What is faith formation? Welcoming questions of all sorts.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,

so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Apostle Paul to the Romans (12:2)


Too often theology or "talk about God" is viewed as stuff for hermits and marooned shipwreck victims. When there's nothing else to do, then is the time to ask abstract questions about God. Such a notion would have exasperated the apostle Paul. To him, theology was worthless unless it made a difference in how people lived. Paul did not live as an intellectual recluse. He applied his theology to life, a.k.a. practicing what he preached. In fact, the lofty book of Romans was written while he was also raising money for famine victims in Jerusalem (see Romans 15:25-27).


Martin Marty, pastor and Lutheran church historian, has stated: "Christian faith has to do less with what you know and more with whom you know, namely, God and God in Jesus Christ." And yet, the "what" of Christian knowledge also matters greatly because all kinds of stories, events, memories, doctrines, and programs enrich the faith. In faith as in the rest of life, a person grows in knowledge by asking questions.


Therefore, as Lutherans, we welcome questions of all sorts from every generation. 


Faith formation for everyone . . .


  • Elijah: A Faithful Prophet in a time of adversity

    A bible Study on Elijah, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel

    Thursdays on Zoom @ 2:30 PM

    Begins April 24

    King Ahab and Jezebel were the most cruel and despotic rulers Israel had

    ever known. King Ahab took Jezebel, the daughter of a local gentile king, as

    his wife. And immediately he adopted her religious beliefs, setting up altars

    to Baal and his consort Ashera, encouraging the people of Israel to worship

    these idols with them. Israel was at a crossroads. Other kings (Solomon!) 

    had introduced idolatry into Israelite religion, but King Ahab and his notorious

    wife were going much further. They wanted to wipe out all worship of the true

    God. Enter the prophet Elijah who will confront King Ahab and Queen Jezebel

    in word and in action. Along the way, Elijah will be involved in miracles. In fact,

    when we speak of miracles in the bible, three names stand out: Moses, Elijah

    and Jesus. Those three, in fact, were the ones who met on the Mount of

    Transfiguration to talk about Jesus’ departure (exodus) from earth (Luke 9:30-31). In their lifetimes, all three saw the power—and the limitations—of miracles. First and Second Kings records eight miracles God worked through Elijah. The prophet Malachi predicted that a visit by Elijah would precede the Messiah’s arrival—a prediction Jesus said that John the Baptist fulfilled (Matthew 17:9-13). All the Jews of Jesus’ day—including Jesus himself—held Elijah in highest esteem. Even today during certain holidays, Orthodox Jews leave a place at the table for Elijah, worker of wonders.

     

    Join the conversation as we consider how Elijah was a faithful prophet in a time of adversity and consider who are our prophets today. Contact Pastor Susan (htlchhpastor@gmail.com) for more information or for the Zoom link to join the bible study.