Concord Matters From Kfuo Radio

The chief power of the Law is to reveal original sin with all its fruit. We know how low our human nature has fallen in that we need the Law to increase our trespass (Romans 5:20), so as not to harden our hearts. The Law shows us our sin, restrains us from sin, and in Christ by the help of the Holy Spirit, enables us to live a holy life. “Lord God, show us our sin that we may bear fruit of repentance and believe in Christ’s forgiveness. Amen.” Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Law. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper unde

The Gospel—that is, Christ reconciling the world back to the Father by His life, death, and resurrection—was the heartbeat of the Reformation. We take a closer look at the articles that clearly articulate the Gospel and why it is important to steadfastly keep them on our hearts, lips, and ears throughout our lives. Rev. David Juhl, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Arlington, WI joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the fullnesss of the Gospel throughout the Book of Concord. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Learn more about Sharathon 2025 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understandi

If we are not dead in our sins, Christ died in vain. The corruption of humankind is so deep that our only hope is a full resurrection (Romans 6:1-4). The Roman Church in Luther’s day taught that individuals had the power to observe God’s commands and love Him, without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, all that the human heart can give is more evil deeds (pride, despair, lying, abusing God’s name, disobedience, murder, stealing, and deception). Luther brings us back to the basics, revealing the real purpose for which Christ came: to die for sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Rev. Joshua Conradt, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Waterford, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study original sin. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. J

The office of the papacy is not mandated in Scripture. In fact, the pope of Luther’s day was demanding obedience to the Church, not by a mandate from the Word of God, but by the power of his position. Luther, on the other hand, proclaimed the unity we have in the one name of Christ. We are united in His name through doctrine, faith, sacraments, prayer, and mercy to others. To grant any person or object the same or greater authority than Christ Himself is the definition of idolatry and is unacceptable in the Church. Christ is the head of the Church. We submit to Him and Him alone! Rev. John Zimmerman, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Scranton, PA and St. John Lutheran Church, Pittson, PA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss the Papacy. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnes

The Roman Church suggested the possibility of convening a Free Council to allow the broader Church to address the issues at hand, but they ultimately postponed any such gathering. Luther wrote the Smalcald Articles to call their bluff and provide the simple truths of Scripture one last time. He ends his preface in prayer, seeking the Lord’s help to address false doctrine. May we do the same today! Rev. Heath Curtis, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Worden, IL and Zion Lutheran Church, Carpenter, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Luther’s preface to the Smalcald Articles. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in

The Church is entrusted with forming servants for faithful service in God’s kingdom. Monasteries were established to provide men and women with a way to live out their baptismal identity through service in the Church and their daily vocations. However, over time, they came to be seen as a means of earning forgiveness and attaining a holier life. At the heart of the issue was the Gospel—if we seek assurance of salvation outside of Christ, we lose the essence of the Christian faith. As members of His Church, we are called to live in community with fellow believers, bearing with one another in love and serving others as Christ first served us. Rev. Ben Meyer, pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, Sunburry, OH, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study chapters and cloisters. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, Preside

Anything done in the Church that conflicts with the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world robs people of a clear conscience in Christ. The Church at the time of Luther had fallen into practices that were leading people away from the cross and empty tomb for full salvation: pilgrimages, monastic societies, relics, indulgences, and the invocation of saints. Luther spoke sharp admonition to the Church then and still does today, ensuring that we are following the clear commandments of the Lord and clearly confessing the pure Gospel of Christ. Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Elgin, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Biblical truth concerning the Mass. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as

The Triune God is a Divine Majesty. We receive a glimpse of this majesty through the Word of God and learn how, in love, He saved us from our sins. Luther “begins at the beginning” with our God who created the heavens and the earth and then points us back to the Chief Article: that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification (Romans 4:24-25). Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller, Professor of Theology and Chief Mission Officer, Concordia University, Irvine, CA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the clear truth of the Triune God and the two natures of Christ. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to

The Reformers found themselves in need of a clearer and more direct confession of the faith after controversy arose in Germany and the broader Church. Luther went straight to work. The Smalcald Articles were written as a clear, direct, and firm confession of the Christian faith. Luther was struggling with various health issues and wrote these articles as a kind of last will and testament of the faith. He worked with other confessors of the Smalcaldic League to clearly articulate and boldly proclaim the Word in truth and purity. May we do the same today! Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss the background of the writing of the Smalcald Articles. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest

The AFLC and LCMS share several common Scriptural convictions: salvation in Christ alone, the inerrancy of Scripture, male-only pastors, the value of every human life, and conversion as being the work of the Holy Spirit. Yet, there are differences between them, which are manifested by the AFLC’s confessional subscription to only the Creed, Augsburg Confession, and Small Catechism. We pray for unity in the future, but also cling to the promises of God found in Scripture and clearly confessed in the entire Book of Concord. Rev. Sam Wellumson, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, East Grand Forks, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss the confessional subscription of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC). Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North Di

