A Word Fitly Spoken Podcast

Join us for a comfy roundtable on the Apocrypha, outreach, zeal for the truth, and very small church bodies. This and more from your questions on the latest Conclave. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guests:  Rev. Adam Koontz, Rev. David Appold, and Rev. Aaron Uphoff Episode: 91 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.org Follow us on Twitte...

Join us for the first in a multi-part series on the Election Controversy in American Lutheranism, a struggle that had its roots in Reformation-era disputes about free will, Scripture’s clarity, and God’s election of grace. We look at the basics of the doctrine of election or predestination, Luther’s dispute with Erasmus, and the developments during Lutheran Orthodoxy that brought so much contentio...

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!  The book of Psalms forms the cornerstone of the Church’s worship, and no other book informs the Christian life more.  From the depths of the darkest woe to the heights of the highest praise, the Psalms praise the mighty Lord who is always faithful to His promises.  Join us in our march toward Zion as we be...

The First Great Awakening was a monumental event in American and British history and ultimately in world history.  Men like George Whitefield, John Wesley, and Jonathan Edwards shook up the English-speaking world in powerful, but controversial ways.  What was the religious state of the American colonies at the time, and why did such men resonate with so many? Join us as we begin our discussion of...

Freemasonry, Kabbalah, Hermeticism. What do they have in common? Are they legitimate or spiritually dangerous schools of thought? Why has the church always contended against it? Join us for a discussion of Western esotericism, its many forms, and its many implications, especially why Christians should be aware of it today. Host: Rev. Willie Grills Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam Koontz Episode: 87 Find...

From The Lutheran Hymnal to the polka mass, worship is one of the most debated topics for Christians today.  What do we make of it?  Is there a Biblical definition of worship?  Does God want us to worship in a certain way?  Join us as we discuss Biblical worship as the Lord's action, our reaction, and the basis for unity in the Church. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 86 Fi...

The Conclave convenes once again to answer listener questions and discuss other matters of varying degrees of consequence. Come along with us through some technical glitches and lively conversation as we tackle issues from Vatican II to the Rapture. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guests:  Rev. Adam Koontz and Rev. Aaron Uphoff Episode: 85 Find articles and other podcast ep...

The stories we tell about ourselves not only define our past, but also define our future.  We return to the Forgotten Era of the Missouri Synod to show that it was not a time of easy missions to ethnic enclaves, but a time of hard work and dedication despite serious obstacles.  Men like William Dallmann forged the future of the Missouri Synod through tireless work in a rapidly changing environment...

The work of the high priest in the Old Testament was imperfect, since it had to be repeated every year.  The work of our High Priest Jesus Christ is superior and perfect, the fulfillment of everything the Old Testament set forth, since it was done once for all.  Join us as we continue our discussion of the book of Hebrews with a focus on the priesthood of Christ, His perfect sacrifice, His ongoing...

In the twenty years since the previous council, a war-torn empire faces another challenge within the Church.  The fourth ecumenical council, convened at Chalcedon, dealt with the theological issues and the political intrigue while at the same time setting forth a world-changing definition.  Jesus Christ, the council confessed, has two distinct natures in one person unconfusedly, unchangeably, indi...

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever! Join us as we discuss the Biblical understanding of thankfulness, while also ruminating on the national day of thanksgiving. Host: Rev. Willie Grills Regular Guest:  Rev. David Appold Episode: 81 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.org Follow us on Twitter:  @wordfitly Send us a mess...

Join us for an introduction to Saint Paul’s letters to Rome and Philippi and a look at how the Gospel spread in the earliest church.  This episode is dedicated, with thanks to God, to the faithful proclaimer of Paul’s message of grace, the late Dr. Walter A. Maier II. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam Koontz Episode: 80 Find articles and other podcast episod...

Hebrews is one of the most important and often quoted epistles, laying an important foundation for our understanding of the relationship between the Old Testament and the New.  Join us as we discuss the authorship, dating, and themes of this inspired book. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. David Appold Episode: 79 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our w...

Few things intrigue and fascinate people like the paranormal.  Things beyond our ability to explain frequently lead people astray.  Popular culture, with its assumptions and explanations for paranormal phenomena, influences even Christians, coloring their perception of what God's Word has to say.  Join us for a discussion on what the Bible has to say and why Christians should take this subject ser...

From obscure beginnings in the United States to a worldwide movement, the spread of Pentecostalism can be neither ignored nor underestimated.  Join us as we look at the complicated origins of this movement and what it means for the Church today. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 77 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.org Follow us on Twi...

WFS opens a new season with a listener question.  What is Receptionism?  How does it compare with the Lutheran Confessions?  How should we treat the issue of the Lord's Supper?  Join us as we delve into the history behind this position and how it came to be in our circles today. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 76 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wo...

The rhythms of the liturgy sanctify our time, our space, and our thought, so that we may redeem the time.  Loehe argues for retaining and renewing the liturgy even in his day when much of it had been lost or neglected.  His insights continue to inform our own time, especially in an age which sees many of the same struggles. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam...

Technology has the power to shape our lives, though often in ways we do not expect.  We may seek to control things which do not belong to us.  We may exalt technology as a mysterious and mystifying power over our lives.  We may even look to technology as security for an uncertain tomorrow.  But one thing is clear:  the same forge which brings forth the plow shapes the sword.  Technology is both a...

Catechesis literally means echoing back and forth, a question and answer of the basic truths of the faith.  Loehe continues his discussion of the work of a pastor by discussing the method, form, and content of catechesis, as well as how it relates to the life of the church. Host: Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. David Appold Episode: 73 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website...

Following the death of Joseph Smith, Mormonism faced a serious crisis.  Who would be the next leader?  To make matters worse, several contenders stepped forward to claim the spot.  However, Brigham Young would take the lead and begin the next important chapter in Mormon history.  Join us as we discuss the various splinter groups that resulted from this crisis and an overview of the life of Young....

There is no greater treasure than to hear the Word of God communicated clearly in your own language.  The Evangelical Heritage Version aims to translate the Bible into clear English style while maintaining a faithful translation.  Professor John Brug, the head of the Wartburg Project, joins us to discuss the EHV, what makes it unique, and why it was undertaken in the first place. Links mentioned i...

Preaching is the chief work of the ministry, yet it happens on more than Sunday morning.  A man must be apt to teach, though he can and should increase this God-given gift in his work.  Loehe also describes the form of a sermon and offers some surprising suggestions regarding this important task. Host: Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. David Appold Episode: 70 Find articles and other podcast...

Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!  What does repentance look like?  What keeps us from repentance?  How do we bear fruit in keeping with repentance?  Join us as we discuss a doctrine so important that Jesus Himself began His preaching ministry with the call to repent. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 69 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfit...

Technology is the means by which we obtain certain goals, and using technology is part of being human.  Yet in an age when technology increasingly dominates our lives, what does the Word of God have to say about it?  Join us as we discuss why technology isn't a neutral issue, some of what the Lord says about it, and why bringing up the Amish is a red herring. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zel...

One of the goals of catechesis is Biblical literacy, and one of the best ways to obtain it is through the use of Bible histories.  Whether the setting is in confirmation, homeschooling, the home, or even just in personal improvement, these somewhat lost treasures provide an easy method for pastors, teachers, and parents alike. Links to some of the resources mentioned in the podcast may be found on...