• Young Child, Wealthy Elite, Despised Tax Collector: Status Reversals on the Approach to Jerusalem (Luke 18:15-19:10)

  Carroll, John T. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  Reversals of status and position figure prominently in the Gospel of Luke. This feature of Jesus’ mission poses a challenge to individuals outside the disciple group, and it also shapes the peculiar character of the community of disciples. This essay explores the role of status inversion in three episodes as Jesus approaches Jerusalem at the close of his public ministry: the embrace of young children as exemplars of God’s realm (18:15–17); an exchange with a wealthy elite man, in which disciples are also interlocutors (18:18–30); and an encounter with the chief tax collector Zacchaeus (19:1–10).
• The Call Story of Peter in Luke 5:1-11: New Vocation through Transformation

  Kim, Yung Suk (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  The episode in Luke 5:1–11 is not a mere call story but a complex story weaving a new vocation, transformation, and discipleship. It incorporates Jesus’ teaching of the crowds, Peter’s experience of a miraculous catch of fish, his confession, Jesus’ giving of a new vocation, and Peter’s following of Jesus. Peter’s call is based on his transformative experience in the deep sea, which impacts us today, as we bear witness to the love of God for a variety of people in today’s world.
• The Call and Invitation of Jesus to Discipleship in Luke's Gospel

  Troftgruben, Troy; Nessan, Craig L. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  Introduces the October 2024 issue which contains a variety of essays on the Gospel of Luke as well as book reviews, FOCUS essays and Preaching Helps for the last quarter of 2024.
• Luke's Invitation to a Life of Prayer

  Otey, Melvin L. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  The writer of Luke-Acts emphasizes prayer more than any other New Testament writer. The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as a person modeling a life of prayer, teaching his disciples about prayer, and encouraging them to pursue their own lives of dialogue with God. The Book of Acts shows that early disciples follow Jesus’ example. Prayer is a vital part of their lives and the spread of the Christian faith. This distinctly Lukan emphasis invites modern readers to emulate Jesus and his early disciples while seeking closer communion with God, awaiting empowerment for his work, considering and selecting leaders in his church, and relying on him when facing trials.
• Women as Patterns for Ministry in the Gospel of Luke

  Brobst-Renaud, Amanda (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  The female disciples in Luke have been noted for their fidelity to Jesus from Galilee to the crucifixion. They were the first to tell the message of Jesus’ resurrection. What influence, however, did they have on Jesus’ ministry? Did the women—like other first century patronesses—expect their support to accomplish some aim or agenda? Much of this information is unavailable to us. We do see, however, in Martha’s ministry, evidence that women were influential in what Jesus depicts as ideal discipleship. The women who follow from Galilee to the cross demonstrate their fidelity in discipleship, even when it comes at a cost. The women, in other words, both influence and remain faithful to Jesus and his mission, setting the table and the stage for what will become the norm for those who follow Jesus.
• Book Reviews October 2024

  Nessan, Craig L.; Troftgruben, Troy M. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  Review of recent books on topics of interest to our readers.
• Unanswered Invitations to the Way of Jesus: Open-Ended Stories in Luke's Travel Narrative (Luke 9:51-19:44)

  Troftgruben, Troy M. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  Many parables and teaching interactions in Luke’s Gospel are open-ended. Examples include the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Parable of the Prodigal Son, both of which end without clarifying how characters respond. Especially in Luke's Travel Narrative (9:51–19:44), Jesus poses unanswered questions and issues teachings about discipleship that remain open, fostering a sense of ongoing dialogue with the call to follow. The lack of closure throughout these stories makes for invitations, to both narrative characters and hearers today, to encounter Jesus’ teachings and to respond to his call.
• October through December 2024: Pentecost, Advent, and Christmas "Mind the Gap"

  Lundblad, Barbara K. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  Preaching Helps are provided for the upcoming quarter of the church year; Helps are written by clergy from across the country.
• On the Way to Full Communion: Thinking about Christian Unity from Liturgy

  Seminar on the Way (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  This statement from an ecumenical seminar of liturgical scholars, teachers, and practitioners offers a liturgical perspective on the continuing dialogue between Lutherans and Roman Catholics. The conveners of the seminar introduce the statement for readers of Currents with reflections on connections to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1999), the statement’s distinctive approach, and specific opportunities for each tradition in relation to liturgical understanding and practice. The statement itself takes up the challenge of Declaration on the Way (2015) to address some of the remaining issues in relation to baptism, eucharist, and ministry on the way to full communion. The method of the seminar’s work stems from a conviction that the liturgical practice of our churches—most fundamentally the regular assembly around word and sacrament—already unites Lutherans and Catholics profoundly. Thinking from the viewpoint of liturgy contributes significantly to overcoming remaining differences. Based on a liturgical ecclesiology rooted in baptism, our churches are encouraged to take bold steps in regard to eucharistic sharing and the mutual recognition of ministries.
• Room for Mystery

  Manlove, Meggan H. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  The purpose of this article is to show that one of the often-overlooked gifts within the Lutheran tradition, especially for this next chapter of being the church, is its openness to mystery. The researcher explores the work of several theologians but especially the Finnish Lutherans as read by Kirsi Stjerna. The research explores theosis, Lutheran spirituality, and encounters with God in the Word. The article ends by explaining how this research was connected to a faith storytelling workshop created for a congregation.
• The Money-loving, the Rich, the Tax-Collector, and the Gentile: Unexpected Calls to Discipleship in Luke and Acts

