Rosicrucianism
UNDERSTANDING THE CULTS – ROSICRUCIANISM In this twelve-part series we are taking a brief look at some of the major cults, past and present, that have found adherents in the United States. Your pastor can…
The Athanasian Creed
“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…
WS 717 “Bright and Glorious Is the Sky”
The creation account gives surprisingly little attention to the stars. It tells us that on the fourth day God made lights and placed them in the sky, but it calls our attention mostly to the sun and the moon. The stars almost seem to be just mentioned: “He made the stars also.” Yet the stars, too, are called God’s lights “set in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth.” (Genesis 1:16-17)
The stars in God’s creation have a prominent place in this Epiphany hymn by Nicolai F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1875). The stars in the night sky make it “bright and glorious.” They make the high heavens “radiant.” When God set them in the heavens, He made them so that their rays of light incline to the earth and “beckon us to heaven above.” They lift our thoughts from earthly things to God the Maker of all things.
Frankincense
“And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 As a boy, I often puzzled over the gifts of the Magi. Gold was certainly a treasure.…
Marriage: More Than Just a Piece of Paper
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4) “What’s the point in marriage? It’s just a piece of paper, and a piece of paper doesn’t…
Christian Science
Some lies are so obvious they can’t be disguised. So, cults rely on a trick the Navy once used when trying to hide ships on the open seas. Vessels were painted in bright, bold colors,…
The Nicene Creed
They think they have identified it, submerged in the clear, shallow waters near the shores of Iznik Golu in modern Turkey. This ancient church was destroyed centuries ago by an earthquake that also caused the…
“Evening and Morning” WS 782; LSB 726
A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING For most, the turning of the year is a time of personal reckoning. We look at where we have been, where we are now, and where we hope…
The “Who, Me?” Syndrome
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT When I was attending grade school, some of the biggest infractions were chewing gum in class, throwing chalk, and running in the hallways. When caught, most kids were quick to…
Don’t Forget Fellow Sufferers
STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” (Hebrews 13:3) Jesus forewarned us that it wouldn’t be easy being Christians (Luke…