by Rev. Christopher Maronde “I would have been quite content to see my books, one and all, remain in obscurity and go by the board.” (LW 34:283) Martin Luther wanted all of his books to be burned, or, at least, collect dust in obscurity for the rest of history. Luther had a low opinion of… Read More >
Bible Study with Luther: Galatians 4:8-20
by Rev. Jesse Burns Luther, writing about our redemption in the Smalcald Articles, states, “Nothing in this article can be given up or compromised, even if heaven and earth and things temporal should be destroyed.…On this article rests all that we teach and practice against the pope, the devil, and the world. Therefore we must… Read More >
Has It Ever Been This Bad?
by Rev. Matthew Zickler I live in the Chicago area. This Fourth of July weekend, we had over 60 shootings. The violence here is depressing. At times it can almost lead one to despair. When experienced firsthand, I am sure it often does. Of course, these shootings aren’t the only ones. There are others. There… Read More >
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
by Rev. Aaron Moldenhauer The presentation of the Augsburg Confession was a foundational moment in the Lutheran Church. On June 25, 1530, the confession of the Lutheran estates of the Holy Roman Empire was read before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg. Charles had promised to give the Lutherans a fair hearing, and… Read More >
Hymns Are Devotions
by Dcs. Carolyn Brinkley Our hymnal is a treasury of devotions. Although we mainly think of hymns in the context of corporate worship, they are also perfectly suited for devotional use in the home for both family and private daily worship. Hymns are prepackaged succinct poetic meditations that can be sung, spoken, and prayed. These… Read More >
Lutherans in Lithuania
by Dcs. Betsy Karkan In Lithuania, when it comes to tracing political history, border lines, or even the establishment of a church founded by Lutheran “heretics”, nothing is ever simple to keep in order. The details are complex and confusing, sometimes heartbreaking, and often unbelievable. Nevertheless, Lithuania is a country that possesses incredible perseverance, and… Read More >
The Anabaptists
by Rev. Michael Schuermann “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) A student of the history of Christ’s Church will discover that these words of Solomon ring true from age to age. During the Reformation,… Read More >
Bible Study With Luther: Galatians 4:1-7
by Rev. Paul M. Doellinger “Am I really saved? Am I doing enough? Will God even recognize my good works on Judgment Day?” These sorts of questions are born out of the Law, which always demands and never gives. The Law frightens us: its commands leave us with no excuse and its threats leave us… Read More >
Christ and the Office of the Holy Ministry
by Rev. James Lee Historical caricatures of Martin Luther often emphasize certain dramatic moments in the life of the Augustinian friar, such as the posting of the 95 Theses, or Luther’s defense of his teaching at the Diet of Worms. While these scenes are fun to imagine and present easy factoids about Luther, they often… Read More >
“We All Believe in One True God”
by Mr. Jonathan Swett Allow me to be the first church musician you’ve heard instruct you NOT TO SING the hymns. Or perhaps you are one that ‘can’t carry a tune in a bucket’ and have had the unfortunate experience of being chastised for daring to lift your voice in praise to God, and thus… Read More >