Sam P. Schuldheisz

There is great value in reading fairy tales in a pandemic. There is freedom and joy to be found when we turn off the news, stop scrolling Facebook, and read. Above all, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest Christ’s holy Word. And while you’re at it, take some time to read a good fairytale too. You won’t be disappointed…

Good theology is the most practical thing you can have.

The following is an excerpt from“Where Two or Three Are Gathered” edited by Scott Keith (1517 Publishing, 2019).

Every day, in everything we do and experience, we are busy hearing, seeing, and telling stories.

Each of these little epiphanies in Middle-earth are like the star the magi saw arise in the sky, a light that reflects and points to Jesus who is the Light of the world.

Consolation is the breath of life filling our lungs, hearts, and minds with the fresh, incorruptible air of the new creation.

God is the God of failures, for He became one for you. There is no failure of ours that is bigger than Jesus’ cross, no sin of ours that can overshadow the cross.

Jesus is the great Houdini of the grave for us. And through His death, He gives us the Great Escape from death that leads to the great joy of the Resurrection.

Above all, Luther understood the importance of the Biblical narrative as the story of God’s love and man’s salvation revealed in Christ Crucified.

The Lutheran Reformation was a reformation of the Christian imagination alongside its theology.

Recovery helps us see beauty in the ordinary; the miracle and wonder of creation in the oak leaf or the evergreen needle.

What do the events of good stories, like The Lord of the Rings teach us about the rise and fall of civilizations in our own world?

Forty days after His resurrection from the dead, Jesus ascended.

Eucatastrophe combines two Greek words: ‘eu’ meaning ‘good’ (as in eulogy or euphoria), and ‘katastrophe’ for destruction.

Sacrifice is the beating heart of the Scriptures, but also of our Christian faith.

In Christian terms, this is a perfect example of the doctrine of vocation, where God calls us to serve our neighbor.

True freedom, Luther discovered, is found in Jesus crucified who sets us free.

Fairy tales are but one chapter in the book we call storytelling. We may prefer reading other kinds of stories (mystery, science fiction, and so on).

As the story unfolds we see Luther’s Heidelberg theses on display, even before the Fellowship leaves Rivendell.

On this night of nights, Christ arises victorious and sends the devil’s hordes running with no darkness to find cover; death’s dark shadow is gone

The only thing Hobbits love more than a good meal, is good company with whom they can share it.

We shouldn’t be surprised when the worldviews of the sub-creators (or their characters) show up in movies, television, books, theater, music, and other works of art.

How to enjoy the movie on its own merits.

I have found that Gandalf’s words above ring true, not only in Middle-earth, but in our world as well.

In reality, Easter equals good news for you. And our world needs some good news. Maybe we’re not even sure what’s wrong, but we know this world is broken.