Rev. Dr. Joel C. Elowsky is Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he also directs the Center for the Study of Early Christian Texts. A leading scholar of the early church, African Christianity, and patristic exegesis, Elowsky has edited and authored numerous works, including volumes in the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture and Ancient Christian Texts series. He previously served at Concordia University Wisconsin and held academic and research posts connected to Drew University, Eastern University, and the Center for Early African Christianity. Elowsky has been active in global theological dialogue, patristic translation, and mission education—bringing deep historical insight to bear on the needs of the Church today.

Check Out Our New Website! https://ontheline.net/
Support The Launch of LIT- https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Send us a text

Dr. Larry Sanger is a philosopher, technologist, and co-founder of Wikipedia, one of the world's most widely used reference platforms. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from The Ohio State University and has spent his career shaping the landscape of online knowledge and advocating for decentralization, transparency, and intellectual freedom. In recent years, Sanger experienced a profound shift (from agnosticism to Christianity) prompted by deep reflection on truth, meaning, and the foundations of reason. He shares the philosophical journey that led him to Christ and how it reshaped his understanding of knowledge and the human condition.

Check out our new website → https://ontheline.net/
Support the launch of LIT → https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Email: [email protected]

Send us a text

Dr. Larry Sanger is a philosopher, technologist, and co-founder of Wikipedia, one of the world's most widely used reference platforms. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from The Ohio State University and has spent his career shaping the landscape of online knowledge and advocating for decentralization, transparency, and intellectual freedom. In recent years, Sanger experienced a profound shift (from agnosticism to Christianity) prompted by deep reflection on truth, meaning, and the foundations of reason. He shares the philosophical journey that led him to Christ and how it reshaped his understanding of knowledge and the human condition.

Check out our new website → https://ontheline.net/
Support the launch of LIT → https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Send us a text

Please note: We apologize for the audio issues between 45:57 and the first break at 1:05:21. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Rev. Dr. Jon S. Bruss is the seventeenth president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and is an associate professor of systematic theology. With a Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Minnesota and an M.Div. from Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Bruss brings decades of experience in both higher education and pastoral ministry. He has taught at institutions such as St. Olaf College, the University of Kansas, and Bethany Lutheran College. He has served nearly a decade as senior pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas. A scholar of early Christianity and Lutheran theology, Bruss has translated works for Luther’s Works and continues to serve the LCMS through various national committees shaping theological education and church governance.

Check Out Our New Website! https://ontheline.net/
Support The Launch of LIT- https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Send us a text

​​Felix Loc is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, overseeing the national office's operations and supporting the Synod president's strategic work. With a background in organizational leadership and a deep commitment to the LCMS’s confessional identity, Loc plays a key role in guiding the Church’s mission and structure. His work bridges theology and administration, ensuring the Synod remains faithful and effective in a changing world.

Check Out Our New Website! https://ontheline.net/
Support The Launch of LIT- https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Send us a text

​​Rev. Jeff Hemmer is an LCMS pastor serving in St. Louis and a leading voice on recovering godly masculinity within the Church. He is the author of "Man Up! The Quest for Masculinity," a bold theological call to men to embrace their created vocation with courage, responsibility, and faithfulness. With pastoral insight and cultural clarity, Hemmer addresses the crisis of manhood in today’s world through the lens of Scripture and Lutheran theology.

Check Out Our New Website! https://ontheline.net/
Support The Launch of LIT- https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Send us a text

Rev. Hans Fiene is the pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Crestwood, Missouri. He is the creator of Lutheran Satire, a multimedia project that uses humor to teach and defend the Christian faith. A graduate of Indiana University and Concordia Theological Seminary, Rev. Fiene has served congregations in Colorado and Illinois before beginning his service at Prince of Peace in June 2020. He also contributes to The Federalist and WORLD, where he writes on cultural and religious issues from a confessional Lutheran perspective.

