In this episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor James Wilshusen to reflect on Jesus’ words in Luke 12 about bringing fire and division. Together they discuss how Christ’s Word both divides and unites—separating His Church from the world while gathering believers into true fellowship. They examine what genuine unity in the Church looks like, why it must be grounded in the truth of God’s Word, and how attempts at false unity inevitably fail. The conversation also engages with recent comments by Donald Trump and Michael Knowles on salvation, highlighting the Lutheran confession that our righteousness and certainty rest only in Christ—through faith alone, by grace alone, in His Word alone.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah [The Daily Show]. (2025, August 24). Everyone Is Mad That Trump Wants to Go to Heaven [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/J7osXCiEhK0 

In this episode of Christendom and the World Pastor Andrew Preus unpacks the heart of the Gospel and its connection to the Lord’s Supper, with a focus on the often-misunderstood practice of closed communion. The conversation confronts the dangers of gospel reductionism, clarifies why doctrine cannot be reduced to a lowest-common-denominator message, and shows how bearing the cross is inseparable from the Christian life. Listeners will hear how the Lord’s Supper proclaims Christ’s death, why unity in confession is vital, and how the clarity of Scripture guards the church against error. At its core, the episode points to the ultimate goal of ministry: fostering assurance of salvation through the whole counsel of God, with Christ crucified at the center.

In this episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus takes a deep look at the hardening of hearts—how it happens, why it’s dangerous, and how Christians can guard against it. Using vivid examples from both the Old and New Testaments, he shows how even those who champion pure doctrine can fall into hypocrisy when God’s Word is treated as nothing more than a set of rules. Pastor Preus also addresses the impact of scandals within the church—how they can shake faith, breed cynicism, and tempt believers to downplay or even abandon sound teaching altogether. Rather than letting these challenges rob us of the joy of the Gospel, he encourages us to see pure doctrine for what it truly is: the life-giving truth of Christ crucified, a treasure meant to bring rest for our souls and shape every part of our lives.

In this episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor Philip Hale, Editor of Christian News, to discuss Hale’s journey into Lutheran journalism, the challenges of church leadership during COVID-19, and the renewed debate around family, birth control, and cultural decline. They take a deep dive into narrative criticism—exploring how subtle academic methods can undermine biblical authority—and examine how modern preaching often substitutes storytelling for proclamation. Hale calls for a return to bold, doctrinally clear preaching that convicts and comforts, challenging listeners to engage the Word of God not passively, but with humility and focus.

In this week’s episode of Christendom in the World, Rev. Dr. Edward Naumann joins us to discuss his work with the South Asia Lutheran Mission—a grassroots effort to equip pastors and congregations with faithful, doctrinally sound resources across Nepal, India, and beyond.

Dr. Naumann shares how the mission prioritizes open-access publishing, local printing, and long-term relationships built on trust. He tells powerful stories of entire villages in Nepal converting to Christianity, often at great personal cost, and explains the mission’s focus on education—from teaching the Small Catechism to translating liturgies and hymnals.

We also talk about the dangers of dependency, the challenges of discernment in international mission work, and the surprising ways Western churches can learn from newly converted believers in places where the Gospel is taking root with boldness and urgency.

https://southasialutheranmission.com/ 

They’re back. The Schlie twins return for Round 2—diving even deeper into the clichés shaping modern ministry. In this week’s episode of Christendom and the World, they unpack the risks of relying on familiar preaching formulas, like “Law then Gospel,” and explore how good theology can lose its weight when it becomes routine. From performative pulpits to the fear of failure in ministry, this conversation is a challenge to preach with clarity, conviction, and real faithfulness.

The Didymus Podcast: 

https://open.spotify.com/show/6gxSfIqYXAYdpNAiub9XJI?si=ce9f444d66fc4712 

In this episode of Christendom and the World, we’re joined by twin brothers and pastors Joseph and Jesse Schlie for a thoughtful conversation on the rise of Christian clichés and what they reveal about the modern church.

Together, they reflect on the pastoral call to speak clearly, confront sin, and preach Christ with conviction. From shallow phrases to deep theology, the Schlie pastors urge both pastors and hearers to trade feel-good slogans for faithful doctrine — and to rediscover the power of true, confessional preaching.

The Didymus Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6gxSfIqYXAYdpNAiub9XJI?si=ce9f444d66fc4712 

In this week’s episode of Christendom and the World, we explore how character development in storytelling helps us better understand God’s own character. The conversation moves beyond simply knowing God’s attributes to the importance of personal relationship and revelation through Scripture. We also reflect on the mystery of God's nature, how His attributes are revealed through creation, and why the fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.

On the Line:

In the second half of this conversation, Pastor Andrew Preus continues his interview with Grace Otten as she reflects on her adult life, her work with Lutheran News, and the shifting landscape of the church in the 1960s and beyond. Grace shares candid memories of the responsibilities she carried, the relationships that shaped her journey, and the convictions that sustained her through seasons of upheaval. From practical matters like managing a household and publishing a newspaper, to navigating theological conflicts and personal trials, Grace offers a thoughtful, firsthand glimpse into a life lived in faithful service to the church and her family. This episode is rich with honesty, clarity, and the quiet strength of someone who remained steadfast through decades of change.

In this week’s episode of Christendom and the World, we sit down with Grace Otten to hear the first part of her story — a candid look at her early years growing up Lutheran. From her childhood experiences with faith and family to the subtle shaping forces of church life, Grace shares how her understanding of spiritual authority began to take root. She also reflects on how she met her husband, and the role faith played in shaping their relationship from the very beginning. It’s a conversation about memory, formation, and the quiet ways influence takes hold.