The ROAD TO REFORMATION In observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin Luther. The series continues with major events in the life of the Reformer that took place after 1517. In the Reformation’s early days, many recognized the hypocrisy of the papacy,… Read More »Luther’s Struggle with Erasmus—1525— Read More

Farming isn’t what it used to be. We live in a cash-crop economy, from seed to harvest in just a few months. Our world wants immediate results, as hands-off as possible. But the Scriptures teach that the Lord takes a long-haul approach to cultivating the soul. Our parable (Luke 13:6-9) presents a fig tree planted… Read More »THE BARREN FIG TREE Read More

Jesus’ parables are timeless. But when a story becomes too familiar, you can lose your focus on its original intent. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) serves as a good example of how divine wisdom can be taken for granted. Jesus speaks the parable to a lawyer. Every daily interaction of Jewish society… Read More »THE GOOD SAMARITAN Read More

“Victim mentality” is an all-too-common method of avoiding personal accountability. It assumes that what others expect of you is unreasonable and blames their impossible demands for any lack of effort on your part. The victim mindset causes members to stop attending services for a moving target of reasons or, if they do attend, to complain… Read More »THE TALENTS Read More

The parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30) should be like nails on a chalkboard to any good home gardener. The landow ner’s advice to leave the weeds untouched frustrates the compulsion to pluck them out as soon as they break the soil’s surface: “No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the… Read More »THE TARES Read More

One of the hallmarks of the Lutheran Church is its proper understanding and application of the Bible’s two main teachings—Law and Gospel. This article concludes our series on Dr. C.F.W. Walther’s seminal work, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel. “Thesis XXV– In the twenty-first place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when… Read More »Let the Gospel Predominate! Read More

One of the hallmarks of the Lutheran Church is its proper understanding and application of the Bible’s two main teachings—Law and Gospel. Dr. C.F.W. Walther’s seminal work, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel is the basis for this two-year series. Note: page numbers given are accurate for the 1929 and 1986 editions of the… Read More »“Awakening” and “Conversion”—A False Dichotomy Read More

Installation. In accord with our usage and order, Kendra Rodebaugh, who was called by Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Spokane Valley, Washington, to be its lower grades teacher, was installed on July 17, 2022. Preaching for the service was Pastor David Naumann. —Pastor Wayne Eichstadt Installation. In accord with our usage and order, Claire Abbas (center),… Read More »Announcements Read More

One of the hallmarks of the Lutheran Church is its proper understanding and application of the Bible’s two main teachings—Law and Gospel. Dr. C.F.W. Walther’s seminal work, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel, is the basis for this two-year series. Note: page numbers given are accurate for the 1929 and 1986 editions of the… Read More »Tell It Like It Is Read More

Breaking Bad Habits Does Not Make You a Christian “T hesis XVI—In twelfth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher tries to make people believe that they are truly converted as soon as they have become rid of certain vices and engage in certain works of piety and virtuous practices.”… Read More »Breaking Bad Habits Does Not Make You a Christian Read More

The ROAD TO REFORMATION In preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin Luther. The series will culminate in the October 2017 issue with an account of his posting of the Ninety-Five Theses. Once Martin Luther was old enough, his parents sought to… Read More »Life of Luther — School Days Read More

The ROAD TO REFORMATION In preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin Luther. The series will culminate in the October 2017 issue with an account of his posting of the Ninety-Five Theses. The Apostle Paul commands us to “comfort each other and… Read More »From Recluse to Scholar: 1506-1507 Read More

When Jacob feared a violent reunion with Esau, he took his struggle before God and wrestled with Him, demanding a blessing. God blessed him, but the ordeal left Jacob with a disjointed hip. Luther wrestled with God, too. Monastic life had proven the futility of outward works of penance. His trip to Rome had shown… Read More »Wrestling with the Psalms: 1512-1513 Read More

The ROAD TO REFORMATION In preparing for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we have presented a brief survey of the life of Martin Luther leading up to the posting of the Ninety-Five Theses. The series culminates in this month’s issue. A disgruntled child stomps away when angry. You decide to tackle projects alone… Read More »Life of Luther—1517 “Just leave me alone!” Read More

The ROAD TO REFORMATION In observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin Luther. The series continues with major events in the life of the Reformer that took place after 1517. After the Diet of Worms, Martin Luther’s writings were banned, and many… Read More »Junker Jörg Read More

One of the hallmarks of the Lutheran Church is its proper understanding and application of the Bible’s two main teachings—Law and Gospel. Dr. C.F.W. Walther’s seminal work, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel is the basis for this two-year series. Note: page numbers given are accurate for the 1929 and 1986 editions of the… Read More »“You’ve Got to Believe”? Read More

The ROAD TO REFORMATION In observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief survey of the life of Martin Luther. The series continues with major events in the life of the Reformer that took place after 1517. When a toddler writes on things, it is destructive. But when Martin… Read More »Two Catechisms, and One Important Meeting —1529— Read More

“THIS WE BELIEVE” In ongoing observation of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, we are presenting a brief overview of the Book of Concord. The series will survey the three ecumenical creeds and the Lutheran confessions. Throughout the Bible, God provides His people with concise summaries of His truth to hold near and dear… Read More »The Apostles’ Creed Read More

I know nothing about sports. But since many of my church members are sports fanatics, I have had to learn a few analogies. One such is the phrase “back to basics.” It means a return to fundamental exercises. The best way to prepare for the overwhelming stress of a tough challenge is to practice the elementary… Read More »The Small Catechism Read More

I used to work for a major corporation, responding on their behalf to customers’ social media complaints. My job was to engage customers and resolve online conflicts. We had strict standards: Never respond in haste. Write precisely and clearly. Publish only words you can stand by. This was no mere business psychology. God says, “Do… Read More »The Apology to the Augsburg Confession Read More