Lutheran   Central
"Connecting Lutherans"

 

  LCMS/ELCA -- Witness or Worship?

  Home


For Members


For Pastors/Leaders


Helpful Secular Sites


Contact Us

 

Suggest New Links


Our Purpose

 

Advertise on L/C

 

Frequently Asked



 



 


Please feel free to share this:

 The Summer 2002 issue of DIALOG (ELCA Journal of
 Theology) carries an editorial on Benke by Ted Peters
 of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Peters
 praises Benke for participating in the Yankee Stadium
 Service and commends him for praying in the name of
 Jesus. Then Peters goes on to chide those who attempt
 to defend Benke by saying that he was there to
 witness, not worship. Peters contends that Benke was
 at Yankee Stadium to worship. He writes, "If we reduce
 Benke's public appearance to witness, then we
 inadvertently pit Jesus over against everyone else.
 What the civic situation calls for is cooperation or
 even solidarity between Christians and members of
 other religious communities. I celebrate Pastor
 Benke's contribution" (p.84).

LCMS leaders say it was "witness."  This ELCA theologian 
who praises Benke's participation at the prayer service at Yankee
Stadium says it was "worship."  Who are we to believe?

Rev. Tim May
Milwaukee, Wisconsin