Author Archives: Matt

About Matt

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

Abusing Sola Scriptura

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Matt

“The Bible doesn’t say it’s wrong, so I can do it if I want to.” Unfortunately, this is a common refrain among protestants and Lutherans looking for some kind of license.  We can see this very clearly when it comes … Continue reading →

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

The President’s Shell Game

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Matt

This past Friday, President Obama announced what he called a “compromise” in his plans to forbid those Christians who recognize the moral problems surrounding contraception and abortion from putting those beliefs into practice.  This new plan, he claims, is no … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Politics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Chief of Sinners?

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Matt

Human pride can be a funny thing.  We routinely make ourselves out to be better than we truly are by whitewashing our sins and character flaws.  Of course the realization that things like pride and self-righteousness are also sinful leads … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Theology | Leave a comment

Sanctification is not the Think System

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Matt

Let’s begin by making one thing clear.  Some Christian communities apply a great deal of pressure on their members to take up the impossible task of making themselves more Christlike.  The gospel of self-improvement, of course, is not the Gospel … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Sanctification, Theological Pietism, Theology | 2 Comments

You got religion in my Jesus! You got Jesus in my religion!

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Matt

Another excellent video from Rev. Fisk, addressing a pro-jesus/anti-religion video that’s making the rounds. People who claim to love Jesus but hate organized religion and the institutional  church must keep their faith shallow and ignorant for the simple reason that … Continue reading →

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

Tales from Flyover Country

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Matt

Since I am one of Iowa’s newest residents, I suppose I should finally comment on professor of journalism Stephen Bloom’s screed against my poor benighted state.  In a nutshell, he takes about 6000 colorful words to argue that Iowans shouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | 2 Comments

Suffering or Settling?

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Matt

The suffering and persecution of Christians for the sake of Christ and the Gospel is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament.  God gave no pretense that the Christian life is one of worldly success but one of glory in … Continue reading →

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

Out with the Old

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Matt

When the New Year comes upon us, many people like to leave behind the past in favor of a fresh start.  Accordingly, I’d like to take this opportunity to discard some of the old & outdated beliefs & traditions that … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, Theological Liberalism | 1 Comment

Tim Tebow & Theological Pietism

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Matt

For those of you who, like myself, don’t follow football,  Tim Tebow is a quarterback for the Denver Broncos who is drawing a great deal of contempt from football fans because of his overt expressions of his Christian faith.  He … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theological Pietism | Leave a comment

Rick Perry’s Not Afraid to Talk About His Faith… Whatever It Is

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Matt

I try not to deal with straight-up politics on this blog, and I don’t think the upcoming election will be good for what ails us as a nation regardless of who runs/wins.  I happened to see this Perry commercial this … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment