by Fred & Gloria Strickert
Announcing a new book by
Rev. Munib A. Younan
of Jerusalem
Bishop of the ELCJHL
The President of the Lutheran World Federation
Link to Lutheran University Press
A bridge-builder.
An ambassador of reconciliation.
A prophetic voice,
speaking truth to power.
An advocate for justice,
peace, and non-violence.
A witness to the liberating
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A servant for the suffering.
Table of Contents
Biographical Sketch
Foreword
Part One: The Life and Work of Lutherans in the Holy Land
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
Adapting to a Changing Environment while Drawing Strength
from Deep Christian Roots
Lutheran Interest in the Middle East: A Historical Survey
Fifty Years of Living Witness and Creative Diakonia
Word for Graduates of ELCJHL Schools
Part Two: Messages of Reconciliation for a World of Division
Justice, Reconciliation, and Hope: United for God’s Mission
Reforming Luther: Toward a Prophetic Interfaith Dialogue
Among Christians, Jews, and Muslims
Give Us Today Our Daily Bread
What’s Lutheran about Health Care? Insights from Martin Luther
Ecumenism Is Reconciliation in the Middle East and in the World
Jerusalem Today and Tomorrow: Four Visions
What Does the Lord Require of Us? A Vision of Peace through Justice
The Church’s Commitment to Non-Violence
Bring Religion Back to the Front Lines of Peace
The Role of Religion in the Middle East
Why Lutherans Should Recognize Interfaith Harmony Week
A Suggestion for Christian–Muslim Dialogue
Part Three: Sermons about Love for Neighbor and Reconciliation
Fear not! (Luke 2:10)
Living Stones (1 Peter 2:5)
Reformed for Costly Discipleship and Creative Diakonia
With Eyes and Ears on Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9)
Jesus’ Strategy Session for the Early Church (John 14:1-14)
I Am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
One in the Apostles’ Teaching (Acts 2:42)
Living as the Children of Light (Ephesians 5:8)
Welcoming the Stranger (Matthew 25:31-46)
Christ–the Hope of the World (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Planting a Tree for the Future (Genesis 8:11)
Biographical Sketch
Foreword
Part One: The Life and Work of Lutherans in the Holy Land
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
Adapting to a Changing Environment while Drawing Strength
from Deep Christian Roots
Lutheran Interest in the Middle East: A Historical Survey
Fifty Years of Living Witness and Creative Diakonia
Word for Graduates of ELCJHL Schools
Part Two: Messages of Reconciliation for a World of Division
Justice, Reconciliation, and Hope: United for God’s Mission
Reforming Luther: Toward a Prophetic Interfaith Dialogue
Among Christians, Jews, and Muslims
Give Us Today Our Daily Bread
What’s Lutheran about Health Care? Insights from Martin Luther
Ecumenism Is Reconciliation in the Middle East and in the World
Jerusalem Today and Tomorrow: Four Visions
What Does the Lord Require of Us? A Vision of Peace through Justice
The Church’s Commitment to Non-Violence
Bring Religion Back to the Front Lines of Peace
The Role of Religion in the Middle East
Why Lutherans Should Recognize Interfaith Harmony Week
A Suggestion for Christian–Muslim Dialogue
Part Three: Sermons about Love for Neighbor and Reconciliation
Fear not! (Luke 2:10)
Living Stones (1 Peter 2:5)
Reformed for Costly Discipleship and Creative Diakonia
With Eyes and Ears on Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9)
Jesus’ Strategy Session for the Early Church (John 14:1-14)
I Am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
One in the Apostles’ Teaching (Acts 2:42)
Living as the Children of Light (Ephesians 5:8)
Welcoming the Stranger (Matthew 25:31-46)
Christ–the Hope of the World (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Planting a Tree for the Future (Genesis 8:11)
Munib Andria Younan was born in the Old City of Jerusalem after his parents
sought refuge in the Monastery of John the Baptist during the war of 1948.
His parents lost everything and were never allowed to return to their homes.
As a youth in the old city, Younan began attending the Lutheran Church of
the Redeemer, where he learned the power of the Gospel.
In 1976, after studying in Finland, Younan was ordained at the Lutheran
Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem.
In 1998 he was consecrated as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Jordan, later renamed the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan
and the Holy Land. -- ELCJHL.
Bishop Munib A. Younan was elected as president of The
Lutheran World Federation by its Eleventh Assembly in
Stuttgart, Germany, in July 2010.
Rev. Martin Junge, General Secretary, The Lutheran World Federation,
writes about Bishop Younan:
"This is the way I have come to know Bishop Munib Younan in his service as
LWF president. As a pastor and a church leader he cares deeply both about
his own church in the Holy Land and about the church universal. He cares
both about the well-being of his own Palestinian people and people around
the world. He cares about violations of human rights wherever they occur
and about what it takes to make for peace. He lives with passion for the
church and for the world!
"As you will read in this collection of sermons, speeches, and writings, Bishop
Younan’s theology is contextual—deeply rooted in his daily reality as a Palestinian
Christian—while at the same time being universal—offering insights and
principles that apply to other situations in vastly different parts of the world.
Given the tragic history of failed Israeli--Palestinian peace efforts, it would
be easy to become pessimistic, discouraged, and even bitter. But Bishop
Younan is full of hope, the hope that comes from a deep faith. This is the
testimony of a man liberated by God’s grace, working for a just, peaceful,
and reconciled world."
Fred & Gloria Strickert
http://walkinjerusalem.blogspot.com/
his own church in the Holy Land and about the church universal. He cares
both about the well-being of his own Palestinian people and people around
the world. He cares about violations of human rights wherever they occur
and about what it takes to make for peace. He lives with passion for the
church and for the world!
"As you will read in this collection of sermons, speeches, and writings, Bishop
Younan’s theology is contextual—deeply rooted in his daily reality as a Palestinian
Christian—while at the same time being universal—offering insights and
principles that apply to other situations in vastly different parts of the world.
Given the tragic history of failed Israeli--Palestinian peace efforts, it would
be easy to become pessimistic, discouraged, and even bitter. But Bishop
Younan is full of hope, the hope that comes from a deep faith. This is the
testimony of a man liberated by God’s grace, working for a just, peaceful,
and reconciled world."
Fred & Gloria Strickert
http://walkinjerusalem.blogspot.com/
