Lutheran Reflections

Does faith entail believing without evidence? Is Christian faith purely intellectual? We answer these questions and more as we look at 1 Peter 1:3-9 and John 20:24-31, the readings for the second Sunday of Easter.

In this Maundy Thursday episode, we return to our regular format as we discuss Matthew 26:17-30 and the Lutheran theology of the Lord's Supper.

In this last episode of our Lenten sermon series, we focus on the significance of the new covenant we have in Christ. We return to our regular format next week.

In this week's sermon, we focus on Peter's famous confession that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God."

This week, we look at different perspectives on the Atonement and learn how each understanding can be used to teach us to imitate Christ.

The focus of this episode is Luke 5:16, where we learn that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. If Jesus is God, why did he feel the need to pray? Pastor King answers this question and more in this Lenten sermon.

In this second Lenten devotion, we focus on those notorious words from the devil in Genesis 3:1 - "Did God really say?"

In this first installment of our Lenten devotions, we join Pastor Bryan King for the Ash Wednesday readings and sermon at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ottawa, Ontario.

In this last episode before Lent, we focus on Psalm 51 and discuss how Lutherans should best understand the upcoming penitential season.

In this episode, we focus on the Psalm appointed for Sexagesima Sunday, which is Psalm 84. What role have the Psalms played in the worship life of the historic Church? Why are the Psalms still used in liturgical worship today? All this and more in this week's discussion.

This week, we take a look at both readings for the 5th Wednesday after Epiphany: 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 and Matthew 11:25–30. In both readings, we see why the Body of Believers is sometimes called "The Upside Down Church."

In this episode, we focus on the Gospel reading for the 4th Wednesday after Epiphany, which is Luke 9:57-62. How should we understand Jesus's words here? How does our understanding compare with the interpretations of the early church fathers and reformers? All this and more in this week's episode.

In this episode, we focus on the Gospel reading for the third Sunday after Epiphany, which is Matthew 8:1-13. In this section, we read about how Jesus healed two separate individuals. What do these people have in common, and why do we focus on this reading during Epiphany?

In this episode, we focus on the Epistle reading for the second Sunday after Epiphany, which is Ephesians 5:21-33. In what ways is marriage a reflection of Christ and the Church? What does it mean for wives to submit to their husbands? All this and more in this week's discussion.

In our first episode of the new year, we take a look at Matthew 2:1-18, which is a combination of the readings for Epiphany and the Feast of the Holy Innocents. We discuss themes from both commemorations, with special insight from a sermon of Leo I of Rome.

In our Christmas 2022 episode, we continue our discussion from last week on Luke 1:39-56, this time focusing on the Magnificat.

In our final Advent episode of the season, we take a look at Luke 1:39-56. How should we understand John the Baptist leaping for joy in his mother's womb? Can infants, or even the unborn, have faith? All this and more in tonight's discussion.

In our third Advent episode, we focus on the Old Testament reading for Gaudete Sunday, Isaiah 40:1-8.

In our second Advent episode, Pastor Roberto E. Rojas, Jr. joins us as we discuss Luke 21:25-36.

In this first episode of the new church year, we take a look at the role of Old Testament Messianic prophecies in the context of Advent and discuss their use in the church today. Our primary text is Jeremiah 23:5-8, the Old Testament reading for Advent 1.

As we conclude another church year, we reflect on the epistle reading for Trinity 27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. What will happen at Christ's second coming? How do Lutherans understand the "rapture" mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:17? This and more on this week's episode.

Is our salvation contingent upon our willingness to forgive others? If so, how does this fit with the doctrine that we are saved by faith alone? We turn to Martin Luther as we answer these questions and more in our discussion of the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

These episodes can be viewed live on our YouTube channel every Wednesday at 7:00pm ET. Also available on Twitch @LutheranReflection s . Readings: John 5:24-29 (ESV) Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV Augustine’s Confessions , Book 9 Martin Chemnitz's Examination of the Council of Trent

These episodes can be viewed live on our YouTube channel every Wednesday at 7:00pm ET: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg03R-AhXfdgIlp_3_aVUqA Also available on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lutheranreflections Readings: Romans 3:19-28 (ESV) Johann Gerhard, On Justification through Faith - Theological Commonplaces , Chapter 4.  

This episode was prerecorded. We will return to our live format on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:00pm ET.