  Isachsen, Benjamin (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  This article explores the call and cost of discipleship in Luke and Acts for those would-be followers of Jesus who are wealthy or otherwise antagonistically inclined toward Luke’s gospel message. I argue that Luke’s vision includes not only a proclaiming of good news to the poor, but also a call and invitation to unexpected groups of followers. While marginalized groups are rightly associated with Luke’s overarching project—as programmatically stated in Luke 4:18—the call to discipleship is also proclaimed to householders, people of material wealth, and eventually to householding Gentiles in Luke’s second volume. Even the Pharisees, who on the surface appear to be grumbling and questioning Jesus’ ministry, offer valuable insight into the call and cost of being a follower of Jesus. Moreover, both Luke and Acts are addressed to a “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3; cf. Acts 1:1), framing the literary project as written for a wealthy patron or benefactor. Finally, the social agenda demanding radical redistribution of wealth to benefit the poor implies Luke’s project addresses those followers (and/or readers) responsible for realizing this economic potential. We might think of these calls to discipleship to different social groups as complementary parts of Luke’s economy of salvation.
• Clothed with Divine Mercy and Power: A Portrait of How 'Clothing' Characterizes Discipleship of Jesus in Luke's Gospel

  Pietz, Jennifer V. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-09-20)

  This essay explores connections in Luke’s Gospel between clothing and one’s relationship to Jesus. It examines several passages unique to Luke in which clothing, whether literal or figurative, plays an important role, as well as other significant clothing references that have Synoptic parallels but are distinctly framed in Luke’s narrative. When viewed together, these clothing references convey key characteristics of what it means to be disciples of Jesus and to embrace life in the kingdom of God which Jesus inaugurates through his ministry, death, and resurrection. This portrait presents a fresh perspective from which to consider the nature of Christian discipleship today.
• Embodied, Contextual, and Rural

  Major, Heather J. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  TBD
• The Need for a Trauma-Informed Lutheran Theology: A Case Study on Lutheran Study Bibles

  Vieth, Victor I. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  This article examines how Lutheran Study Bibles published by the ELCA, LCMS and WELS address the sexual assaults of Dinah and Tamar, Lot’s decision to offer his daughters to be raped, the sexual exploitation of Bathsheba, as well as other accounts of trauma. In applying a commonly accepted definition of “trauma-informed,” the author shows the need for writers and publishers of Lutheran Study Bibles to develop a deeper understanding of trauma and to write more sensitively on topics that can be triggering to readers who have experienced sexual assault. Unless seminaries develop trauma-informed theologians, clergy and Bible scholars will continue to misunderstand and wrongly apply God’s word to those who have endured and those who have inflicted trauma.
• Snapshots of Rural Ministries from Oceania and South Korea

  McPhail, Robyn; June, Kim Hee (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  This article provides regional information about the state of rural churches in Oceania and South Korea. Topics include rural chaplaincy in Aotearoa New Zealand, connecting scattered communities in Saltbush, promoting democratic practices in Fiji, advocating for change in the Pacific, and revitalizing ministry for an aging population in South Korea. Building church community at a distance through digital ministry is an encouraging development.
• Historical Background and Reflections: The State of the Rural Church in Southern Asia and Eastern Asia

  Rao, Bishop BD Prasada (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  This article provides an overview of the history, colonization, class struggle, and caste system in Southern Asia and Eastern Asia, with special attention to India. The author discusses Christian missions to the Indian subcontinent and the significance of the church unification movements, leading to the formation of the Church of South India and the Church of North India. Indian Christian theologians have made remarkable efforts to understand religious plurality and social justice. The churches continue to face both challenges and opportunities.
• Flourishing: Rural Communities and Land in Global Perspective

  Yackel-Juleen, Mark (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  This issue, Flourishing: Rural Communities and Land in Global Perspective, includes proceedings from the International Rural Churches Association quadrennial gathering in 2023 with the theme, “Flourishing: Land, People, Community.” The word flourishing was chosen with intention both as encouragement to seek out and celebrate rural realities that are flourishing, but also as aspirational to encourage work toward God’s intent for the flourishing of all God’s land and people. The issue includes the Bible study, keynote address, and a collection of articles that give snapshots of the state of rural and small-town contexts globally.
• A Burning Child in the Midst: The Promise and Power of R.L. Stollar's Child Liberation Theology

  Kielsmeier-Jones, Abram (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  This article explores child liberation theology, interacting with R.L. Stollar’s The Kingdom of Children: A Liberation Theology and drawing from an interview with Stollar. First is a summary of child liberation theology, with its urgent call to action in a world where “children are burning.” Then the essay explores crucial aspects of enacting child liberation theology: identifying microaggressions toward children, reading the Bible with actual children, seeing Jesus as child, advancing child protection, reading Jesus’ liberation of children, educating oneself for liberation, ensuring that adults practice “guided partnership” with children, and not growing weary in advocating for children’s well-being.  
• Soundscapes and Faith

  Waldkoenig, Gilson (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  Soundscapes are the aural environments around us. Human noise increasingly mars natural soundscapes and inhibits listening. The biblical and Reformation teaching that faith comes through hearing confronts the contemporary challenge and invites us to perceive that the gospel of Jesus Christ echoes in and with God’s good creation.
• Flourishing: Land, People, Community: A Bible Study on Isaiah 35:1-10

  Fritschel, Rev. Dr. Ann L. (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 2024-06-17)

  This Bible Study on Isaiah 35 explores the meaning of "flourishing" in the Hebrew Bible, and the literary and socio-political contexts of the Book of Isaiah. The Babylonian Exile was a time of intense theological questioning. The author offers commentary on Isaiah 35:1-10. Isaiah 35 provides a vision to move from acclimation to present into God’s glorious future. There is hope despite our present reality, grounded in God’s being, action, and promises. The people of God move forward into an uncertain future, knowing God is with them on their journey to the future.

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