Author Archives: Matt

About Matt

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

Domesticated Camels in Genesis not yet Confirmed by Science

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Matt

At least, that’s how a more objective headline regarding the recent findings of two Israeli archeologists might read (though I suppose one could quibble about the “yet.”) Instead we get headlines like “Is Camel Discovery the Straw the Broke the … Continue reading →

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An Extraordinary Failure

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Matt

I have, for the past few months, been teaching a comparative religion class at my church, and just this past Sunday, we began our final topic—the twin-headed religion of Atheism and Secular Humanism. Whether this is truly a religion or … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Atheism | 1 Comment

Giving Marriage the Old College Try

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Matt

I have a new piece up at the Federalist.  Long story short:  those of us who believe that marriage is essential to civilization need to do a better job of encouraging it–not to strangers through legislation or mass media, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Culture | Leave a comment

Cultural Doggie Bag – Arrow & Indiana Jones

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Matt

Sometimes I watch a movie or TV show that I want to write about, but it turns out to not have enough substance for a full blog post. At the same time, I don’t want to just throw away what … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | 1 Comment

The Fisherman’s Choice

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Matt

I was pondering a modern parable recently. I can’t remember where I first heard it, but the gist of it is this: Once upon a time, a rich businessman and his entourage visited a harbor examining some ocean-front property to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Feminism, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Three Kinds of Doubt

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Matt

Not all doubts are created equal. Dealing with doubts is part of the nature of Christian apologetics. Reasonably answering intellectual challenges to Christ’s teachings is a God-given responsibility (1 Peter 3:15). Fulfilling that responsibility well hinges on recognizing the different … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics | 7 Comments

The End of Modern Theology in England

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Matt

On May 11th, 1959, C.S. Lewis addressed the students of Westcott House, the Anglican theology school at Cambridge. They no doubt found his message to be peculiar. It was, after all the message of a Christian who believed that his … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Christian Youth, The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism | Leave a comment

Theological Pietism Part 6: Moving Forward

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Matt

So what has been accomplished after spilling so much text on the subject? Well, aside from probably offending many of my fellow confessional Lutherans whom, present appearances aside, I really do have a great deal of respect for. When writing … Continue reading →

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Theological Pietism Part 5: Saint / Sinner Nestorianism

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Matt

This criticism of theological pietism is not simply a matter of nit-picking for the sake of picking nits. There are negative spiritual consequences to a steady diet of this kind of rhetoric. To put all my cards on the table, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theological Pietism | 4 Comments

Theological Pietism Part 4: The Vivisection of God’s Word

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Matt

In Part 3, I wrote about one of the precepts that theological pietism foists on pastors: “avoid specifics.” But this is not the only man-made rule out there that ends up reaching the pulpit and trimming God’s Word at the … Continue reading →

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