Lutheran Theology

Here you will find articles on topics in Lutheran theology and Christian ministry by well known scholars and pastors, both classical and contemporary. The page is updated on a regular basis, so check back on occasion, and if you know of something that belongs here just send a note to contribute@gnesiolutheran.com

Justification

The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in Confessional Lutheran Perspective

Joint Lutheran/Roman Catholic Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification: A Response by Rev. Kurt Marquart

“Reclaiming the Doctrine of Justification” by Dr. Rod Rosenbladt (.pdf)

Just Words: Understanding the Fullness of the Gospel by Jacob A.O. Preus

Tributaries into the River JDDJ by Armand Boehme

Luther Revisited: The Doctrine of Justification Is Still the Issue by Rev. Rolf D. Preus

The Doctrine of Justification in the Theology of Robert Preus by Rev. Rolf Preus

Do Lutherans and Roman Catholics Agree on Justification? by Rev. Rolf Preus

The Enduring Relevance of the Doctrine of Justification by Rev. Rolf D. Preus

Martin Chemnitz on the Doctrine of Justification by Dr. Jacob A. 0. Preus

Sing A New Song: The Doctrine of Justification and the Lutheran Book of Worship Sacramental Liturgies by Armand J. Boehme

Vocation

Luther on Marriage, Vocation and the Cross by James Arne Nestingen
Understanding Our Calling (.pdf) by Steven C. Denger

Law & Gospel

The Therapeutic Sensibility and the Rise of Practical Antinomianism in Contemporary Lutheranism by Ryan T. Fouts

On the Third Use of the Law: Luther’s Position in the Antinomian Debate (FC VI) by Armin W. Schuetze

Law & Gospel in the Lutheran Confessions by Naomichi Masaki

Beyond the Impasse: Re-Examining the Third Use of the Law by Mark C. Mattes

Changing Definitions: The Law in Formula VI by James Arne Nestingen

God’s Law, God’s Gospel, and their Proper Distinction by Louis A. Smith

Third Use of the Law: Resolving the Tension by David P. Scaer

The Third Use of the Law: Keeping Up to Date with an Old Issue by Lawrence R. Rast

A Third Use of the Law: Is the Phrase Necessary? by Larry M. Vogel

Luther on Law, Gospel and the Third Use of the Law by Eugene F. Klug

Looking into the Heart of Missouri: Justification, Sanctification and the Third Use of the Law by Karl Beckwith

Theology of the Cross vs.Theology of Glory

The Theology of the Cross: Cross-Shaped Theology by Todd Wilken

“Theology of the Cross” by Dr. Robert Kolb

Anfechtung, Prayer, And Resurrection by Dr. David P. Scaer

Baptism

Infant Baptism in Early Church History by Dennis Kastens

Into the Womb of the Church Again by Dr. Kent Burreson

A Commentary on Article IX of the Augsburg Confession: Concerning Baptism by Ryan Fouts

Evidence for Infant Baptism in the Church Fathers and Inscriptions by Richard Bucher

Luther’s Large Catechism on Baptism by Martin Luther

Luther’s Large Catechism on Infant Baptism by Martin Luther

The Development of the Baptismal Rite in the Christian Church By Wayne Mueller

Baptism in the Early Church (Pentecost to AD 325) Joel D. Leyrer

Baptism as Church Foundation David P. Scaer

Christology

The Paschal Foundation of Christian Theology by John Behr

Theopaschites: Ancient and Modern by David R. Maxwell

All Theology is Christology: How Does Every Passage of Scripture Reveal Christ? By David P. Scaer

Concerning the State of Exinanition and the State of Exaltation. by Johann Gerhard

The Twentieth Century Crucifixion of Christ by Wilbert R. Gawrisch

Church and Ministry

Ministers: What is their job? Who is their boss? Why do we need them? by Pastor Rolf Preus

The Teaching of the Synodical Conference on the Office of the Public Ministry by Pastor Rolf Preus

The Office of Prophetess in the New Testament by Pastor Rolf Preus

Did Jesus Institute the Pastoral Office? By Pastor Rolf Preus

The Women’s Ordination Debate in the Lutheran Church of Australia An Open Response to the Initial Report of the Commission on Theology and Interchurch Relations, by Dr. Greg Lockwood

Luther and the Priesthood of All Believers by Dr. Norman Nagel

Logia journal issue on “The Holy Ministry” – 1993

The “Early” Luther on Priesthood of All Believers, Office of the Ministry, and Ordination Cameron A. MacKenzie

Cyprian, Donatism, Augustine, and Augustana VIII: Remarks on the Church and the Validity of Sacraments William C. Weinrich

Church Fathers/Patristic Studies

“Orthodoxy” by John Behr

Theopaschites: Ancient and Modern by David R. Maxwell

Baptism in the Early Church (Pentecost to AD 325) Joel D. Leyrer

The Seven Ecumenical Councils By James F. Korthals

Antichrist in the Early Church by William C. Weinrich

With a View to the End: Christ in the ancient church’s understanding of Scripture Rev. Joel Elowski

