I remember sitting in a classroom in the basement of the chapel waiting for class to begin. There always seems to be controversy in the institutional church and my last year at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis was no exception to that perceived reality. As students often do, we were wondering what was going to …
Continue reading The names may have changed, the narrative should too…
In late June of 2017 my wife and I saw a day we never thought we would see. We went in for an ultrasound at the 18 week mark of our second pregnancy. We were excited for another little addition to our family. I was serving a wonderful congregation who cared for me and my …
Nearly fifty years ago, the student body of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis believed, as I did when I attended, that the faculty who taught them were not simply beloved mentors, but orthodox teachers. The students were not pawns, as some have suggested, but they were filled with passion for and devotion to those whom …
Without a doubt, today marks the most important day in my life. No, I’m not being hyperbolic. While there are days of extreme significance like my wedding day, the birth of my children, and so many others including my birthday, November 3rd eclipses them all. On that day, in 1985, God the Father claimed me …
Every now and again Facebook decides to remind me of some quote or picture I shared years before. I’m always intrigued by this because it gives me a window into my past. Recently I’ve been reminded of all the Martin Franzmann quotes I shared a few years ago as I was researching for my STM …
Continue reading Protestors and Politicians and Police, Oh News!
Yesterday, on Facebook and Twitter, I shared that I signed this petition connected with Lutherans for Racial Justice. Today I want to tell you why. I'm a son of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. I was baptized into Christ on account of an LCMS pastor. I’ve been educated at LCMS schools at every level except high …
It never seems to end. From the halftime show to the State of the Union Address, this week has been, like many weeks before and many weeks to come, filled with punditry. It is easy to get caught up in it. My side is right. Your side is wrong. Never the twain shall meet. I’m …
Continue reading That one time a bunch conservative Lutherans voted Republicans out of office…
Today my oldest son started preschool. It is still only half of a day, but this year it is three days a week. Soon enough he will go everyday, all day, and he will do it for years. The older I have become the more I have grown to love the idea of an academic …
Five years ago tomorrow I made some promises, some brothers laid their hands on me, and a stole was put on my shoulders. The moment itself was brief, but the journey toward that point had been anything but. Growing up as I did in a theologically conservative Lutheran context, I found myself often pushing back …
Continue reading Twenty-seven Hours with Tom and His Friends
January 29, 1907, in Lake City, Minnesota, Martin Hans Franzmann was born. He no doubt never knew that his life and work would have the tremendous impact it has on my own life and theological perspective. At the memorial service held on the campus of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis on April 2, 1976, Professor …
an occasional theologian 