Author Archives: Matt

About Matt

Software engineer by trade; lay theologian by nature; Lutheran by grace.

Do Conservatives Need to Work With the Other Side?

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Matt

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

What is the Postwar Consensus?

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Matt

If you’ve ever borne witness to argument’s between Christian Nationalists and their opponents on the right, you’ve probably come across disparaging references to “the postwar consensus” from time to time. But what does it really mean? Put simply, it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Culture, Natural Law, Politics, The Modern Church | Leave a comment

Facing Wokeism as a Church  (After Lutheranism Part 4)

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Matt

As I wrote when I started this “After Lutheranism” series, one of the greatest threats to American church bodies is our ongoing failure to adequately oppose the progressive social justice agenda or “wokeism.” Indeed, the recent events surrounding our now … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Politics, The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism, Theological Pietism, Theology, Tradition, Vocation | 9 Comments

Loving God’s Law After Lutheranism

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Matt

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

Forming Christian Families – After Lutheranism Part 2

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Matt

Any discussion of a future for Lutherans after Lutheran denominations pass away must begin with God’s first instructions to humanity: Be fruitful and multiply. Practically speaking, our rejection of God’s command in Genesis 1 is the most significant proximate cause of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Christian Youth, Culture, Family, Lutheranism, The Modern Church | 9 Comments

After Lutheranism – Part 1

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Matt

How does Lutheranism end for us? It’s taken a great deal to get me, a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, to ask myself such an ominous question. But then, these past few years have thrown an awful … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Culture, Family, Lutheranism, Musings, The Modern Church, Tradition, Vocation | 16 Comments

Scouring America’s Shire

Posted on June 26, 2023 by Matt

An often overlooked sequence in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is the ‘Scouring of the Shire.’ After the Ring is destroyed, Sauron is defeated, Aragorn claims his throne, and all the more epic plot points have been resolved, the hobbits … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Musings, Politics, Vocation | 6 Comments

Moral Wisdom vs Adding to God’s Law

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Matt

“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

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Matt

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

They Will Know Us By Our Love (and Hate Us For It)

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Matt

It’s always struck me as odd that many Christians will stake their eternal souls on Jesus’ promise of forgiveness while simultaneously doubting his promise that the world would hate us on his account. In many and various ways, we expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, The Modern Church, Theology, Tradition | 1 Comment