Looking Forward to Restoration of the Communion Rail
During the Covid-19 pandemic, our congregation has altered the manner of administering Communion from the Communion rail to a line formation. While I…
Category: Steadfast in the Pew
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…
Why the Preface and Agnus Dei? Bonus: Why Pax Domini?
The Service of the Sacrament begins with the Preface. Why? Is it just because we need some way of beginning? Is it because…
Cultural Marxism and Critical Theory: An Introductory Sketch
***Editor’s Content Notice: This article includes language that is not for younger readers.*** Introduction This article provides an introductory sketch of Cultural Marxism…
Systemic Adultery and Matriphobia: Our Guilty Silence
A Lutheran pastor friend of mine recently posted this status on Facebook: Be sure, before you get defensive, that you understand the difference…
What Does “Woke” Mean?
The news is full of the word “woke.” Woke people, woke agenda, woke action. Television and internet show woke people burning things down….
Riots and Destruction
On May 19, 2019, Concordia College New York (LCMS) held its Celebration of Service. The College honored “Servant of Christ” Hawk Newsome, the…
Coronavirus and Confession
Look at the reactions to coronavirus. The reactions are all over the place. It is the fault of the Chinese. It is the…
Gospel Determinism Cases: Paul G. Bretscher — Bultmann Supplement
Since writing “Gospel Determinism Cases: Paul G. Bretscher,” which has been published in a five-part series here on Brothers of John the Steadfast,…
Gospel Determinism Cases, Paul G. Bretscher, Part 5
Introduction Previously I presented “Gospel Determinism: A Preview.” Then we moved from preview to the first of some cases that illustrate gospel determinism:…
Gospel Determinism Cases: Paul G. Bretscher, Part 4
Introduction Previously I presented “Gospel Determinism: A Preview.” Then we movee from preview to the first of some cases that illustrate gospel determinism:…
Gospel Determinism Cases: Paul G. Bretscher, Part 3
Introduction Previously I presented “Gospel Determinism: A Preview.” Then we moved from preview to the first of some cases that illustrate gospel determinism:…
Gospel Determinism Cases: Paul G. Bretscher, Part 2
Introduction Previously I presented “Gospel Determinism: A Preview.” Then we moved from preview to the first of some cases that illustrate gospel determinism:…
Gospel Determinism Cases: Paul G. Bretscher, Part 1
Introduction Previously I presented “Gospel Determinism: A Preview.” Now we move from preview to the first of some cases that illustrate gospel determinism:…
Baptism: Still More Common Questions Answered, Part 3
Introduction In Part 1 , we introduced a set of sermons by Martin Luther that answer many common questions about Baptism that are both…
Gospel Determinism: A Preview
Elements Gospel determinism has two elements. We know the Gospel. Gospel determines everything. The elements are simple. Together they are total. The Gospel…
Baptism: More Common Questions Answered, Part 2
Introduction In Part 1, we introduced a set of sermons by Martin Luther that answer many common questions about Baptism that are both…
Scriptural Hermeneutics Bibliography for the English-Reading Layperson
Barrick, William D., “Exegetical Fallacies: Common Mistakes Every Student of the Bible Must Avoid.” (article, 12 pp.) (PDF, and online edition is here)….
Christian Dogmatics Bibliography for the English-Reading Layperson
UPDATE NOTE: Thanks to Eric Obermeyer for contributing links to online editions that we have added since the original publication of this bibliography….
Defending Concordia University System Schools from Ideologies
Introduction This article provides a thumbnail sketch of what Kenneth Minogue calls the “pure theory” of ideology and applies it to destructive ideological…
Baptism: Common Questions Answered, Part 1
Introduction You hear questions about Baptism. You have your own questions. Many of these questions are common and are asked repeatedly. Many of…
Baptism Bibliography for the English-Reading Layperson
Buchanan, Colin, A Case for Infant Baptism, rev. ed. (Cambridge: Grove Books Limited, 1984). Chemnitz, Martin, “Original Sin” in The Doctrine of Man…
A Lay Delegate Report on the 2019 LCMS Synod Convention
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod holds a synod-wide convention every three years. The convention receives reports, elects leaders, votes on proposed resolutions,…
Unavoidable Personal Evangelism
Lay Lutherans and personal evangelism have a strained relationship. First, we are tempted to think that only pastors should witness for Christ….
Do I need church? Do you need church? What’s the draw?
Do I need church? Do you need church? Some say they are Christians, but don’t need the church. They worship at home or…