The Lutheran Witness Podcast

In this second article by Edward Riojas on church artwork, he discusses imagery surrounding the angelic hosts and why, for some reason, they often appear in gossamer gowns instead of frightening appearances of four-faced, six-winged killing machines.  Read the article at witness.lcms.org.   For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org....

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the October 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “The holy Christian church, the communion of saints” about the this phrase of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles’ Creed with us! Find online exclusives...

After a failed attempt to mediate a dispute between two angry neighbors, Rachel Bomberger offered a “Blessings on your day” as she continued her run. Little did she know what that little, offhand phrase would cause. Read the article on The Lutheran Witness website.   For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org. Sound effect obtained f...

Heather Smith, wife of the Rev. Sean Smith, joins Andy to share insights on their parsonage life in rural Southern Illinois and the many lessons in history, faith, and witness from the church graveyard.  Read her article, "The Very Stones Cry Out" in the September 2021 issue of The Lutheran Witness. Find LW online and subscribe at witness.lcms.org. The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia Univ...

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the September 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “I believe in the Holy Spirit” about the first phrase of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles’ Creed with us! Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Wit...

 Just as Jesus’ parables employed normal life to illustrate the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, so Christian artists have often found examples from non-Christian artists of beneficial ways to depict the teachings of Scripture.  With this article, Edward Riojas, Lutheran artist and illustrator, begins a nine-article series on symbols in Christian art. In this first installment, he addresses the ea...

Rev. Dr. James Baneck, Executive Director of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the Church Worker Recruitment Initiative, including the roles pastors and auxiliary offices carry out in our Church today, why the church needs pastors and other auxiliary workers, how God raises up church workers, and how the Church Worker Recruitment Initiative will help encoura...

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the August 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead” about this last phrase of the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles’ Creed with us! Find online exc...

Dr. Mark Bender, retired teacher and minister of music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how hymn planning for Divine Services is done, the collaboration that happens behind the scenes, the resources available for pastors and church musicians, and how pastors and church musicians decide how these hymns will be placed within the service. Read h...

Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the doctrine of the Church, what we confess about the Church in our Lutheran Confessions, where our confidence lies when confessing the one Holy Christian Church, and how we confess this in our daily vocations. Read Dr. Lane's article "I Believe in One Holy Christian Church: T...

Three-legged chickens do not usually survive in the savage world of hen-pecked chickens. Join Rachel Bomberger as she tells the story of the three-legged chicken who lived to serve, and how God cares for three-legged chickens everywhere. Read the article on The Lutheran Witness website.   For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org. S...

Why do Lutherans confess a belief in “one holy Christian church” when, by all appearances, the reality seems to be entirely opposite? The Rev. Dr. Jason Lane explains in this article from the June/July issue of The Lutheran Witness.   You can read the article online or purchase a subscription to The Lutheran Witness to learn more.   For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to t...

In this excerpt from A Little Book on Joy from the June/July issue of The Lutheran Witness, the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison discusses the paradox of the church that is filled with spotted people but at the same time spotless and perfect.   Read the excerpt online or purchase a copy of The Lutheran Witness.  For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit...

We confess the church is one, holy, Christian and apostolic. The June/July issue of The Lutheran Witness is all about the church and how we live together as God’s people.   You can also read the editor’s letter online or purchase a subscription to The Lutheran Witness today.   For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org. Sound effect...

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the June/July 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty" about this phrase of the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles' Creed with u...

Seth Hinz, Director of brand, marketing and creative at Pathfinder Church and St. John School in Ellisville, Missouri, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why we use social media, how we navigate conversations and interactions even when they make us frustrated, what's important to consider when we want to share the Gospel on social media, and how to build relationships to have better interactions i...

A military deployment can be an exceptionally trying time for family. When one member of the family is absent from the daily routine, it has the potential to create all sorts of problems and difficulties. Rachel Bomberger shares how the church can help these families. She shares not only her own experiences, but experiences from a number of spouses and military members. Read the story on The Luthe...

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the May 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead," about this phrase of the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles' Creed with us! Find online ex...

This is the final episode of a three-part series by the Rev. Dr. John T. Pless, professor of theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. In it, Prof. Pless explains the role good works serve in the Christian life from Martin Luther’s treatise, “The Freedom of a Christian.”   Read the entire article on The Lutheran Witness website.   For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to su...

Two days before the Passover, a woman pours oil on Jesus’ head, expending expensive ointment that could have been used for better purposes, or so the disciples thought. The Rev. Dr. Edward Naumann tells the story of Jesus’ anointing and helps us understand what it has to do with us.   Read the full article on The Lutheran Witness website.  For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscri...

Everyone is an artist. This might be surprising to consider; in this episode, David Cox shows us how Christian art reflects the Creator, and how each Christian artist fulfills a unique role in Christ’s body.   Read the full article on The Lutheran Witness website.   For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org. Sound effect obtained fr...

Rev. Brian Heller, Chaplain at Lutheran Senior Services in Laclede Groves, Missouri, and author of “Memory Matters” in the April 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how he has seen memorization of Scipture and hymns as a blessing to those in memory care units, how families can teach their children Scripture and hymnody, and why we should commit these things to me...

Easter dinner is one of Rachel Bomberger’s favorite meals. Why? Because of the theological meaning she finds in so many of the meals she makes. Enjoy this savory and sweet episode of The Lutheran Witness as Rachel discusses what she finds in these recipes.   Read the entire article on The Lutheran Witness website.  For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, pleas...

Rev. Roy Askins, Managing Editor of The Lutheran Witness, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching the Scriptures” feature in the April 2021 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried," about this phrase of the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed. Follow along and search the Scriptures and Apostles' Creed with us! Find online...

The Annunciation marks the church’s commemoration of Gabriel’s appearance to Mary and announcement to her that she would bear the Son of God. In this episode of The Lutheran Witness podcast, Rachel Bomberger reflects on what — perhaps — Mary thought and experienced during her months bearing the Christchild.   Read the entire story on The Lutheran Witness website.   For more information on The Luth...