Book

I just finished reading this book, Forerunners of the Reformation: The Shape of Late Medieval Thought Illustrated by Key Documents by Heiko Oberman. The thesis of the book is that many of the issues spoken and written during the Reformation had their roots in discussions and disagreements already in the Middle Ages. These were not issues that just popped up out of nowhere. I guess there was a time when that was the prevailing thought among some. In my doctoral studies I realized pretty quickly that was not the case. So this book wasn't surprising to me. However, it was interesting to read what various theologians wrote in the 13-15th centuries in their own words. I especially appreciated the discussion regarding Scripture and Tradition and whether there are two sources of truth or only one; and if only one, the relation of Scripture and Tradition, and the multiplicity of views on that. Johann von Staupitz's chapter was also very interesting. Being Luther's superior in the Augustinian Order, you can clearly see Luther's thoughts in his writing. Not an easy book, but worthwhile for learning more about the background of the Reformation and the undercurrents that influenced events and how folks regarded Luther. 

Virginia State March for Life

According to the Virginia Capitol Police, approximately 3,000 - 3,500 people gathered on the State Capitol grounds in Richmond yesterday for the 6th Virginia State March for Life. The weather was perfect, the crowd energized and friendly, and the planners did a great job! Everything went well and without a hitch. 

Our LCMS contingent met at Grace Lutheran Church in Chester for a pre-march Matins service.

Pastor Douthwaite preaching at Matins.

From there we took a bus up to the Capitol for the rally . . .

. . . and marched through downtown Richmond.

We also met some fellow LCMS-ers who had come with other groups, but saw our signs and came over to meet us!

This year was our first year trying to really organize and encourage Lutherans across the state to come to this march. Hopefully, now we can build on this year and have an even bigger presence next year! Hope you'll be one of them and join us!

Ash Wednesday

Happy Lent! 

Our new 2024 Lenten Life Calendar kicks-off today - check it out! 

And . . 

Only one week until we march again!

Join us!

Click here for more information.

A Very Interesting Day!

Well, Sunday was quite the interesting day!

The day started with a gas leak! When we arrived at church, there was the smell of gas, so we called the gas company to get it checked out. They found two places where there was some amount of leaking. So they shut the gas down. Fortunately for us it was a mild day, so we could open the windows to air out the sanctuary and not be too cold. Hopefully our landlord will get this fixed quickly!

We also decided to celebrate my wife's birthday on Sunday. My daughter and I came up with a plan for a homemade dinner, but bit off a little more than we thought! Our menu: homemade ravioli (vegetable and cheese) with a cream sauce topping, green beans, fresh bread, and apple pie cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and apple compote on top. First we made the cupcakes so they would have enough time to cool - that went fine. Then we set at preparing the vegetables for the ravioli - an eggplant, zucchini, pepper, tomato, and onion combination. All that prep took us a bit longer than we anticipated. Once we got that simmering, we started on the pasta . . . and this is where it really started to bog down! Kneading the dough, letting it rest, getting it through the pasta machine, cutting the pieces for the ravioli, and then putting it all together . . . wow! That was a lot of work! But we got it done and it did taste good! We served it all with a Rose of Pinot Noir wine. 

After dinner, dessert, presents, and clean-up (yeah, we made quite a mess!), we were wiped! So I actually didn't see much of the Super Bowl, just a little as I went to bed and before I quickly fell asleep. :-)