Lutheran Reflections

In this episode, we look at Romans 14:1-12, where Paul warns us against passing judgement on our brother for matters on which Scripture is silent. When is it right to call our brother to repentance, and what sorts of issues fall under the category of "Christian Liberty?"

The reading for this week is Matthew 18:15-20, where Jesus tells us, "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." This is one of the passages informs the Lutheran doctrine of the Office of the Keys. What is this office, and to whom is it given?

This episode, we focus on Matthew 16:21-28, where Jesus rebukes Peter saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” What warranted such a harsh rebuke, and how are we to understand Jesus's promise that "there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom"?

The Gospel reading for this week is Matthew 16:13-20, where Jesus tells Peter that "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." What or who is the "Rock" that Jesus is referring to here? What does it mean that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church? We also read an excerpt from Kurt Marquart as we better articulate the Lutheran understanding of the Church.

In recognition of the Commemoration of Johann Gerhard, we discuss one of Gerhard's Sacred Meditations on the The Certainty of our Salvation. What things cause us to doubt our salvation, and how can we turn to Christ to assuage our doubts?

In this episode, we focus on Romans 10:5-17, where Paul tells us that, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Throughout Scripture, we see that God uses outward means (the preaching of the Word, baptism, and the Lord's Supper) to communicate his grace to us. How does this Lutheran understanding differ from other Christian denominations, and why is this understanding of the the Means of Grace so important to our theology?

In this episode, we consider Romans 9:1-13, the reading for this coming Sunday in the 3 year lectionary. How does Paul use the term "election" in these verses, and how does that compare with how we typically use the term today? How have these verses been misunderstood by other Christian denominations?

In this episode, we focus on three more parables from Matthew 13:44-52. This includes the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, and the Parable of the Net.

In this episode, we turn to the church fathers to better understand the Parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13:23-30, 36-43.

In this episode, we focus on the Gospel reading for this Sunday in the 3 year lectionary, which is Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.