Herman Sasse: Courage for Confession
Sasse was a faithful witness to the cross of Christ in his teaching and writing but also in a life that brought him into conflict and suffering on account of the Gospel.
Articles
Treasury of Daily Prayer: A COVID Lifeline
After years of trying (and failing) to establish a daily devotional time, the Treasury of Daily Prayer has been a game-changer.
The Existing Legal Protections of Religious Liberty
Despite concerns over a number of recent decisions by the US Supreme Court, a number of protections for religious liberty are still in place.
Lutheran Martyrs in Nigeria
Thousands of Lutherans have been driven out of their communities, lost their homes and all of their belongings, and must live in refugee camps.
Of Parking Lots and Catacombs
If the only place the church could gather to hear the Word and receive the Sacraments was a [catacomb/graveyard/prison camp], would I go?
Jesus is Lord
Three simple words, but words that cause the devil to rage, words that cost countless lives, words that are on our lips. What is it about these words, this simple confession, “Jesus is Lord,” that has so much power?
Faith & 5G
As this new technology becomes widespread, the tragic story of the Nehushtan may be repeated. We can twist the good gifts from God into inimical idols.
Supreme Court Makes LGBT Agenda a Civil Right
The court voted 6-3 to add sexual orientation, gender identity and transsexual status to the civil rights law, with only Justices Thomas, Kavanaugh and Alito dissenting.
Spiraling Out of Control
A recent poll found that 80% of Americans believe the country is “spiraling out of control.”
Vocation and Lawlessness
We Lutherans speak quite a bit about the second use of the Law (as a mirror) and the third use of the Law (as a guide), but we also need to reflect on the first use of the Law (as a curb).
The Failure of the Idol of Science
In 1755, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal, on All Saints’ Day, terrorizing the city of 250,000. Churches were full when the first tremor struck. Many perished in collapsing churches.
Give us a blessed end
We do not often think of a funeral as the best time for reflection on the Small Catechism. However, when I conducted my first funeral as a young pastor, I was struck by just how appropriate Luther’s explanation to the Seventh Petition of the Lord’s Prayer was for just such an occasion. I not only incorporated it into my first funeral sermon but also led the congregation in a recitation of it then and at every subsequent funeral service.