In 1777, a German writer, philosopher, and play-writer named Gotthold Lessing published a short article entitled, “On the Proof of the Spirit and of Power.” Lessing had already published many other writings arguing that there is no one correct religion, … Continue reading
John 6:1-15 When Andrew asked concerning the five loaves of bread and two small fish, “What are these among so many?” the question was simple. It is nothing. The bread we provide cannot satisfy the multitudes. In fact, bread, though … Continue reading
Galatians 4:21-31 St. Paul finds the deeper meaning under the account of Sarah and Hagar. He is not denying the natural meaning of the history. It is true that Sarah was Abraham’s wife, and Hagar was her maidservant. It is … Continue reading
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 After the people of Israel heard the law from Mount Sinai, they begged Moses to speak to them rather than God, because they would die if they heard the voice of God (Ex 20:19). God knew that no … Continue reading
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be | glad with her,* all you who | love her; that you may feed and be | satisfied* with the consolation of her | bosom. (Isaiah 66:10-11) I was glad when they | said to me,* … Continue reading
Iowa District East Symposium 2018 May 31 – June 1 “The Preaching Office” Io-Dis-E-Ca 3271 Sandy Beach Rd NE, Solon, Iowa 52333 The Symposium will be held at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, 3271 Sandy Beach Rd NE, Solon, IA 52333 on Thursday, … Continue reading
Luke 11:14-28 Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it. These words sum up our Lord’s entire lesson. He teaches us by warning us as well as promising us a blessing. He begins by casting out … Continue reading
Ephesians 5:1-9 Christ suffered on our behalf, an offering and sacrifice to God as a sweet smelling aroma. This entails two things, which cannot be separated. First, Christ has suffered the judgment we deserved because of our sins. Second, Christ … Continue reading
Exodus 8:16-24 The finger of God both casts out demons as well as hardens hearts. The finger of God is another term for the Holy Spirit. The Ten Commandments were inscribed on tablets of stone with the finger of God … Continue reading
I have been writing little meditations on the front of my bulletins for the last few years. Each meditation concentrates specifically on one of the propers for each given Sunday in the historic lectionary. My goal is to have a … Continue reading
Last week Steadfast Lutherans held one of their Regional Conferences at Zion Lutheran Church in Winter Garden, FL. The amount of attendees was not huge, but it was a good bunch of faithful Christians who desire to learn more and … Continue reading
The following is the schedule for our Orlando Conference, “Strangers in a Strange Land.” If you want to get away from the arctic air this January then come down to Orlando to get together with confessional Lutheran friends. You can … Continue reading
https://steadfastlutherans.org/clips/ChristmasDay.m4a The angel did not tell the shepherds how they can make Jesus their Lord and Savior. Instead, he told them that Christ their Lord and Savior had been born for them already that day. He did not … Continue reading
This is the fifth article in a series published in local newspapers of Clayton County, IA. Christ alone is our salvation. This means that he is the essence and sole sum of all that we confess from the Bible. Our … Continue reading
This is the fourth article in a series published for local newspapers in Clayton County, IA. The Lutherans and Roman Catholics do not disagree with the following statement: “We are saved by grace alone.” But we have different definitions of … Continue reading
This is the third article in a series published in local newspapers in Clayton County, IA. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28. “But he who does not work … Continue reading
This is the second article in a series published in the local newspapers of Clayton County, IA. Luther was brought before the Emperor, Charles V, at the Diet of Worms in 1521. They told him to recant his writings about … Continue reading
The following is the first of a series of articles written for the local papers in Clayton County, Iowa. This October 31st is the 500th anniversary of what is known as the Reformation. On this day, the eve of All … Continue reading
Iowa District East Symposium 2017 June 1-2 “Popular Lutheran Themes” Io-Dis-E-Ca 3271 Sandy Beach Rd NE, Solon, Iowa 52333 Do you ever hear someone use a Lutheran phrase but suspect he doesn’t know what it really means? Have you heard … Continue reading
The dogmaticians often distinguished between the comforts of the world sought through the law, or philosophy, and the comforts given by the Christian cross. Melanchthon started this trend, and other dogmaticians, such as Hutter and Selnecker continued to compare the … Continue reading
The dogmaticians make a distinction between Christ’s cross and the Christian’s cross. Christ’s cross is propitiatory while the Christian’s cross is disciplinary. Christ’s cross alone takes away the guilt of sin. The Christian’s cross teaches him to commend himself to … Continue reading
This week our series on the Cross in the life of the Christian continues with the distinction between the external and internal cross. Paul makes this distinction in 2 Corinthians 7:5. This is a lot like the visible and invisible … Continue reading
While I am finishing up my STM thesis on the topic of the cross in Lutheran dogmatics, I thought I would attempt to begin a series of poems outlining the dogmatic arrangement of this topic. Today I am posting a … Continue reading
Our God is He who hides himself beneath the cross of pain. His thoughts are not our own, and yet He gives it for our gain. For on the cross his Only Son fulfilled our Father’s will To cover all … Continue reading
I wrote this poem back in June, not knowing how this election would turn out. I thank God that the pro-baby-murderers did not win the day. I pray that God continues to have mercy on our nation and draw us to … Continue reading