The episode covers Article XI of the Formula of Concord, a key Lutheran confessional document from the 16th century. The main focus is on two closely related theological topics:

• God's eternal foreknowledge: How God knows all things, including future events, from eternity.
• Election (or predestination): God's gracious choice

It explores the Lutheran understanding of these doctrines, emphasizing:

• What exactly did God choose, and what does it mean he chose it "in Christ."
• The comfort this brings to believers
• Careful distinctions to avoid common errors (such as double predestination or making election dependent on human works/foreseen faith)

The hosts walk through the confessional teaching, explaining what the Formula of Concord affirms and rejects on these points to provide clarity and pastoral encouragement.

The description indicates this is part of a series going through the Formula of Concord article by article.

Next time: Article XII – “Other Factions and Sects” (addressing various errors and groups that deviate from the Lutheran position).

• Music: Features “Legendary” by CreatorMix.com and “Lets Rock Today” by leadsquid.
• Website: https://www.castingnetspod.org/ (for more episodes or show notes).

This is a theological/doctrinal podcast aimed at Lutheran listeners (or anyone interested in historic Protestant confessions), diving deep into biblical teaching as summarized in the Formula of Concord. It’s educational and likely includes explanations, Bible references, and practical application for faith and assurance of salvation.

In this episode of the Casting Nets WELS podcast, Pastors Will Harley and Dave Ruddat walk through the events of Holy Week — the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry that culminated in His death and resurrection. Starting with the raising of Lazarus, they cover Palm Sunday, the cleansing of the Temple, the Last Supper, the arrest and trials, the crucifixion on Good Friday, and the theological significance of these events. The conversation blends biblical teaching, historical context, humor, and practical application for listeners.

• 0:00 – 0:30Introduction and light-hearted humor about the pastors preparing for a Jesus-centered episode.
• 0:30 – 2:00Overview of Holy Week and its central focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• 2:00 – 3:00Brief disclaimer about the potentially offensive nature of the resurrection message to some listeners.
• 4:40 – 11:00The raising of Lazarus (John 11) and how it escalated tensions with the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
• 12:00 – 17:00Palm Sunday: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a colt and the crowd’s “Hosanna” cries.
• 17:00 – 25:00The fears and power struggles of the Pharisees and Sadducees in response to Jesus’ growing influence.
• 25:00 – 28:00Jesus curses the barren fig tree — a symbolic act representing Israel’s spiritual fruitlessness.
• 28:00 – 31:00Jesus cleanses the Temple, driving out the money changers and expressing zeal for God’s house.
• 31:00 – 37:00The Seven Woes (Matthew 23) and Jesus confronting the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.
• 37:00 – 43:00Jesus’ teachings on His authority, the destruction of the Temple, and signs of the end times.
• 43:00 – 47:00Mary anointing Jesus and Judas’ growing betrayal.
• 47:00 – 52:00Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper, foot washing, and the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
• 52:00 – 55:00The arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus’ complete control over the events.
• 55:00 – 1:00:00The illegal nighttime trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
• 1:00:00 – 1:15:00Jesus before Pilate: the Roman trial, Pilate declaring Jesus innocent, yet sentencing Him to crucifixion under political pressure.
• 1:15:00 – 1:30:00The crucifixion on Good Friday — details of the mocking, Jesus’ words from the cross, and the moment He was forsaken by the Father (fulfilling Psalm 22).
• 1:30:00 – 1:45:00Deeper theological reflection on the significance of Jesus’ suffering, the weight of humanity’s sin, the unique Trinitarian moment on the cross, and the victory hidden in apparent defeat.

TodayX. Church practices Next TimeXI. God's eternal Foreknowledge and ElectionXII. Other Factions and Sects.https://www.castingnetspod.org/Song: LegendaryMusic by: CreatorMix.comLets Rock Todayby leadsquidExplore the 

Lutherans faced intense pressure from "Sacramentarian" (who, despite the name, were not sacramental) views that placed Christ's body far away in heaven, reducing the Supper to a symbolic memorial or spiritual ascent by faith alone. They leaned heavily that Jesus, as true man, cannot be everywhere where God is. Join the conversation as we unpack two sapiential articles from the Formula of Concord that eruditely tackle a simple truth: for us and our salvation, Jesus is both God and Man. TodayVIII. The Person of ChristIX. The descent of Christ to hellNext TimeX. Church practicesXI. God's eternal Foreknowledge and ElectionXII. Other Factions and Sects.https://www.castingnetspod.org/Song: LegendaryMusic by: CreatorMix.comLets Rock Todayby leadsquid

Pastor Dave Ruddat takes you on a "behind-the-scenes" look at the ministry. The life of a pastor isn't just in the sermon you hear, but in the messy, beautiful, and unscripted moments in-between.https://www.castingnetspod.org/Song: LegendaryMusic by: CreatorMix.comLets Rock Todayby leadsquid

Dive deep into one of the most debated and defended doctrines of the Reformation: the Lord's Supper.

