Ted starts has fun with a tongue-in-cheek statement and asks Rod about the core basic differences between Lutherans and other denominations. Rod talks about his perspective on differing doctrines that folks in the Lutheran and Reformed denominations focus on and the differences in perspectives on Scripture, and what one should be able to expect in Lutheranism.

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Ted asks Rod about the daily and weekly struggle in the Christian faith that God is trying to improve our condition through tough admonishment. Rod talks about filial fear, its history, talks about how his respect for his own father affected his behavior, and the error of the preached Gospel being for moral improvement in the believer.

SHOW NOTES: "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Glory-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060653205

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Ted asks Rod about the differences in views on the subject of apostolic succession. Rod talks about how Lutherans focus on a succession of doctrine and its survival into the next generation, rather than a succession of ordinations.

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Ted asks Rod about how Lutherans view Calvinists and their doctrine. Rod talks about what he was taught about the differences and speaks about his history with Mike Horton on the White Horse Inn radio program, and what he thinks is the most important focus of both camps.

SHOW NOTES: "Wittenberg vs. Geneva" by Pastor Brian Thomas https://www.amazon.com/Wittenberg-vs-Geneva-Biblical-Doctrines/dp/1945500379/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CWX4A3FS7N8Y&dchild=1&keywords=wittenberg+vs+geneva&qid=1596477204&sprefix=wittenberg+vs+%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1

"Between Wittenberg and Geneva" by Robert Kolb and Carl Trueman https://www.amazon.com/Between-Wittenberg-Geneva-Lutheran-Conversation/dp/0801049814/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Robert+kolb+carl+trueman&qid=1596477135&s=books&sr=1-2

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Ted asks Rod about the idea that true religion is a switch from a focus of going from vice to virtue, to going from virtue to Christ. Rod talks about virtue being moral improvement and a self-help scheme, and what it means to change one's perspective away from that focus to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Ted asks Rod about what it means to have a pastor step in and help with or for you in tough situations. Touching on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Rod talks about how Christ can get lost in our minds in the dark times, and that we need a faithful pastor to remind us that no matter what's coming, Jesus Christ has you and you're safe.

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Ted asks Rod about whether Lutheran churches are the only churches where one can reasonably expect to hear the Gospel. Rod talks about how the Good News of the Gospel should be accessible in other Protestant denomination churches, regardless of doctrinal differences.

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Ted asks Rod about whether answered prayers can be trusted as proof of the truth of the Gospel. Rod talks about our temptations toward using prayers and whether they are answered as a basis to trust what Scripture says, and that we should not do that but gives the apologetic answer about where we should go for the answer.

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Ted asks Rod why some people struggle to believe the Christian claims of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection. Rod talks about the necessity of a pastor who faithfully preaches and teaches the Gospel and attending regularly even while doubting.

SHOW NOTES:

https://shop.1517.org/products/sensible-christianity-mp3

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Ted asks Rod about the idea that fairy tales which feature the defeating of evil by good point toward the greatest Good News ever in Jesus Christ's Gospel. Rod speaks about the importance of hope in fairy tales and reflects on different stories and J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and what was communicated in their writings.

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