The best argument for adopting the techniques of the Church Growth movement–contemporary worship, non-traditional styles, and culturally-relevant practices–is to reach the lost, the unbelievers, the unchurched. Such “missional” concerns often trump all other considerations. It’s hard to argue against the importance of evangelism and the
HealthCare.gov is now working 90% of the time, according to officials, though glitches sometimes come up. So those of you who don’t have health insurance or whose individual plans have been cancelled have until the end of the month to buy Obamacare-approved insurance on the
In the political world, you will hear talk of RINOs, Republican In Name Only. LCMS President Matt Harrison, an accomplished translator, posts his rendition of a letter by the Nazi-battling German theologian Hermann Sasse, who, in praising the Missouri Synod, gives us a useful concept:
It’s Advent Season! Here is a fine explanation of its different dimensions from Rev. Shawn Stafford: The word “Advent” means “coming.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Jesus’ three-fold coming: His coming in the flesh at Christmas, His coming now through His Word and
The redoubtable Anthony Sacramone tells about how he was influenced–indeed, evangelized–by C. S. Lewis. Mr. Sacramone had gone through through a Lutheran parochial school, learned the Catechism, was confirmed. But, like many young people, he left all of that behind as soon as he could.
In the course of a discussion of how Vladimir Putin is rebuilding Russia’s Soviet-era spheres of influence, international affairs columnist Jackson Diehl raises yet another example of ineptness in American foreign policy. (more…)
A movie entitled The Son of God will be released February 28. An expanded version of material from the Bible TV ministeries but released from a major studio (20th Century Fox), it will keep in the miracles, unlike some film renditions of Jesus’ story. Details
According to a document leaked by Edward Snowden, the NSA has been tracking visits to porn sites and other questionable activities as a way to discredit or perhaps blackmail suspected Muslim terrorists. Read about it after the jump. Is this a brilliant tactic that should
Most attention in the Obamacare rollout has been on the individual mandate to buy insurance from an approved “exchange.” But small businesses, those with 50 or fewer employees, have an exchange of their own that they can buy from. But that part of the HealthCare.gov
I hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving, with the thankful part not overshadowed by shopping, football, gluttony, family spats, or other distractions. Towards that end, this special edition of the Cranach blog will offer some meditations about things we really should be thankful for. Remember
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