Currents in Theology and Mission

Room for Mystery

Meggan H. Manlove — 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.

On the Way to Full Communion

Seminar on the Way — 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.

Book Reviews October 2024

Craig L. Nessan — 2024-09-20

Review of recent books on topics of interest to our readers.

October through December 2024

Barbara K. Lundblad — 2024-09-20

Preaching Helps are provided for the upcoming quarter of the church year; Helps are written by clergy from across the country.

Young Child, Wealthy Elite, Despised Tax Collector

John T. Carroll — 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).

Unanswered Invitations to the Way of Jesus

Troy M. Troftgruben — 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.

Clothed with Divine Mercy and Power

Jennifer V. Pietz — 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.

Luke's Invitation to a Life of Prayer

Melvin L. Otey — 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

Amanda Brobst-Renaud — 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.

The Money-loving, the Rich, the Tax-Collector, and the Gentile

Benjamin Isachsen — 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.

The Call Story of Peter in Luke 5:1-11

Yung Suk Kim — 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

Troy Troftgruben — 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.