The Uncultured Saints

In Episode 8 of Season 7 of the Uncultured Saints, Pastors Goodman and Lietzau are tackling Galatians 4:12-31:  

Topics discussed in this episode include:

> What is Paul’s bodily ailment he talks about in this text?

> How the Galatians first received Paul and the gospel.

> Why Paul is so perplexed by the change in the Galatians.

> Why law and gospel can’t be mixed when it comes to salvation.

> Why we cannot rely on our works to secure our salvation.
> What it means to be children of the promise rather than slaves to the law.

> How the Gospel speaks to both the sinner and the sinned against.

> Why forgiveness does not mean someone must immediately stop hurting or resume a relationship as if nothing happened.

> The promise of the resurrection: Our hope for the day when the pain and shame caused by sin will be gone.

> Can we forgive ourselves?

> And more!

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #galatians

Or we can use 

What does the Gospel mean for both the sinner and the person who has been sinned against?

In this conversation on Galatians 4, we dig into the difference between the law and the Gospel, the freedom Christ gives us, and the difficult reality of forgiveness when sin leaves deep wounds.

In Episode 7 of Season 7 of the Uncultured Saints, Pastors Goodman and Lietzau are tackling Galatians 4:1-11, where Paul explains what it means to move from slavery under the law to adoption as sons and heirs through Christ.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

> What it means that we were once enslaved to the "elementary principles of the world."

> How Christ's coming "in the fullness of time" redeems us from under the law.

> Why being adopted as sons means we are no longer slaves to the law.

> How Luther's reading of the law as a guardian is meant to point us to Christ.

> Why, once Christ has come, the law can only point back to us instead of to a Savior.

> The difference between Christ's proper work (dying for sinners) and his accidental work (miracles and teaching the law).

> How Jesus' miracles function as a "down payment," pointing to the cross.

> Why Jesus' own teaching of the law belongs to the doctrine of good works, not justification.

> The three uses of the law: curb, mirror, and guide, and how each points to how things ought to be.

> Paul's warning against turning back to slavery under the law and the things that are not of God.

> The difference between knowing God and being known by God.

> Paul's fear that his labor over the Galatians "may have been in vain."

> Luther's take on that fear as a call for pastors to keep teaching the catechism, again and again.

> And more!

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #galatians

In Episode 6 of Season 7 of the Uncultured Saints, Pastors Goodman and Lietzau are tackling Galatians 3:15-29, where Paul addresses the role of the law and why it exists. 

Topics discussed in this episode include:

> God’s covenant with Abraham.

> Why the Ten Commandments come 500 years after God’s covenant with Abraham.

> Why God gave us the law if it doesn’t save.

> What the law would look like if we created it.

> What God is trying to protect through the law.

> Why Paul says that the law is a “good gift.”

> What the law teaches us about God.

> What the law teaches us about ourselves. 

> The three uses of the law and why they matter. 

> What the law can do and what it can’t do.

> Whether or not the law stands contrary to the promises of God.

> What Paul means when he says the law was our “guardian” before Christ came.

> How the law keeps us safe from trying to save ourselves. 

> Luther’s take on this passage. 

> What we receive in baptism.

In Episode 5 of Season 7 of the Uncultured Saints, Pastors Goodman and Lietzau are tackling Galatians 3:1-14, where Paul rebukes the Galatians for turning back to the law and points them to Christ crucified.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

> Who has "bewitched" the Galatians?

> The contrast between seeing and hearing, and how faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.

> How Acts 2 and Baptism show that God's work, not our own actions, is what saves us.

> Why the instinct to add works to the gospel is the sinner's default.

> Why it’s important to pay attention to "who's doing the verbs", and how this question it sets Lutherans apart from Roman Catholics and Baptists.

> What Isaiah says about the problem with fasting. 

> Why suffering and the cross are part of Christian life, and why a faith without them becomes "vanity."

> How Abraham serves as an example of faith counted as righteousness, despite his many failures.

> How to speak honestly about flawed Old Testament figures like Abraham and David.

> Luther's take on Christ bearing the sins of all people in his body.

> How the blessing of Abraham reaches the Gentiles through faith, and what that means for how we live now.

> And more!

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #galatians

In Episode 3 of Season 7 of the Uncultured Saints, Pastors Goodman and Lietzau are tackling Galatians 2:11-21, where Paul explains where our justification in Christ comes from.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

> What it means to be clean or unclean.

> The nature of original sin.

> What exactly Chrsti’s death and resurrection accomplished.

> The temptation to do theology out of fear.

> Peter allowing false teaching to persist.

> The importance of approaching the scriptures with humility.

> Luther’s take on this passage.

> The doctrine of justification by faith apart from works.

> The difference between Lutheran and the Catholic doctrine of justification.

> How Catholics tie faith to works.

> The relationship between faith and works. 

> And more!

