Category Archives: Lutheranism

What We Have In Common

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Matt

As diversity continues its work of assassinating American common ground, it’s no surprise that American churches are struggling with the issue of race & nation as it pertains to their faith. Christianity is, of course, a universal religion rather than … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Ethics, Lutheranism, Politics, Two Kingdoms, Vocation | 4 Comments

Defeating Ourselves Through Cowardice

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Matt

It seems the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod dropped a new doctrinal statement on male and female roles recently. While I’m LCMS rather than WELS, I was naturally curious about what a Lutheran denomination with a conservative reputation had to say about … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Feminism, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theology | 6 Comments

The Lutheran Tone Police

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Matt

One of the most common ways of dismissing substantive criticism is to complain about its “tone.” If only it were said less antagonistically, more lovingly, more sensitively, etc., then it might be possible for them to listen thoughtfully. But it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Lutheranism, Theology | 2 Comments

When Service Becomes Vainglory

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Matt

As a sin becomes more ubiquitous in a culture, its appropriate name seems to become more elusive in language.  “Fornication,” for example, is an everyday sin, but not a word you hear every day in the West. “Usury” is likewise … Continue reading →

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

Do We Even Have Religious Leaders?

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Matt

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has released an updated version of it’s statement on vaccine mandates. and once again it’s a tepid attempt at taking no position at all. At best, it is naïve and tone-deaf. At worst, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Lutheranism, The Modern Church | 11 Comments

A Call to Repentance from Australia

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Matt

The entire Covid situation has presented everyone with a lot of hard questions.  But Christians should often be asking more and different questions than the world asks. I received a great document written by Rev. Dr.  Michael Lockwood of the Lutheran … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Law, Lutheranism, Theology | Leave a comment

A Lutheran Case for Religious Exemption

Posted on September 14, 2021 by Matt

Religious exemptions aren’t the long-term solution to the tyrannical vaccine mandates, but for some families, they may be what keeps a roof overhead and food on the table in the short-term. I’ve been frustrated that the LCMS has thus far … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Law, Lutheranism, Politics, Theology, Tradition | 22 Comments

By Whose Authority? Mask Mandates in the Church

Posted on August 17, 2021 by Matt

Now that Covid is resurging and our cultural fixtures continue to promote fear above all else, Christian congregations are naturally considering whether to re-impose masks and even vaccine requirements at their services. Last year, most churches blindly stumbled their way … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, Law, Lutheranism, Theology, Tradition | 6 Comments

The New Man Grows

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Matt

Is there anything for a Christian to do in this life? It’s an odd question, but one I greatly struggled with in the past as I imbibed a peculiar corruption of Lutheranism. Certainly, there is nothing for us to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, Law, Lutheranism, Sanctification, Theological Pietism, Theology | 5 Comments

Why Do We Have Church?

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Matt

As the saying goes, you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone. It’s a lesson many Christians are becoming painfully aware of as their local congregations are caught up in the various shutdowns and quarantines. We deeply desire to … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Tradition | 2 Comments