True worship relies not on our building towers to God, our works, or merit. True worship relies on God alone, His Word and mercy given to us poor sinners.
Smalcald Articles Study: Sin
When original sin is rightly confessed, it not only drives us to our knees as we despair of our ability to save ourselves, it also helps us realize just how necessary Christ is.
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 9
God’s covenant with Noah and the whole creation ultimately served the purpose of fulfilling His promise to send a Savior to rescue mankind from God’s eternal wrath over sin. In the flood, we see the wrath of God over sin, but so also we see that God is merciful and provides salvation.
Smalcald Articles Study: The Papacy
The Smalcald Articles’ teaching on the papacy comes from adherence to the chief article–that salvation is given by God by grace alone, received through faith alone, as revealed in Scripture alone.
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 6-8
by Rev. Paul Doellinger The author of Hebrews writes, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this He condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7). Noah was given an… Read More >
Smalcald Articles Study: Chapters and Cloisters
by Rev. Mark Bestul “Chapters and Cloisters? – yawn! What’s that got anything to do with the Lutheran confession?” Well, it must have something to do with it because Luther included it in his personal and ‘last’ confession![i] But, perhaps the question would be better asked, “Chapters and cloisters? – what’s that got to do… Read More >
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 6:1-8
by Rev. Jesse Burns In Genesis 3:15 we hear of the great promise of redemption for fallen mankind. The Lord promised that the Seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent. Adam and Eve trusted this promise, possibly even looking at the birth of their first born son, Cain, as its fulfillment… Read More >
Smalcald Articles Study: Invocation of the Saints
by Rev. Michael Schuermann When I jog or walk through my neighborhood, getting exercise, I pass a lovely home down the street. In the corner of it’s well-tended landscaping stands a statue of about 1 foot high. There stands St. Joseph–or, at least, his effigy–the adoptive father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in the… Read More >
500th Anniversary Summer Reading
by Rev. John Pless A number of pastors have asked for suggestions for recent books on Luther as we are now into the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. What follows is my suggestions for books that would be valuable in a congregational library and for reading by interested laity. Several of these books would serve… Read More >
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 3:7-15
by Rev. Paul Doellinger We typically think of our sins as a series of misdeeds, transgressions or mistakes that we make from time to time. However, sin is much more than a misstep here and there. At its root, sin is enmity with God. Sin alienates us from God and gives us a hostile mind… Read More >