| dc.description.abstract | John F. Brug’s essay, An Amazing Century!, reflects on the profound material, social, and technological changes of the 20th century and their impact on the work of the Christian church, particularly within the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Brug explores revolutions in demographics, politics, family structure, communication, and transportation, noting how these shifts have altered both challenges and opportunities for ministry. He compares the immigrant experience of German Lutherans in 1901 with that of Hispanic and Asian immigrants in 2001, emphasizing the ongoing role of assimilation in outreach. The essay highlights the decline of colonialism, the rise of individualism, and the transformative potential of the internet for evangelism. Brug concludes that while the 20th century revolutionized life on earth, the church must adapt wisely to these changes while remaining anchored in the gospel. A final installment is promised to explore anticipated changes in the 21st century.
—Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4) | |
