Lutheran Reflections

In this episode, we look at Mark 10:2-16 where the Pharisees test Jesus by asking him if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife.

In this episode, we look at Mark 9:38-50, where Jesus rebukes his disciples for attempting to stop a man who was casting out demons in His name.

In this episode, we look at Mark 9:30-37 where Jesus foretells his death and resurrection.

Jesus rescues a boy from demon possession and chides His disciples about their lack of faith.

James gives us a detailed account on what faith looks like - namely it is alive and produces works in God's children. It is impossible to have faith without works.

In this episode, we look at Mark 7:14-23 where Jesus says, "Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" In saying this, did Jesus intend to abrogate Old Testament dietary restrictions? If what goes into a person cannot defile him, what was the purpose of the Old Testament laws regarding unclean foo...

In this episode, we look at Mark 7:1-13 where Jesus tells the Pharisees, "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." How are we able to distinguish between the commandments of God and the traditions of men?

In this episode, we look at John 6:22-35 where Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves." What did Jesus mean by this?

In this episode, we look at Genesis 9:8-17 where God makes a covenant with all living things, promising that he will never again destroy all creatures through a flood. What is the significance of covenants in Scripture, and how do the Old Testament covenants ultimately point to the New Covenant?

In this episode, we look at Ephesians 2:11-22, where Paul tells us that the Law no longer separates the Gentiles from Israel.

In this episode, we look at Mark 6:14-29, where Herod kills John the Baptist. In doing so, we discuss how even seemingly small sins can ultimately lead to grave consequences.

In this episode, we look at Mark 6:1-13 where we are told that Jesus "could do no mighty work [in his hometown], except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them." Why was this the case, and what does this say about faith's role in miracles?

In this episode, we look at Mark 5:21-43 where Jesus heals a woman and Jairus's daughter. What do these miracles teach us about the role of faith in the lives of the people that Jesus healed?

In this episode, we look at Mark 4:35-41 where Jesus calms a storm. What can we learn about the faith of the disciples from this narrative, and how can we apply what we learn to our own Christian walk?

Walther concludes his 25 theses on Law and Gospel by asserting that "the Word of God is not rightly divided when the person teaching it does not allow the Gospel to have a general predominance in his teaching." How can we ensure that the Gospel is given predominance when telling others about our faith?

We continue our discussion of Walther's theses on Law and Gospel, tonight considering the thesis that says "the Word of God is not rightly divided when a person’s salvation is made to depend on his association with the visible orthodox Church and when salvation is denied to every person who errs in any article of faith.”

In this episode, we continue our discussion of C.F.W. Walther's theses on Law and Gospel. Is it right to say that we are saved "on account of our faith" or "in view of our faith"? Do we need to be rid of all Sin in order to be saved?

In this episode, we continue our discussion of Walther's theses on Law and Gospel. How can Law and Gospel be confounded, and how can we avoid these errors in our conversations with others?

In this episode, we continue our Walther series by revisiting his theses on Law and Gospel. How are Law and Gospel often confounded? How can we appropriately apply Law and Gospel in our conversations with those that God has placed in our lives?

For the commemoration of C.F.W. Walther, we read a condensed version of a sermon he delivered in 1842 entitled "Our Duty as Priests." What is the Priesthood of All Believers, and what duties do we have as people who have been "consecrated into the ministry" through our baptism?

In this episode, we look at John 15:9–17 where Jesus says, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love." Many Christians have taken this to mean that our salvation is earned through obedience to God. How can C. F. W. Walther help us understand these passages using a Law and Gospel distinction?

In this episode, we discuss the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. Does the Holy Spirit speak to people directly today like he did to Philip? Why do Lutherans usually insist on thorough instruction before baptizing adult converts?

This week, we look at John 20:19-31 where Thomas says, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” How did God use Thomas's doubt to strengthen the faith of His Church? What does this teach us about the relationship between evidence and faith?

This week, we look at Luke 24:36-49, where Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. How does Jesus respond to his disciples' unbelief, and what are his instructions for them as he prepares for his ascension?

In this episode, we look at the Gospel reading for Easter evening, which is Luke 24:13-35. Why didn't the disciples recognize Jesus as he was talking to them? What does their confession say about the state of their faith? Why is it significant that they only recognized Jesus after he broke bread with them?