Cyprian, Donatism, Augustine, and Augustana VIII: Remarks on the Church and the Validity of Sacraments William C. Weinrich

Patristic Exegesis as Ecclesial and Sacramental William C. Weinrich

The ”Lutheran” Solas in the Fathers of the Church By William Weedon

Church Growth/Evangelism

How Can We Give a Witness for Jesus Christ in the Public Square While Avoiding the Errors of Unionism and Syncretism? by Daniel Preus

The Theology of the Church Growth Movement An Evaluation of Kent Hunter’s Confessions by Rev. Klemet Preus

“The Church in the Public Square in a Pluralistic Society” by Dr. David Adams

Confessional Subscription

Confessional Subscription: What does it mean for Lutherans today? by Gerhard O. Forde

Why Should our Pastors, Teachers and Professors Subscribe Unconditionally to the Symbolical Writings of Our Church by Dr.C.F.W. Walther

Evangelical Catholics and Confessional Evangelicals: The Ecumenical Polarities of Lutheranism, by Gene Edward Veith

Luther’s Small Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism— The Continuing Struggle: The Catechism’s Role as a Confessional Document in Lutheranism By Ulrich Asendorf

The Historical Background of the Ecumenical Creeds by E. Reim

The Satis Est in Article VII of The Augsburg Confession By Armin W. Schuetze

The Smalcald Articles – Historical Context, Content,Current Significance by Richard Balge

Why Bible-Believing Lutherans Subscribe to the Book of Concord By John F. Brug

The Formula of Concord: A Survey of its History By Henry A. Koch

Does Endorsement of the Book of Concord Involve Endorsement of Every Statement in the Confessions? By S. C. Ylvisaker

The Flacian Controversy on Original Sin By Heinrich J. Vogel

Lutheran Confessionalism: Doctrine and Practice by John T. Pless

Cyprian, Donatism, Augustine, and Augustana VIII: Remarks on the Church and the Validity of Sacraments William C. Weinrich

The ”Lutheran” Solas in the Fathers of the Church By William Weedon

Confession & Absolution

The Doctrine of Confession and Absolution by Siegbert W. Becker

Is Forgiveness Enough? Reflections on an Odd Question by Gerhard O. Forde

Prayer

Luther on Prayer by David P. Scaer

End-Times

Will You Be Left Behind? By Brent McGuire

Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth’s Last Days by the Rev. Al Loeschman

The End Times: A Study on Eschatology and Millennialism CTCR

The Book of Revelation by Rev. Paul A. Bartz (bible study)

Antichrist in the Early Church by William C. Weinrich

The Lord’s Supper

Altar-Fellowship, Church-Fellowship & Ecclesiastical Federation by Herman Sasse

The Sacrament of the Altar from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

The Sacrament of the Altar from Martin Luther’s Large Catechism

Conclusions: Exhortation to Receive the Sacraments Frequently from Martin Luther’s Large Catechism

Admission to the Lord’s Supper: Basics of Biblical and Confessional Teaching CTCR

The Lord’s Supper as the Testament of Jesus by Gerhard O. Forde

What’s in a Name? Eucharist or Lord’s Supper by Gerhard O. Forde

Sacrament of the Altar: Christ’s Daily Food and Sustenance by the Rev. Larry Rast

The Holy Supper: A Taste of Heaven by Dr. Bill Weinrich

Christ’s Body and Blood Saves Us by Kevin Leininger

Theology and Practice of the Lord’s Supper CTCR

The Real Presence of Our Lord’s Body and Blood in the Sacrament: – Its Benefits as the ”Medicine of Immortality”, by Rev. David Schoessow

Holy Communion — Should We Offer It More Frequently?,, by Rev. David Schoessow

Free Will/Predestination

The Lutheran Doctrine of Predestination: A Melancthon Perspective by Scott L. Keith

On the Bondage of the Will by James Arne Nestingen (audio)

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An Analysis of the Development of Philip Melanchthon’s Doctrine of the Human Will in Conversion by Ryan T. Fouts

The Doctrine Of Election As Taught By The Seventeenth Century Lutheran Dogmaticians By Robert Preus

Worship, Liturgy, & Hymnody

A Study in Luther’s Anti-Sacramentarian Writings by Armand J. Boehme

“Why Sacred Space Matters” by Mike Horton

“Worship & Emotions” by Dr. Ron Feuerhahn

Faith: New Generation Is Looking Back by Uwe Siemon-Netto

Teenagers and Church Music: What do They Really Think? LC-MS Commission on Worship

“Luther on Music” by Dr. Carl Schalk

Why Go to Church? By Rev. Rolf D. Preus

Lutheran Worship Wars by Rev. Rolf D. Preus

Historical Use of Laymen Within the Worship Service by Rev. Rolf D. Preus