Star Tribune reporter Jean Hopfensperger and photographer Jerry Holt accompanied the group to chronicle how Minnesotans are observingÌýthe 500th anniversary of the Reformation in the “Land of Luther” in addition to the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” given that religious, arts, and cultural organizations across Minnesota are planningÌýspecial events and exhibits to mark the occasion.

As Hopfensperger wrote, “Luther’s legacy is particularly deep in Minnesota, and not just because of his followers’ enduring embrace of hymn fests — often followed by Jell-O and hot dish. One in four residents trace their namesake faith to the monk from Wittenberg.”

In a Star Tribune story, Augsburg alumnaeÌýCarol Pfleiderer ’64 andÌýKathleen Johnson ’72Ìýdescribed their excitement withÌýthe trip itinerary and the ways it reflects and builds upon their understanding of their faith.

The Rev. Mark Hanson ’68, the College’s Executive Director of the , was among other alumni quoted in the article. He described some of the ways the Lutheran church is using the Reformation anniversary to foster Lutheran-Catholic dialogue and to make the church accessible to all people.

Read, “” on the Star Tribune site.

The post Alumni trip to Germany featured in Star Tribune’s Protestant Reformation anniversary coverage appeared first on News and Media.

The post Christian Science Monitor talks to Hans Wiersma appeared first on News and Media.

The authors of “Crazy Book” have put a lot of thought into questions like these.

This “not-so-stuffy dictionary of biblical terms” was written by assistant religion profs Hans Wiersma and Karl Jacobson, and Karl’s brother Rolf, an associate professor at Luther Seminary.

Why take time out of a busy college teacher’s/pastor’s/parent’s schedule to engage in this kind of scholarship? “The standard biblical dictionary is very dry,” Wiersma says. “We share the belief that irony and sarcasm are spiritual gifts.”

As pastors and college professors, the authors all try to inject humor into their work. “This is just a natural outflow of our preaching and teaching.” All three also contributed to “Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms” published by Augsburg Fortress in 2008 and to the Lutheran Study Bible.

“Besides,” he adds, “there are just some damn funny stories in the Bible.”

Each of the Crazy Book’s characters has a status a la Facebook, like “Judas is wondering why nobody calls their child Judas, what with the popularity of Bible names and all.” Many also have professions—Judas’ is treasurer—pet peeves, and favorite TV shows or celebrities. Mixed in with the witty commentary is a lesson. In Judas’ case, it’s not about right and wrong but about accepting that God is who He is, not who we want Him to be.

In addition to learning more about the crazy characters and stories in the Bible, “Crazy Book” gives the user an opportunity to make connections to modern life in order to gain a better understanding of the text. Wiersma says it ties in nicely with the ELCA’s emphasis on getting people to study and learn the Bible.

Though they did not have a particular audience in mind for “Crazy Book,” the authors said they have been pleasantly surprised with the response from readers their age and younger. Sharing that his father had been using the book as bathroom literature, Wiersma added, “Our dads think it’s funny.”

The post "Crazy Book" shares the lighter side of the Bible appeared first on News and Media.

The series began during the tenure of Augsburg’s former president, William V. Frame, as a vehicle to examine the connections between the Reformation and the Augsburg College mission. The series continues today, providing an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty at Augsburg to hear speakers who are experts in the field of Reformation history and theology while reaching out to the greater community, especially local congregations, pastors, and scholars.

Hans Wiersma, a Reformation historian and professor of religion at Augsburg, says the goal and the challenge of the series is to connect a 500-year old movement with the issues of today. Thompson, a theologian and professor, will connect the Reformation to current issues by examining Luther’s Theology of the Cross from feminist and global perspectives. The author of “Crossing the Divide: Luther, Feminism, and the Cross” writes that in her teaching she is committed to approaching biblical text, doctrine, and practice “from the perspective of personal, communal and contemporary relevance.”

Wiersma, along with other Augsburg religion faculty who are Reformation historians and theologians, hopes the lecture series will grow and help to position Augsburg as a center for Reformation scholarship, especially study that informs the present. “In 2017, mark my words, there will be a tremendous amount of cultural energy around the 500th anniversary of the Reformation,” he said, “and we want Augsburg to be at the center of this energy.”

New Perspectives on Luther’s Theology of the Cross

Monday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m.

“Women, World, and Luther’s Theology of the Cross”

Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center

Attendees are invited to attend a reception with Thompson before the Monday evening lecture. Contact Hans Wiersma at wiersma@augsburg.edu for more information.

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.

“More than Miracles: Hope in the Face of the Cross”

Hoversten Chapel, Foss Center

Attendees are invited to stay for a 20-minute chapel service at 11:20 a.m. and lunch following the service. Contact Hans Wiersma at wiersma@augsburg.edu for more information.

The post A feminist perspective of Luther's Theology of the Cross appeared first on News and Media.