Category Archives: Theology

The Importance of Properly Characterizing Abuse

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Matt

I had a long Facebook conversation with a Lutheran about headship and abuse this past week. It went the way conversations challenging dominant paradigms usual go: a distinct lack of thoughtful engagement with the critique. It likewise ended the usual … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theology | 5 Comments

Keeping Jesus at Arm’s Length

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Matt

Do you want to learn from Jesus? Or do you simply want to make sure Jesus isn’t stepping on your toes? The former proceeds from faith. When you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Theology | 1 Comment

Issues Etc. & The Federalist

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Matt

If you haven’t read it yet, my latest piece at The Federalist is about the growing absence of men from Western churches in light of the contempt that they often find there. When Christians ponder the ongoing departure of men … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Feminism, The Modern Church, Theology | 2 Comments

A Missionary’s Positions

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Matt

We had a guest speaker at my church this past Sunday—a missionary who spoke to us about mission—both the specific program he oversees and the broader task of making disciples of all nations given to the Church. He gave everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theology, Tradition | 4 Comments

Babel is a Feature, not a Bug

Posted on December 18, 2017 by Matt

It’s not exactly rare for the Bible to clash with modernism. The six days of creation, the global flood, and Jonah’s fishy situation certainly upset our philosophy of science—the rules under which scientists analyze data which forbid any consideration of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Theology | 1 Comment

The 16th Century Called…

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Matt

500 years later, and the Pope still wants Lutherans to set aside doctrine for the sake of unity. According to Fox News, the Pope met with a large group of Lutherans yesterday. The message was that Lutherans and Papists should … Continue reading →

Posted in Theology | 1 Comment

Wheaton was Right: a Followup

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Matt

The Federalist ran an article of mine last week—concerning the question of whether Muslims and Christians worship the same God (spoiler warning: they don’t.) You can read it over there, but I wanted to take a moment to address some … Continue reading →

Posted in Heresy, Theology | 1 Comment

The Athanasian Creed Probably wasn’t Important, Right?

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Matt

I was all set to teach about the Athanasian Creed at church this morning—before a badly pulled back muscle prevented me from teaching at all. One of the things I planned to note was the uses of the word “catholic” … Continue reading →

Posted in Theology | Leave a comment

Why Lutherans Sing

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Matt

A few weeks ago, the adult Bible Study that I teach started a new topic:  the historic liturgy used in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.  We’ll be going through it step-by-step from beginning to end and taking an in-depth look at … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theology, Tradition | 1 Comment

Sermon: “A Hard Saying” – John 6:51-69

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Matt

My pastor required a substitute this weekend, and I was honored to be asked to preach on John 6:51-69: Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “This is a hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Gospel, Theology | 1 Comment