Lutherans faced intense pressure from "Sacramentarian" (who, despite the name, were not sacramental) views that placed Christ's body far away in heaven, reducing the Supper to a symbolic memorial or spiritual ascent by faith alone. The Formula pushed back firmly: Christ's own words—"This is My Body... This is My Blood"—mean exactly what they say. Through the miraculous sacramental union, the true body and blood of Christ are really present and distributed with the bread and wine, received by mouth (not just faith), by worthy and unworthy alike—bringing forgiveness and life to believers, yet judgment to unbelievers.

No transubstantiation, no mere symbolism, no cannibalism of the body and blood of Christ, just the straightforward, almighty power of Christ's words together with eating and drinking. Join the conversation as we unpack this Article from the Formula of Concord!

Today

VII The Holy Supper of Christ

Next Time

VIII. The Person of Christ

IX. The descent of Christ to hell

X. Church practices

XI. God's eternal Foreknowledge and Election

XII. Other Factions and Sects.

https://www.castingnetspod.org/

Song: Legendary

Music by: CreatorMix.com

Lets Rock Today

by leadsquid

"It is not possible for a person to deny the third use of the Law and be regarded as genuinely Lutheran. It is also true that the third use of the Law is improperly explained or applied, it can lead people to believe that striving to obey God's Law is the chief aim, purpose, or goal of the Christian life, to the point that the Gospel is obscured and recedes into the background of Christian preaching and teaching." From page 462 of the Reader's edition of the Book of Concord (https://www.amazon.com/Concordia-Lutheran-Confessions-Readers-Concord/dp/0758613431)

Join us as we go through the last document in the Book of Concord, which is called "The Formula of Concord." The Epitome and the Solid Declaration rehash and reaffirm what Luther identified in the Scriptures our role in justification and sanctification.

Today

VI The Third Use of God's Law

Next Time

VII The Holy Supper of Christ

VIII. The Person of Christ

IX. The descent of Christ to hell

X. Church practices

XI. God's eternal Foreknowledge and Election

XII. Other Factions and Sects.

https://www.castingnetspod.org/

Song: Legendary

Music by: CreatorMix.com

Lets Rock Today

by leadsquid

Pastor Dave Ruddat

Pastor Will Harley

Law and Gospel when viewed together, can be clearly understood. However, sometimes the Bible and the Reformers will say Gospel and we hear Law. Why is that? Join the show to find out why and how the Reformers confessed that the Law is good and the Gospel is joyful. Join us as we go through the last document in the Book of Concord, which is called "The Formula of Concord." The Epitome and the Solid Declaration rehash and reaffirm what Luther identified in the Scriptures our role in justification and sanctification. TodayV. The Law and the GospelNext TimeVI The Third Use of God's LawVII The Holy Supper of ChristVIII. The Person of ChristIX. The descent of Christ to hellX. Church practicesXI. God's eternal Foreknowledge and ElectionXII. Other Factions and Sects. https://www.castingnetspod.org/Song: LegendaryMusic by: CreatorMix.comLets Rock Todayby leadsquid

You would think that good works and justification, concepts Luther wrestled with and Scripture settled, would be a no-brainer issue for those following after Luther. But because of the Leipzig Interim and Meddling Melanchthon and his disciple Georg Major, it was still an issue that needed settling in the Formula of Concord. Join us as we ponder good works and their lasting impact. Join us as we go through the last document in the Book of Concord, which is called "The Formula of Concord." The Epitome and the Solid Declaration rehash and reaffirm what Luther identified in the Scriptures our role in justification and sanctification. TodayIV. Good WorksNext TimeV. The Law and the GospelVI The Third Use of God's LawVII The Holy Supper of ChristVIII. The Person of ChristIX. The descent of Christ to hellX. Church practicesXI. God's eternal Foreknowledge and ElectionXII. Other Factions and Sects. https://www.castingnetspod.org/Song: LegendaryMusic by: CreatorMix.comLets Rock Todayby leadsquid

Everyone wants to be right and right with God., but how does God make us right with him? Join us as we go through the last document in the Book of Concord, which is called "The Formula of Concord." The Epitome and the Solid Declaration rehash and reaffirm what Luther identified in the Scriptures our role in justification and sanctification. TodayIII. The Righteousness of faith before God.Next TimeIV. Good WorksV. The Law and the GospelVI The Third Use of God's LawVII The Holy Supper of ChristVIII. The Person of ChristIX. The descent of Christ to hellX. Church practicesXI. God's eternal Foreknowledge and ElectionXII. Other Factions and Sects. https://www.castingnetspod.org/Song: LegendaryMusic by: CreatorMix.comLets Rock Todayby leadsquid