic defeat of the (misnamed) Equal Rights Amendment which would have been put on the 2026 ballot – an amendment which, if passed, would have embedded abortion up to birth as well as various radical sexual ideologies directly into our State C ..read more

     As you are well aware, here in Minnesota the DFL is in control of both legislative branches and the governor’s office. With that “political trifecta,” they have already enacted a long list of radical progressive policies into law. However, laws can be changed in relatively easy fashion when there is a change in political control. Therefore, they are currently attempting to embed these policies into our Minnesota State Constitution which will be much more difficult to reverse. Specifically, the DFL is trying to pass legislation that would place a (misnamed) “Equal Rights Am ..read more

     “That may be true for you, but it is not true for me.” It’s a common phrase heard among people in our culture today. Truth has fallen on hard times. It echoes what Pilate said to Jesus while on trial: “So you are a king then?” He was trying to determine if Jesus was indeed a king. Jesus responds, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 19:37-38) Pilate was dumbfounded by Jesus’ reply ..read more

     Friends in Christ, I. The points of contact / tension between the dominant culture and Christianity continue to increase in number and intensity. Recently, I was interviewed by Pastor Bryan Stecker of Trinity, Waconia for his podcast series, “On the Line,” during which we touched on many of these “points of contact.” Click here to view it. As you will see, it is a long-format production and so you may not choose to view all of it, but I suspect you’ll at least find parts of it of interest. Recently, several people have suggested that our public policy efforts might be enha ..read more

  “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10b). The Apostle John heard these words of Jesus to the Church of Smyrna in His heavenly vision. They are a call to faithfulness amid a culture hostile to faith. They are fitting words for Christians of all times, but certainly for us. At all times we are called to discipleship—to repent of our sins and to live out our faith according to our daily stations of life. In other words, faithfulness is never static. Faith is always in motion. Faith, says Martin Luther in his preface to the book of Romans, is a living, b ..read more