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October 2, 2017
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 12
Luther says of the Genesis 12:1, “Therefore this passage is important as proof for the doctrine of grace over against the worth of merits and works, which reason extols so highly.
September 26, 2017
Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World Companion Bible Study
This six-part study covers major events and themes of the Reformation, using the PBS documentary for points of illustration.
September 16, 2017
Smalcald Article Study: The Law
Luther, in the Smalcald Articles, isn't so much confronting an error directly (that comes in the next Article on Repentance), but is instead making a positive confession about what the Law is and what role it plays in the world.
September 1, 2017
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 10 and 11
In the Large Catechism on the First Commandment Luther says, “There has never been a nation so wicked that it did not establish and maintain some sort of worship. All people have set up their own god, to whom they looked for blessings, help, and comfort.
August 29, 2017
On The Inerrancy of Scripture
Is the Bible true? Is it really reliable or is it full of errors? Doesn’t it contradict itself? Luther and other Lutheran Reformers answered these questions in no uncertain terms, defending the inerrancy of Scripture with gusto.
August 26, 2017
On the Clarity of Scripture
Since Martin Luther, Lutherans have held to the clarity of Scripture, insisting that Scripture is clear. But what does that mean?
August 23, 2017
On the Sufficiency of Scripture
During the years leading up to the Reformation, the Roman papacy had convinced much of Christendom that the Scriptures were not enough to settle questions of doctrine and life.
August 20, 2017
On the Authority of Scripture
Central to the project of the Lutheran Reformation was the restoration of the supreme authority of Scripture within the life of the Church.
August 14, 2017
Smalcald Article Study: Sin
A lot of people think they know what “sin” is, but usually see their remedy to sin as “try harder, do better.” This not only confuses the remedy, but also the ailment!
August 2, 2017
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 9
The connection between the salvation given to the human race in the flood and the eternal salvation distributed in holy baptism cannot be overlooked. St. Peter writes...
July 23, 2017
Christ's Presence in the Sacrament
The presence of Christ’s body and blood in the sacrament of the altar was a matter of great debate in the early sixteenth century. Particularly in the 1520’s this question was fiercely debated among different Reformers.
July 15, 2017
Smalcald Articles Study: The Papacy
Luther states that the papacy demands obedience to itself (to the pope) and to whatever is said from that office of pope, even to the point of tying salvation to that obedience. What is the true Gospel?
July 8, 2017
The Marriage Booklet in the Catechism
The culture increasingly maintains that marriage is man’s institution. Thus marriage can be defined according to the shifting winds of popular opinion, and ultimately government mandate. This is to rob marriage of any real objective meaning.
July 3, 2017
Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 6-8
Because we believe that this world will end and our Lord Jesus Christ “will come again to judge the living and the dead,” the world scoffs at and is hostile to what we preach. As we hold fast to the Word of God, let us consider how...
June 17, 2017
Smalcald Articles Study: Chapters and Cloisters
In article III, Luther confesses how dangerous the monastic life was to him and to all ensnared by its promises of “grace through holy living;” Such reasoning robs Christ of His glory as the Savior.
May 22, 2017
The Resurrection of Christians in the Lutheran Confessions
In this life, we need the church, where our sins are daily and richly forgiven for the sake of Christ. The Holy Spirit crucifies the Old Adam and the body of sin every day of our lives by daily contrition and repentance.