The Lord's Table Will Not Be Empty
Stop and be enveloped by the unending grace of Christ and his beautiful teachings that touch every corner of life.
Contributors
Michael Berg
Michael Berg is an assistant professor of theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI. He is married to Amanda and together they have three daughters: Abigail, Noelle, and Sophia. Michael is a graduate of Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, the International Academy of Apologetics, Human Rights, and Evangelism, and Biola University.
Good Trees and Bad Trees
Jesus does not say to us, “Try really hard, and you will be better.”
Whatever is Excellent
What is supposed to be given by Christ through us for neighbor is used up by us, twisted for our righteous gain.
Missiology in the Old Testament
Welcome to Let the Bird Fly! a podcast about living freely in a world given back to us.
Truth Serves Love
Love is the ultimate gift from God. To be loved by him for all eternity is truly the ultimate goal.
Melanchthon v. Flacius with Scott Keith
On this episode Wade and Dr. Keith square off over two influential characters in the early Reformation: Philip Melanchthon and Matthias Flacius Illyricus.
Preaching at Funerals
Rev. John Bortulin comes on the show to discuss preaching at funerals.
How to Build a Universe according to Philip K. Dick
Wade and Mike sit down in the studio to discuss Philip K. Dick’s article How to Build a Universe That Doesn’t Fall Apart Two Days Later.
This is Water
On episode ONE HUNDRED (they finally did it) of Let the Bird Fly! the guys sit down (sans Ben despite their best efforts to get him there) to discuss the commencement address This is Water by David Foster Wallace.
Easter 2
Wade and Mike sit down to discuss the often forgotten celebration of the second week of Easter.
On the Commodification of People
Wade hijacks the podcast and forces Mike and Peter to discuss the commodification of people.
On Being the Wife of a Pastor
Mike and his wife Amanda have the Strong family over to their house for dinner and some podcasting. First the Berg and Strong kids talk about their favorite summer activities and favorite Easter tradition. Next the adults discuss what it…
Law & Gospel: A Lens for Life – Part 3
Wade and Peter sit down to complete their discussion on Wade’s presentation entitled Law & Gospel: A Lens for Life.
Law & Gospel: A Lens for Life – Part 2
On episode NINETY-SIX of Let the Bird Fly! Wade, Mike and Peter sit down to continue their discussion on Wade’s presentation entitled Law & Gospel: A Lens for Life
Law & Gospel: A Lens for Life – Part 1
Wade, Mike and Peter sit down to discuss a presentation Wade has been giving entitled Law & Gospel: A Lens for Life.
Rome’s Transition From Republic
Mike and Wade sit down with Professor Sheena Finnigan to discuss Rome’s transition from a republic.
LIVE – from The Point of Grace
On episode NINETY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys were invited to record at The Gathering Series, which is put on by The Point of Grace, a Milwaukee area campus ministry group.
The Four Gospel Accounts
Wade, Mike, and Peter are joined once again by Josh Seeger of Wisconsin Lutheran High School. In this episode they finally officially discuss the four Gospel accounts.
Religion ≠ Political Party
On episode NINETY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike, while in Utah, had the opportunity to sit down with Barb Munoz to discuss the difficulties and dangers of equating religion and politics.
On Creating a Hymnal
Mike sits down with Rev. Jon Micheel and Rev. Tyler Peil. Both pastors currently serve at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Taylorsville, UT. Both Rev. Micheel and Rev. Peil have been serving on a committee to create a new…
Martin Luther King Jr.
Wade and Mike sit down to discuss the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his lasting impact on America today both consciously and unconsciously.
Intro to Theology
Mike and Wade welcome back Rev. Dr. Mark Braun to discuss teaching introduction to theology, something that all three know a thing or two about.
Called to Defend
Mike and Peter welcome Valerie Locklaire to discuss apologetics and her book on the topic: Called to Defend: An Apologetics Handbook for the Middle School Student.
The Two Kingdoms
On episode EIGHTY-SIX of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome back Rev. Dr. Mark Braun from Wisconsin Lutheran College.
The Guys Get Sci-Fi
On episode EIGHTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome Dr. Joel Davis, who teaches chemistry at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Anthropology
On episode EIGHTY-FOUR of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade welcome Dr. Ned Farley to discuss Anthropology, a topic he knows more than a thing or two about.
On Christmas with Athanasius, Lewis, and Luther
On episode EIGHTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade welcome back Dr. Paul Lehninger and Rev. Greg Lyon to discuss Christmas.
