ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 27, 2005

ELCA Presiding Bishop's Book Sequel Calls For Courageous Faith
05-133-KB*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In his new book, "Faithful and Courageous:
Christians in Unsettling Times," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson,
presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), calls for Lutherans and other Christians to be strong and
courageous in their faith and witness to God.  Augsburg Fortress,
the publishing ministry of the ELCA, published the 96-page
paperback.
     Hanson also serves as president of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF), a global communion of 138 Lutheran churches in
77 countries, with 66 million members.  The LWF is based in
Geneva, Switzerland.  He received a master of divinity degree
from Union Theological Seminary, New York, N.Y., and served as a
pastor and bishop in the ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod.
     "In such unsettling times as these, God calls us to be both
faithful and courageous.  We are faithful to God's call that
sends us into the world as witnesses to the love and mercy and
forgiveness of God.  It takes courage to witness boldly," Hanson
wrote in this sequel to his book, "Faithful yet Changing: The
Church in Challenging Times," in which he recognized marks of a
faithful church.
     Four key topics are discussed in the sequel:
+     Trusting God's faithful promises
+     Pondering Jesus' probing questions
+     Obeying Jesus' unsettling commands
+     Discerning our way in the world
     After each of the four chapters, Hanson poses questions for
reflection and discussion.
     "My hope is that this book will encourage holy conversation
about what it means to be a follower of Jesus in unsettling
times.  I hope it will be read by individuals who then will
gather with other believers in new member classes, adult study,
church councils and other settings for lifelong learning in the
church.  May the Spirit bless our search for wisdom and our
witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," Hanson
wrote in the preface.
     Hanson used Bible verses, personal stories and quotes from
theologians, authors and others providing hope and inspiration
for readers.  Throughout the book he offers questions to ask
ourselves daily as individuals and from a community outlook.
     "We can live with the questions only because of the
promises.  Because God is faithful to us, we are free to ask
questions, knowing that we are not saved by having all the right
answers.  If we sometimes get it wrong, we have the assurance of
God's grace and forgiveness.  This assurance gives us the faith
and courage both to hear and speak truth to one another for our
mutual growth in wisdom and the life of faith," Hanson wrote in
the book.
     Faith and courage in today's "unsettling times" are two key
components Hanson discussed throughout the four main topics in
the book.  "Faith and courage prevent fear from becoming our
defining reality.  Faith calls us to see the world through the
eyes of God's vision of shalom -- a vision of the goodness of
creation, of creation in harmony, of humanity interdependent,"
Hanson wrote.  He encourages Christians to act on their
commitment to bring peace and justice into today's world.
     Hanson offers the reader ways to live with faith and courage
during these times.  "We too need to disengage for a time, to be
consciously in God's presence, to regain perspective, to pray for
discernment and strength to move back out in the world with new
vision, courage and strength," Hanson wrote in the book.
-- -- --
     For more information about the book or to order it, go to
http://www.augsburgfortress.org on the Web.

* Kirsten H. Boettner is a senior communication major at Luther
College, Decorah, Iowa.  This summer she is an intern with the
ELCA News Service.

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John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news