Category Archives: Theology

Anfechtung

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Neil

Roland H. Bainton’s classic, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, is one of several Luther biographies I have on my shelf and it is a classic work, even if it is a little dry to read. I want … Continue reading →

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Theological Influence: Ralph Quere

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Neil

  Professor Ralph Quere was one of my teachers at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa who died last week. As an incoming student with a degree in civil and environmental engineering and several years as an officer in the … Continue reading →

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Theological Influence: Miroslav Volf

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Neil

One of the projects I have decided to do is to catalog in some small way the influence of some of the major thinkers who have influenced my growth as both a Christian, a pastor and as an individual as … Continue reading →

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An Ongoing Reference to Luther’s Works

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Neil

I am a Lutheran pastor but not a Lutheran scholar and the breadth of Luther’s works makes them a staggering task to approach. As a part of my study of various books of the scriptures I have also made it … Continue reading →

Posted in Deuteronomy, Ecclesiastes, Gospel of Matthew, Historical Reflections, Psalms, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Need to Remember Rightly

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Neil

On a day when there will be a number of calls to ‘Never Forget’ I want to add a caution that we need to be willing to remember rightly. The destruction and violence of September 11, 2001 cost the 19 … Continue reading →

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What I learned about myself, life and God from my child on the Autistic Spectrum: Part 4

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Neil

This is my final installment on this for the time being. There are certainly more things I have learned but for now this is enough to say. 8.  Familial Image of God, this comes more from the experience of being … Continue reading →

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Two Excerpts for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Neil

Fifty years ago today Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote and incredible open letter in response to eight white clergymen in Alabama who had written “A Call for Unity”. The letter still rings true even fifty years later when we read … Continue reading →

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What I learned about myself, life and God from my son on the Autistic Spectrum: Part 3

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Neil

5. We often value people for very superficial reasons part 1: There are a whole set of criteria that people are judged by constantly by those around them including, but not limited to: physical appearance and dress, weight, proportions, muscle … Continue reading →

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What I learned about myself, life and God from my son on the autistic spectrum: Part 2

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Neil

This is part 2 of a reflection in honor of Autism awareness month. 3. We live in an incredibly complex world and human communication is even more complex. Because of what I do, as a pastor, I am constantly interacting … Continue reading →

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Remembering Bonhoeffer: The Powers of Good

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Neil

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed at Flossenberg Concentration Camp on April 9, 1945, and at some other point I am sure I will share more reflections since his writings have definitely shaped me in many ways, but today I am just … Continue reading →

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