The Importance of Travel
On episode EIGHTY-TWO of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome onto the show Dr. Martin Moldenhauer, who teaches on the English faculty at Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Law and Gospel (Another Pass)
On episode EIGHTY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome Rev. Kent Schaaf, who is currently serving at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI, to discuss those two chief teachings of Scripture: Law and Gospel.
Advent (Revisited)
On episode EIGHTY of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade join forces with Pastors Brian Doebler and John Bortulin to discuss the season of Advent.
Legalism Among Us
On episode SEVENTY-NINE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade hang in Wade’s backyard (this was record back when it was warm in Milwaukee still—too long ago!) to discuss an essay by J.P. Koehler, “Legalism Among Us.”…
On Being a Seminarian
On episode SEVENTY-EIGHT of Let the Bird Fly! the guys sit down with seminarians Adam Lambrecht, Chris Pflughoeft, and Tony Pflughoeft to discuss life as a seminarian.
Bo Giertz – Romans Commentary
On episode SEVENTY-SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Peter sit down with Rev. Bror Erickson at the 2018 He We Still Stand conference put on by 1517.org.
Hermann Sasse (Live Recording from HWSS Conference)
On episode SEVENTY-SIX of Let the Bird Fly! the guys are thrilled to be joined by Rev. Dr. John Pless of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, as well as by returning guest Rev. Bror Erickson.
Imago Dei
On episode SEVENTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys sit down with Rev. Adam Morton to discuss Imago Dei (or specifically what it means to be created in the image of God). The guys recorded this episode will at…
First or Second Article Christian
On episode SEVENTY-FOUR of Let the Bird Fly! the guys are all back together for the first time in a long time.
Philosophies of Music
On episode SEVENTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike welcome back Dr. Jeremy Zima, who was a guest on Episode 36, The Guys Get Music.
How Christians Should Regard Moses
On episode SEVENTY-TWO of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike meet up once again in Wade’s back yard, this time to discuss Martin Luther’s sermon How Christians Should Regard Moses. Before getting to Moses, though, Wade decides to highjack…
Missiology
On episode SEVENTY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade welcome back a guest that seems to be hanging around quite a bit lately, Rev. Brian Doebler to discuss a topic that he knows more than a thing or…
The Devil Behind the Surplice
On episode SEVENTY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade welcome back a guest that seems to be hanging around quite a bit lately, Rev. Brian Doebler to discuss a topic that he knows more than a thing or…
Forty Year-Old Pastors
On episode SIXTY-NINE of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike are joined by returning guest Rev. John Bortulin (in fact Pastor Bortulin was our first guest way back on episode 3).
Eschatology
On episode SIXTY-EIGHT of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike get together once again in Wade’s backyard, but this time to discuss Eschatology, or the “last things.”
Should We Think about Death?
On episode SIXTY-SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Peter sit down in Wade’s backyard to discuss death.
On Reading “Unsafe” Authors – Part 2
On episode SIXTY-SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Peter sit down in Wade’s backyard to discuss death.
On Reading “Unsafe” Authors – Part 1
On episode SIXTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! Wade was out-of-town, so the guys took over his office and invited back Rev. Dr. Mark Paustian.
Apologetics
On episode SIXTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! Wade was out-of-town, so the guys took over his office and invited back Rev. Dr. Mark Paustian.
Let the Bird Fly!
On episode SIXTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys sit down in Wade’s backyard to discuss the podcast.
Every Sunday Communion – Part 2
On episode SIXTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys sit down in Wade’s backyard to discuss the podcast.
Every Sunday Communion – Part 1
On episode SIXTY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys sit down in Wade’s backyard to discuss the practice of celebrating the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.
God Is Not One
On episode FIFTY-NINE of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome back Rev. Dr. Mark Braun, this time to talk about why all religions are not the same.
Preaching as a Means of Grace
On episode FIFTY-EIGHT of Let the Bird Fly! all four of the guys sit down to discuss Preaching as a Means of Grace.
Names of Jesus
On episode FIFTY-SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike sit down for a somewhat off-the-cuff episode.
The Divine Call
On episode FIFTY-SIX of Let the Bird Fly! the guys have a full house, with all four of them present, plus three guests.
Urban Education with Ben Clemons
On episode FIFTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys are pleased to welcome Prof. Benjamin Clemons into the studio to discuss urban educational ministry, something the Prof. Clemons has been thinking about and doing for many years.