Check Out Our New Website! https://ontheline.net/
Support The Launch of LIT- https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Send us a text

Check Out Our New Website! https://ontheline.net/
Support The Launch of LIT- https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

​Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz is a Lutheran pastor and theologian currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. A 2014 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS), he previously pastored congregations in Lititz and Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Koontz earned his Ph.D. in Religion from Temple University in 2020, focusing on the imitation of Paul in the Greco-Roman world. He served on the faculty of CTS from 2019 to 2022 and co-hosts the podcast "A Brief History of Power" with Rev. Jonathan Fisk, exploring historical and theological topics.

🔗 Stay Connected with Us!
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes looks and more updates: https://www.instagram.com/otl_podcast_
Join our Facebook community to engage with other listeners: https://www.facebook.com/onthelinepod

💖 A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by:
Trinity Lutheran Waconia: A Local Chuch With A Global Mission. Discover more about their mission at https://trinitywaconia.org/

LCEF: Empowering Lutheran ministries with financial and leadership support. Learn how you can be part of their mission at https://lcef.org/

🎙️ Listen to Us On Other Platforms:

Can't get enough of On The Line? Find us on your favorite podcast platform through our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/otl_podcast_

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode!

✍️ We Love Hearing from You!
Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on today's episode or suggest topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes.

📣 Share the Love:
Enjoyed the episode? Share it with your friends and help our community grow!
Thank you for tuning in and supporting the On The Line Podcast. Until next time, stay connected, and keep the conversations going!

Send us a text

Check Out Our New Website! https://ontheline.net/

Support The Launch of LIT- https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/

Todd Wilken is a Lutheran pastor and hosts the radio program Issues, Etc., which he has led since 1998. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis with a Master of Divinity degree. He served as a parish pastor in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) for nine years before transitioning to radio ministry. He serves as assistant pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois. He and his wife have two children and three grandchildren. 

Jeff Schwarz is the executive producer and general manager of Issues, Etc. and Lutheran Public Radio. Based in Collinsville, Illinois, he has extensive experience in media relations, issues and crisis management, strategic communications, and business development. Schwarz has been instrumental in shaping the program's direction and outreach, contributing significantly to its success and influence within the Lutheran community. 

🔗 Stay Connected with Us!
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes looks and more updates: https://www.instagram.com/otl_podcast_
Join our Facebook community to engage with other listeners: https://www.facebook.com/onthelinepod

💖 A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by:
Trinity Lutheran Waconia: A Local Chuch With A Global Mission. Discover more about their mission at https://trinitywaconia.org/

LCEF: Empowering Lutheran ministries with financial and leadership support. Learn how you can be part of their mission at https://lcef.org/

🎙️ Listen to Us On Other Platforms:

Can't get enough of On The Line? Find us on your favorite podcast platform through our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/otl_podcast_

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode!

✍️ We Love Hearing from You!
Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on today's episode or suggest topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes.

📣 Share the Love:
Enjoyed the episode? Share it with your friends and help our community grow!
Thank you for tuning in and supporting the On The Line Podcast. Until next time, stay connected, and keep the conversations going!

Send us a text

🎧 Welcome to Episode 64 of the On The Line Podcast! 🎧

Rev. Benjamin Ball serves as the Second Vice President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), bringing years of pastoral experience and theological leadership to his role. Committed to confessional Lutheran doctrine, he supports the Synod in its mission to uphold biblical truth and strengthen congregations. His work emphasizes faithful preaching, catechesis, and the engagement of laity in the life of the Church.

🔗 Stay Connected with Us!
Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes looks and more updates: https://www.instagram.com/otl_podcast_
Join our Facebook community to engage with other listeners: https://www.facebook.com/onthelinepod

💖 A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by:
Trinity Lutheran Waconia: A Local Chuch With A Global Mission. Discover more about their mission at https://trinitywaconia.org/

LCEF: Empowering Lutheran ministries with financial and leadership support. Learn how you can be part of their mission at https://lcef.org/

🎙️ Listen to Us On Other Platforms:

Can't get enough of On The Line? Find us on your favorite podcast platform through our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/otl_podcast_

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode!

✍️ We Love Hearing from You!
Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on today's episode or suggest topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes.

📣 Share the Love:
Enjoyed the episode? Share it with your friends and help our community grow!
Thank you for tuning in and supporting the On The Line Podcast. Until next time, stay connected, and keep the conversations going!

Send us a text