Wade Johnston, Life Under the Cross: A Biography of the Reformer Matthias Flacius Illyricus, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis: MO, 2025.
This ancient “tale of two mothers” concerns far more than theological semantics—it is the difference between a God who sends and a God who comes.
This story points us from our unlikely heroes to the even more unlikely, and joyous, good news that Jesus’ birth for us was just as unlikely and unexpected.

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Few couples faced the kind of pressures they endured in their two decades of marriage prior to Martin’s death in 1546.
What I was missing—what so many are missing—is a Church that doesn’t just speak about Christ, but delivers him.
God chooses to clothe himself in promises and hides himself in his word.
“The fear of the Lord” is our heart’s awakening to and recognition of God’s outrageous goodness.
The church does not await a verdict; she proclaims one.
If you struggle with doubt, take heart: You are not alone.
On second thought: Keep Lent, but sacrifice your concept of it.
Albrech Dürer is said to have brought the Renaissance north of the Alps and perfected the mass production and distribution of images.
We are called to believe in the church even when we don’t believe in the church.
Is there a significant difference between changing your mind and doing penance? Absolutely.
Luther’s final thoughts were not meant to bum you out or lead you to despair.
What do we do with Katie Luther? What kind of historical character can we paint her to be?