by Mrs. Katie Schuermann The Reformation was birthed by adults, but it is preserved by children. For centuries, pastors and parents have been preaching a holy heritage into the ears of the young, clearly confessing a salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. This happy proclamation, like a precious family heirloom, has… Read More >
Smalcald Articles Study: The Mass
by Rev. Mark Bestul As Luther penned what he thought would be his last statement of confession, he gave high priority to articulating very clearly his condemnation of “The Mass.” His was not a cold, bitter heart toward erring Christians, but a bold, zealous heart for those fellow Christians trapped in a religion defined by… Read More >
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 3:1-6
by Rev. Jesse Burns In the second article of the Augsburg Confession, Lutherans confess, “It is also taught among us that since the fall of Adam all men who are born according to the course of nature are conceived and born in sin. That is, all men are full of evil lust and inclinations from… Read More >
Lutheran Liturgical Practices During Lent
by Mr. Jonathan Swett Each year, the Christian church embarks on a forty-day journey leading up to Easter, known as the season of Lent. When discussing Lenten liturgical practices of Lutherans, I believe one can distinguish three different categories into which each practice can be placed: Visual, Historical/Traditional, and Emotional/Spiritual. It can be debated; however,… Read More >
Smalcald Articles Study: The First and Chief Article
by Rev. Aaron Moldenhauer Throughout the Reformation, calls for a general council of the church to discuss religious issues were discussed and negotiated. One instance of these negotiations came in 1536, when Pope Paul III called for a council to begin in 1537. The Lutherans, wary of submitting themselves to a council that would be… Read More >
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 2
by Rev. Paul Doellinger A key teaching of the Reformation is Luther’s understanding of the three estates established and instituted by God: the church, the home, and the state.[1] Already before the fall into sin God established the Church and the home. With His Word God spoke His creation into existence. With that same creative… Read More >
Formula of Concord Study: Article XI
by Rev. Mark Bestul The last single-issue article of the Formula of Concord, Article XI is unique in that it was largely preemptive. While acknowledging that no major struggle had yet erupted over this article of faith, the writers of the Formula were aware of small skirmishes and penned the article wisely foreseeing that poor… Read More >
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 1
by Rev. Jesse Burns Each week, as we gather before our Lord’s altar to receive His Word and Sacraments, we confess our Christian faith in the words of one of the historic creeds. In both the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds we confess that we believe in God, the Creator of heaven and earth. This is… Read More >
Formula of Concord Study: Article IX
by Rev. Aaron Moldenhauer Arguably the most opaque passage of the Creed is that Christ descended into hell. The passage is based on Scripture, but these scriptural passages (e.g., 1 Peter 3) lend themselves to multiple interpretations about what the descent into hell was, leading to centuries of debate on this article. Which part of… Read More >
Bible Study with Luther: Galatians 6:1-18
by Rev. Paul Doellinger Following in the footsteps of St. Paul, Luther and the Reformers sought true peace and unity in the Church through the pure proclamation of the Gospel. Indeed, the only way peace and unity can be achieved in the Church on earth is through the pure teaching of salvation by grace alone,… Read More >