The Lutheran Inquisitor

What can philosophy do for confessional Lutheran thinking and what can confessional Lutheran thinking do for philosophy?. First of three interviews with Rev. Dr. Gregory Schulz, Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Luther and the English Reformation. Final episode in this sequence of interviews with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger, University Pastor at Concordia University Chicago.

Humanism and the English Reformation. Third episode of this series of interviews on the English Reformation with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger, University Pastor at Concordia University Chicago.

The state of the English church at the beginning of the 16th century. Second in this series of interviews on the English Reformation with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger, University Pastor at Concordia University Chicago.

The Lollards. First of a series of interviews on the English Reformation with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Leininger, University Pastor at Concordia University Chicago.

Looking at the structure of books in the Bible, we can see distinct patterns and themes such as the series of the Septuagint, the message of the Psalms, the character of the Gospels. Further details, such as the order of the Epistles and specific references to the Old Testament, reflect prophesy of Christ - while overall this verifies the composite Word of God. Part 2 of 2 of this interview with P...

The Scriptures can be recognised as such a rich literary resource, which bear prominent significance as for being an historic account enforced with its theological themes and truth. The unique Hebrew culture is deep-rooted throughout the Old Testament, while the oncoming Christ may be seen as a ’concentric turning point’ with references echoed on both sides in books of Ezekiel and Revelation. Part...

By understanding our communion with Christ, we can also better perceive our individual role in the Church. Luther defied the institution of the Church in his day (with its imposed hierarchy) to describe instead the individual ’priesthood’ as responsibility of each member. The spiritual office of church leader is called by God and by congregation: then due to work together in service to the communi...

Luther served to redefine the idea of the Church in his time (yet offered little instruction on how to operate it most effectively). According to his doctrine, our service should be by adhering to the fundamental principles evident through Christ in the Word. We are all called to accept our responsibility in the Church today: that is, as a community designated to serve the Gospel to the world.

An interesting review of a peer of Luther who served at the University of Wittenberg and supported the Protestant movement. Amsdorf helped to clarify the Lutheran theology for the common people, the most essential points concerning the role of God’s grace compared to human responsibility. To review this biography helps us to see Christian motivation at work.

Further discussion explores Luther’s notion of us being bonded or ’bound’ to our neighbour, as another member in the Christian family. This derives from trust in God with absolute assurance of all that is provided through Christ: liberating us from fear and anxiety for our own well-being, such that responsively we extend ourselves to others, offering a service which is genuinely satisfying.

This treatise by Luther concerning our Christian life and responsibility derives from religious argument in medieval Germany at that time. Being controversial for its criticism of the corrupt Church authority, Luther’s motive was to clarify public understanding through rhetoric and engaging Biblical truth. This is just as relevant to support our notion of Christian duty and service to others.

The preaching and teaching of the Gospel is the topic of this interview with Mark Nixon, teacher of New Testament theology in India

By exploring Christ’s teachings we come to understand the Kingdom of God: not merely a dream for our future, but as a feasible reality here on earth due to be shared in the fellowship of the Church. It is, in fact, by effect of God’s gift of Reconciliation that all of us sinners are embraced in His full Love and forgiveness. Likewise, we are called to proclaim this and share it equally and activel...

To review our understanding of what it means to be human is very revealing. To note the cultural changes that are so diverse and relative to many societies - with different spiritual beliefs - also helps us to consider the current state of Christianity in the modern world. Here you will find a personal account of how academic study proved to validate faith in the Lutheran theology and give testimo...

Christian Anthropologist Drs Priscilla Garcia, describes a Pentecostal church which emphasis community service: motivated by a notion of ’building The Kingdom.’ An interesting overview, resulting from Drs Garcia’s academic research, which also delivers a discerning perspective contrasting some issues of policy and practice with the Lutheran understanding of the Christian mission.

Here is a vital discussion on living the Christian Life, to consider it as a pilgrimage - walking ’the Way’ - so as to understand the Divine Laws of beauty, goodness and truth. Through this aesthetic experience, it essentially compels us to improve our standards, and hunger for more. Also a summary review of messages in the liturgy, reminds us of our life-long process returning devotion and direct...

To ascertain the principles our Lutheran confessions, it was concurred by the committee that God reveals Himself through the Word: as that which was spoken (through prophecy), written (in Scripture), and embodied in His Son, Jesus Christ. Also we know that our faith is sustained by the study of God’s Word, and it is the authority of the Holy Spirit which brings us to believe this.

Here is review of a book representing the core values of our confessional Lutheran faith, as it was systematically prepared by a council of the LCMS in the 1980s. It addressed a fundamental need to present the truth of these dogmas in a coherent way, relative to the context of the church in this modern age. It is now embraced as a foundational doctrine by the International Lutheran Council.

The prophetic story of Jonah is remarkable, considering his dismay for God’s mercy which was granted to the Gentiles. Jonah judged that destruction was more fitting for their corruption. However, he was himself notably disobedient to God’s command for him and yet benefited also from God’s rescue and grace. This foretells the suffering and salvation which was to come with Christ. Interview with Dr...

With respect for the function of Church music to unite us into a community for worship, there is now a calling to expand upon the tradition and instruments, introduce new methods and understanding for the next generation of professional Church musicians. This is motive in the modern course of training - necessary to keep worship service alive, while also duly respecting the liturgy, text and long-...

Important issues concern the music scene in Lutheran worship today, considering how Luther brought revolutionary methods to integrate the congregation into the worship service. With respect for the well-established tradition, now is a matter to introduce new ways while keeping true to the criteria of worship: as a vital means to express praise to God in our communal body, being one in Christ. Part...

The liturgy and settings for worship in the ELCE has evolved in an interesting way, relative to the immigration of Lutherans to America. As result, over time it produced a vast selection of musical settings applied to different texts. Plans are underway to design a new Order of Service due to maintain a unified text with a variety of music settings, allowing for more choice in congregations. Inter...

There is a great reputation for Lutheran hymnody - renown ever since Luther’s initiative to translate Latin liturgy into the people’s common language to promote wide-spread ministry of God’s Word. So it is similar incentive for producing this collection of Lutheran hymns more related to the English tradition, with explicit purpose to teach what God has accomplished for us, while praising His Name....

The fact of Jesus ministry is also verified by external sources. Historic records from the Roman Empire concur with specific dates and locations in the Biblical account; and the earliest references of the "sect" of Jesus’ followers first labelled as ’Christians’. Also notable is the mass of Jewish converts who believed Jesus as the Messiah fulfilled, and current scholars in discussion noting it as...