Who forgives sins?
There are some who would say that the authority to forgive sins belongs to the office of the ministry. That is, only pastors can forgive sins. I’d like to...
Category: Uncategorized
“This is the doctrine of the entire Holy Scripture” (Martin Luther on the faith of Jacob)
In the Worldwide Bible Class this morning we covered a remarkable portion of Luther’s Genesis commentary. Here’s the context. Jacob is returning to ...
On New Year’s Resolutions
I wrote the following about New Year’s Resolutions and Time and Repentance last year (2022). Reposting here for your consideration and edification. 1/ Res...
The Boomerang Paradox
“You can’t hit happiness by aiming for it.” I’ve been reflecting on this little truism for a few months now, and I think it unlocks a bunch of Biblical truths.....
Notes on Chiliasm (Dispensationalism)
Pr Theodore Engelder published as series of five articles against Dispensationalism (which he called Chiliasm) from March to July of 1935. John Stephenson right...
Lord, Teach Us to Pray (a media book on the Lord’s Prayer)
Here’s a new book that I’m particularly excited about: Lord, Teach Us to Pray, with Video Footnotes. The text is Martin Luther’s explanation o...
Martin Luther’s description of Faith
This is stunning. Taken from his Preface to the Book of Romans, but quoted here from the Formula of Concord IV.10-12, Luther’s description of faith is stu...
JOHANN VAN DEN ESSCHEN and HEINRICH VOS: The First Lutheran Martyrs
Pr. Jerome Gernander (of Hope Lutheran Church, ELS, Leander, TX) reminded me that this month is the 500th anniversary of the martyrdom of Esschen and Vos, the f...
Wordsworth’s New Testament Commentary
Christopher Wordsworth (nephew of William Wordsworth) was an Anglican Bishop, hymn writer, and Bible Scholar. I’ve found his commentary especially helpful and i...
Comfort for Those Tending to the Lord’s Littlest Sheep
Back in 2015 Keri (Mrs. Wolfmueller) wrote a series of three articles to encourage parents with little children in church. These three articles have been very h...
A few theses on the Divine Estate of Marriage in a Divided World.
These theses were written by Pastor Warren Graff (retired, in New Mexico), in response to recent Twitter conversations about race and marriage. Like all theses,...
Luther on God’s Governance of the World
Here is some fantastic insight from Luther on how God governs the lowly. Furthermore, God’s presence in this most humble kind of life should be recognized. Like...
Bach’s St. John’s Passion, A Quick-Start Guide
Bach’s St. John’s Passion is a musical setting of John 18-19 (with two verses from Matthew inserted), interspersed with chorales (Lutheran Hymns) and original a...
Five Critical Questions about Living Together Before Marriage (and Chastity)
The Bible speaks clearly about marriage and chastity. The Christian is appointed by the Lord to pursue the virtue of chastity, to honor the great gift of marria...
Filioque: Seven Proofs
In the Nicene Creed, the western church confesses that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. The eastern churches do not. This is a point of lon...
Christmas Meditation: The Marvel of the Angels (with help from Luther)
Luther on Jacob’s Ladder, this is great Christmas preaching! But what is this ascent and descent? I reply that it is this very mystery that in one and the same....
Give Thanks 2023 Calendar
The theme for the Around the Word 2023 calendar is “Give Thanks.” Combining classic Christian art with Bible passages about Thanksgiving, this calen...
Twelve Thanksgiving Texts
Download a pdf of twelve Thanksgiving Text cards here:
Creation Conference 2022 Media
On November 5, 2022, Dr Joel Heck and I lectured on creation topics. You can find the audio and handouts of the sessions here. “The Importance of Beginnin...