Christendom and the World

Who were the Nephilim? Were the "sons of God" in Genesis 6 fallen angels, believers, or something else entirely? In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus responds to a popular discussion surrounding Genesis 6 and examines its claims in light of Scripture. Rather than relying on speculation or extra-biblical sources, he carefully works through the identity of the Nephilim,...

What is adiaphora —and why has it become one of the most misunderstood words in Lutheran theology? Pastor Andrew Preus and Pastor Jim Wilshusen unpack what the Lutheran Confessions actually teach about Christian freedom, church ceremonies, and worship. They discuss why liturgy, hymnody, vestments, and other practices are never "just preferences," but serve to teach the Gospel, promote good order,...

What is prayer—and who are we supposed to pray to? In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus examines the key differences between the biblical teaching on prayer and the practices found in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy—especially when it comes to the invocation of saints. While many argue that asking saints to pray for us is no different than asking a fellow Chri...

What does the Bible actually teach about submission and authority—and where have we gone wrong? In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Prues is joined by Pastor Cody Norton (U.S. Army chaplain) to take a deeper look at obedience, honor, and the way God orders our lives. From Romans 13 debates to marriage, vocation, and everyday relationships, this conversation pushes past sur...

In this episode of Christendom and the World , we respond to a listener question from someone navigating the Christian life in a place where confessional Lutheranism is nearly nonexistent. Surrounded by well-meaning friends and family, he's facing real pushback—questions about unity, doctrine, conscience, and whether it's even worth holding firm. We walk through seven common objections: Is "foreig...

What gives human life its value? In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew responds to a thoughtful listener question about the imago Dei —the image of God—and whether our worth comes from being created by God or from being redeemed in Christ. We dig into questions like: Did humanity lose the image of God after the fall? Is human dignity based on something in us… or something Go...

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor Craig Wehmeyer to talk about Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and the dangers of "enthusiasm."   What does it really mean to be "Spirit-filled"? In this Pentecost-focused episode, we unpack Acts 2 and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—what happened, why it mattered, and what it means for the Church today. We...

"What would Jesus do?" It sounds like a simple and helpful question—but is it actually the right one to ask? In this episode, we dig into Christology—who Jesus is —and why that matters more than simply trying to imitate what He would do . While WWJD can seem like a good moral guide, it can subtly turn Jesus into just an example to follow rather than the Savior who redeems. We talk about the danger...

What if the problem isn't your church… But your expectations? In this episode, we respond to real listener questions about feeling disconnected in church, struggling to find strong Christian community, and wondering if you're even in the "right" place. We also tackle a deeper and more uncomfortable topic: the hardening of the heart . Does it mean God has given up on you? Can you come back from it?...

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus reflects on how Christians should respond when everything around them feels like it's falling apart—shrinking congregations, lost traditions, and cultural instability. Looking at Scripture, including Hosea and the exile of Israel, he explains that what may look like chaos is often God's call to repentance and a return to wha...

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor James Wilshusen to wrestle with a question that has shaped the Church for centuries: is theology just something we think about—or something we actually live? From Thomas Aquinas to the Lutheran fathers, they explore the tension between "theoretical" and "practical" theology—and why getting this wrong ca...

Has the Church remained faithful—or has she grown cold? In this episode of Christendom and the World , we take a hard look at Christ's warning to the church in Ephesus: "You have abandoned the love you had at first." What does it mean to lose our "first love"? And is this happening within the Lutheran Church today? We explore how familiarity with God's Word can lead to spiritual complacency, why t...

This week, Pastor Andrew Preus is joined again by Pastor James Wilshusen to talk about something that's been getting more attention—the shortage of pastors and what's really behind it. They get into what it actually means to be formed as a pastor, not just educated. From seminary training to the importance of learning Greek and Hebrew, the conversation highlights why pastoral formation goes deeper...

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus is joined by Pastor James Wilshusen to discuss a growing concern within the Church: why are young people—especially young men—leaving? Together, they unpack a thought-provoking article on "dead orthodoxy" and wrestle with the tension between right doctrine and living faith. Is it possible to confess the truth and yet fail to...

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Rev. Dr. Jason Lane to discuss a growing hesitation in the Church today: the reluctance to clearly assert what Scripture teaches. From Paul's exhortation in 2 Timothy to "guard the good deposit" to the Reformation's bold clarity in teaching doctrine, this conversation explores why confidence in God's Word matt...

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World , we reflect on the story of Jacob wrestling with God and what it reveals about faith, perseverance, and dependence on the Lord. Through the lens of athletics we explore both the beauty and the danger of sports in our culture. Sports can build discipline, character, and community—but when they become ultimate, they begin to replace what matters m...

How can you be sure your faith is real? This week, we wrestle with one of the most common fears Christians face: "What if my faith isn't genuine?" Looking at two perspectives on faith, we break down the difference between saving faith and reflective faith —and why confusing the two can lead to doubt, anxiety, and misplaced confidence. Rather than turning inward to measure our faith by feelings or...

In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preuss and Pastor Philip Hale discuss the growing use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the deeper worldview behind it. While IVF is often presented as a compassionate medical solution for infertility, the conversation explores the theological and ethical questions it raises for Christians. What happens when the procreation of children...

Is it enough to simply say "just believe in Jesus," or does doctrine actually matter? In this episode of Christendom in the World , Pastor Andrew and Hans discuss a debate between an evangelical campus evangelist and an Orthodox Christian student. Their conversation raises important questions about how Christians defend the faith, interpret Scripture, and understand the teachings of the early chur...

What does it mean to live "as if not married"? In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus and his wife, Leah Preus, reflect on 1 Corinthians 7 and what it means to live in this passing world with eyes fixed on eternity. From dating and discernment to marriage, vocation, submission, love, and respect, they unpack how faith, hope, and love shape the Christian life. Marriage i...

Does what we do in church shape what we believe—or does what we believe shape what we do? In this episode of Christendom in the World, we unpack the famous phrase lex orandi, lex credendi ("the law of prayer is the law of belief") and ask a critical question: does practice establish doctrine, or does Scripture establish both? Drawing on church history, including Prosper of Aquitaine and the Reform...

This week on Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus and Pastor Collin Duling discuss the "spirit of the age" and how Christians navigate a world shaped by the internet, cultural trends, and competing voices. From masculinity debates to online algorithms and shifting beliefs, they explore how the modern zeitgeist influences the way we think — often without us realizing it. But while the wor...

This week on Christendom & the World , Rev. Andrew Preus interviews Rev. Sahar Sadlovsky Gold, a Lutheran pastor serving a Hebrew-speaking congregation in Israel. Rev. Gold shares his journey from growing up in a Jewish household to confessing Jesus as the promised Messiah, and how that discovery led him into confessional Lutheran ministry. He reflects on reading the New Testament for the first ti...

In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus is joined by Pastor Philip Hale to address one of the most pressing cultural questions of our time: identity, the body, and what it means to live as male and female in Christ. Recorded at Concordia Theological Seminary during symposium week, the conversation explores the rise of transgender ideology, gender dysphoria, and modern at...

In this episode of Christendom and the World , Pastor Andrew Preus is joined by Pastor Hans Fiene , creator of Lutheran Satire , for a wide-ranging conversation on humor, satire, and judgment in Scripture. Together, they explore how laughter functions biblically—not as empty entertainment, but as a form of judgment that exposes folly, hypocrisy, and pride. From God laughing at the schemes of the w...