In this episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor James Wilshusen to unpack Hebrews 10 and the true reason Christians gather for worship. Together, they explore why church is more than personal devotion or ritual—it’s about receiving Christ’s gifts, encouraging one another in faith, and persevering as the body of Christ. They discuss what it means to “hold fast the confession of our hope,” why God commands us not to neglect meeting together, and how the church equips us to endure in a world of temptation and trial. Whether you’ve asked yourself, “Do I really need to go to church?” or simply want to be reminded of the blessing of worship, this episode will point you to the comfort, strength, and joy found in God’s Word and His people.

https://reporter.lcms.org/2025/a-pastoral-word-from-president-harrison/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM_lkRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHv5OO5JzP_GF4QHOPFU93iN2AJ-HHKVa62NYjPqOaLu3IhBIFzLSHcDqZNVB_aem_NGqca2vm-I-IP8RfY0dczA

In this episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor James Wilshusen to reflect on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, a cultural and political voice for Christian truth. Together they consider the meaning of martyrdom, the role of faith in public discourse, and the deepening divisions within American culture. The conversation underscores the call for Christians to speak the truth in love, to bear witness without compromise, and to engage the public square with courage and conviction.

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been killed for God’s Word and the truth they were telling. They called out loud: “Master, holy and true, how long will You wait before You judge the people on the earth and punish them for killing us?”  Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait quietly a little longer until all their fellow servants and fellow Christians were present who were to be killed as they had been.  Revelations 6:9–11.

On this week’s episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus responds to Larry Sanger’s recent interview on On the Line (watch here). In that discussion, Sanger wrestles with whether Christ’s words, “This is my body… this is my blood,” should be taken literally or metaphorically. Pastor Preus engages these questions head-on, examining the biblical grammar, the meaning of “mystery,” and how Christ Himself defines the reality of His Supper. This episode shows why Christians confess the true body and blood of Christ, not by human reasoning, but by humble faith in His Word.

“The Real Presence: Symbol or Substance? | Dr. Larry Sanger.” YouTube, uploaded by On the Line, 29 May 2025, https://youtu.be/NhkDphzEaog.

In this episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Hans Preus to reflect on theology, history, and personal experience. The conversation explores Protestantism as an American religion, the role of conscience in Lutheran thought, and the challenges posed by higher criticism. They examine the Seminex controversy and its lasting impact on the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, while also considering parallels in other denominations.

Alongside history, Hans shares his perspective as a missionary kid navigating identity and heritage, as well as his future aspirations in theological studies. Together, they address the influence of pietism, the enduring importance of Walther’s Law and Gospel, and why doctrinal certainty remains essential for a clear conscience and a confident faith.

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