The Greater Legacy

      The funeral of former President Ronald Reagan gave many Americans cause to celebrate, regardless of their political affiliations. Some could be stirred by the service he gave his country and others by the gracious manner in which he met the realities of his declining years. The poignant photographs-one of a vigorous president standing at the Berlin wall and the other one of an ex-president, devoid of vigor, sitting next to a young admirer-remind all of the peaks and valleys of life.

      Christians heard something more impressive than the official state funeral with its pomp and pageantry. They heard the unabashed testimonial to the Christian faith in part by the funeral service and in particular by Reagan's son Michael. Standing before world dignitaries and a world audience this son gave witness to his father's belief in Jesus Christ and added: "The greatest gift he has given me was the knowledge that at 1 o'clock that Saturday afternoon when he closed his eyes for the last time he went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A finer gift can not be given to a son." History will judge the extent of the legacy left by this president, but in the eyes of his son he had left him the greater one.

The L.C.M.S. in 2004

The 82nd regular convention of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is now history. Former brethren in the Synodical Conference, the WELS and ELS, can find no reassurance that the synod will return to the confessional principles once held by that Conference. The convention reelected Gerald Kieschnick to a second three-year term as president. He had supported the Rev. David Benke's participation in the unionistic religious ceremony in Yankee Stadium following the 9/11 tragedy. Among those who had objected to such participation was the Rev. Daniel Preus, who at this convention, was replaced as first vice-president, which would seem to indicate a general non-Scriptural bent in the voting constituency. If anyone had expected the LC-MS to take a turn to the right on this issue, that expectation went "aglimmering."

One could possibly find an element of the "old Missouri" among the many resolutions, notably a resolution that was overwhelmingly passed, affirming marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman. It urged its members "to give a public witness from Scripture against the special acceptance and legal recognition of homosexual 'marriage.'" Meanwhile, the ELCA, which seeks partnership with the LC-MS, struggles with defining its own position on the issue.

Atheism Looking For More Disciples

Since the mysterious death of Madalyn O'Hair, the atheists of America have been attempting to present a softer image. They have distanced themselves from the abrasive O'Hair who rather relished her role as "the most hated woman in the country." Atheism reportedly is on the increase, not so surprising since the number of unchurched people has nearly doubled from an estimated 39 million in 1991 to 75 million people today, according to the Barna Research Group.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune claims that Minnesota atheists are among the most active in the United States. The first openly atheistic community center in the country was opened recently in Minneapolis. Atheists also operate a summer camp for children of secular humanist parents. Atheist volunteers are being trained to provide home care and hospice services to the nonreligious. One can only imagine how spiritually comfortless their hospice services must be.

Despite being quite active, atheists don't organize easily. As someone put it, "It's like herding cats." However they did manage to participate in the "Godless Americans March on Washington." When they find a perceived enemy they manage, like Pilate and Herod, to join hands. At a time when our country needs more than ever a God-fearing people, the atheists of America are working to draw disciples to their God-less cause. We can only pray for the failure of their cause, while at the same time we earnestly pray for the conversion of their hearts.