Archive for the ‘Theology’ tag
The Devil is Your Friend
300 came out on DVD today, the new film based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. It’s a pretty riveting action film inspired by the ancient battle between 300 Spartans and about 80 zillion Persians.
As much as I enjoy the film with it’s stylish action sequences, a better rendition of the story is [...]
My Higher Things homily 2007
Higher Things 2007Text: Matthew 28:1-8 (Eastertide theme)
Your sins tangle you in the web of death. You think you can get away with it, but you cannot. You think no one will know, but God sees everything. You have convinced yourself that it’s not that big a deal to look at pornography. [...]
Unapologetically Apologetic
In certain circles (namely, the circles in which I circulate) the theological discipline of apologetics often gets a bad rap. Some belittle the whole apologetic enterprise saying, “you can’t argue someone into faith.” Thus many confessional Lutherans ignore apologetics and the field is over-run by modern Evangelicals (Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, etc.) [...]
What Did the Pope Say?
There has been a lot of press recently about a statement from the Bishop of Rome about how people are saved. First of all, I think it’s important to note that Benedict XVI has said nothing new here. I continue to be amazed, frankly, that there are so many people who are surprised [...]
Apologetics Site
A man named Scott Diekmann contacted me today to inform me of his group’s website called Sound Witness. I haven’t had the chance to look at their material yet, so please don’t assume I agree with every jot and tittle. However, just from my quick glance, it looks to me like these guys [...]
Aussie Christian Wisdom
This week, I am at Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’m sitting in on a continuing education class for pastors on Leviticus. Our instructor is Dr. John Kleinig, Old Testament scholar at Australian Lutheran College.
He is quite fantastic and has me convinced that Leviticus is – by Christians – the most [...]
Mystical Union and Justification
In The Freedom of a Christian, Martin Luther expounds on how the sinner is justified and united with Christ.
The third incomparable benefit of faith is that it unites the soul with Christ as a bride is united with her bridegroom. By this mystery, the Apostle teaches, Christ and the soul become one flesh (Eph. [...]
A Sudden and Evil Death
The other day in chapel, we prayed the litany. One of the lines in this wonderful prayer is our petition asking God to save us from a sudden and evil death.
Have you ever thought about that? Don’t most people actually want to die suddenly? What’s the alternative? A slow and lingering [...]
How Merciful is God?
Oh, I was just rifling through the pockets on one of my suit coats and came across one of my ubiquitous notepads. I like to always have a pad and pen with me wherever I am so that I can take notes about whatever. I get all kinds of ideas throughout the day.
Often, [...]
Sermon on Acts 9:1-20
Third Week of Easter
April 25, 2007
Text: Acts 9:1-20
Before Paul was called Paul, he was known as Saul of Tarsus. Saul was a highly learned scholar, a Pharisee, an expert in the Law. He was also one of the earliest and more feverish opponents of Christianity. We know from the book of [...]
