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.
Table Talk: Signs
Luther trusted in the Word of God alone. When he spoke of signs pointing to the end of the world, he pointed to the predictions which Scripture provides. His remarks concerning portents must always be subordinated to the authority and certainty of God’s Word.
How The Formula of Concord Came to Be
The Formula of Concord is useful for your own edification. Review some of the controversies that gave rise to Formula’s composition. These are still the questions we’re asking today.
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.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Never has there been or likely ever will be a performing or composing talent such as Johann Sebastian Bach who devoted nearly his entire professional musical life to service in the Lutheran Church. As we rejoice in the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, let us also rejoice in the contributions and influence of J.S. Bach, giving all glory to God for His many blessings!
Christ’s Presence in the Sacrament
Luther draws a distinction between God being present and God being present for you. Luther writes “[God] is there for you when he adds his Word and binds himself, saying, ‘Here you are to find me.’ Now when you have the Word, you can grasp and have him with certainty and say, ‘Here I have thee, according to thy Word.’”
Lutherans and the Early Church Fathers
The Lutheran Reformation did not sweep away their predecessors into the dustbin of history. They were returning to the pure doctrine that the Church had taught from the time of Christ all the way up to their time.
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.
Saints’ Days
by Rev. Dr. Mark Birkholz Most people know that St. Valentine’s Day is on February 14 and St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17. But do you know what the date is for St. Matthew’s Day? Or St. Joseph’s Day? Most of the important people in the Bible, and many figures throughout the history of… Read More >
The Marriage Booklet in the Catechism
by Rev. Jonathon T. Krenz Marriage is under attack on many fronts. The issues include no-fault divorce, pre-marital/extra-marital sex, living together outside of marriage, same-sex “marriage,” not to mention all of the gender confusion infiltrating nearly every facet of our society. The culture itself has been hyper-sexualized, obsessed with sexuality in television and movies, music,… Read More >