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #galatians

In Episode 3 of Season 7 of the Uncultured Saints, Pastors Goodman and Lietzau are tackling Galatians 2:1-10, where Paul addresses the issue of circumcision and the gospel. 

Topics discussed in this episode include:

> Why Paul is always talking about circumcision.

> The larger issue that Paul is addressing (beyond circumcision).

> How strict adherence to circumcision is a danger to the gospel. 

> The problem with introducing a “middle step” between Jesus and our salvation.

> Why Timothy was circumcised as an adult and Titus wasn’t.

> What is adiaphora and how does it relate to this issue?

> When should the conscience be burdened by things that are important to some but indifferent to others?

> When Christians should yield to others and when they shouldn’t.

> How we determine what things are considered stumbling blocks and what’s not.

> How Paul deals with those who are trying to “spy out” their freedom in Christ in order to bring them back under slavery to the law. 

> What Luther says about this section of Galatians.

> The role of the law in salvation and the life of the Christian.

> And more!

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #galatians

In Season 7 of the Uncultured Saints, Pastors Goodman and Lietzau are walking through the book of Galatians. In this episode, they take listeners through Galatians 1:1-10 and tackle several questions about the text, including the following: 

Why are Lutherans drawn to Galatians?
What does it mean to be an apostle?
What was Paul’s relationship with the Galatians?
What’s the issue that Paul is addressing in his letter to the Galatians?
What does he mean when he says they are no longer preaching Christ Crucified? What are they preaching?
Does Paul have authority as an apostle and where does his authority come from?
How do you know you can trust the authority of any pastor?
What is the doctrine of justification? Why does Luther say it’s the doctrine on which the church stands or falls?
What is the gospel and how does Paul define it in Galatians?
What does it mean that Jesus is the source of peace?
Can we find peace with God in anything other than Christ?
What role do our own works play in finding peace with God?
Can we add anything to our salvation?
And more!

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. 

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #galatians

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Mark 15:33-41: Jesus Dies on the Cross

> Jesus' Cry from the Cross

When Jesus cries out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This isn't merely a cry of anguish but a public proclamation. 

The Greek word suggests Jesus "shouted" or "proclaimed" these words from Psalm 22. 

This fulfills OT prophecy while serving a dual purpose: Jesus experiences genuine forsakenness as He bears our sin, yet proclaims this truth for our benefit.

The crowd thinks He's calling for Elijah, missing that Jesus is quoting Scripture and declaring His identity as the suffering Messiah. They offer sour wine, not mercy, but mockery

> Jesus' Authority Over Death

When it says that Jesus "breathed His last," it demonstrates His divine authority. 

Jesus dies when He chooses to lay down His life. 

As He said, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:18). 

>The Temple Curtain Torn

The temple curtain tore from top to bottom.

This massive veil separated the Holy of Holies from the people. Only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. 

Now, through Christ's sacrifice, the separation between God and humanity is removed. Every believer can approach God's presence.

This echoes Mark's opening where the heavens were "torn open" at Jesus' baptism. 

> The Centurion's Confession

The Roman centurion declares, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" 

Having witnessed Jesus' authority over His own death and the supernatural signs, this pagan soldier becomes the first human in Mark's Gospel to confess Jesus' true identity. 

> Faithful Witnesses

The women who followed Jesus remain at the cross while the male disciples flee. 

Their presence as witnesses establishes the credibility of the Gospel accounts and honors their faithfulness to Him. 

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

Mark 15:16-32: The Crucifixion

The soldiers led Jesus to the palace, clothed him in purple, crowned him with thorns, and mocked him saying "Hail, King of the Jews!" 

They struck him, spat on him, and knelt in false homage before leading him out to crucify him.

 Irony

The soldiers unknowingly proclaimed truth through their mockery. 

Christ truly is King of Kings, and the crown of thorns represents what God's earthly kingdom actually looks like — suffering for sinners. 

The entire scene drips with irony as everyone involved unwittingly confesses the gospel narrative.

Active vs. Passive

Jesus wasn't passively swept along by events. He remained in complete control, actively choosing to endure this suffering. 

He could have called legions of angels but chose to be "a lamb led to the slaughter." 

It was deliberate submission for our sake.

 The Crucifixion

Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry Jesus's cross. 

The soldiers divided his garments by casting lots, fulfilling prophecy. 

Jesus was crucified between two robbers while mockers demanded he save himself

Simon of Cyrene

This random man, pulled from his journey, unexpectedly bore Christ's cross. 

Church history suggests he became a believer — the fact that he's named indicates the early church knew him. 

The Thieves

Both likely mocked Jesus initially (in Mark's account), but one eventually recognized Jesus's innocence and asked to be remembered in his kingdom (in Luke's account). 

 The Central Truth

Every detail — from the crown of thorns to the divided garments — points to one reality: Christ is dying for sinners. 

This is God's work of salvation.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all participated in this redemptive act.

All Good Friday preaching must return to this core truth: Jesus died for you.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus