Rev. Travis Scholl
A new center to help congregations practice care for creation
One of the joys of working in an academic institution is the opportunity to encounter people who are thinking deeply about important issues. On a seminary campus, there is the added joy of encountering people thinking theologically about those same issues.
May 17, 2012 | 4:20 pm
| (
Do we really need church?
Since unforeseeable circumstances kept me from church on Easter, I'm asking the same question Andrew Sullivan is asking.
Apr 08, 2012 | 11:45 am
| (
Writing the Bible, and other reasons to go to Grand Rapids
The Festival of Faith and Writing happens next month. Marilynne Robinson, Jonathan Safran Foer, and 60+ other writers, artists, and "creatives" will be there. I'll be there too.
Mar 29, 2012 | 12:24 pm
| (
"Reaping Where You Did Not Sow"
My second guest post for the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) blog, reflecting on the harsh words of a famous parable.
Mar 19, 2012 | 2:25 pm
| (
The Bible as literature: versions of the apocalypse
I don't know what it is, but the past couple days I've been overwhelmed by signs of the apocalypse.
Mar 07, 2012 | 12:45 pm
| (
Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Theodor Geisel (1904-1991), also known as Dr. Seuss, turns 108 today. And today, the movie version of The Lorax opens in theaters nationwide. But the Lorax is an odd creature in the universe of Seuss.
Mar 02, 2012 | 5:15 pm
| (
"Drawing Water Without a Bucket"
I'm honored to do a little guest blogging for Lutheran World Relief. Here's numero uno, trying to answer the question of why everyone likes to talk innovation but so few actually innovate.
Feb 28, 2012 | 12:45 pm
| (
Grammys need to thank the Black church for Whitney
Counting the reasons why the Grammys need to get down on their knees and thank the Black church for anything good in American music.
Feb 13, 2012 | 2:15 pm
| (
Super Bowl XLVI: America's Holy Day
Tim Tebow won't be there. But don't be surprised if God makes an appearance this Sunday, because we are entering holy days.
Feb 03, 2012 | 1:30 pm
| (
The Supreme Court, a "minister," and the issue of trust
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in perhaps the most significant case involving religious liberty and the separation of church and state in decades. But it got me thinking about more than liberty.
Jan 13, 2012 | 2:00 pm
| (
The Bible as literature: Marilynne Robinson on "the book of books"
The novelist Marilynne Robinson, who always writes eloquently, writes eloquently of the innumerable connections between the Bible and other works of art. I think she's on to something.
Dec 29, 2011 | 11:20 am
| (
Finding Christmas in an incomplete sentence
The current liturgical church year is a year to read the Gospel of Mark. But what are we to do at Christmastime with the only gospel that says nothing about the nativity?
Dec 24, 2011 | 9:00 pm
| (
In memoriam: Vaclav Havel
A second prolific writer and public intellectual has died in the space of a few days. But their lives couldn't have been more different.
Dec 18, 2011 | 8:45 pm
| (
The 4.74 degrees of separation between you and me
So, apparently, the six degrees that used to separate you and me has shrunk. The number of people separating anyone from anyone else in the world is now 4.74.
Nov 30, 2011 | 12:00 pm
| (
The Bible as literature: how a book transforms time and space
In preparing for a class on "The Bible as Literature," I discovered again how time and space are transformed by one written word.
Nov 21, 2011 | 3:35 pm
| (
The fall of Joe Paterno
Minute by minute, the details of the sexual abuse scandal at Penn State University are becoming more appalling, despicable, and sad. Among other things, Joe Paterno gives us a textbook definition of the sin of omission, with devastating consequences.
Nov 10, 2011 | 2:45 pm
| (
Hearing Robert Putnam on the puzzle of American religion
Last night, Robert Putnam, America's foremost social scientist, spoke at Wash U about his latest research into the "puzzle" of American religion. Could there perhaps be a paradox at the heart of the puzzle?
Nov 03, 2011 | 2:30 pm
| (
A time to celebrate 400 years of the King James Bible
The King James Bible is an unparalleled work of English literature. It's high time to celebrate its anniversary.
Oct 28, 2011 | 10:35 am
| (
C.F.W. Walther turns 200 today, and this is why you should know who he is
Many American Lutheran Christians will be marking the 200th birthday of one C. F. W. Walther today. Outside of those circles, very few will even know his name. But there are more than a few reasons why St. Louisans shouldn't forget him.
Oct 25, 2011 | 11:00 am
| (
Stanley Hauerwas and the story of disability
Last night, Stanley Hauerwas spoke at Fontbonne University, as part of its Carondelet Lecture Series. His lecture was entitled "Disability: An Attempt to Think With." And he was as provocative as ever.
Oct 18, 2011 | 5:45 pm
| (
Who was invited to the Dragon King's wedding?
Turns out the United Kingdom isn't the only country that can turn out elaborate fairy-tale royal weddings.
Oct 13, 2011 | 2:45 pm
| (
Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee's story of faith
This morning the Nobel committee announced that Leymah Gbowee, along with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Tawakul Karman, are the recipients of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. But to know the whole story, hear it in her own words.
Oct 07, 2011 | 10:45 am
| (
New evening seminar on religion and politics at Concordia Seminary
Just in time for the campaign season, Concordia Seminary will host its latest Lay Bible Institute (an evening seminar program) on the intricate maze that is religion and politics. Led by Prof. Joel Biermann, it will meet on Wednesday evenings, Oct. 12–Nov. 2.
Oct 04, 2011 | 12:00 pm
| (
Why this night was different from all other nights in baseball history
Not only did I stay up last night to see the Home Team's sweet victory. Not only did I stay up to see the Phillies pull off the improbable extra-inning win to put the Home Team into the playoffs. Not only did I stay up to see the Red Sox inexplicably cough up a bottom-of-the-ninth-inning lead. I …
Sep 29, 2011 | 12:00 pm
| (
Special Bach concert upcoming in memory of Robert Bergt
A special concert in memory of Robert Bergt, the renowned conductor and music director of Bach at the Sem, will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.
Sep 15, 2011 | 3:28 pm
| (
Rev. Travis Scholl
Travis Scholl is managing editor of theological publications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. An ordained Lutheran minister, he is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. He edits the theological quarterly Concordia Journal, and writes widely, including a column for the magazine Lutheran Witness.
