Lutheran Witness: May 2018

Celebrate God’s gift of children this month in the May issue of The Lutheran Witness, as we reflect on the blessing that children are in the lives of their parents, communities and churches.

Contents

From the President: The glorious blessing of Christ’s resurrection

Features:

The gift of children — Trevor and Elizabeth Sutton

Children’s children and the plans of God — Thomas Egger

All those glowing rectangles — Andy Crouch

A gift for our children — Heather Smith

Then comes marriage … — Peter Scaer

Love for the least of these

Three worldviews parents need to confront — Kenneth Kremer

Departments:

world views: A monthly news column from Gene Edward Veith

searching scriptures: Train up a child — Dan Chambers

bene+diction: Holy mashed banana gunk! — Adriane Heins

From the editor

When I listen to conversations about children in the world around me, what I hear often sounds like a cacophony of shouting:

Children are a human right to which every adult is entitled, regardless of biological realities! Children are an optional lifestyle choice for those who are educated, prosperous and mature enough to handle them! …

Children are adorable angels who light up our social media feeds! Children are a noisy nuisance who shouldn’t be allowed in nice restaurants! …

There are not enough children to sustain the economy! There are too many children to sustain the planet! …

Oh, dear.

When I look at my own four children, however — especially with a Bible in my hand — everything looks simpler and saner. Children are a gift from God. A rich heritage. A precious trust. They are sinners. Baptized saints. Little brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is this beautiful vision that daily shapes my own life and work as a mother. And it’s this vision that you’ll see shining through every article in our May issue.

Rachel Bomberger
Managing Editor, The Lutheran Witness
lutheran.witness@lcms.org