Greetings from the Token Lutheran

Hello and greetings everyone. I thought I should introduce myself. Joe Carter kindly invited me to join this merry band of Evangelicals blogging about the Evangel and any/all related issues. How could I possibly say no? I mean, after all, those who were first called “Evangelicals” were the gang in Wittenberg, who also picked up the name “Lutheran” along the way from their opponents. I’m happy to be here and look forward to contributing to the site. I’ve known a number of my fellow bloggers here from their blog sites and from various other contacts and associations over the years. I’m honored to join them.

I’m an ordained pastor in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and serve as the Publisher and Executive Director of the Editorial Division of Concordia Publishing House. Previously, I have served as an instructor in systematic theology at one of our seminaries, a parish pastor, assistant to two national church body presidents, Director of Concordia Historical Institute and before my present post, I served as Interim President/CEO of Concordia Publishing House for about five years.

I maintain a blog site, Cyberbrethren, and host the home on the Internet for the Lutheran Confessions as found in the Book of Concord.

My interests in theology tend toward, unsurprisingly, all things Lutheran, but specifically Reformation history and Early Church History. I enjoy the fine arts, fine coffee, fine beer and fine baseball [defined as the St. Louis Cardinals winning]. I am married with three children.

A blessed and holy Advent and Christmas to all!

PS – You can see a larger version of the Cranach painting, and a full description, here.