The Crux of the Matter

The Crux of the Matter

By Scott Stiegemeyer, Todd PeperkornReligion & Spirituality
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The Crux of the Matter episodes

  • CRUX Episode 58 - Narcissism and the Pastor
    CRUX Episode 58 - Narcissism and the Pastor
    Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
    Download

    In this episode of The Crux of the Matter, Scott and Todd discuss the topic of narcissism and the pastor. What is narcissism? Why should we care? And are people with narcissistic personal disorder attracted to the pastoral office more than other fields? Hear about this and more in episode 58.

    LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
    • Bioethics for Healthcare Professionals
    • Pastoral Renewal and Spiritual Growth
    • A Few Thoughts on Narcissism in the Priesthood
    • The Preaching Life, By Barbara Brown TaylorWHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
    • SCOTT
    • Rosetta Stone - GermanTODD
    • Letters from a Pastor’s Heart, by Matthew Harrison
    • WHERE TO FIND US

      Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
      You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

      You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

      Email the show at [email protected]

      To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
      https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

      To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
      https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

      Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

      37 min
    • Episode 57 - Preaching Better, Part Two

      We are aware that there are some audio quality issues with this episode, and will do our best to improve it before the next recording. -ed

      CRUX Episode 57 - Preaching Better, Part Two
      Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
      Download

      Getting better at preaching is a strangely hard thing for pastors. While we all know there are weaknesses, we don’t like to admit them in public for fear of looking like we don’t know what we’re doing. In episode 57 of The Crux of the Matter, Todd and Scott discuss the book, Preaching Better, and how it may be implemented into the Ministry.

      WHERE TO FIND US

      Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
      You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

      You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

      Email the show at [email protected]

      To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
      https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

      To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
      https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

      Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

      35 min
    • CRUX Episode 56 - Preaching Better, Part One
      CRUX Episode 56 - Preaching Better, Part One
      Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
      Download
      “No matter how good a phrase or a simile he may have, if he puts it in where it is not absolutely necessary and irreplaceable he is spoiling his work for egotism. Prose is architecture, not interior decoration, and the Baroque is over.”
      — Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon

      Getting better at preaching is a strangely hard thing for pastors. While we all know there are weaknesses, we don’t like to admit them in public for fear of looking like we don’t know what we’re doing. In episode 56 of The Crux of the Matter, Todd and Scott discuss the book, Preaching Better, and how it may be implemented into the Ministry.

      WHAT ARE WE TEACHING
      • Eschatology (Scott)
      • Ephesians 4 (Todd)
      • LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
        • Crean Lutheran High School, Irvine, California
        • Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists, by Ken Untener
        • DOXOLOGY
        • WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
          SCOTT
          • Palomino Blackwing 602
          • Staedtler Mars 780 Technical Mechanical Pencil, 2mm
          • TODD
            • The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet: Activate Your Body's Natural Ability to Burn Fat and Lose Weight Fast, By Dr. Mark Hyman.
            • WHERE TO FIND US

              Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
              You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

              You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

              Email the show at [email protected]

              To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
              https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

              To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
              https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

              Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

              42 min
            • CRUX Episode 55 - Scott and Todd Go Back to School
              CRUX Episode 55 - Scott and Todd Go Back to School
              Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
              Download

              There are so many degree programs, and so many schools, why bother picking at all. In episode 55 of The Crux of the Matter Pastor Todd Peperkorn and Professor Scott Stiegemeyer discuss furthering your education while serving in a parish or school. Bioethics and Preaching? Roman Catholic or Evangelical or something else entirely? Listen in as they try to get to the crux of the matter.

              WHAT ARE WE TEACHING
              SCOTT
              - Charles Finney and the Second Great AwakeningTODD
              - Genesis 23 - The Burial of SarahLINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
              • Trinity International University, Master of Arts in Bioethics
              • Aquinas Institute of Theology, Doctor of Ministry in Preaching
              • Loyola University, DOCTORATE in BIOETHICS (D.Bioethics)WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
              • SCOTT
              • Healing: Bringing the Gift of God's Mercy to the World, Mary HealyTODD
              • Airmail (for Mac)
              • Airmail (for iOS)
              • WHERE TO FIND US

                Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
                You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

                You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

                Email the show at [email protected]

                To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
                https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

                To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
                https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

                Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

                0 min
              • CRUX Episode 54 - First Timothy 6
                CRUX Episode 54 - First Timothy 6
                Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
                Download

                Episode 54 of The Crux of the Matter is on First Timothy chapter six. How do we defend against false doctrine? What is really at the bottom of the desire for and spread of false doctrine? We also examine a podcast called Good Guys Wear Black, and the book, Christ alone. Join us for this episode with your hosts, Rev. Todd Peperkorn and Prof. Scott Stiegemeyer.

                WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
                SCOTT
                • Christ Alone, by Rod Rosenbladt.
                • TODD
                  • Good Guys Wear Black: A Podcast for Priests Who Need Priests
                  • WHERE TO FIND US

                    Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
                    You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

                    You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

                    Email the show at [email protected]

                    To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
                    https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

                    To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
                    https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

                    Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

                    34 min
                  • CRUX Episode 53 - First Timothy 5
                    CRUX Episode 53 - First Timothy 5
                    Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
                    Download

                    What is meant by widows or elders in chapter 5 of First Timothy? What is the laying on of hands, and for that matter, what is ox muzzling? And how do you learn to preach better? And why do our bodies matter? Hear about these things and more in episode 53 of The Crux of the Matter.

                    LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
                    • 1 Timothy 5 (ESV)
                    • WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
                      SCOTT
                      • Earthen Vessels: Why Our Bodies Matter to Our Faith, by Matthew Lee Anderson
                      • TODD
                        • Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists, by Ken Untener
                        • WHERE TO FIND US

                          Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
                          You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

                          You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

                          Email the show at [email protected]

                          To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
                          https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

                          To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
                          https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

                          Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

                           

                           

                          34 min
                        • CRUX Episode 52 - First Timothy 4
                          CRUX Episode 52 - First Timothy 4
                          Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
                          Download

                          Pastoral Formation is language we often use in our speaking and writing today, but where did it come from? And what is meant by piety in chapter 4 of First Timothy? And what is up with Don Draper? Hear about these things and more in episode 52 of The Crux of the Matter.

                          LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
                          • 1 Timothy 4 (ESV)
                          • WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
                            SCOTT
                            • Mad Men
                            • TODD
                              • David Field’s Audio Greek New Testament
                              • WHERE TO FIND US

                                Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
                                You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

                                You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

                                Email the show at [email protected]

                                To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
                                https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

                                To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
                                https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

                                Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

                                48 min
                              • CRUX Episode 51 - First Timothy 3
                                CRUX Episode 51 - First Timothy 3
                                Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
                                Download
                                WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
                                SCOTT
                                • Church History in Plain LanguageTODD
                                • Feasting in a Famine of the Word: Lutheran Preaching in the Twenty-First Century, edited by Mark W. Birkholz, Jacob Corzine and Jonathan Mumme
                                • WHERE TO FIND US

                                  Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.
                                  You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

                                  You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

                                  Email the show at [email protected]

                                  To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:
                                  https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

                                  To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:
                                  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

                                  Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

                                   

                                   

                                   

                                  41 min
                                • CRUX Episode 50 - First Timothy 2
                                  CRUX Episode 50 - First Timothy 2
                                  Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
                                  Download

                                  Women in the church and society, and the ongoing discussion of endurance and false teachers.. These are just a few of the topics discussed in episode 50 of The Crux of the Matter. Join Todd and Scott today as they learn together from the Scriptures what it is that makes a pastor. This multi-part series on 1 Timothy will go for several weeks, and continues here with chapter two.

                                  TEACHING
                                  SCOTT
                                  • Monasticism
                                  • TODD
                                    • Sermon writing and Scrivener
                                    • LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
                                      • 1 Timothy 2
                                      • WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
                                        SCOTT
                                        • History of Theology, by Bengt Hagglund (Author), Gene J. Lund (Translator)
                                        • TODD
                                          • Rotring 600
                                          • Massdrop
                                          • WHERE TO FIND US

                                            Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

                                            You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

                                            You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

                                            Email the show at [email protected]

                                            To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

                                            https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

                                            To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

                                            https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

                                            Intro and Outro Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.

                                            46 min
                                          • CRUX Episode 49 - First Timothy 1
                                            CRUX Episode 49 - First Timothy 1
                                            Todd Peperkorn, Scott Stiegemeyer
                                            Download

                                            False doctrine, handing someone over to Satan, and the foremost of sinners. These are just a few of the topics discussed in episode 49 of The Crux of the Matter. Join Todd and Scott today as they learn together from the Scriptures what it is that makes a pastor. This multi-part series on 1 Timothy will go for several weeks, and begins here with chapter one.

                                            TEACHING
                                            SCOTT
                                            • Origins of Christian Worship (Scott)
                                            • TODD
                                              • His Time Radio Program
                                              • The Church and Mental Illness Workshop (interview on His Time)
                                              • News Article About Workshop
                                              • Info Page on Workshop
                                              • LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
                                                • 1 Timothy 1
                                                • WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
                                                  SCOTT
                                                  • Documents of the Christian Church, by Henry Bettenson.
                                                  • TODD
                                                    • iThoughtsX
                                                      • For Mac at Mac App Store
                                                    • For iOS at App Store
                                                    • They also have free trials available on their web site.
                                                    • WHERE TO FIND US

                                                      Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

                                                      You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.

                                                      You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.

                                                      Email the show at [email protected]

                                                      To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice:

                                                      https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss

                                                      To subscribe via iTunes, please go to:

                                                      https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811

                                                      Intro and Outro Music is “BWV 739: Wie schön leuchtet uns der Morgenstern” (by J.S. Bach, recorded by James Kibbie). Licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License.

                                                      41 min

                                                    About The Crux of the Matter

                                                    From the publisher's feed

                                                    Lutheran pastors Todd Peperkorn and Scott Stiegemeyer talk shop about ministry in the twenty-first century.