A Word Fitly Spoken Podcast

The regulars reassemble to take your questions.  In this second conclave, we tackle many topics, ranging from the liturgy to Prohibition to vengeance.  Join us as we dive in with you. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guests:  Rev. Adam Koontz and Rev. David Appold Episode: 66 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.org Follow us on Twitter: ...

The marriage of a pastor, like any man, shapes him and impacts his work.  In this episode, we discuss Loehe's reflections on the pastor's marriage.  Is celibacy a higher calling?  How does the biblical qualification of "husband of one wife" relate to a widower or a divorced man?  Is the calling of the pastor's wife different from other wives?  Join us as we continue our discussion of Loehe's book...

Jesus Christ is our ascended King, the living head of the Church.  How do we understand the concept of Christ being the head?  Does headship also apply to government and family?  Join us as we discuss the Biblical doctrine of headship and its implications for our society today. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 64 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wor...

The social and cultural expectations for pastors change from time to time and place to place, but there is something unchanging about the source of a pastor's life in Christ.  Listen to find out more about how the hidden life with God nourishes a pastor's public conduct and why distraction plagues pastors in Loehe's time and our own. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest: ...

Few men have made such an impact on American Christianity as Dr. Walter A. Maier.  From academics to radio to preaching, WAM's influence reached far and wide.  WAM stands tall in the history of the LC-MS.  Join us as we discuss the life and techniques of the man Time magazine called "The Chrysostom of American Lutheranism." Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 62 Find articles...

WFS goes on the road to sit down with Dr. Andrew Steinmann to discuss a number of topics.  How do we determine the Old Testament canon?  Why is Esther and the Song of Songs in the Bible?  Why is time important in the Bible?  What unifies the book of Genesis?  Dr. Steinmann brings his insights into all these questions and more in this special episode of WFS. Links to books mentioned in the podcast...

While idolatry remains a continual threat to God's people, Israel faced a strong temptation because of the surrounding Canaanites and their religious practices.  One such example that occurs frequently in the Old Testament is the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, whose poles were set up even in the temple during the last days of the kingdom.  Dr. Walter A. Maier III joins us to discuss ido...

Loehe describes a pastor as leading a private and a public life.  Yet as important as his public life is, it begins first in private.  How should a pastor study?  What does it mean to reflect on God's Word?  Does piety make you a Pietist?  Join us for our continuing discussion of Loehe's book "The Pastor." Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. David Appold Episode: 5...

The Synodical Conference not only broke over issues of fellowship, but also over a different understanding of the Word, which would lead to further problems in the Missouri Synod leading up to the walkout in 1974.  Dr. Braun joins us to talk about issues of Scripture, the breakup itself, and where the Wisconsin Synod has gone since the 1960s. Links to resources related to this podcast may be found...

Our Lord stretches out His hand to strike Egypt with His wonders. Come with us as we study Moses, Pharaoh, and God's deliverance of His people from Egypt.   Learn about Egyptian religion in conflict with the one true faith. Hear of the historic miracles and signs the Lord God performs. We discuss why the Passover happened, why it matters, and how it is fulfilled. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev....

Theodosius II convoked the Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus to settle a controversy between Nestorius of Constantinople and Cyril of Alexandria.  The debate began over the term theotokos, the Mother of God, but it soon became clear that nothing less than rightly understanding how Jesus is both God and man was at stake.  Yet, as the questionable politics and personal animosities of the council d...

When it began in 1872, C.F.W. Walther dreamed that the Synodical Conference might lead to organic unity among confessional Lutherans. When it ended in 1967, its demise drove a wedge between confessional Lutherans that persists to this day.  The Wisconsin Synod and the Missouri Synod were formerly in full fellowship with one another, but no longer.  Rev. Dr. Mark Braun joins us to discuss the tensi...

Our Lord teaches clearly that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. What does this mean, and why is Sabbath rest essential for this world and for the life of the world to come? Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam Koontz Episode: 54 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.org Follow us on Twitter:  @wordfitly S...

