Category Archives: Theological Pietism

Whether Voters, Too, Can Be Saved

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Matt

Ever since the Fall, the evil impulses of man’s heart have needed to be restrained, lest wickedness proliferate among us. In His mercy, God sent Jesus Christ to die on our behalf, providing whoever believes in Him with the eternal … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Ethics, Family, Law, Natural Law, Politics, The Modern Church, Theological Pietism, Two Kingdoms, Vocation | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Facing Wokeism as a Church  (After Lutheranism Part 4)

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Matt

As I wrote when I started this “After Lutheranism” series, one of the greatest threats to American church bodies is our ongoing failure to adequately oppose the progressive social justice agenda or “wokeism.” Indeed, the recent events surrounding our now … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Politics, The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism, Theological Pietism, Theology, Tradition, Vocation | 9 Comments

Loving God’s Law After Lutheranism

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Matt

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Heresy, Law, Lutheranism, Sanctification, The Modern Church, Theological Pietism, Theology, Tradition | 9 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

When Devotionals Attack

Posted on January 3, 2019 by Matt

I have a confession to make: I’ve never been a big fan of devotionals. As instructional material, I usually find them both shallow and unnecessarily flowery. As inspirational material, they usually feel emotionally manipulative. And as material that is supposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, Law, Lutheranism, Theological Liberalism, Theological Pietism, Theology | 8 Comments

Probably Because You Aren’t Preaching It

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Matt

At least, that’s my best guess after reading Why Are You Asking For More Law? In it, a Lutheran pastor briefly recounts a time when he was approached by some scare-quoted “pillars of the congregation” who were scare-quoted “very concerned” … Continue reading →

Posted in Gospel, Law, Lutheranism, Theological Pietism | 1 Comment

Theological Pietism Part 6: Moving Forward

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Matt

So what has been accomplished after spilling so much text on the subject? Well, aside from probably offending many of my fellow confessional Lutherans whom, present appearances aside, I really do have a great deal of respect for. When writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theological Pietism | Leave a comment

Theological Pietism Part 5: Saint / Sinner Nestorianism

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Matt

This criticism of theological pietism is not simply a matter of nit-picking for the sake of picking nits. There are negative spiritual consequences to a steady diet of this kind of rhetoric. To put all my cards on the table, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theological Pietism | 4 Comments

Theological Pietism Part 4: The Vivisection of God’s Word

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Matt

In Part 3, I wrote about one of the precepts that theological pietism foists on pastors: “avoid specifics.” But this is not the only man-made rule out there that ends up reaching the pulpit and trimming God’s Word at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theological Pietism | Leave a comment

Theological Pietism Part 3: Theological Pietism in the Pulpit

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Matt

As unfortunate and ridiculous as moralistic incidents like those recorded in Part 2 are, they remain only the shallow disapproval of men. The biggest dangers of theological pietism only become apparent when it makes its way into preaching and theological … Continue reading →

Posted in Lutheranism, Theological Pietism | 1 Comment