Category Archives: Tradition

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 | 4 Comments

The Triumph of Family

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Matt

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to teach Genesis to the middle-schoolers at my church this year, and one of the things that’s struck me about the first few chapters is the centrality of family to God’s design. The fact … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Culture, Family, Tradition, Vocation | 2 Comments

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

Emasculating He-Man

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Matt

As a child of the 80s, He-Man was the first franchise I can remember being seriously invested in as a little boy. The appeal is obvious; it was a simple power fantasy wrapped up in the imagery of fairy tales … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Tradition | 4 Comments

Cut Off From The Land

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Matt

I’ve recently begun leading a study of Proverbs at my congregation, and was particularly stuck by the end of the 2nd chapter: So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Nationalism, Ethics, Musings, Politics, Tradition | Leave a comment

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

St. George and the Art of Dragonslaying

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Matt

About a year ago, I wrote about a very bad children’s book, The Sunflower Sword. It was a remarkably anti-masculine story, written to take little boys’ natural desire to pick up pretend swords & battle pretend dragons and neuter it … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Youth, Culture, Family, Tradition | 2 Comments

Cuties Reminds Us Why Society Needs a Well-Trained Sense of Disgust

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Matt

I have a new piece up at the Federalist today on that Cuties abomination and the nature of disgust: It’s only natural to react to this with exactly the kind of outrage that Netflix is currently reaping. Sexually exploiting children … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Family, Tradition | 2 Comments