Ten Commandments Overview
In my parish we recently took some time to go through the Ten Commandments in order to better understand God’s ordering of the…
Category: Theology
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: The Descent of Christ to Hell
IX. The Descent of Christ into Hell STATUS CONTROVERSIAE. Chief Controversy concerning This Article. 1 It has also been disputed among some theologians…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: The Person of Christ
VIII. The Person of Christ 1 From the controversy concerning the Holy Supper a disagreement has arisen between the pure theologians of the…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: The Holy Supper of Christ
VII. The Lord’s Supper 1 Although the Zwinglian teachers are not to be reckoned among the theologians who affiliate with [acknowledge and profess]…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: The Third Use of God’s Law
VI. The Third Use of the Law 1 STATUS CONTROVERSIAE. The Principal Question In This Controversy. 1 Since the Law was given to…
Prayers before Congress… and the most offensive thing.
Yesterday a prayer was offered at the start of the session of the House of Representatives that concluded with an amen and awomen….
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: Law and Gospel
V. Law and Gospel STATUS CONTROVERSIAE. The Principal Question In This Controversy. 1 Whether the preaching of the Holy Gospel is properly not…
Did Martin Chemnitz use a rosary?
One of my favorite Lutheran theologians is Martin Chemnitz. I have often wondered about that “rosary” that shows up in the most well…
+ Rev. Paul T. McCain +
If I could have put VDMA around those crosses in the title I would have. Rev. Paul McCain, longtime higher up (interim President,…
SJW Toolkit – Proverbs
The book of Proverbs is specifically written to provide wisdom and instruction, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;…
Advent: A Time of Waiting
Advent leads to and culminates in Christmas, so one might wonder why there is such a focus on the end times during Advent….
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: Good Works
IV. Good Works. STATUS CONTROVERSIAE. The Principal Question In the Controversy concerning Good Works. 1] Concerning the doctrine of good works two divisions…
It’s Time to Start Sacrificing
*Much time, prayer, and effort has gone into this piece of writing. It is much longer than my typical writings because it would,…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: The Righteousness of Faith Before God
III. The Righteousness of Faith Before God. STATUS CONTROVERSIAE. The Principal Question In This Controversy. 1] Since it is unanimously confessed in our…
The Shame and Disgrace of the Cross
“For where God’s Word is preached, accepted, or believed, and bears fruit, there the holy and precious cross will also not be far…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: Free Will
II. Free Will. STATUS CONTROVERSIAE. The Principal Question in This Controversy. 1] Since the will of man is found in four unlike states,…
War and Pestilence: The Missouri Synod in the Year 1918
The year 1918 was tumultuous in the Missouri Synod. It was the year of the climax and conclusion of World War I, where…
Did Her Baptism Take?
Almost two years have passed since I published “One in 1200 and One in the Lord,” which was more widely received than I…
Cancel Culture: Dear God, Cancel Our Culture
“Dear God, please cancel our culture.” A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought to say this; but, God should cancel our culture….
Life on Venus?
Let me answer the click-bait question above immediately by saying that life has not been found on Venus. At least not yet. I…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: Original Sin
I. Original Sin. STATUS CONTROVERSIAE. The Principal Question in This Controversy. 1] Whether original sin is properly and without any distinction man’s corrupt…
Nunc Dimittis: Seeing God’s Savior and Salvation
Introduction Nunc Dimittis (the Song of Simeon) as a post-Communion canticle is a treasure. It holds deep riches of consolation in God’s Savior…
Cancel Culture: My First Impressions
God forgives sin and forgets. As it is written by Isaiah the Prophet, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: The Summary Content, Rule, and Norm
Comprehensive Summary, Rule and Norm According to which all dogmas should be judged, and the erroneous teachings [controversies]that have occurred should be decided…
Worshiping Without Needless Disturbance
During my years in the parish I have spent much effort to teach my board of elders their duties. Of all congregational offices,…