When it comes to confessional subscription, it is important to know our history and understand the terminology that is used. Throughout the history of our country, Lutherans have asked the question, “What does it mean to be Lutheran in America?” The predecessors of the current Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) viewed the Augsburg Confession as being fully sufficient to answer this question. The Lutheran Church Missouri—Synod (LCMS), on the other hand, has centered on the entire Book of Concord, as it is in accord with God’s Word. These differences do have implications for theological integrity and understanding our need for a clear conscience in Christ, which is why we cling to the clarity that the Lutheran Confessions provide for us and continue to seek unity by His Word alone. Rev. Dr. Mark Granquist, Professor of the History of Christianity at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss the history of confessional subscription in American Lutheranism and the current vi

We believe, teach, and confess the Book of Concord because it is in accord with the Word of God. It is vital that the Church still confess this Truth today, as it leaves us no wiggle room to invent our own ideas. The authority for this is founded in the Divine Scriptures as Jesus tells us, “You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free (John 8:32).” The Concordians were not writing to create a general guide to the Bible, but because they believed that these writings were the true Word of God! “O Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word. Give us Your Holy Spirit to keep us in the Truth and to confess it in purity. Lord have mercy. Amen.” Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss why a Quia subscription is still important for the 21st century Church. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Conco

Our congregations, pastors, workers, and schools confess the entire Book of Concord because it is in accord with the Word of God. The Latin word, “Quia,” expresses a commitment to not only believe that the Lutheran Confessions are in agreement with the inerrant Word, but also to teach, preach, and administer the sacraments according to these confessions. The Lutheran Confessions bring clarity to the Word of God for the sake of Truth and a clear conscience to all who hear the Word. Rev. Dr. Larry Rast, professor of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss our understanding of a Quia Confessional Subscription. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordi

By what authority do our pastors do their work?  By what authority does the government do its work?  The Church has full authority from the Lord to give a clear conscience to burdened sinners simply through preaching the Gospel and administrating the sacraments. This authority does not mean that there is no need for good order or that Christians should neglect involvement in government affairs, but we do need constant exhortation for the Church to be faithful stewards of His mysteries. The Church’s one foundation, Is Jesus Christ, her Lord; She is His new creation, By water and the Word. From heav'n He came and sought her, To be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died. LSB 644, st. 1  Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to conclude our study of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.  Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

God calls us as His baptized children to serve our neighbor in our vocations. Monasticism led people to understand that perfection is found in poverty, vows, selling possessions, chastity, and leaving their daily vocations. Perfection is not found in such outward actions, but by faith in the actions of Christ. “Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness; My beauty are, my glorious dress; Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head.” LSB 563, st. 1 Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, Forest Park, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Monastic Vows. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doc

A casual look at monastic life will often leave us with a favorable impression: chastity, obedience, service of the neighbor, poverty, and prayer— what could be wrong with these things? However, if one is looking for justification or perfection in such a lifestyle, they will never be satisfied (Galatians 5:14). The Roman Church outrightly rejected the Augsburg Confession’s declaration that monasticism does not merit the forgiveness of sins. Melancthon breaks down the Biblical truth of how one merits forgiveness. It is only by faith in Christ— to add any of our works into the equation does away from the full sufficiency of the cross. “Just as I am, without one plea- But that Thy blood was shed for me. And that Thou bidds’t me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” LSB 570, st. 1 Rev. Eli Lietzau, pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge, CO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Monastic Vows. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read o

To participate in the Mass is to receive the gifts of Christ and give a sacrifice of praise for all the blessings He gives. The primary mover in a worship service is not a pastor or the people, but Christ Himself, pouring out forgiveness, life, and salvation on our behalf. This Mass is for sinners, that in faith they are restored and renewed in Christ— not for other people, but for YOU! Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern as we conclude our study of the Mass. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understa

The Mass is a gift. The Lord gives us the preaching of His Word, devout use of the Sacraments, and fervent prayer. These gifts are not salvific by our outward acts of performing them; however, in faith, we receive forgiveness, life, and salvation. Melancthon breaks down the proper understanding of sacrifice and the sacrament for the sake of providing a clear conscience for believers in the cross of Christ. We simply receive the Gospel, which is not measured, but pressed down and overflowing. Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern as we continue our study of the Mass. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordia

What does Scripture say about sacrifice? There are two kinds of sacrifices found in the New Testament: atoning sacrifice, and eucharistic sacrifice. The one and final atoning sacrifice was accomplished by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the sins of the whole world. Eucharistic sacrifices are done by those who are reconciled to God in Christ, giving thanks for their salvation and serving others. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of the Mass. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Mi

The Concordians had no desire to abolish the Mass. When one looks at the order of the Mass in the Catholic Church, and then compares it to the Divine Service of the Concordians, there is not much difference. The greatest difference came in the understanding of sacrifice and in the use of the German language. Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient; therefore, we proclaim the Truth of His forgiveness, life, and salvation (Luke 24:44-47). As people hear the Word, it is important that they understand the Word in their own language (Romans 10:17). Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to begin a study on the Mass. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join