The Shack: A Journey from Pain to Truth to Error – Part 2: Pain to Truth
In Part 1 of this series of articles, we saw that The Shack and its theology arise from two pressures: Pain, loss, and…
Category: Steadfast in the Pew
The Shack: A Journey from Pain to Truth to Error – Part 1: Pain
The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity[1] is a presentation of Trinitarian Theology and perichoresis[2] in the form of story, novel, and dialogue. This…
The Shack — It’s a Novel, but Not Just a Novel
The novel, The Shack, is coming out as a movie. So it is time again for Christians to have discernment about this…
The Cracked Foundation of Forde’s Radical Lutheranism
Gerhard Forde says, “Sanctification, if it is to be spoken of as something other than justification, is perhaps best defined as the art…
Commemorate Luther as Catechist
This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. Historians mark the beginning of the Reformation from Luther’s publication of them….
Threatened with Loss of the Word
Holly Marie Scheer recently wrote an article titled, “Why ‘Mary Did You Know’ Is The Most Biblically Illiterate Christmas Tune.” The digest at…
Conversion: Trusting God’s Word for Your Regeneration and Resurrection
We must trust Christ to raise us from death to life. We must trust him for this twice: regarding our resurrection, and regarding…
Conversion: To See Decisions Dead People Make, Visit the Cemetery
My Dad liked Billy Graham. When Graham’s crusades were televised, Dad watched. Graham had a gift of oratory. He preached God’s Law. He…
The Will in Conversion: Protestant Rationalism versus Lutheran Adherence to Scripture
A recurring issue in Christian conversations is: what is the role of man’s will in conversion. Some say this is no better than…
A Simple Map of Conversion Terminology
On a recurring basis, online Lutheran discussions will confront you with terms like pelagianism, synergism, and monergism. You will see one participant claim…
Advent – A Good Time to Pair Arch Books to the Lectionary
The Brothers of John the Steadfast have said before that, “We can use Arch Books coordinated with the Lectionary to engage young children…
Encouragement for the Scared Father
Not long ago in a discussion in an online Lutheran group, one father did a manly thing. He admitted he was scared in…
Law and Gospel in Marriage.
My wife and I have been married for over 14 years. In terms of our lives in the church, we have both changed…
Bosom, Burial, Banishment – Step 5 in the Humiliation of Christ
Bosom Jesus from eternity was in the bosom of the Father. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son,…
Who Are These Candidates, Really?
This is a presidential election year. There have been so many candidates. People wanted to know, who are these people, really? Who are…
Review of Praying Luther’s Small Catechism by John T. Pless
Luther’s Small Catechism is a prayer book. It is “a spiritual companion on a man’s journey from cradle to grave; the Christian’s daily…
Dr Jeffrey Kloha and Textual Criticism – A Post Convention Report
Two Overtures to the 2016 synodical convention of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod presented questions concerning a paper by Dr. Jeffrey Kloha…
Mission: Decline of the Church, Self-Esteem, and the Small Catechism
At the recent LCMS convention, a recurring topic was the decline of the church. President Harrison had written about it in his report….
Small Catechism Memory and Flash Cards in 11 English Translations
Small Catechism memory cards and flash cards are great tools for learning by heart and meditating on the truths of Scripture “which are…
Intinction Would Have Withdrawn the Word of Forgiveness from Me
Recently I attended the funeral of a major person in my life. The Sacrament of the Altar was administered. It was administered by…
A Layman’s Take on the Plastic Text of the New Testament — Part 3, Conclusion and Issues
Part 1 of this series set forth the premises and resolves of two overtures in the Convention Workbook 2016 of the Lutheran Church…
A Layman’s Take on the Plastic Text of the New Testament — Part 2, Dr. Kloha’s Paper
Part 1 of this series set forth the premises and resolves of two overtures in the Convention Workbook 2016 of the Lutheran Church…
Husband, Love your Wife with the Small Catechism
Adam fell down on his vocation as catechist of Eve. Ever since, husbands have had the tendency to default on their calling to…
Reflections on being a Deacon.
I have been a deacon (also called an elder in other congregations) at my local LCMS church for a few years now. I…
Mission: Inreach, Outreach, and the Small Catechism
President Matthew Harrison of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod speaks about 40 years of declining membership in the synod. In his President’s…