It used to be a far more common practice for newspapers and magazines (including the Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel) to publish excerpts from Sunday sermons. From time to time the Journal and Sentinel continue this practice, which began when the magazines were founded by Mary Baker Eddy.
A Christian Scientist passing through Michigan last summer happened to hear the following sermon in which a Lutheran minister voiced encouragement for Christian Scientist parents prosecuted for their religious practices. Naturally, Christian Scientists appreciate support from their Christian brethren concerning the right to rely on prayer for healing. But we felt that the following sermon was noteworthy on more than a denominational basis. The Reverend Thomas Pederson's remarks captured our attention and appreciation not only for his generosity toward beliefs and practices that differ from his own, but also for his breadth of perspective on the widespread need for renewal of commitment to "a God is real ... not just a passing acknowledgment of a God who we hope exists." Excerpts from Rev. Mr. Pederson's sermon at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Michigan, follow.
"Sound the alarm," writes Dennis Anderson, new President at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. "We are headed for a shortage of pastors. This year seminaries graduated only seventy percent of the need." ...