After advising the student of theology, Loehe continues by giving insight into how a pastor should begin his work in a new parish, especially young pastors going into the parish for the first time.  Join us as we delve into the next chapter of Loehe's book and tackle issues like not attempting to do too much too quickly, the pastor's public and social life, and the need for self-control. Hosts: Re...

Strive to enter by the narrow gate.  Press onward toward the goal.  The Holy Spirit describes the Christian life in active, even violent, terms.  How should we pursue God?  What do our spiritual weapons look like?  How do we run in pursuit of the prize while remembering that we are saved by grace?  Join us as we discuss Christian discipline and what it looks like in our daily lives. Hosts: Rev. Wi...

How does the past come to be forgotten? Maybe there are parts of our own past that we've forgotten. Join us to remember the period of Missouri's greatest growth in the time between the Civil War and the Great Depression and to hear how we can think about our fathers in the faith and imitate their zeal for Christ. Links for works mentioned in the podcast may be found on our website. Hosts: Rev. Wil...

All hands on deck for this special episode of WFS!  The regulars are all here to tackle a wide range of user questions, including topics like fasting, deacons, and Semper Virgo.  Join us as we look back on the first 50 episodes and look forward to many more to come. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guests:  Rev. David Appold, Rev. Adam Koontz, and Rev. Aaron Uphoff Episode:...

The life of Joseph Smith is a mixture of remarkable success and heartbreaking failure.  Mormonism grows despite tremendous opposition, and Smith dies young at the hands of a mob.  Join us as we conclude the story of Joseph Smith from Ohio to Missouri to Illinois in this next installment of our series on Mormonism. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Episode: 49 Find articles and other...

It must be recognized that in any culture the source of law is the god of that society. Join us as we begin our discussion of the Law's curbing effect in society. What is the place of God's Law in the life of the Christian and in the state?  Does it only show us our sins, or does it show us a still more excellent way? Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Guest:  Rev. Aaron Uphoff, Pasto...

What makes a good pastor? For Wilhelm Loehe, the beginning was all. You'll hear discussions about classical education, the focus of parish life, and the need for humility in this first episode in our series on Loehe's "The Pastor." A link to "The Pastor" may be found on our website. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam Koontz Episode: 47 Find articles and other...

Does how the church is run have anything to do with the gospel? David Henkel of the Tennessee Synod thought so. Check out this episode for discussion of his "Carolinian Herald of Liberty," his manifesto for his synod's polity and practice to ensure liberty in church and state. Links to books mentioned in the podcast may be found on our website. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regul...

The impact of Joseph Smith has only grown since his brief life ended. From humble beginnings to the leader of thousands in his time, Joseph Smith is one of the most influential figures in American religion. Today, the Latter Day Saint movement, or Mormonism, has grown to millions of members. Join us as we begin our study of the life of Joseph Smith and his cultural history. Hosts: Rev. Willie Gril...

How do the prophets become prophets?  What do pastors and prophets have in common?  How does God's calling affect us today?  Join us to learn about how God sends the prophets in every age. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. David Appold Episode: 44 Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.org Follow us on Twitter:  @wordfitly Send...

You've probably never heard of the Tennessee Synod, but you definitely should know about these remarkable men of God. Listen to learn about this group that fought the good fight of faith and were the first to publish the entire Book of Concord in English. Links to books mentioned in the podcast may be found on our website. Hosts: Rev. Willie Grills and Rev. Zelwyn Heide Regular Guest:  Rev. Adam K...

WFS Preaching: Listen to the sermon preached by regular guest, Rev. David Appold, for the installation of Rev. Willie Grills at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Mattoon, IL. The sermon texts were Jeremiah 15:19-21, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, and John 20:19-23. Find articles and other podcast episodes on our website:  wordfitlyspoken.org Follow us on Twitter:  @wordfitly Send us a message:  podcast@wordfitlys...