The following sermon is taken from volume VII of, The Sermons of Martin Luther, published by Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI), originally published in 1909 by The Luther Press (Minneapolis, MN), as Luther’s Epistle Sermons, vol. 2. HEBREWS 9:11-15: But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater [...]

Thursdays with Iwand Hans Iwand, a sermon on James 2:14-26 Is there anyone among us who doesn’t want to get up in protest and answer this text with a simple, ‘No!’? The last sentence alone does us in: ‘So faith apart from work is dead.’ If it has no works! Or have we become so [...]

Here is a hymn for today from Bartholomaeus Helder, who died on this day in 1635 near Gotha. “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) O Jesus, Lamb of God, Thou art The Life and Comfort of my heart. A sinner poor I come to Thee And [...]

Wednesdays with Augustine Book II. Chap. 23 ON THE FOLLOWING TREATISE, “DE PECCATORUM MERITIS ET REMISSIONE.” ———————————— A Necessity arose which compelled me to write against the new heresy of Pelagius. Our previous opposition to it was confined to sermons and conversations, as occasions suggested, and according to our respective abilities and duties; but it [...]

Here is the handout from Bob and Cathy Mattson for All Saints Sunday. All Saints Sunday (.doc) All Saints Sunday (.pdf)

Tuesdays with Forde Given today is the anniversary of the death of Desiderius Erasmus (October 27, 1466), here is a brief selection from the first chapter of Forde’s The Captivation of the Will (p. 27). “We can see that a major parting of the ways begins to announce itself already in the interpretation of Scripture [...]

A biographical film on Paul Gerhardt, with some resources commemorating his 400th birthday: Biography and Hymns Updated September, 2007 Concordia Seminary, St. Catherine’s Symposium PDF format of the book: Paul Gerhardt as a Hymn Writer and his Influence on English Hymnody by Theodore Brown Hewitt ERF Radio Specials for the Paul Gerhardt Year Paul Gerhardt [...]

Via the ELCA News Service ELCA Vice President Addresses Dissatisfaction with Assembly Decisions 09-236-FI CHICAGO (ELCA) — Carlos Peña, vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), wrote an Oct. 23 letter to the church’s 4.6 million members, asking them to consider actions of the ELCA’s 2009 Churchwide Assembly “as a catalyst to [...]

Today is the birthday of Mahalia Jackson, who although she was encouraged to become a blues singer, refused to sing anything but gospel because, “When you sing gospel you have a feeling there is a cure for what’s wrong. But when you are through with the blues, you’ve got nothing to rest on.” Here are [...]

Mondays with Martin On the same day he wrote the following letter, Luther preached for the last time in Wittenberg, warning the people against the lovely syren, the devil’s bride, Reason (Vernunft). TO JACOB PROBST, PREACHER IN BREMEN January 17, 1546. Grace and peace! I, old, weary, lazy, worn-out, cold, chilly, and, over and above, [...]

Luther wrote in 1517 to Albrecht protesting the sale of indulgences to finance the building of a new cathedral. The Archbishop, of course, was one of the people who had authorized the sale of indulgences for that purpose. To the Most Reverend Father in Christ and Most Illustrious Lord, Albrecht of Magdeburg and Mainz, Archbishop [...]

Defending the Faith: Apologetics Symposium In Celebration of Reformation Day 2009 October30 & 31 http://ping.fm/xxs7T for info & RSVP Sponsored and Hosted By: Zion Lutheran Church, 907 Hicks Street, Tomball, Texas 77375 (281)351-5757 Member LC-MS Co-Sponsored By: Crossties Lutheran Ministry Resources, Inc., Houston, Texas (www.crosstiesministryresources.net) On What Basis Do You Claim That the Bible is [...]

Via the newsletter of LCMS World Mission, here are a few updates on what’s happening in the mission field in Georgia, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, Kenya, and Guinea. 1. Good news from Rev. Matt Heise in Georgia. “In a recent poll taken in Russia, Joseph Stalin was voted the third-most popular figure in Russian history. [...]