The Epistle to the Galatians
On episode FIFTY-FOUR of Let the Bird Fly! Wade, Mike, and Peter sit down to discuss Paul’s epistle to the faithful in Galatia.
Teaching Theology to High Schoolers
On episode FIFTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade welcome into the studio two theology teachers to discuss teaching theology to high schoolers.
Holy Week…(and Easter 2)
On episode FIFTY-TWO of Let the Bird Fly! Rev. John Bortulin joins the guys to discuss Holy Week…and Easter 2.
With My Own Eyes
On episode FIFTY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! Rev. Bror Erickson joins the guys once again via Skype to discuss the Swedish Bishop Bo Giertz.
Bo Giertz, In Translation
On episode FIFTY of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Peter welcome Rev. Bror Erickson via Skype to discuss the Swedish Bishop Bo Giertz.
On Happiness
On episode FORTY-NINE of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike find themselves abandoned by Ben and Peter and somehow decide to talk about happiness.
On Being a District President (or Bishop)
On episode FORTY-EIGHT of Let the Bird Fly! all four of the guys are back in the studio and joined by Professor Earle Treptow from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI.
The Book of Judges
On episode FORTY-SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike are joined by Dr. Mark Braun, who kindly agreed to join us again since our previously recorded episode for this week didn’t work out.
The Season of Lent
On episode FORTY-SIX of Let the Bird Fly! Wade, Mike, and Peter sit down to discuss the season of Lent.
The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
On episode FORTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys (sans Ben) get together to discuss C.S. Lewis’ book The Four Loves.
Simul iustus et peccator
On episode FORTY-FOUR of Let the Bird Fly! the guys are all back together for the first time in a while and they take the opportunity to discuss a topic that they’ve talked about talking about for quite some time…
The Book of Deuteronomy
On episode FORTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome Dr. Mark Braun back for his fourth episode with us.
In Vino Vocation
On episode FORTY-TWO of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome the Rigge family to discuss what it’s like to open and run a winery in Minnesota.
Journalism, Culture, and Milwaukee
On episode FORTY-TWO of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome the Rigge family to discuss what it’s like to open and run a winery in Minnesota.
The Season of Epiphany
On episode FORTY of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Mike get together to discuss the season of Epiphany.
A Merry Christmas Episode
On episode THIRTY-NINE of Let the Bird Fly! Wade, Mike, and Peter are without Ben, but they are joined by EIGHT of their lovely daughters.
Luther’s Baptismal Rite (Part 2 of 2)
On episode THIRTY-EIGHT of Let the Bird Fly! the guys hold Wade off for one more episode, so that Mike and Peter can continue the discussion on Luther’s Baptismal Rite that they began with Ben on Episode 37.
Luther’s Baptismal Rite (Part 1 of 2)
On episode THIRTY-SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! the guys shake Wade once again and are able to talk about what they want to for a change.
The Guys Get Music
On episode THIRTY-SIX of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome Dr. Jeremy Zima to discuss what he discusses best: Music.
The Season of Advent
On episode THIRTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys discuss the first season in the church year: Advent. Without Ben and without a guest Mike, Wade, and Peter somehow find a way to talk for well over an hour…
The Guys Talk Holidays
On episode THIRTY-FOUR of Let the Bird Fly! the guys are all back together for the first time in a long while. Since we’re heading into the “holiday season” the guys decide to discuss the holidays: what are they, what…
Mike and Wade Talk “Worship”
On episode THIRTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Wade fly duo to talk about “Worship” or “Divine Service” or Gottesdienst or whatever you might call it.
A Reformation Postlude
On episode THIRTY-TWO of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Peter welcome back Wade, who you may know from his previous role on the splendid podcast Let the Bird Fly!
Grace in the Classroom
On episode THIRTY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! Mike and Peter stage a coup, ousting Wade, and installing themselves as permanent dictators of the podcast. Actually, Wade was just out-of-town, so for the first time you’ll get to listen to…
A Path Strewn with Sinners
On episode THIRTY of Let the Bird Fly! the guys abandon Peter, so he is forced to find something to talk about.
Black Geneva Piety
On episode TWENTY-NINE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome back Rev. Dr. Mark Braun.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
On episode TWENTY-EIGHT of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome the ever-patient Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard.
