“Just a War” or “A Just War,” Placement of the Article Matters

John Kuhn Bleimaier War has been a fact of life ever since The Fall. Organized conflict between human beings is just another manifestation of our sinful nature. Recollect that in the Garden, before our ancestors decided to sample the forbidden fruit, everything was completely peaceful. Allow me to posit that if we all could completely … Continue reading “Just a War” or “A Just War,” Placement of the Article Matters

The Historic Creeds vs. Passing Theological Fads

How many Lutheran church workers made a formal vow to the Book of Concord, and then promptly start treating the Lutheran Confessions as moldy leftovers? If it lays out the divine teaching, then it can never be irrelevant—because the Scriptures are Christ’s eternal Word to be used. The issues we wrestle are not new and … Continue reading The Historic Creeds vs. Passing Theological Fads

“Why All the TVs? The Death of Attention and Our Loss of Ability to Listen”

The inability to live without the constant distraction of a TV is prevalent. On many of my visits to members or potential members I have to specifically ask for the TV to be turn off. It is taken for granted as an essential white noise for some—destroying attention span and silent reflection upon the Word … Continue reading “Why All the TVs? The Death of Attention and Our Loss of Ability to Listen”

How was David a ‘man after God’s heart’ if he was a polygamist?

One of the main dividing lines in Christianity is over David’s state before God prior to his repentance. Lutherans have historically said he was living in sin without repentance, and therefore unbelieving. Those who have different theological convictions tend to lionize the man, underplaying the great sin of adultery and murder. But despite David being … Continue reading How was David a ‘man after God’s heart’ if he was a polygamist?

Book Review: The Ends of the LCMS: Reacting to the Diagnosis of Post-Christian America and Recovering

by Joseph Beran, 2023 This book bluntly deals with the difficulties of a shrinking and fading church body—in this case the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. The first three chapters deal explicitly with the multiple downward trends evident and do not pull any punches. It is hard to disagree with the diagnosis. The deficiencies of this work … Continue reading Book Review: The Ends of the LCMS: Reacting to the Diagnosis of Post-Christian America and Recovering