Weekends with Bach BWV 140 Wachet auf, uns die Stimme (NBA 1/27; BC A166) 27. S. after Trinity (BWV 140 only) During Bach’s tenure in Leipzig (1723-1750), a 27th Sunday after Trinity occurred only in 1731 and 1742. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (Last day will come like a thief in the night; exhortation to be ready) [...]

Here is a hymn for today from Cyriacus Schneegass, who died on this day in 1597 at Friedrichroda. Lord, our Father, thanks to Thee In this new year we render, For every evil had to flee Before Thee, our Defender. Our life was nourished, we were fed With rich supplies of daily bread, And peace [...]

Two informational meetings have been scheduled for people interested in learning more about Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. Here are the details (go to the announcement on facebook to confirm your attendance): The Heartland District of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) invites interested congregations and individuals to Lutheran Church of the Master’s [...]

Via New Reformation Press: Earlier in October of this year (2009) the Pastor of a faithful ELCA congregation asked Dr. Rod Rosenbladt to come and address the current situation in the ELCA, and to contrast the true Gospel with a number of false ones in circulation. This is the recording of that presentation. Dr. Rosenbladt [...]

Franz Friday Via Pieper’s Christian Dogmatics, vol. 3: 363 Exposing the fraud perpetrated by the “enthusiasts,” who, under the guise of interpreting Scripture, by referring to John 6 entirely did away with Scripture, Luther wrote: “It is the arrogance and fatuous malice of the wicked devil who would in this serious matter make fools of [...]

In a move to repatriate members of the Anglican tradition to Rome, Pope Benedict XVI has announced an intention to amend Vatican laws to make it easier for Anglicans to become Roman Catholic. As reported by the Washington Post, There still are few details on the new Apostolic Constitution that amends church laws to attract [...]

Note: we have decided to discontinue Athena Thursday, in favor of adding a neglected theological voice to the weekly chorus. Thursdays will now feature selections from Hans Joachim Iwand (1899-1960). Thursdays with Iwand In 1953 Hans Iwand, despite his long and filial friendship with Karl Barth, remained critical of the latter regarding his transposition of [...]

Wednesdays with Augustine 1. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people meditate vain things?”(ver. 1). “The kings of the earth have stood up, and the rulers takencounsel together, against the Lord, and against His Christ” (ver. 2).It is said, “why?” as if it were said, in vain. For what they wished,namely, Christ’s destruction, they [...]

Here is the handout from Bob and Cathy Mattson for Reformation Sunday: Reformation Sunday (.doc) Reformation Sunday (.pdf) 09 Reformation Sunday

Tuesdays with Forde Via On Being a Theologian of the Cross, pp. 24-25 Thesis I. The law of God, the most salutary doctrine of life, cannot advance humans on their way to righteousness, but rather hinders them. Theologians are confronted at the start with basic questions about what story they are to tell. Do they [...]

Here is a reply by video from the President of Concordia Theological Seminary President, Dean O. Wenthe, to the recent churchwide assembly of the ELCA, on “The Sanctity of Marriage” Concordia Theological Seminary, with the Christian church throughout history, confesses the sanctity of marriage as a union between a man and a woman—Gods gift of [...]

Everyone is invited to come to a “Faithfulness Gathering” of concerned ELCA church members regarding the Churchwide Assembly decisions to allow non-celibate homosexual persons to serve as pastors. “What in the World do we do now?” is the question being asked, with area pastors and lay leaders speaking on the topic. The meeting is being [...]

A new report from The Barna Group examines how four generations view the Bible. As observers of American culture debate whether the nation has entered a post-Christian phase, one overlooked discussion is how attitudes about and usage of the Bible may be changing. A new research report from the Barna Group examines recent nationwide studies on [...]