No Apologies, Apologetics
On episode TWENTY-SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome back Rev. Dr. Michael Berg (he’s getting to be so regular, we’ll have to dismiss with the formalities soon).
So, Where Are You From?
On episode TWENTY-SIX of Let the Bird Fly! the guys take another stab at self-indulgent podcasting (is that redundant?).
The Guys Get Self-Indulgent (a retrospective)
On episode TWENTY-FIVE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys take podcasting self-indulgence to a whole new level by discussing the paths that led them to join forces on Let the Bird Fly!
Talkin’ Bacon
On episode TWENTY-FOUR of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Peter meet up in the backyard with six of their nine kids, countless crickets, and even a siren or two.
The Guys Get Disease
On episode TWENTY-THREE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome Dr. James Henkel into the studio to discuss everything diseased.
Consider the Lobster
On episode TWENTY-TWO of Let the Bird Fly! Wade and Peter find themselves alone in the studio…no Ben, no guest, no kids.
History Isn’t Bunk
On episode TWENTY-ONE of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome Professor Sheena Finnigan to discuss the value of history (spoiler alert: she’s a professor of history).
Vocation – The Masks of God
On episode TWENTY of Let the Bird Fly! the guys welcome the Reverend Doctor Michael Berg to discuss the topic of vocation.
Confessing Church
On episode NINETEEN of Let the Bird Fly! the guys clear the studio and just have a good ol’ conversation with themselves (no guests or kids around this time).
The Guys Get (classically) Educated
On episode NINETEEN of Let the Bird Fly! the guys clear the studio and just have a good ol’ conversation with themselves (no guests or kids around this time).
Beware the Sky is Falling!
On episode SEVENTEEN of Let the Bird Fly! Wade breaks out on his own providing an expanded discussion of his blog post Beware the Fearmonger.
We’re All Gonna Die: Ars moriendi
On episode SEVENTEEN of Let the Bird Fly! Wade breaks out on his own providing an expanded discussion of his blog post Beware the Fearmonger.
The Guys Get Witchcraft
On episode FIFTEEN of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome Dr. Aaron Palmer, who holds his M.A. in History from Marquette University and his Ph.D. in History from Georgetown University.
A Tale of Two Synods
On episode FOURTEEN of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome Dr. Mark Braun back to discuss Lutheranism in America, and especially the split between the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (and, as Professor Teigen would point…
The Guys Talk Being Dads
On episode THIRTEEN of Let the Bird Fly! the guys are all back together again with a couple of Wade’s children joining them in the studio.
An Uncompromising Gospel
On episode TWELVE of Let the Bird Fly! Peter takes the reigns and welcomes into the studio professor, pastor, softball coach, and author Wade Johnston to discuss Dr. Johnston’s recently published book An Uncompromising Gospel: Lutheranism’s First Identity Crisis and…
Law and Gospel (A first pass)
On episode ELEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! the guys make a first pass at that central question of Christian theology: Law and Gospel.
The Festival of Pentecost
On episode TEN of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome Rev. Tyler Peil back (via Skype) for the second part of our two-part series.
Ascended to be Nearer to Us
On episode NINE of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome Rev. Tyler Peil via Skype for a two-part series to discuss the Ascension of our Lord and Pentecost.
The Guys Get Maths (and Nick possibly jeopardizes his future)
On episode SEVEN of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome Dr. Kristi Meyer to discuss math…or maths…well, numbers, or actually Dr. Meyer says, math without numbers.
The Guys Get Physics (and Ally takes a stand against baby eating)
On episode SIX of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome Dr. Kerry Kuehn to discuss science, and in particular physics.
The Time Between the Testaments
On episode Five of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome Dr. Mark Braun to discuss the intertestamental period.
Stepping Outside the Fortress
On episode four of Let the Bird Fly! we discuss crossing disciplines and engaging those outside our circles (whatever those circles might be) along with the benefits and the dangers that presents.
Holy Week from the Pulpit and the Pew
On episode three of Let the Bird Fly! we welcome our first (adult) guest, Rev. John Bortulin, to discuss Holy Week from the pulpit and the pew, touching on topics such as Passion Sunday and the Triduum.
The Human Condition
On episode TWO of Let the Bird Fly! we discuss time-zones, naps, recess, the story of the Fall in Genesis 3, the Human Condition, and probably far too much Kierkegaard.
Let the Bird Fly!
Welcome to Let the Bird Fly! a podcast about living freely in a world given back to us.