Christendom and the World

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor Craig Wehmeyer to talk about Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and the dangers of "enthusiasm."

What does it really mean to be "Spirit-filled"?

In this Pentecost-focused episode, we unpack Acts 2 and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—what happened, why it mattered, and what it means for the Church today.

We wrestle with a major tension in modern Christianity: how do we avoid chasing emotional, experience-driven faith ("enthusiasm") while also not reducing Scripture to a cold, lifeless text?

Along the way, we talk about:

• The true purpose of Pentecost and the apostolic signs
• Why the Holy Spirit always works through the Word
• The difference between genuine faith and experience-based religion
• Whether miracles and extraordinary experiences still happen today
• How the Spirit gathers, strengthens, and builds the Church

At the end of the day, the Spirit's work is clear: not to point us inward, but to deliver Christ to us through His Word and gather us into His Church.

📩 Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Check below for our email and send it in—we'd love to include it in a future episode! [email protected]

#Pentecost #HolySpirit #Acts2 #ChristianPodcast #TheologyMatters #WordAndSacrament #FaithAndTruth #ChurchLife #Lutheran #BibleTeaching #ChristendomAndTheWorld

"What would Jesus do?" It sounds like a simple and helpful question—but is it actually the right one to ask?

In this episode, we dig into Christology—who Jesus is—and why that matters more than simply trying to imitate what He would do. While WWJD can seem like a good moral guide, it can subtly turn Jesus into just an example to follow rather than the Savior who redeems.

We talk about the danger of reducing Christianity to behavior, how a right understanding of Christ shapes our faith, and why the gospel is about what Jesus has done for us before it's ever about what we do.

📩 Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Check below for our email and send it in—we'd love to include it in a future episode! [email protected]

#Christology #WWJD #ChristianPodcast #TheologyMatters #GospelCentered #FaithOverWorks #JesusSaves #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #christendomandtheworld

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Christendom in the World

00:57 Listener Emails: Honoring Abusive Parents

14:54 Navigating Relationships with Toxic Family Members

24:48 The WWJD Movement: Reflections and Critiques

29:46 Exploring Christology and WWJD

34:55 The Evolution of WWJD in Modern Christianity

40:25 Understanding What Jesus Has Done

48:25 The Balance of Example and Redemption

55:00 Living in the Light of Christ's Work

What if the problem isn't your church… But your expectations?

In this episode, we respond to real listener questions about feeling disconnected in church, struggling to find strong Christian community, and wondering if you're even in the "right" place.

We also tackle a deeper and more uncomfortable topic: the hardening of the heart. Does it mean God has given up on you? Can you come back from it? How should Christians actually understand it?

We break down what Scripture teaches about:

• Why church can feel spiritually dry
• The difference between true fellowship and surface-level community
• What it means to hear the Word and receive the Sacraments
• Whether a hardened heart means you're beyond saving

If you've ever questioned your church, your faith, or your spiritual condition — this episode is for you.

#ChristianPodcast #FaithQuestions #Lutheran #ChurchLife #HardeningOfHeart #TheologyMatters #JesusSaves #ChristianLiving #BibleTeaching #ChristendomInTheWorld

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hardness of Heart

02:58 Engaging with Audience Questions

05:46 Understanding Evangelism in the Lutheran Church

08:57 The Role of Doctrine and Order in Lutheranism

11:37 Sharing Faith: Starting at Home

14:38 Finding Community in the Church

17:58 Navigating Church Culture and Fellowship

20:53 The Importance of Word and Sacrament

23:43 Evaluating Church Practices

26:45 Final Thoughts on Hardening of Hearts

36:06 The Need for Christ: Recognizing Our Lostness

39:17 Understanding Hardening of Hearts: Biblical Examples

42:05 The Hardening of Hearts in Believers

49:11 The Dangers of Spiritual Hardening

56:05 Overcoming Hardness of Heart: The Role of the Gospel

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus reflects on how Christians should respond when everything around them feels like it's falling apart—shrinking congregations, lost traditions, and cultural instability.

Looking at Scripture, including Hosea and the exile of Israel, he explains that what may look like chaos is often God's call to repentance and a return to what truly matters. This episode strips things down to the essentials: the Gospel, the Word, and the simple structures God has given—home, church, and society.

What does the Church actually need to survive? Not programs, not numbers, not nostalgia—but faithful preaching and faithful hearers.

If you've ever wondered whether the Church is "losing its way," this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a much-needed reset on what it means to be God's people.

#ChristendomAndTheWorld #Lutheran #ChristianPodcast #FaithOverFeelings #GospelCentered #ChurchLife #BiblicalTruth #TheologyMatters #ChristianLiving #WordAndSacrament

Chapters

00:00 The Call of Hosea: A Divine Metaphor 01:41 Understanding the Exodus: Chaos and Judgment 06:00 Existential Crisis: The State of the Church 11:42 Foundations of Order: Home, Church, and Society 18:01 The Role of the Church: Preaching and Community 25:56 The Need for Faithful Pastors: A Call to Action 29:16 The Necessity of Community and Education 32:38 The Importance of Teaching the Word of God 36:28 The Role of Pastors and Community in Faith 42:12 Recognizing Our Identity as God's People 47:40 Hope Amidst Change and Chaos

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor James Wilshusen to wrestle with a question that has shaped the Church for centuries: is theology just something we think about—or something we actually live?

