Steadfast Throwdown

We welcome Pr. Gaven Mize and his brother, Josh, to discuss Josh’s battle with cancer, his habit of memorializing that battle by growing his beard, and the comfort that his Baptism gave him and still gives him. Read Pr. Gaven Mize’s article, “My Brother Had Cancer…And He Died. Also, He Has a Fantastic Beard.”

Brittany Maynard made headlines when she revealed that she has an aggressive form of brain cancer and that she would end her life on her own terms. We welcome Mrs. Maggie Karner, Director of Life and Health Ministries for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, to respond to Ms. Maynard’s plight. Maggie suffers from the very same … Continue reading Brain Cancer and Suicide →

Pr. Matt Richard continues discussing his paper, “Why the Doctrine of Predestination Matters.” What happens when we try to reconcile the seemingly contradictory doctrines of 1) original sin with 2) God’s justification of the sinner and 3) God’s eternal election? Why should we keep these doctrines “in tension” according to God’s Word? Is the teaching … Continue reading Predestination, part 2 →

In this final part of our Catechism series with Pr. Joe Abrahamson, we discuss the “Christian Questions with their Answers.” Did Luther really compose them? Why are they not in some editions of the Catechism? How do these questions and answers help us prepare for partaking of Christ’s Body and Blood? Pr. Abrahamson also wraps … Continue reading Catechism Series, part 14 →

Pr. Matt Richard enters the “Throwdown” ring to discuss his paper, “Why the Doctrine of Predestination Matters.” Is the doctrine of predestination simply some useless wrangling among theologians, or does it really mean something for every Christian? What happened during the 19th century when various Lutheran church bodies debated this doctrine? How can you best … Continue reading Predestination, part 1 →

The Rolling Stones sang their song “Sympathy for the Devil,” and evangelical Christians responded with uproar. But is there anything we can learn from the song (or from John Lennon’s quip about the Beatles being more famous than Jesus Christ)? Pr. Gaven Mize joins us to discuss just why and how the hideous monster named … Continue reading Sympathy for the Devil →

How does a person become a Christian and stay a Christian? Not by doing things, but by hearing the Word of Christ. And should we really condemn someone for their faults, foibles, and sins in life, or should we focus more on the doctrine? Dr. Matt Phillips, professor of history at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, … Continue reading Becoming a Christian →

In part 13 of our Catechism Series with Pr. Joe Abrahamson, we take a brief look at the “Table of Duties” in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. How does this section of the Catechism instruct us in the “holy orders” to which God calls us? What are the “two kingdoms” and the “three estates” that this … Continue reading Catechism Series, part 13 →

In our fourth and final part on “Celebrating in the Face of Death” we take a look – and listen – at some “Bold, IN-YOUR-FACE, DEATH!, Comforting Hymns.” These hymns give “a certain untoward gesture” to death as we rest in the comfort of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope of eternal life in Him. We … Continue reading Celebrating in the Face of Death, part 4 →

In part 12 of our Catechism Series with Pr. Joe Abrahamson, we discuss the Daily Prayers part of the Catechism. How do we live out the teaching that God gives us in the Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer? We pray. Daily. Join us as we discuss how to pray according to God’s Word … Continue reading Catechism Series, part 12 →