.jpg)
Visit Daniel W. Erlander's website.
After teaching the disciples what they needed to understand, God’s risen Messiah left them in Jerusalem where they praised God daily in the temple and waited for a great empowerment which the risen Jesus had promised to send.
The empowerment came on the Jewish feast called Pentecost.
First the sound of violent wind filled the room. Yahweh’s breath blew as it had blown on the ancient chaos to bring forth creation, as it had blown on the womb of Mary to form the New Creation. Whoosh! Then tongues of fire rested on each of the disciples. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Yahweh felt the same joy as on the day of creation, the day of the exodus, the day Jesus was conceived, and the day Jesus was raised. Yahweh had now spirited a new people, women and men, to go forth and call the nations into a blessed life of manna for all and mercy for all. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
From Manna and Mercy by Daniel Erlander
Daniel W. Erlander has nearly always woven theology and art together. And because he has, people across the church have joined Lutheran congregations and grown in their faith.
What Erlander hopes they've learned is: "Grace, grace, grace, grace, grace."
Talking in his gentle voice from his home in Freeland, on Whidbey Island, Wash., he added, "What's precious and special to Lutherans — what's central — is the gracious love of God for all. Undeserved."
Erlander, a retired ELCA pastor, is the author and illustrator of seven self-published books/resources, including Baptized, We Live; Manna and Mercy; and his most recent, Tales of the Pointless People (visit Erlander's website).
His unique style of writing the books by hand and illustrating them himself with cartoon-like characters is familiar to Lutherans across the church. Countless pastors have used his resources to welcome new members or teach the basics of the faith to current ones.
 |
| Daniel Erlander in his Freeland, Wash., home. For decades he has produced grace-filled resources for the church. |
One reviewer said: "When I loan Manna and Mercy to friends, I remind them: 'Don't judge this book by its cover,' because the simple homespun look is deceptive. ... Do not let the look fool you. There is solid scholarship behind the simple presentation."
Erlander said he has been "drawing and drawing and drawing" since kindergarten. In first grade, the teacher told his parents, "Dan must understand that arithmetic is not art class."
The rest of this article is only available to subscribers.
© 2013 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
