Lutheran Reflections

In our 100th episode, we look at Philippians 3:4-14, where Paul says, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." Like Paul, Martin Luther famously counted his personal righteousness under the law as loss for the sake of Christ. In what ways do we often use religiosity as a kind of "righteousness under the law," and what is true religion according to Scripture?

In this year's Michaelmas episode, we look at Revelation 12:7-12 and discuss how this passage has been misinterpreted in the past. Is this narrative purely allegorical? Does "Michael" symbolize Christ in verse 7? Is this event describing Satan's initial fall from heaven?

When Jesus called Matthew, the Pharisees asked, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Looking to Jesus as an example, how are Christians supposed to relate to non-believers? How can Christians make a bold confession against sin while not alienating the lost?

In this episode, we look at Romans 14:1-12, where Paul warns us against passing judgement on our brother for matters on which Scripture is silent. When is it right to call our brother to repentance, and what sorts of issues fall under the category of "Christian Liberty?"

The reading for this week is Matthew 18:15-20, where Jesus tells us, "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." This is one of the passages informs the Lutheran doctrine of the Office of the Keys. What is this office, and to whom is it given?

This episode, we focus on Matthew 16:21-28, where Jesus rebukes Peter saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” What warranted such a harsh rebuke, and how are we to understand Jesus's promise that "there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his king...

The Gospel reading for this week is Matthew 16:13-20, where Jesus tells Peter that "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." What or who is the "Rock" that Jesus is referring to here? What does it mean that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church? We also read an excerpt from Kurt Marquart as we better articulate the Lutheran understa...

In recognition of the Commemoration of Johann Gerhard, we discuss one of Gerhard's Sacred Meditations on the The Certainty of our Salvation. What things cause us to doubt our salvation, and how can we turn to Christ to assuage our doubts?

In this episode, we focus on Romans 10:5-17, where Paul tells us that, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Throughout Scripture, we see that God uses outward means (the preaching of the Word, baptism, and the Lord's Supper) to communicate his grace to us. How does this Lutheran understanding differ from other Christian denominations, and why is this understanding of...

In this episode, we consider Romans 9:1-13, the reading for this coming Sunday in the 3 year lectionary. How does Paul use the term "election" in these verses, and how does that compare with how we typically use the term today? How have these verses been misunderstood by other Christian denominations?

In this episode, we focus on three more parables from Matthew 13:44-52. This includes the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, and the Parable of the Net.

In this episode, we turn to the church fathers to better understand the Parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13:23-30, 36-43.

In this episode, we focus on the Gospel reading for this Sunday in the 3 year lectionary, which is Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.

The reading for this episode is Matthew 11:25-30, where Jesus tells us, "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." We draw insights from Saint Augustine as we discuss how these verses give us comfort in an age where many are weighed down by the heavy burdens of sin and the cares of the world.

The reading for this week is Matthew 10:34-39, where Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." How do we reconcile this with the many verses in the Bible that associate Jesus with peace? In what sense does Jesus "set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-la...

In this episode, we look at Romans 6:12-23 where Paul tells us, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions." In what sense does sin often have dominion over us? If Christians must still obey the law, how is it that Paul says, "you are not under law but under grace"? We conclude with insights from Phillip Melanchthon on how the law is abrogated in terms of justi...

The focus of this episode is the epistle reading for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, which is Romans 5:6-15. How is Adam a "type of the one who was to come?" If Christ's death atoned for the sins of the whole world, why are some people still not saved?

Rev. Aaron Astley joins us as we look at the epistle reading for the second Sunday after Pentecost, Romans 4:13-25. We focus most of our discussion on verse 15, which says "For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression." What law is Paul referring to here? Isn't the law binding for all people of all time? What role does conscience play in this discussion?

In this final episode of our three part series on Jesus's High Priestly Prayer, we focus on what it means for Christians to be "one as Christ and the Father are one." What is the basis for this Christian unity? Is it a common confession of faith, the elimination of denominations, or something else?

We continue our series on John 17, this week looking at verses 6-19, where Jesus prays for his disciples.

In this episode, we begin a three part series centered around John 17:1-26. Why does Jesus pray if he is God? What is the purpose of prayer for us? This and more in tonight's discussion.

In this episode, we discuss Acts 17:16-31 where Paul dialogues with the Stoics and Epicureans. What are these two ancient philosophies, and how do they compare to Christianity?

This week we look at 1 Peter 2:4-10 as we discuss what it means to be a royal priesthood. What is the priesthood of all believers, and what are the implications for the pastoral office?

In this episode, we explore how to navigate our relationship with earthly authorities as we live as exiles in a world that is not our home. 1 Peter 2:13-17 is our primary text as we focus on topics like submission, civil disobedience, and the role of conscience.

In this episode, we look at the Gospel reading and the Psalm for Good Shepherd Sunday. Why does Scripture repeatedly use imagery of the Lord as our shepherd? What blessings are promised to us as the Lord's sheep? We turn to insights from Luther as we answer these questions and more.