Aha!

Billman, Kathleen D. ; Hendel, Kurt K. ; Swanson, Mark N. 等

Rather than addressing a cohesive theme, the articles in this issue of Currents offer a smorgasbord of theological insights that will, hopefully, inspire some aha moments, offer helpful perspectives, and provide practical resources for faithful proclamation and effective ministry. In his interpretative reflections on Martin Luther and the Augsburg Confession, Edward Schroeder argues that Luther's evangelical breakthrough consisted not only of a new understanding of God's righteousness but also of a recognition that the law/gospel dialectic is the hermeneutical key for interpreting Scripture. The Reformer's insight was, therefore, crucial for his future study of the Bible, for the formulation of his evangelical theology, and for his own spiritual journey. Schroeder asserts that Philip Melanchthon also employed the law/gospel hermeneutic as he summarized the evangelical understanding of the faith catholic in the Augsburg Confession. Paul Baglyos proposes that the ancient biblical tradition of lament can serve as a helpful spiritual resource for rural communities who face the varied challenges of the farm crisis. He, therefore, urges the incorporation of lament into the liturgical life of rural congregations. Deborah Geweke explores the transformative and relational nature of liturgical spirituality as God encounters believers in the proclamation of the word and the celebration of the sacraments. She emphasizes that such a spirituality must also be nurtured and expressed through loving service, which is an essential aspect of the sanctified life. Robert Saler contrasts two interpretative traditions of Genesis 2-3, that of Augustine and his heirs and that of the rabbinic tradition, of Irenaeus and of Immanuel Kant. He notes that the Augustinian heritage argues for the superiority of the prelapsarian human rational faculties while the alternative tradition considers postlapsarian human reason to be superior to prelapsarian rationality. Saler then examines the epistemological implications of these differing views of reason. Ann Pederson focuses on two reformers who have become instruments of grace in her life, Martin Luther and Joseph Pilates. Luther's bold proclamation of the gospel continues to remind her that God has freed God's people from their frantic efforts to attain perfection and to merit God's favor. Pilates' breathing and exercise regime has taught her that mind, spirit and body working together can bring peace and wholeness in the midst of the stresses and hectic pace of contemporary life.

May your Aha! moments bear blessed fruits.

Kathleen D. Billman

Kurt K. Hendel

Mark N. Swanson

Editors