The Legacy of Martin Luther's Father, Hans Luther
By Amy Mantravadi
08/12/26
18mins

The Legacy of Martin Luther's Father, Hans Luther

But while scholars are right to focus on the bond between Martin and Hans, the evidence of Martin’s own words suggests their relationship may not have been as troubled as some suppose. For Hans Luther was not a cartoon villain but a normal human being attempting to make his way in the world and raise his children to the best of his ability.
Judge Not!
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
08/10/26

Judge Not!

Jesus offers something infinitely better. He tells us to put down our gavel—not because sin isn't real, but because the only Judge who has the right to condemn is the very One who was condemned for us.
Reclaiming God’s Playground: Poetry, Truth, and the Christian Imagination
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
08/06/26

Reclaiming God’s Playground: Poetry, Truth, and the Christian Imagination

From creative storytelling (see any of Jesus’ parables) to hymn-singing to poetry slams, God’s revelation refuses the confines of any single genre. The world beyond the wardrobe demands some serious attention, and Christians are uniquely qualified to give it just that.

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Jason Lane
Jason Lane
10/28/18

Epistle: 1 John 3:1-3 (All Saints Day)

The striking truth of this festival is not that the church remembers the saints who have gone before us, even though we rightly chime the bells and speak the names of those who in the past year have flown away (Ps. 90:10). The real joy of this day is that those who have departed are counted together with us as the church and we are counted together with them.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
10/24/18

The Gospel is Only for Consumers

Perhaps the answer to creating a healthier church and a more invested people is found in preaching more clearly the full freeing Gospel.
Jason Lane
Jason Lane
10/21/18

Epistle: Romans 3:19-28 (Reformation Observed)

The Feast of the Reformation affords preachers a special opportunity to catechize on the doctrine of justification by faith. It is also a perfect week for us to read through Romans in full for our devotions. It is an opportunity to hear again those marvelous words of absolution and sins forgiven and to recognize a righteousness which is revealed apart from the Law (Rom. 3:21); our need for absolution must be very great.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
10/21/18

Gospel: John 8:31-36 (Reformation Observed)

So, in keeping with Mark’s focus on discipleship this Fall, your Reformation Sunday sermon on John 8 might reflect on what it means to be a disciple. As you proclaim the commands and promises of Christ, you might invite your hearers not only to believe his Word, but also to abide in it. To hear and mediate on his promises in the various ways he delivers them.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/12/18

Whose Bones are Buried Beneath the Cross?

Let’s take a walk together. And as we do, I’ll tell you a mystery.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
10/09/18

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know

I have been very busy lately, trying to understand things.
John W. Hoyum
John W. Hoyum
10/08/18

The Law, Between Fear and Freedom

What we notice less often is that this same fear wonders about both the efficacy of the Gospel and the Law.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/04/18

What's Love Got to Do with It?

Love is the sum of the law. Love God with all your heart, spirit, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. That means that if love can't be done when it needs to be done then get rid of the law, because it's not lawful.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
10/03/18

Getting Saved, Doing Nothing

We are saved by grace, and strictly speaking, not by an offer.
Haroldo Camacho
Haroldo Camacho
10/01/18

The Abandoned

As I write this, I wonder if perhaps I am stretching things a bit thinking that it would be relevant to a considerably more sophisticated audience. Perhaps we already know the Gospel, that we are all sinners.
Jake Allstaedt
Jake Allstaedt
09/28/18

It Never Depended Upon You

I visited a senior man at his home the other day. I'll refer to him as “Jim.”
Tate Barber
Tate Barber
09/27/18

I May Not Be A Smart Man, But I Know What The Gospel Is

I am not a good Lutheran. I have only been around reformation theology for a few years.
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