Epiphany 2010

Volume XXIV, Number 2

In this Issue

• Short of a Quarter Century by Phil Johnson

  In the Summer 1992 issue, the editors of Pietisten admitted their failure to take Skogsbergh Point on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. The point was once owned by Rev. E. A. Skogsbergh and was a gathering place for Swedish Pietists in the early part of the 20th century. We planned to sail to the point in the dead of night and plant a Pietisten flag firmly in the soil. In the article “Editors Face Their Failure,” we sought to analyze the factors that prevented our success. If you read it, you will understand more clearly the present situation. Now more than 18 years have passed since that plan was conceived. The current Board and soon-to-be-replaced Managing Editor have missed the mark again; they have fallen short of a quarter century of publishing what is becoming known as “Pietisten 2.0.”

• Welcome to the Conversation The Calling of a Colporteur or What to Expect from “Pietisten 3.0” by Mark Safstrom

  As the incoming staff of Pietisten was busy at work publishing this current issue that you are now holding in your hands, we couldn’t help but chuckle about how quickly this change occurred, from Minneapolis to Seattle, from one generation to another. One year ago, none of us expected, nor had any aspirations of such a takeover. At the same time, once Phil started hinting that change was coming, and ambiguous conversations began about “who would pick up the reins next,” I think most of us were caught up in a great deal of anticipation. From the very beginning it seemed like a moment of serendipity…or maybe even Providence. For any of you Readers out there who at any point have had anxious thoughts about young whippersnappers tarnishing the good old name of Pietisten, you are invited here and now to put your minds at ease.

• Awakening Pietisten: An Introductory Editorial by David Hawkinson

  We have gathered, in this spirit, to reopen this forum because searching for this “stream” has been a central concern in our lives. This interest, however, is not a dispassionate curiosity in the history of religious movements. Nor are we motivated by a naive romanticism or sentimentality meant only to conjure up bygone days and warm memories.

• The Mystery of Christ, According to Sallman by Craig E. Anderson

  Our commitment to honor Sallman and his religious art is not driven by a desire to suggest that his work rivals that of, say, Raphael or Rembrandt, although we do want him to be taken seriously. Rather we pay tribute to his memory and work because his art has touched the lives of countless people in America and throughout the world.

• In Defense of Hybrids: Part II by Tom Tredway

  In the last issue of this journal I sought to say a word for hybrids in general, hinting as well that I had one in particular in mind. To that particular hybrid I now turn. It is Christian Humanism.

• Sightings in Christian Music by Glen Wiberg

  As a lover of hymns, I have learned to tread gently in offering critiques of hymns, especially those in popular usage. Gracia Grindal, Professor of Rhetoric at Luther Seminary, St Paul has recently raised a question about the hymn “Amazing Grace,” which has won such universal approval including approval by people other than Christians.

• On Gluttony by Anders Jonåker

  The theme for the day – the deadly sin of the day – is gluttony. All of us certainly have some experience with this. The Swedish expression, “take a cake to the pastor” presents a rather common recurring dilemma. Not to mention Christmas smorgasbords.

• Learning at Its Best by Arthur W. Anderson

  I was a very nervous freshman at North Park in the fall of 1938. At the outset, the only thing I could do was smile and suffer. While I really didn’t grow up on a farm, I had enough of it to make me more retiring than I wished.

• Poetry Corner by Arthur Mampel

  There is a place in Seattle where artists, authors, poets and English majors come to learn from each other. It is named after the poet, Richard Hugo. I’ve only been to the Hugo House twice since its inception, but it has had—through word of mouth and newsletter—an indirect influence on me.

• Poetry Poem: Advent by Arthur Mampel

• Waldenstrom's Commentary Luke 19:12-27 and Waldenström’s Commentary by Paul Peter Waldenström and translated by Tommy Carlson
• Poem: Putting the Garden to Bed by Yenta

• Truth on Parade by Elder M. Lindahl

  It was a beautiful Fourth of July day in Iron River, Michigan. The annual parade was one of the best I have attended through the years. Polished fire trucks made their presence felt. Floats celebrating many local groups gave evidence of work behind the scenes. Prancing riding horses brought some real life amid the various kinds of vehicles and trailers.

• A Mission Trip to Cuba by Robert Sundell

  “Hallelujah! I never thought I would live to see this day!” It was September, 2006, and my wife Gwyneth and I had just arrived with others from our “Volunteers in Mission” team and were attending a service to welcome us to the small Methodist church in Limones, Cuba.

• Green with Reene Green with Reene: Nature Explore Classroom by Irene Ecklund

  The Early Childhood Center, First Covenant Church, Omaha, Nebraska: The purpose is to get children out into nature to explore and to learn to love the world that God so graciously created for us to live in by providing developmentally appropriate nature education for young children. The aim is to help children understand and appreciate the Natural World.

• Sport Prophecy by Eric

  In lieu of a sport prophecy, I would like to use this space to pay tribute to the retiring editor, Phil Johnson.

• Comfortable Christianity by Paul Peter Waldenström

  Comfortable Christianity, it is indeed, when a believer lives for himself. He does not want to be a part of the congregation, as one of its members. He sticks to himself. He calls it “being free,” and free he wants to be.

• Practical, Therapeutic, Theological Thought I don’t want to trade by Penrod

  I remember sitting in the living room at our beautiful little piano picking out the melody line of carols from a little booklet of Christmas songs. On top of the piano to the left on cotton snow sat a little Lincoln log cabin with a small light inside. I put this together every Christmas.

• Youth Movement

  Kelsey Marie Webster; Andreas Grover; Caleb Joseph Becker; Maxwell Chance Nelson

• News and Notes

  Kari Kristine Anderson and John Wesley Lindahl; Covenant Chris Craft

• Tributes Tribute: Deborah Swanson Webster by Phil Johnson

  Deep sadness and unbelief overwhelmed the husband and family of Deborah Webster at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota when Deb, the new mother, wife, daughter, and beloved relative died 12 hours after giving birth to Kelsey Marie Webster.

• Tributes Sheryl Franklin Swanson by Joanne Franklin and the Family

  Sheryl Franklin distinguished herself each step of the way from Minneapolis to Willmar, Minnesota, back to Minneapolis and on to North Park College in Chicago, graduating in 1964. In 1965 she married Curtis Swanson. After graduate school at the University of Illinois, they moved to Michigan. Sheryl served as principle of an elementary school in Utica, Michigan, for more than 20 years.

• Post: Readers Respond