From Thomas Aquinas to the Lutheran fathers, they explore the tension between "theoretical" and "practical" theology—and why getting this wrong can disconnect faith from real life. Because theology isn't just about knowing facts about God… it's about trusting His promises and living under them.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why theology can't stay in the classroom
• How faith makes doctrine truly practical
• The danger of reducing Christianity to morals
• What it means for every Christian to be a theologian

This conversation shows that theology isn't reserved for pastors or academics—it's for every believer navigating real life, suffering, and faith in Christ.

📩 Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Check below for our email and send it in—we'd love to include it in a future episode!

[email protected]

#ChristendomAndTheWorld #ChristianPodcast #TheologyMatters #FaithInAction #Lutheran #DoctrineMatters #ChristianLiving #BibleTeaching

Has the Church remained faithful—or has she grown cold?

In this episode of Christendom and the World, we take a hard look at Christ's warning to the church in Ephesus: "You have abandoned the love you had at first." What does it mean to lose our "first love"? And is this happening within the Lutheran Church today?

We explore how familiarity with God's Word can lead to spiritual complacency, why the doctrine of justification must remain central, and how the neglect of law and gospel preaching reveals a deeper issue of the heart. This episode calls both pastors and laity to examine themselves, repent, and return to the Gospel—the true source of our life and love.

Pastor Andrew Preus also answers questions submitted by listeners in the comments—if you have a question for a future episode, feel free to send it to [email protected].

Are we still captivated by Christ crucified… or have we begun to treat His Word as ordinary?

#Lutheran #ChristendomAndTheWorld #LawAndGospel #Justification #ChristianPodcast #Theology #GospelCentered #LutheranChurch #FaithAlone #JesusChrist ✝️

This week, Pastor Andrew Preus is joined again by Pastor James Wilshusen to talk about something that's been getting more attention—the shortage of pastors and what's really behind it.

They get into what it actually means to be formed as a pastor, not just educated. From seminary training to the importance of learning Greek and Hebrew, the conversation highlights why pastoral formation goes deeper than simply earning a degree.

Pastor Wilshusen also shares his own journey into the ministry later in life, including the real sacrifices that came with it and what it looked like to trust God through the process.

Along the way, they talk about why fewer men are pursuing the ministry, how congregations approach supporting pastors, and whether alternative routes are truly preparing men for the work.

At the heart of it all is a clear reminder: the pastoral office isn't about convenience—it's about faithfulness to God's Word, serving His people, and trusting in His provision.

#ChristendomInTheWorld #PastoralMinistry #Lutheran #TheologyMatters #ChurchLife #Seminary #FaithAndVocation #ChristianPodcast #ShepherdsCall

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus is joined by Pastor James Wilshusen to discuss a growing concern within the Church: why are young people—especially young men—leaving?

Together, they unpack a thought-provoking article on "dead orthodoxy" and wrestle with the tension between right doctrine and living faith. Is it possible to confess the truth and yet fail to actually live in it?

From generational shifts and the "cost of thriving," to the real struggles of young families trying to stay connected to the Church, this episode explores the deeper issues behind declining attendance and disengagement.

What role does the Church play in supporting its own members? Are we overlooking the needs right in front of us? And how do we hold fast to truth while actually loving and serving one another?

This is an honest and needed conversation about faith, vocation, and what it truly means to be the Body of Christ today.

#ChristendomAndTheWorld #Lutheran #ChristianPodcast #FaithInAction #ChurchLife #YoungAdults #BiblicalTruth #DoctrineMatters #ChristianLiving #Vocation #ChurchCommunity #FaithAndCulture

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Rev. Dr. Jason Lane to discuss a growing hesitation in the Church today: the reluctance to clearly assert what Scripture teaches.

From Paul's exhortation in 2 Timothy to "guard the good deposit" to the Reformation's bold clarity in teaching doctrine, this conversation explores why confidence in God's Word matters—and what is lost when we trade certainty for ambiguity.

They dive into:

• The danger of avoiding doctrinal assertions
• How modern trends (and even academia) weaken clear teaching
• The importance of preaching the whole counsel of God
• Why Scripture interprets Scripture—not speculation or culture
• How pastors can reclaim clarity, confidence, and conviction

If you've ever felt like sermons have become vague or unsure, this episode is a call back to bold, faithful proclamation grounded in the Word.

#ChristendomAndTheWorld #ChristianPodcast #SoundDoctrine #BiblicalTruth #Lutheran #Theology #Preaching #FaithInChrist

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, we reflect on the story of Jacob wrestling with God and what it reveals about faith, perseverance, and dependence on the Lord.

Through the lens of athletics we explore both the beauty and the danger of sports in our culture. Sports can build discipline, character, and community—but when they become ultimate, they begin to replace what matters most.

How do Christians navigate this tension? How do we avoid both idolizing sports and dismissing them altogether?

This conversation challenges us to examine our priorities, hold fast to God's promises, and remember that true strength is found not in striving—but in faith that clings to Him.

#ChristendomAndTheWorld #ChristianPodcast #WrestlingWithGod #FaithInAction #ChristianLiving #SportsAndFaith #BiblicalTruth #SundayMatters #HoldFast #TrustGod 🙏💪