I received an email with a question that I would like to address publicly in order to head off misconception. The email asked, "Is the name Lutheran Fathers a backhanded attempt to discredit the ordination of women?"
After rubbing my eyes to see if I read the email correctly - it was late, too late for me to respond in a more timely letter I went to bed, feeling weary. This morning with a clearer mind and spirit I feel that I can answer that for both my brother and myself with a resounding NO. If the blog allowed Greek I would respond with "Mae Genetau" - but since I am stuck with the bounds of English a simple NO will have to suffice.
Some of the most intelligent, gifted, passionate, and brilliant pastors and priests we know are female. The very simple reason we chose Lutheran Fathers is - (drum roll please) we are both male. No hidden agenda, no backhanded attempt to discredit anyone. This is simply an expression of the authors identity and we pray that no offense has been taken by anyone who may think otherwise. Also, from time to time we hope, that some of those brilliant, passionate, and gifted females my write a piece for us at LF. So, if you are an Evangelical Catholic female with a passion for writing - please get in touch!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I have to tell you I've tried to post this comment all morning, and have run into various difficulties- mostly my own fault, my own most grievous fault!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I want to say that I was intrigued to see the clarification on the blog this morning. While I respect the directness of the person asking you the question, and I appreciate the care and respect with which you responded, I did not think twice about the Lutheran Fathers name.
Most likely, because I am friends with one of you and it is unthinkable that you would ever demean the ordination of women or that you would ever partner with anyone who did. Mae gennatau- most certainly~
While I have had too many question the validity of my ordination over the past 15 years and it is a sensitive point for me at times, I couldn't see you inviting me to be part of the blog and then having you insult something that is an intrinsic part of who I am.
Finally, two guys calling themselves "Lutheran Mothers" would just be too bizarre for even me to deal with (although perhaps there are those who have called you some version of this!)
It seems that it would be helpful as we are looking to dialog together as Lutherans and Roman Catholics, women and men, old and young that we take Martin Luther's direction from the explanation of the Eighth commandment and try to understand one another "in the kindest way possible" as our starting point.
It seems this is the path toward making a safe space for dialog that can be open to our hopes and fears, our dreams and concerns, our hurts and our words of healing. Which would be a reforming thing indeed.
Peace~