Category Archives: Lutheranism

Only a Pharisee Would Object to Women Teaching?

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Matt

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

On Lutheran Women and the Writing of Books

Posted on October 18, 2022 by Matt

A Lesson from History In the mid-20th century, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod had a problem that came to be called “Gospel Reductionism.” Modernism had long been waging a fearsome war against Christianity. The academic style from the Enlightenment onward had … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism, Theology, Tradition, Vocation | 6 Comments

What We Have In Common

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Matt

As diversity continues its work of assassinating American common ground, it’s no surprise that American churches are struggling with the issue of race & nation as it pertains to their faith. Christianity is, of course, a universal religion rather than … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Ethics, Lutheranism, Politics, Two Kingdoms, Vocation | 4 Comments

Defeating Ourselves Through Cowardice

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Matt

It seems the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod dropped a new doctrinal statement on male and female roles recently. While I’m LCMS rather than WELS, I was naturally curious about what a Lutheran denomination with a conservative reputation had to say about … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Feminism, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theology | 6 Comments

The Lutheran Tone Police

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Matt

One of the most common ways of dismissing substantive criticism is to complain about its “tone.” If only it were said less antagonistically, more lovingly, more sensitively, etc., then it might be possible for them to listen thoughtfully. But it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Lutheranism, Theology | 2 Comments

When Service Becomes Vainglory

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Matt

As a sin becomes more ubiquitous in a culture, its appropriate name seems to become more elusive in language.  “Fornication,” for example, is an everyday sin, but not a word you hear every day in the West. “Usury” is likewise … Continue reading →

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

Do We Even Have Religious Leaders?

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Matt

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has released an updated version of it’s statement on vaccine mandates. and once again it’s a tepid attempt at taking no position at all. At best, it is naïve and tone-deaf. At worst, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Lutheranism, The Modern Church | 11 Comments

A Call to Repentance from Australia

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Matt

The entire Covid situation has presented everyone with a lot of hard questions.  But Christians should often be asking more and different questions than the world asks. I received a great document written by Rev. Dr.  Michael Lockwood of the Lutheran … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Law, Lutheranism, Theology | Leave a comment

A Lutheran Case for Religious Exemption

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Matt

Religious exemptions aren’t the long-term solution to the tyrannical vaccine mandates, but for some families, they may be what keeps a roof overhead and food on the table in the short-term. I’ve been frustrated that the LCMS has thus far … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Law, Lutheranism, Politics, Theology, Tradition | 22 Comments

By Whose Authority? Mask Mandates in the Church

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Matt

Now that Covid is resurging and our cultural fixtures continue to promote fear above all else, Christian congregations are naturally considering whether to re-impose masks and even vaccine requirements at their services. Last year, most churches blindly stumbled their way … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, Law, Lutheranism, Theology, Tradition | 6 Comments