As one views the Minnesota River Valley from the seminary atrium, he is reminded of Psalm 121. The cliffs and hills bordering the Minnesota River Valley illustrate the power and majesty of God our Helper and Redeemer, as this psalm points out: I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made … [Read more...] about Seventy-Five Years of Blessings: The Seminary Today
2021 Seminary Commencement
The Commencement Service for Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, which included the assignment of calls, occurred on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. in Trinity Chapel. The Rev. Kyle Madson served as preacher, Pres. Gaylin Schmeling served as liturgist, and Mr. John Baumann was the organist. The sermon was based on 1 Peter 4:10-11 with the … [Read more...] about 2021 Seminary Commencement
5th Petition: The King or the Quota
READ: MATTHEW 18:23-35 It’s yet another The-Kingdom-of-Heaven-is-Like parable. This parable – often called The Unjust Steward – is in answer to what Peter imagines to be a very practical and quantifiable question: How often am I required to forgive one who sins against me? In fact, the matter seems SO practical and numeric to Peter that he … [Read more...] about 5th Petition: The King or the Quota
Celebrating a Holy Citizenship
Listen to Article The third high festival of the church year, The Day of Pentecost, is observed by us this year on May 23. Sadly, today this festival is often observed to the surprise of most Christians. No one asks, “Do you have your Pentecost tree up or cards sent out yet?” “Are you planning to attend the Pentecost breakfast at church?” For … [Read more...] about Celebrating a Holy Citizenship
Cross Focus- No More Forgiveness
Listen to Article There has been a very disturbing trend in our nation during the last couple of decades. While there has always been a tendency to rush to judgment over certain events, condemning someone whether or not they are guilty, the new trend is to make this tendency standard practice. The condemnation and judgment then lead to negative … [Read more...] about Cross Focus- No More Forgiveness
The Edict of Worms
Listen to Article December 10, 1520 was the deadline for Luther to retract his writings; he didn’t, but defiantly threw a copy of Exsurge Domine into a bonfire in which the University of Wittenberg students were burning papal papers and books. The final bull of excommunication, Decet Romanum, was signed in Rome on January 3, 1521, and sent to … [Read more...] about The Edict of Worms