About this blog
Things I once was: Caribbean travel exec, lawyer, Army Ranger Viet Nam.
Things I am now: graybeard, husband, father, recent grandfather, sailor, Lutheran, sports fan, fisherman, political junkie, and writer.
I have done formal studies at Dartmouth College, University of Minnesota Law School, and with the Benedictine monks of St John’s School of Theology, Collegeville, MN.
I confess to narcissistic impulses that compel me to blog. Cogito sum vox, ergo blogito. (I think I am right, therefore I blog.) The blog will address progressive, religious themes with occasional references to my published writings (gotta pay the bills).
I encourage comments.
Obie Holmen
Northfield, Minnesota
Hi Obie,
I’d like to invite you to touch base with me, and maybe some of the other
Oblates of St. John’s Abbey who live in the Northfield area. You can find me on Thursday mornings (usually) at Blue Monday at the “Theology Table” – the large one near the front of the coffee house. Otherwise, look me up in the phone book, or browse my website. I appreciate your blog notes!
(Rev.) Keith E.O. Homstad
What a refreshing discovery! I followed you from the “pretty good lutheran” blog of Susan Hogan’s. I’ve just launched a new blog with a conservative friend of mine to discuss peacefully and respectfully our different politics, remembering first of all we’re Christians. I look forward to reading your book about Paul, congratulations on finishing it!
@Kim
Thanks, Kim, I hope my blog and my book don’t disappoint. Good luck with your own collaborative endeavor!
This is interesting. I’m a retired teacher who has been our church librarian for 6 and 1/2 years. I have read dozens (hundreds?) of Christian novels in that time. I am about to retire as librarian just when it looks like there will be a good addition to buy. Good luck with your book.
How wonderful that yet another progressive voice is being heard. And how interesting the notion of a book so characterizing Paul as its title, at least, appears you will be characterizing him. I’m REALLY looking forward to that!
Thank you, Obie, for your good works!
Other than that, though, whether or not I agree with all that’s in it, this place is obviously wonderful. Thank you, so much, for creating it. May your readership explode to unimagined proportions!
Peace.
_______________________________________
Gregg L. DesElms
Napa, California USA
gregg at greggdeselms dot com
Hi Obie,
Stumbled onto your blog a while back and wanted to say thanks for the great writing. I am an ELCA pastor up in North Dakota and am most grateful for your thoughtful insights regarding Lutheran Core and their ilk. Keep up the great work and say “Hi” to my brother Joel if you see him! Joel is principal at Northfield High; my sister-in-law (Beth) teaches at St. Olaf.
Peace,
Phil Leer
Bethany Lutheran Church
Rugby, ND
As a proud liberal and even prouder ELCA member (in Southern California), I’m thrilled to find your blog. Looking forward to reading much more here. Like you, my liberalism is natural consequence of my understanding, through ELCA “eyes,” of Jesus’ teachings.
Best,
Deborah White
Liberal Politics at About.com
Part of the New York Times Company
Thanks for your comment on my blog! I am a first-call Lutheran pastor in the Chicago suburbs, and my home church (a different Lutheran church in the Chicago suburbs) has been supporting the Fribergs for a number of years now. I’m thrilled to be a part of planning a joint trip to Tanzania for June 2011. I’ve wanted to travel there for a few years now, and am excited to have the opportunity.
I am a St. Olaf graduate, class of 2003, and sang in the St. Olaf Choir for two years. I loved my time there and love Northfield dearly. My youngest sister also went to St. Olaf and is currently a math teacher in the Minneapolis area; I appreciate every opportunity I have to head to the Twin Cities, and Northfield is always a part of those visits (not JUST because my husband is a huge Hogan Bros. fan!).
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog, and I’m interested in reading what you have to say here!
Peace,
Pastor Melissa Bills
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
Naperville, Illinois
Since this is a liberal blog, this article about the The Rippies, New Yippies on the Right may be of interest.
Hi Obie:
How interesting to come across your blog! I am currently serving the ELCA as a missionary in Jerusalem. But when I return to Minnesota, I intend to live in Northfield, where a sister and her family lives. It’s also interesting because I was the one at the FMEEC conference in Lebanon who wrote the original press release about the fellowship urging member churches to ordain women! (I’m also a Luther Seminary graduate who has likewise been irritated by Dr. Nestigen, which is how I came to your blog in the first place.)
Not sure when I’ll be in Northfield next, but I hope you don’t mind if I look you up when I am!
All the best,
Allison Schmitt, communication assistant
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
ELCA Global Mission deployed staff
Jerusalem
I just stumbled upon your blog and thoroughly enjoy it! Thank you for sharing, and dare I say it, I am glad (at least in this instance) for narcissistic impulses! Thank you for your work! You might not enjoy reading blogs as much as writing yours (I do not,) but my blog is thelearningpastor.wordpress.com. I’ve had this blog for about two months now, and I thoroughly enjoy it as an outlet for expression. Take care!