The Magazine

A Second Judgment?

At death I believe that Christians, while absent from the body, are present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). At death unbelievers are forever lost. So judgment came at death. So how can there be any judgment at Christ’s second coming (Matt. 25:31–46; 2 Cor. 5:10)?    For all human beings, physical death—which is the

True Repentance

by Dr. William B. Knippa Every once in a while I hear our pastor say how we all sin much daily. What does he mean? What does it mean to repent of our sin? Photo by shutterstock.com I commend you for posing a question that, I suspect, many worshiping Christians ask themselves but feel hesitant

Shedding Some Light

Practical Advice On starting out on a gloomy day: First, realize that it is the day that is gloomy, not you. If you want to be gloomy, too, that’s your business, but it’s not mandatory. George Kottwitz Trinity Lutheran Church Edwardsville, Ill.   Poor Pastor? In 1969, I was serving Trinity Lutheran Church in Alice,

Shedding Some Light

Post No Bills As part of a Visiting Committee (VC) in a school accreditation process, I recently visited a Catholic high school in a neighboring community. The first night of such a visit is usually an informal meet-and-greet for the VC and the stakeholders of the institution. After the president of the school, Father Nick,

Our Synod and Recent ELCA Actions

Though we affirm the demands of God’s Law without reservation, we Christians confess that the sins of the world have been forgiven through Christ’s suffering and death on the cross.

A Mighty Fortress

In the midst of profound struggles, Martin Luther wrote his most memorable hymn as a reminder that God is our refuge and strength.

Four ‘Alones’

by Rev. William Weedon Sola is the Latin word for “alone.” For the Reformers, four solas rang through Sacred Scripture: grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone, Christ alone. With the help of the Hymn of the Day for Reformation, “Salvation unto Us Has Come” (LSB 555), let’s examine what Scripture says about each sola. If

District Convention Summary Reports

Between January and July, our 35 LCMS Districts met in convention. Click on the links below for access to the Reporter Online summaries of each convention. Atlantic District New Jersey District California, Nevada, Hawaii District North Dakota District Central Illinois District North Wisconsin District Eastern District Northern Illinois District English District Northwest District Florida-Georgia District

Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance

The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance is preparing the final report of its work. The report will be presented to the Office of the President Oct. 15. For more information on the work of the task force, click on the link below. Task Force Web Page: www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture

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