Lutheran Spokesman

The Reformer on “Judging” God-pleasing Judging: “You must understand this in such a way that it does not take away the right of the man in the public ministry of preaching to judge matters of doctrine as well as of life. Indeed, it is incumbent on him in his office to rebuke publicly whatever does […] Read More

PART Five OF A SERIES The Five Installments:  1) God is my Father Almighty; 2) God is Maker of Heaven and Earth; 3) God is my Preserver and Provider; 4) God is my Protector; 5) God does all this for me by His grace. The Father of Grace   This is the final article of […] Read More

I am a typical consumer. If a new grocery store opens down the street and advertises lower prices, I’ll abandon my old store without a second thought. After all, saving fifty cents a gallon on milk adds up. Airlines make a point of thanking passengers for choosing them because they know that consumers have choices and […] Read More

In his short epistle Jude wanted more than anything to write about the wonders of “our common salvation” (v. 3), which is the marvelous gospel of God’s gracious love and forgiveness through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. We have been led by the Spirit to appreciate how “God was in Christ reconciling the world […] Read More

When our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, there was a certain glee among His enemies, for in their minds they had accomplished their goal of being rid of Jesus. But as the Passion history suggests, they could not rid themselves of the nagging thought that perhaps what He said was true. Perhaps He would rise […] Read More

EDITOR’S NOTE: This month and next we look at some of the people who preceded the Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther (1483-1546). They might be called “forerunners” of the Reformation, for through them the stage was set for the gospel of Jesus Christ to break free from a cold and corrupt church, once again taking its […] Read More

Pastor Paul F. Larsen August 24, 1932 – August 2, 2013 The Scripture passage “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9) comes to mind when one contemplates the many “steps” a child of God takes over the course of four-score years—such as the eventful 80-years-plus of our long-time […] Read More

Most kids are curious, and I was no different. When I asked my father why a certain pasture which we passed almost every Sunday had a small fenced-off area serving no apparent purpose, he explained what could not be discerned at a distance. A spring of water was being protected from cattle which in the […] Read More

We understand and appreciate the difference between a church denomination or congregation and the Church—the spiritual Israel, “the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints” (The Apostles’ Creed). Through membership in our local congregations the Spirit strengthens us in the Christian faith through His Word and Sacraments; there we praise and worship Him together; there […] Read More

Great Lakes Pastoral Conference October 1-3, 2013 Calvary Lutheran Church Marquette, Michigan Agenda: + New Testament Exegesis: Romans 4:14ff—Pastor Thomas Schuetze + Old Testament Exegesis: Essayist’s choice—Pastor Bruce Naumann + Homiletical Topic: Essayist’s choice—Pastor Michael Wilke + Evangelism Topic: Essayist’s choice—Pastor Richard Kanzenbach + What Constitutes Saving Faith?—Pastor Walter Schaller + Practical Ways the Pastor […] Read More