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.

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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.

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​​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.

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​​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.

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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.

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

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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. 

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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/

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🎧 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.

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

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🎧 Welcome to Episode 63 of the On The Line Podcast! 🎧

 Dr. Stephen Pietsch is an associate professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, specializing in pastoral care, counseling, and the pastoral theology of Martin Luther. Before joining the faculty in 2023, he served at Australian Lutheran College, where he taught and held leadership roles in pastoral formation and chapel ministry. With nearly two decades of parish ministry experience, Pietsch’s research bridges theology and psychology, particularly Luther’s pastoral care for those experiencing distress. His book, Of Good Comfort, explores Luther’s letters to the depressed, and his scholarship is used in pastoral training across LCMS seminaries. He is currently working on a second monograph with Concordia Publishing House on Luther’s approach to pastoral care. 

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

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🎧 Welcome to Episode 62 of the On The Line Podcast! 🎧

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💖 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_

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