Category Archives: Ethics

Do Conservatives Need to Work With the Other Side?

Does the right need to work with liberals to accomplish its goals? I’ve heard this contention repeatedly from moderates and conservatives who still find some form of national divorce unthinkable. Usually, it’s intended to explain why they can’t support Donald … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Ethics, Politics | 3 Comments

Loving God’s Law After Lutheranism

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Heresy, Law, Lutheranism, Sanctification, The Modern Church, Theological Pietism, Theology, Tradition | 9 Comments

Moral Wisdom vs Adding to God’s Law

“Where does it say that in the Bible?” When it comes to learning God’s Law, it can be a great question when asked in good faith–when one seeks Scriptural warrant for doctrinal assertions out of curiosity or skepticism or a … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Law, Lutheranism, The Modern Church | 5 Comments

The Sin of Partiality Explained

Partiality in judging is not good. Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right” will be cursed by people, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Law, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theology | Leave a comment

Contending Against Critical Theory

In Part One, we covered what Critical Theory is. In Part Two, we covered why the danger it poses is primarily spiritual rather than merely political or cultural. If you haven’t read those posts, read them before you go any … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Feminism, Heresy, Humanism, Law, Lutheranism, Musings, Politics, The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism, Tradition, Vocation | 5 Comments

Does Context Avert the Large Cataclysm?

Of all of the Lutheran Confessions, Luther’s Large Catechism is my favorite. Yes, the Augsburg Confession has more historical and theological significance, but as a layperson, the two catechisms were written specifically for the formation of my faith and as … Continue reading

Posted in Chastity, Ethics, Law, Lutheranism, Theology | 4 Comments

Them’s Fightin’ Words

Say what you will about the brutality of dueling, at least it was a mechanism which reminded men that their words have value–that they can be worth fighting over. As we sit and lament cancel culture, it may be tempting … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Musings, The Modern Church | 3 Comments

Silencing God

Arguments from silence are generally recognized as being weak, proceeding as they do from a lack of evidence rather than an abundance. But the most pathetic form of this argument–the weakling among weaklings–is when you actually have to create the … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Chastity, Culture, Ethics, Feminism, Law, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theology | 7 Comments

Who Told You to be Offended?

Back in the day, I spent about seven years living in one of America’s most comically liberal cities. It wasn’t Portland, but it was very much like Portland. It even had the same slogans about keeping the city weird and citizens … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Ethics, Feminism, Natural Law, Politics, The Modern Church, Vocation | 10 Comments

Only a Pharisee Would Object to Women Teaching?

My recent blog post, “On Lutheran Women and the Writing of Books” found a considerably larger audience than usual. One of the things I appreciate most when that happens is that such posts also generate more pushback. I usually get … Continue reading

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