In addition, his mother, Gertrude Krey, and his other brothers and sisters have always been leaders in their congregations. Yet two factors in his background accent his views toward the modern and future church. He grew up in Massachusetts where Lutherans played a minority role in church life. And his academic concentration in early church history tempers his perspective about what it means to be part of a pluralistic society. He compares the societal setting of today's church to that of the late antique world of the Second and Third centuries.
People have many choices about religion.
They see a secular government failing to deliver programs and institutions that society needs to be civil. They need to understand what they have to contribute while being in relationship with others across a complicated society. We are gifted with enormous theological and spiritual resources. We can be confident about being in dialogue and partnership with other church traditions. We have much to contribute to these relationships, and we will always have much to contribute.