The joy of alleluia
From The Presiding Bishop, Theology & Beliefs

The joy of alleluia

In his Easter message, ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry says that even though we consider ourselves to be an Easter church, we must remember that we are also a Lenten…

Gathered and sent
Theology & Beliefs

Gathered and sent

Each year we gather in our worshiping communities and exclaim with Christians around the world: “Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!” Many of us set aside the…

God is on our side
Theology & Beliefs

God is on our side

Jesus is making his way up to Jerusalem with his friends. What hopes, what expectations they must have had. With this Jesus, a new world is dawning. Soon, our dark…

Was Jesus innocent?
Voices of Faith, Theology & Beliefs

Was Jesus innocent?

Of course he was innocent, responds every ounce of theology and tradition. Our salvation rests on this, that Jesus was fully God and thus incapable of sin, that his suffering and…

Bearing witness: Put your body where love is needed
Theology & Beliefs

Bearing witness: Put your body where love is needed

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of…

A blessing for Lent
Theology & Beliefs

A blessing for Lent

I don’t remember the first time I received a blessing, nor when I first offered one myself. I only know that, looking back, the giving and receiving of blessings have…

“The church is called to do something about this”
Mission & Ministry, Theology & Beliefs

“The church is called to do something about this”

Congregation leaders suspect a child is being mistreated in her home but aren’t sure what to do, so they remain silent. A child is sexually assaulted by an adult who…

Hymn of the Month March 2026 – Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth
Theology & Beliefs

Hymn of the Month March 2026 – Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth

Each month, Living Lutheran will share history and fun facts behind some hymns beloved by Lutherans. This month’s hymn is Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth. Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth. Text:…

A new look at the devil
Theology & Beliefs

A new look at the devil

A mighty fortress is our God. … On earth he has no equal (ELW, 503-505). I’m a Lutheran, baptized, confirmed and ordained in that faith. Yet I was already on…

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor
Theology & Beliefs

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year, various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us as Lutherans,…

Placeholder image
Theology & Beliefs

Hymn of the Month – Be Thou My Vision

Each month, Living Lutheran will share history and fun facts behind some hymns beloved by Lutherans. This month’s hymn is Be Thou My Vision.   

The divine process of compost
Theology & Beliefs

The divine process of compost

All of creation has embodied experiences and revelations of God—they are our greatest source for knowing God. Human beings, along with all of God’s created, participate in theopoiesis—making and being…