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,…
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Epitome of the Formula of Concord: Preface to the Christian Book of Concord
Note: This is the fifth series of posts providing commentary on the Book of Concord adapted from my Lutheran Essentials Class Notes. I…
Indications of a Healthy and Strong Lutheran Congregational Life, Part 4 of 4
This series of articles was included in successive issues of “Der Lutheraner” in the year 1884, under the title “Welches sind die vornehmsten…
New Free Stock Photos for Lutherans
Lutheran Stock Photos is a great idea that has been put into practice. For many congregations (and blogs) finding good stock photos can…
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…
Indications of a Healthy and Strong Lutheran Congregational Life, Part 3 of 4
This series of articles was included in successive issues of “Der Lutheraner” in the year 1884, under the title “Welches sind die vornehmsten…
District Conventions in the age of COVID – a CCM opinion – a temptation to disenfranchisement?
The Commission on Constitutional Matters is the LCMS’ own brand of canon law judiciary, interpreting the bylaws, resolutions, etc. of Synod as they…
The Long Chains of Liberation Theology – a paper by Montana District President Rev. Terry Forke
I recently had a paper shared with me that was written by the District President of the Montana District, Rev. Terry Forke. I…
Wash Us in the Blood
Although I am a convert to the traditional Lutheran confessions and believe the historic liturgy is generally the proper form of Christian worship,…
Indications of a Healthy and Strong Lutheran Congregational Life, Part 2 of 4
This series of articles was included in successive issues of “Der Lutheraner” in the year 1884, under the title “Welches sind die vornehmsten…
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…
Indications of a Healthy and Strong Lutheran Congregational Life, Part 1 of 4
This series of articles was included in successive issues of “Der Lutheraner” in the year 1884, under the title “Welches sind die vornehmsten…
Temporal Authority
Luther had already completed his treatise, Temporal Authority: To What Extent It Should Be Obeyed, in December 1522, but it was not published until…
The Top Ten Reasons to use the Historic Lectionary
Written in collaboration with Dr. Jonathan Wessler, Kantor at First Lutheran Church of Boston. Jonathan is a super awesome Lutheran organist who has…
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…
Faith Works: Martin Luther’s Treatise on Good Works
Lutherans should celebrate the 500th anniversary of 1520 as a much more significant event than publication of the Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. The Indulgence Controversy and…
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….
A Laymen’s Commentary on the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope: The Power and Jurisdiction of Bishops
60] [In our Confession and the Apology we have in general recounted what we have had to say concerning ecclesiastical power. For] The…
Never Trust a Mob
“We dare not encourage the mob very much. It goes mad too quickly…And it is better for tyrants to wrong them a hundred…
St. Catharine’s Seminary Faculty issues opinion…
Seminary faculties often used to express theological positions and advice for the greater Church. In the LCMS this practice has been missing from…
Luther writing on insurrections…
Here is Luther’s 1525 work on the peasants revolt: Luther “Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Peasants” Here’s an older blog post…
Biblical Pictures of Culture, Part 7 of 7
This 7-part series originally ran under the German title “Einige biblische Culturbilder” in Der Lutheraner from August 2 to October 25, 1904. The author…
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…
Biblical Pictures of Culture, Part 6 of 7
This 7-part series originally ran under the German title “Einige biblische Culturbilder” in Der Lutheraner from August 2 to October 25, 1904. The author…
CFW Walther on Communism and Socialism
Here is an opportunity to sharpen your thinking on a Lutheran view of communism and socialism. Download and read the PDF of these…