Steadfast Throwdown

Pr. Joshua Scheer discusses his article “Anonymous Complaints and Their Fruit.” What leads to anonymous complaining, and how does anonymous complaining rob us of the opportunity for reconciliation? What are the fruits of such complaining? Are there any positives to complaining? Read Pr. Scheer’s article, “Anonymous Complaints and Their Fruit.”

Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller gave a presentation at the 2015 Brothers of John the Steadfast Conference on “The Obligation and Temptation of Dealing with False Teaching.” Is false teaching in the Church a new thing, or a recent invention? How should we deal with it when it does come? Here we bring you audio from his … Continue reading Dealing with False Teaching →

Mrs. Holly Scheer joins us to discuss her article, “Nine Easy Ways to Participate in Lent.” Why does the Church have its own unique calendar? Why do we Christians set apart a time of somber penitence called “Lent”? What are some way that you and your family can participate in this sacred time? Read Holly … Continue reading Ways to Participate in Lent →

As we continue our series on “The Three Outposts: Your Mission,” with Pr. Joe Abrahamson, we discuss the estate called “The Church.” When did the Church really begin? What is the purpose of the Church? How does Martin Luther teach on this estate in his Small Catechism? Read Pr. Abrahamson’s Bible study on “The Church” … Continue reading The Three Outposts, part 5 – The Church →

Do we really need youth pastors? Are they necessary? Are they truly helpful? Are they really serving the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Or are they really just offering “spiritual daycare”? Jonathan Rodebaugh joins us to discuss the well-intentioned but misguided attempts to cultivate a specifically youth culture within the Church. How should our young people … Continue reading Spiritual Daycare →

In part four of our series on “The Three Outposts: Your Mission,” Pr. Joe Abrahamson takes us deeper into the God-given estate of “The Home,” that is, domestic governance. Listen as we discuss God’s design for husbands and wives as well as parents and children. How can we Christians bear witness to Jesus in our … Continue reading The Three Outposts, part 4 – The Home →

What is the Office of the Keys? Pr. Matt Lovett connects it not just with the confessing and being absolved of individual sins, but also with the confession of the faith and the office of preaching and teaching–the Office of the Ministry. How and why? Listen! Read Pr. Lovett’s paper, “The Office of the Keys … Continue reading The Office of the Keys as the Office of Preaching and Teaching →

We resume our series with Pr. Joe Abrahamson on his Bible study titled “The Three Outposts: Your Mission.” Here we continue looking at the three estates – home, church, and state – in the Old Testament, especially during time of the united kingdom of Israel, the divided kingdom, and then the Babylonian captivity. Read Pr. … Continue reading The Three Outposts, part 3 →

When it comes to confronting false teaching and false teachers in our midst, Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller takes his lead from Martin Luther to kick the dog, but console the child. Listen as Pr. Wolfmueller distinguishes between those who teach falsely and those who are falsely taught. How can we exercise patience and compassion when we … Continue reading Kick the Dog, Console the Child →

What is the place of humor, satire, snark, and mocking in confessing the truth of God’s Word? What actually makes for good satire and humor? Pr. Hans Fiene – of “The Lutheran Satire” fame – joins us to discuss how he confesses the truth and teaches the faith by making fun of stuff. Pr. Fiene … Continue reading The Place of Satire →

Pr. Clint Poppe joins us to discuss the history, purpose, and work of the Association of Confessing Evangelical Lutheran Congregations (ACELC). How are they confronting and dealing with the false and faulty teachings and practices in our midst? Pr. Poppe will also present at the 2015 Brothers of John the Steadfast Conference. Read Pr. Poppe’s … Continue reading Barking Dogs – The ACELC and Its Work →

Pastor Larry Beane will present at the 2015 Brothers of John the Steadfast Conference on the theme “Doctrine and/or Practice.” What will he discuss in his presentation, and how do our Lutheran Confessions help us keep doctrine and practice united? Check out Pr. Beane’s blog, “Father Hollywood.” Register now for the 2015 Brothers of John … Continue reading Doctrine and/or Practice →

Some talk of “sacramental entrepreneurs.” Pr. Matt Dent speaks of “sacramental minions.” What’s the difference? Listen to Pr. Dent’s faithful witness. Also, what are we to make of phrases like “start new to reach new” and “out of the box thinking”? Could it be that God has put us – and Himself – in a … Continue reading Sacramental Minions →

Mrs. Holly Scheer–wife of Pr. Joshua Scheer (Associate Editor at steadfastlutherans.org)–joins us to discuss the challenges and joys of being a pastor’s wife. A pastor’s call and duties in the congregation are very clear. But what about the pastor’s wife? What challenges does she face when it comes to friends in the congregation, raising children, … Continue reading Things Your Pastor’s Wife Wishes You Knew →

In the Concordia University system, enrollment is up and money seems to be flowing. So what’s the problem? Pr. Tim Rossow says, “Plenty!” Is that numerical growth really pagan growth? What is actually being taught and espoused at one of our Concordia Universities? What solutions would Pr. Rossow recommend? Read Pr. Timothy Rossow’s articles: “LCMS … Continue reading Problems at the Concordia Universities →

In this segment, Mr. Tim Wood, a convert from Baptist fundamentalism after a confrontation with God’s Law and Gospel, joins us to discuss is article, “Church Growth: Deliberately Misdiagnosing the Problem?” Why do some churches leave behind faithful Law-Gospel preaching and turn instead to Madison Avenue techniques? Are they still practicing Christianity? Read Tim Wood’s … Continue reading Madison Avenue Ecclesiology →

Pr. Joe Abrahamson continues discussing his Bible study on the three estates titled “The Three Outposts: Your Mission.” In this installment, we continue clarifying the three estates (“outposts”) and then see how all three estates are taught in the Old Testament beginning in the earliest chapters of Genesis. Read part 2 of Pr. Abrahamson’s Bible … Continue reading The Three Outposts, part 2 →

Is Christian evangelism just a matter of “selling a product” called the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How might that approach to the Church’s mission be “enthusiasm”? (Uh, what’s that?) Pr. Andrew Preus discusses his article, “Market-Style Evangelism,” and how it’s better to be limited by the ways that God gives in His Word. Read Pr. … Continue reading Market-Style Evangelism →

What are the three “outposts” to which God has called you to live the Christian life? What is your “mission” in each of those “outposts”? Join us as Pr. Joe Abrahamson outlines the three “outposts” (estates) to which God calls each of us and explains how our mission is to love our neighbor as God … Continue reading The Three Outposts, part 1 →

What are laypeople to do when their pastor begins teaching false doctrine or introducing non-Lutheran practices? Should they just sit quietly in the pew and “take it”? Not according to Vanessa Rasanen! She says the sheep should speak up, talk with their pastor, pray for him, and, yes, protect their fellow sheep from false teachings … Continue reading Talking Sheep →