Category Archives: Tradition

Not That Kind of Lutheran?

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Matt

Conservative Lutherans compare ourselves to liberals like the ELCA, we’d like to think the key difference is that we adhere to timeless Biblical principles and they do not. Unfortunately, the recent reality in the LCMS does not at all live … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Lutheranism, The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism, Tradition | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Cost of Being Christian at “Christian” Schools

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Matt

As the world closes in on faithful Christians, it’s only natural that those who hold to the faith of their fathers would look to their brothers and sisters in Christ for sanctuary. After all, God’s instructions to His Church about … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Youth, Culture, Lutheranism, Politics, The Modern Church, Tradition, Vocation | 4 Comments

Cancelling the Left

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Matt

Like the old Soviet Bloc countries, America is plagued by leftists driven to punish citizens for dissenting from their doctrines. The advent of social media, however, has given them a more interesting set of means. There’s no need for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Politics, Tradition | 2 Comments

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

After Lutheranism – Part 1

Posted on July 14, 2023 by Matt

How does Lutheranism end for us? It’s taken a great deal to get me, a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, to ask myself such an ominous question. But then, these past few years have thrown an awful … Continue reading →

Posted in Chastity, Culture, Family, Lutheranism, Musings, The Modern Church, Tradition, Vocation | 16 Comments

They Will Know Us By Our Love (and Hate Us For It)

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Matt

It’s always struck me as odd that many Christians will stake their eternal souls on Jesus’ promise of forgiveness while simultaneously doubting his promise that the world would hate us on his account. In many and various ways, we expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics, The Modern Church, Theology, Tradition | 1 Comment

Contending Against Critical Theory

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Matt

In Part One, we covered what Critical Theory is. In Part Two, we covered why the danger it poses is primarily spiritual rather than merely political or cultural. If you haven’t read those posts, read them before you go any … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ethics, Feminism, Heresy, Humanism, Law, Lutheranism, Musings, Politics, The Modern Church, Theological Liberalism, Tradition, Vocation | 5 Comments

Critical Theory is Spiritual Poison

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Matt

Note: If you haven’t yet read Part 1 in this series, “Know Your Enemy: What is Critical Theory?” please do so first. Many Christian conservatives might be tempted to agree with my assessment of Critical Theory, but also relegate it … Continue reading →

Posted in Heresy, Lutheranism, Politics, The Modern Church, Theology, Tradition, Two Kingdoms | 1 Comment

The Last Confession?

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Matt

As a child, I never really “got” the Nicene Creed. It was basically just the Apostles Creed, but it took a million hundred hours longer to recite on Communion Sundays. And the second article was particularly egregious. How many different … Continue reading →

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