Author Archives: Matt

About Matt

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

Doing Unto Others: Misunderstanding the Golden Rule

Though it is highly controversial to publicly point to Christ’s teaching on things like divorce when indicating how we ought to live, “the golden rule” seems fair game for conservative & liberal, Christian & secularist alike.  In a sense, this … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics | Leave a comment

The Cost of Healthcare

As the economy worsens and the costs of health-care continue to rise, the confident assertions from academics and politicians that (with party X’s plan) everyone will get everything they need have dried up and discussions have shifted from whether health … Continue reading

Posted in End of Life, Ethics, Politics | Leave a comment

Which is Witch? Discerning Halloween

As Halloween comes around once again, it has inspired the usual debate over whether it is appropriate for Christians to take part in such a distinctly pagan festival.  Inasmuch as Halloween celebrates communion with dark powers, Christians are obviously obligated … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Ethics, The Modern Church, Tradition | 1 Comment

Haters Gonna Hate? Claiming _____ are not Christians.

Predictably, comments made by Rev. Robert Jeffress concerning Mitt Romney–specifically that Romney is a Mormon and therefore not a Christian–have inspired charges of that most severe and nebulous crime of the 21st century:  hate.  After all, Mormons have (recently) begun … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Heresy | 2 Comments

Let’s Remain Pure. Oops, We’re Having Sex!

An upcoming article in Relevant magazine is making the blogosphere rounds already (e.g., CNN & First Thoughts).  It would seem that multiple studies are indicating that despite all efforts by the Church, most young Christians simply are not waiting until … Continue reading

Posted in Chastity, Culture, Ethics | 2 Comments

When Science Isn’t the Best Method

Although science does have it’s worshipers–those who see it as the absolute high point of existence from which all good things proceed–most people recognize it as one tool among many.  It has been extremely useful to humanity in many respects, … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Science | 1 Comment

Patriarchy and Sexist T-Shirts

It seems J.C. Penny recently caused a small controversy with a rather ill-conceived t-shirt design.  The shirt, apparently targeted at schoolgirls, reads “I’m too pretty to do my homework so my brother has to do it for me.”   Their website … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Feminism | 1 Comment

When Movies Aren’t Bloody Enough

So the other night, I finally saw The Crow, the 1994 cult-classic starring Brandon Lee.  I found myself rather disappointed with the film by the time the credits began to roll.  Given how the typical complaint is that movies like … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Gospel, Law | Leave a comment

The “Virtue” of Moral Uncertainty

The idea that if God is dead, then anything is permitted was really only briefly popular back in modernism’s heyday.  Science’s inability to discern value in any objective or universal sense lead more honest materialistic philosophers to conclude that there … Continue reading

Posted in Apologetics, Ethics | Leave a comment

Presidents, Submit to Your Husbands?

It’s been a long time since I last posted, but somehow I’m still ending up with two (real) posts in a row about Michelle Bachmann’s theology. At the recent GOP debate, she was asked whether, as president, she would submit … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Feminism, Politics | 4 Comments