Author Archives: Matt

About Matt

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

Which is Witch? Discerning Halloween

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Matt

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.

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Matt

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!

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Matt

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

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Matt

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

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Matt

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

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Matt

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

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Matt

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?

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Matt

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

Comment Spam

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Matt

This blog tends to get much more spam than legitimate comments. Some of it is easy to spot (prescription drugs, porn, etc). Other comments are a little more ambiguous. For example, highly generic comments of admiration about the post, while … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Breaking News: Lutherans not Fond of the Papacy

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Matt

It’s not often that Lutheran theology receives so much media attention. As a former member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was, by an act of journalistic aggression, publicly associated with a politically unfortunate point of … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Politics | Leave a comment