By Pastor Kris Litman-Koon
The keynote speaker of the 2026 South Carolina Synod Assembly was The Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer. Doctor Rimmer is the rector and dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC. In this capacity, Doctor Rimmer is the lead academic and church administrator for the seminary, doing so with the vision to further develop the seminary to an exemplary status within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Speaking to the assembly, the keynote began with the question, “Who did Jesus look like?” After allowing the assembled people to ponder that, Dr. Rimmer explained how throughout Christian history there have been theological, philosophical, and metaphorical answers to this question. Yet, when not delving into speculation, we must acknowledge that Jesus of Nazareth was conceived and born of Mary.
The importance of that statement was summarized by early Lutheran reformers when they declared “Jesus received flesh of the flesh of Mary.” He is truly and fully human, and Mary’s flesh gave the genetic blueprint for Jesus. The claim that the finite can contain the infinite is first revealed in Mary (then in Jesus, then in the Eucharist). So the answer to Dr. Rimmer’s opening question is that Jesus looked like Mary.
Doctor Rimmer then transitioned to the role of a poet. “In a time of prophets and angels, Mary is far more interesting. She is a poet.” The role of the poet can be more important than a prophet, who – at the basic level – only is required to speak the words that are conveyed – or gifted – by God. Yet, Mary received a gift that she was able to grow. It is asymmetrical because she makes something new with God’s gift. Mary quietly tended and cultivated the Word of God, from the womb through Jesus’ developmental years and to his death that pierced her soul.
Dr. Rimmer then asked the question, “What theological doctrines can help us reframe the issues facing us?” Primarily, he argues, should be the doctrine of imago Dei, the Image of God. Also, that God is love; this core essence of the Trinity is revealed in Jesus. When confronted with the question, “What does God do all day?,” medieval mystic Meister Eckhart responded, “God lies on the maternity bed and gives birth.” Our Nicene Creed declares that God is the maker of heaven and earth. Maker – in Greek – is ποίησις (poiesis), which is the source of our word “poet.” So we should hear in our creed the poetry, the creativeness, of God’s works of making.
Doctor Rimmer shared how Lutherans and Orthodox communities have come to an agreement to celebrate together the Feast of Creation. This is held on September 1 or the subsequent Sunday. The feast’s intention is to celebrate the Logos as the Divine Poet. Such a feast will help Christians to refocus their vision on this life’s vocation to till and tend and create, rather than a focus solely on a future realm. Doctor Rimmer described how our acts of worship, our acts of service, and our acts of justice are often viewed as a list from which we must individually choose one. Yet, that is a false distinction. Those are three notes of the same chord. A shift in view to a creation-centered Christianity can aid us to better engage this calling in our vocations. Recalling the question that started this keynote, Dr. Rimmer concluded with the bold statement, “Right here, right now, God needs the incarnation to look like you.”
