A Word Fitly Spoken Podcast

Revelation is a book that seems confusing and even terrifying, but it is written for the Church. How do the visions of Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit encourage us? How do the visions of the devil and his agents prepare us for suffering and faithful service? What is Revelation's primary message? Join us as we talk about this often misunderstood book. Host: Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest: ...

When God made male and female, did he do so with a purpose? In a world where such distinctions are forgotten, ignored, or neglected, what does it mean for men to be men and women to be women? Join us as we discuss these things in the world, the family, and the church. Host: Rev. Willie Grills Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam Koontz Episode: 115 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wo...

Join us for a discussion of Luther's Church Postils, a gathering of his preaching on the entire Christian year. We discuss what he said, how he said it, and why it sounds so different from so much modern preaching. Whether you preach regularly or listen to preaching regularly, listen to this episode. Links for further reading can be found on our website. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn H...

The Lord tells us to avoid mediums and necromancers, but many throughout history until today turn to them. Is there a real danger, or is it simply fake and harmless? How should the Christian view fortune telling or other ways of trying to influence the future? Come along with us through the Bible, the weirdness of Renaissance magic, the surprising people involved in the Reformation, and even Houdi...

The new season begins with a late night comfy chat with Grills, Heide, and Koontz. Join us as we banter about preaching, the liturgy, and more. Stay tuned to the end for previews of upcoming episodes this season and new projects! Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam Koontz Episode: 112 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.or...

The Conclave convenes again for our season 3 finale. Join us as we answer your questions, ranging from quia subscription to L. Ron Hubbard.  Put in your earbuds, settle in, and enjoy the show. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guests:  Rev. Adam Koontz, Rev. David Appold, and Rev. Aaron Uphoff Episode: 111 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspo...

The Bible tells us to be subject to the governing authorities. Likewise, we must obey God rather than men. In this tension lives the Christian. Where do we draw the line between proper obedience and godly disobedience? Join us as we discuss this pressing issue.   Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 110   Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website: wordfitlyspoken....

"Take up your cross and follow me!" Are the words of our Lord a call to action or an encouragement to couch surfing?  Join us as we discuss the active Christian life in practical ways, what it means to walk in step with the Spirit, and how to avoid sloganeering and bumper sticker theology.   Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Guest: Rev. Benjamin Ulledalen Episode: 109   Find articles...

Behold the feet of those who bring the good news of God's judgment! The prophet Nahum, speaking against ancient Assyria in the height of her power, proclaims a message of finding joy in the destruction of evil. Nahum also speaks to our own day, reminding us that injustice and sin will come to an end, because the Lord reigns over all the earth. Join us for a discussion of the book of Nahum and its...

Cancel culture is a symptom of our troubled times. Talking about political issues rapidly becomes an attempt to silence someone else. How should Christians respond? What does it mean to have a good reputation? How do we uphold someone else's reputation? Join us for a lively discussion of these contemporary issues. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 107 Find articles and other...

What would you never give up, even though you were burnt alive for it? Join us for an enlightening discussion about the early English Reformation and especially the English Lutheran martyr, Robert Barnes. Resources for further reading can be found on our website. Host: Rev. Willie Grills Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam Koontz Episode: 106 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfit...

The man who taught generations of preachers at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and who preached for decades week in and week out had a lot to say about preaching.  Join us to hear about what sermons should sound like, how Scripture should be applied, and why preaching matters so much to God and to His people. Resources for further reading can be found on our website. Host: Rev. Willie Grills Regula...

Strange signs in the sky. Is it ancient Rome, 16th century Europe, or modern America? What do these things mean? Is it all a mere hoax, or is this something that the Christian should carefully discern? Join us as we open the X-Files and talk about the history of alien encounters and how the Christian must test the spirits to see whether they are from God. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn...

The visual arts have been a source of controversy in church history.  Are there limits to what can be depicted?  Does the Bible prohibit the use of images?  Join us as we discuss the sometimes violent history of iconoclasm and the place of the visual arts in the Church. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 103 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlys...

In our new series Preaching Christ, we discuss how great preachers of the past proclaimed God's Word in order to learn what preaching has been and can be.  In this first episode in the series, we look at the style, themes, delivery, and impact of Walter A. Maier, the first speaker of the Lutheran Hour.  What can we learn from him?  What can he say to our day?  Whether you preach regularly or liste...

The possibility that Chalcedon had made a mistake in failing to explicitly condemn three men opposed to Cyril haunted the Church.  The Emperor Justinian, seeking to reunite a religiously fractured empire, sought to resolve the Three Chapters controversy first by edict and then by a new council.  Yet the most important part of the story was a showdown between pope and emperor which would have lasti...

The WFS crew celebrates our 100th episode by answering listener questions.  From circuit riding to streaming services on the internet, we tackle a wide array of topics.  Here's to the next 100! Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guests:  Rev. Adam Koontz, Rev. David Appold, and Rev. Aaron Uphoff Episode: 100 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlysp...

Since the sixth day of creation, man has been called to tend the earth.  Even despite the Fall, this call continues.  How does this apply to the Christian today?  Is it a sin to be prepared for the future?  Is it spiritually good to work in the dirt?  How can we better provide for and teach our families?  Join us as we dismantle the techno-industrial state and talk about God, family, and food. Hos...

To be a Christian is to be like Christ, and to be like Christ is to be holy and godly like Him.  What does that look like?  How does that happen?  If we are called to be godly, what does it mean to be ungodly, especially in a culture hostile to God?  Rev. Benjamin Ulledalen joins us to discuss godliness in Scripture and what it means for us today. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Gu...

Chalcedon forged the Definition in the heat of controversy, but the debate over the natures of Christ it hoped to resolve went on.  Conflict between the Monophysites and the Chalcedonians, sometimes breaking out into actual violence, demanded some kind of solution.  With new wars, internal strife, and the final fall of the Western Empire, how would the Roman emperors try to resolve this major cont...

The crucifixion of Christ looms large in our mind and our art, but how did it actually happen?  How did the Romans carry out their work?  Where did it come from?  Yet despite the historical details, the fact remains that the cross was the most fitting way for Christ to die, because God chose it from before the foundation of the world.  Join us for a discussion on the details, the stigma, and the g...

"I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things."  The Lord sends prosperity and disaster alike, but never without reason.  Grab your water purifiers and huddle up next to the shortwave radio as we discuss pandemics, plagues, and the hand of God in them all. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 95 Find articles...

Here is the heart of the Election Controversy in 19th century America, a conflict that divided brother from brother and caused C.F.W. Walther pain and grief near his life's end.  Join us to understand better what was at stake in the conflict, what the sides were, and how conflict was handled for better or for worse. Links to books and resources on this subject can be found on our website. Hosts: R...

Just as Christ is the great High Priest, the greater than Moses and Levi, so also are those who are in Christ part of a greater spiritual priesthood offering up a greater sacrifice to God.  Join us as we continue our discussion of the book of Hebrews, talking about the nature of the spiritual priesthood, the way in which we offer sacrifices to God, and the reasons why Christ's bloody sacrifice can...

“For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”  As we enter Lent, Peter’s words teach us the importance of spiritual discipline, including fasting.  Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.  What else does the Bible have to say about fasting?  Why did the early church very quickly adopt fasting?  Why should we practice fasting today? Hosts:...