Small Catechisms

Pastor Sean Barrett addresses the question, "Pastor talked about the creeds: some might wonder why we recite them every service, when it's all written down? I thought it was tied to practice in the early church when more was said than written, and with church doctrines evolving/splitting, it was important to remind ourselves, in community, of what holds us together, our shared beliefs. Is that why...

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis interviews Prof. Andrew Torrance of the University of St Andrews about his book Accountability to God (Oxford University Press, 2023). We discuss what accountability is, how accountability might be thought of as a theological virtue, the risks and rewards of accountability relations, what accountability looks like in Scripture, and more. Links Nativity's website - ...

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from John 10:22-30. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Pastor Sean Barrett addresses the question, "In the past, Catholics and Lutherans excommunicated each other and said some terrible things about one another (e.g., Luther calling the Pope "AntiChrist"). What are Catholic-Lutheran relations like now, given that we prayed for the new Pope yesterday?"

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis walks through Prof. Oliver Crisp's book  Approaching the Atonement: The Reconciling Work of Christ (IVP Academic, 2020). Prof. Crisp's book addresses questions about what the atonement is, what sorts of views of the atonement have existed through Christian history, how one can think well about the atonement, and more. Links Nativity's website -  Link Crisp's Approac...

This week, Dr. Aaron Davis considers the following question posed anonymously: "In last weeks sermon, I heard a correlation made between having an abortion, after discovering the unborn child had downs syndrome, with rejecting the risen Lord. Did I hear this correlation made correctly?" Links: Nativity's website - nativityarden.org CBS News reporting on Iceland and Down's Syndrome - Julian Quinone...

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis hosts a conversation with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about Christian creeds. What are creeds? Why would we want to use creeds? Why do creeds matter? Together we work through questions like these and more. Links Nativity's website - Link The Nicene Creed - Link The Apostles' Creed - Link The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 - Link Questions or Suggesti...

This week, Dr. Aaron Davis considers the following question posed anonymously: "My dad died of dementia a few years ago. One of my hopes is to see him in heaven and have him recognize me. As I thought about yesterday's sermon, my mind wonders if this is a realistic expectation? What do you expect God to heal and not heal in our new bodies?" Links: Aaron Brian Davis, "Horizons of Hope: Disability,...

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8, and John 20:19-31. You can find all the readings for this Sunday  here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .  

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Luke 24:1-12. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches during the Great Vigil of Easter, jointly celebrated by Lutheran Church of the Nativity, Calvary Episcopal Church, and Fletcher United Methodist Church. Readings from the service are Genesis 1:1-2:4, Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13, Exodus 14:10-15:1, 20-21, 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8, and Luke 24:1-12.

In this inaugural episode of Small Cathecisms we explore what's to come in this podcast and learn a bit about the background of our host, Dr. Aaron Davis.    Links Nativity's website - nativityarden.org Dr. Davis's homepage - aaronbdavis.com

I was wondering if the palm leaves and procession are a Lutheran thing or if many/most denominations do it?  How far back does it go? Did they do anything like it in Luther's time?

Pastors Tim Canniff-Kuhn, Beth Kearney, and Doug Kearney discuss questions from the previous midweek dinners with Dr. Aaron Davis.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from John 12:1-8. You can find all the readings for this Sunday  here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Q: As you were discussing Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with the costly perfume, I kept hearing in my head the music from Jesus Christ Superstar. Have you seen the portrayal of this event in that movie/play? It captures the love and appreciation Mary shows and also the bitterness that Judas feels. Have you heard any criticism of Jesus Christ Superstar in Christian circles? I've heard that some...

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Pastor Tim Canniff-Kuhn discusses Martin Luther's doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. 

Q: Please post the quote from the Dutch priest you referenced in your sermon. Pastor Sean Barrett reflects on that quote and forgiveness. 

Pastor Doug Kearney discusses the history of Lutheran worship and how it looks when compared to other Christian traditions. 

Parishioner and lay preacher Carolyn Anderson preaches from Luke 13:1-9. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Dr. Aaron Davis discusses Luther's history and how he fits alongside some other figures/movements from the Protestant Reformation.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Luke 9:28-36. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Luke 4:1-13. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Pastor Beth Kearney discusses how the ELCA is organized and our partnerships for God's work in the world.