Small Catechisms

Pastor Sean Barrett responds to a question that came in this week: "Asking for a friend, Why don't we sacrifice animals? I understand Jesus covered us but how do we know he covered us and not just the first couple guys. Also why don't we celebrate Passover?"

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis hosts a conversation with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about Christology. We discuss things like what "Christology" is, why this subject is so debated in Christian history, and more. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to  aarondavis@nativityarden.org . Links Nativity's website -  Link Conciliar Christology encyclopedia article -...

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, and Luke 14:1, 7-14. You can find all the readings for this Sunday  here .  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

In today's episode the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett interviews Nativity's own Dr. Aaron Davis (St Andrews) about his work as a disability theologian. They talk about what disability theology is, what disability theologians do with the healing stories in the Gospels, what Jesus's resurrection body might indicate about our notions of bodily perfection, and more. Links Nativity's website -  Link Aaron's web...

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, and Luke 13:10-17. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here .  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis hosts a conversation with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about the doctrine of God. We discuss things like what "the doctrine of God" is, why we see God so frequently gendered masculine in Scripture, and more. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to  aarondavis@nativityarden.org . Links Nativity's website -  Link

Dr. Aaron Davis answer this question based on his recent sermon: "You mentioned that God keeps tending the garden and doesn't give up on us. What does this mean for people outside of the faith when they die? Will everyone ultimately be saved?"   Want to learn more about Nativity? Check out our website here .

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Luke 12:49-56. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis starts a mini-series of resources reviews looking at some pieces he's published that might be of interest to folks. This first episode looks at an article from Earth & Altar Magazine  titled "Lewis Meets Thile: Imagining Salvation Through Art." Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to  aarondavis@nativityarden.org . Links Nativity's website -  Link...

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis hosts a conversation with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about full communion partnerships. We discuss things like what full communion partnerships are, what the biblical/theological rational for pursuing them is in the ELCA, what full communion looks like in other Christian traditions, and more. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message...

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, and Luke 12:13-21. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here .  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org .

Pastor Sean Barrett addresses Hosea 11:1-11

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15, and Luke 11:1-13. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, and Luke 10:38-42. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

This week Pastor Sean discusses Hebrew puns in the readings from Amos. 

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, and Luke 10:25-37. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

Pastor Sean addresses a question from the sermon 7.6.25 relating to the Lutheran view of Holy Communion. He is at Lutheridge this week, so the audio was recorded on his phone instead of our regular podcast setup at the church. 

On this season finale episode Dr. Aaron Davis interviews Prof. Scott Williams (UNC-Asheville) about his new book, The Trinity . They talk about what conciliar trinitarianism is, what the logical problem of the trinity might be, how divine simplicity relates to the doctrine of the trinity, and more. Links Nativity's website -  Link Scott's The Trinity (Cambridge, 2025) - Link Scott's faculty page -...

Dr. Aaron Davis answers this question from the week's Scripture readings: "I notice that Paul points out what large letters he's using to write to the Galatians. This seems strange to me. Any ideas why?"

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. You can find all of the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis hosts a conversation with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about how we read Scripture today. We discuss things like what Scripture is, what we should do with difficult passages of Scripture, whether Scripture is inerrant/infallible, and more. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to aarondavis@nativityarden.org . Links Nativity's webs...

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here . To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at  NativityArden.org .

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis introduces listeners to the Bioethics for the People podcast. This podcast explores fascinating topics throughout medical ethics and related areas, and it offers lots of opportunities for people to reflect on issues that will likely touch all of our lives at some point. Links Nativity's website -  Link The Bioethics for the People website - Link Dr. Devan Stahl's fa...

Dr. Aaron Davis answers two questions about his Trinity Sunday Sermon: "Why don't we say the Athanasian Creed on Trinity Sunday?" "Enjoyed listening to your sermon yesterday. One thing Messed me up a bit. One statement that has stuck with me was when you said " Jesus claimed . . .".  I didn't feel Jesus has to claim anything. It was in the early part of your sermon. Jesus taught and when he spoke...