Category Archives: The Modern Church

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

The Practical Apocalypse

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Matt

The problem with the way Revelation is often taught is that it makes the book mostly irrelevant to 99% of Christians throughout history. The illusion is that if you’re not alive during some specific time it describes, its an unnecessary … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, The Modern Church, Theology, Tradition | 3 Comments

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

Self-Sacrifice with Self-Respect

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Matt

It goes without saying that self-sacrifice is inherent in being a Christian in this life. Jesus Christ, of course, was the ultimate sacrifice–becoming obedient to the point of death and giving his own life as a ransom for the entire … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Family, Musings, The Modern Church, Vocation | 1 Comment

Lies, Damned Lies, and Submission

Posted on September 7, 2021 by Matt

If there’s one thing American society demonstrates, it’s how much Satan hates marriage & family. He’s all about murdering babies, defiling the marriage bed, amputating spouses from each other, cannibalizing family with government, and so forth. One of his staples … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Ethics, Family, Feminism, The Modern Church, Theology | 7 Comments

Is God’s Word Responsible For Ravi Zacharias?

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Matt

She didn’t put it in quite those terms, of course, but that’s exactly the allegation Sheila Gregoire is making in her recent article. She writes: Evangelicals are pointing fingers at “celebrity Christian culture,” blaming it for the tragic Ravi Zacharias … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Ethics, Feminism, The Modern Church | 3 Comments

Who Are Today’s Lepers?

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Matt

We hear a lot about how the church needs to reach out to the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. That shouldn’t be too surprising given our Lord’s example of ministering to the tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Gospel, The Modern Church | 2 Comments

Still Too White? Demographics as Measure of Mission

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Matt

Should church bodies be measuring the effectiveness of our evangelism based on our racial makeup? One pastor made this charge in reaction to my recent post on the subject: I consider this a confession of sin: “And that’s really where … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, The Modern Church, Theology, Tradition | 3 Comments

Is Your Church Too White?

Posted on November 2, 2020 by Matt

I’ve seen a number of individuals complain about the racial makeup of the LCMS over the past few months.  Some assert that at 98% Caucasian,  my denomination is simply too white to be an effective church body in America.  Others … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, The Modern Church, Tradition | 12 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