Weak on Sanctification
Caleb, Scott, and Rod talk about distinguishing sanctification from justification. Rod talks about how the weak on sanctification phrase developed. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.
Contributors
Rod Rosenbladt
Dr. Rod Rosenbladt (Ph.D., University of Strasbourg), now retired, was a professor of theology at Concordia University in Irvine, California for over 30 years, and has contributed to numerous books and recorded presentations. He is also an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).
The Thinking Fellows
Most Recent
Is the Lutheran church the only one where I can expect the Gospel?
EPISODE #19: Ted asks Rod about whether Lutheran churches are the only churches where one can reasonably expect to hear the Gospel. Rod talks about how the Good News of the Gospel should be accessible in other Protestant denomination churches, regardless of doctrinal differences.
Are answered prayers proof of the truth of the Gospel?
EPISODE #18: Ted asks Rod about whether answered prayers can be trusted as proof of the truth of the Gospel. Rod talks about our temptations toward using prayers and whether they are answered as a basis to trust what Scripture says, and that we should not do that but gives the apologetic answer about where we should go for the answer.
I want to believe but when I’m close my heart just won’t go.
EPISODE #17: Ted asks Rod why some people struggle to believe the Christian claims of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection. Rod talks about the necessity of a pastor who faithfully preaches and teaches the Gospel and attending regularly even while doubting.
Church and State
The regular hosts of the Thinking Fellows are back in the studio after a long time of phone-in episodes.
Whimsically speaking, how does Christianity break the evil wizards’ spells?
EPISODE #16: Ted asks Rod about the idea that fairy tales which feature the defeating of evil by good point toward the greatest Good News ever in Jesus Christ’s Gospel. Rod speaks about the importance of hope in fairy tales and reflects on different stories and J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and what was communicated in their writings…
What if I prefer no rules instead of confession and absolution?
EPISODE #15: NEW THEME MUSIC! Ted asks Rod about why it seems easier to have no rules than to have to confess sins and receive absolution for them. Rod talks about the lie and false freedom offered by satan compared to the real demands of the law and the necessity of a true rescue, which is what we find in…
What if Christianity is about a guy who did all the work necessary to save you?
EPISODE #14: Ted asks Rod about the idea that Jesus Christ did all the work necessary for sinners to be saved. Rod talks about Jesus’ words from the cross, “It is finished.”, and what that means for sinners after the fact and how it relates to justification before a holy God.
How is Christianity not just another self-help program?
EPISODE #13: Ted asks Rod about how Christianity isn’t just another self-help program in which you rescue and improve yourself. Rod talks about how Christianity differs from other religions of the world, the evidence supporting the Christian claims, and where Christians can find assurance that God follows through on His promises.
Why do I struggle with guilt if I’m forgiven?
EPISODE #12: Ted asks Rod about why he continues to feel guilt after he’s been forgiven by his pastor. Dad talks about how important it is to have a pastor who understands how important the forgiveness of Christ is (the Gospel), and that sinners should always expect and receive the forgiveness Christ brings us in the preached Good News, and…
How does baptism tie in to assurance of salvation?
EPISODE #11: Ted asks Rod about the Lutheran understanding of baptism and how it ties to assurance for the Christian believer. Rod speaks of the passages on baptism and the concept of free will, and the means of grace and what attendees should expect to receive at a Lutheran church.
What does it mean to have someone advocate for me?
EPISODE #10: Ted asks Rod what it means to have an advocate. Rod talks about what it means to have a good father be an advocate for his child and how having someone advocate for you in our present life reflects on how Jesus advocates for us with our Heavenly Father.
Can I take comfort in infant baptism?
EPISODE #9: Ted asks Rod about the idea that we can take comfort in our infants being baptized, or if it’s just another thing we are expected to do in certain churches because we’re told to. Rod talks about why we approach this subject the way we do in Lutheran churches, and how we use it to teach our children…
How do we talk to loved ones about why we switched churches?
EPISODE #8: Ted asks Rod about dealing with the difficult situation of explaining to people close to you why you switched from a Gospelless church to a Gospel-centered one. Rod speaks about what the Christian church is for, and what we should expect to receive there, referencing Scripture about why that is important.
Why can’t I help feeling anxious?
EPISODE #7: Ted asks Rod about why when Jesus tells us not to be anxious, that doesn’t seem to help us be less anxious. Rod speaks about the struggles we sinners have and what to expect and why, and where our final comfort and assurance come from.
Can you lose your faith like losing your keys?
EPISODE #6: Ted asks Rod about the possibility of losing one’s faith, seemingly accidentally or easily. Rod addresses the struggles we Christians have and the gifts God gives us to sustain our faith, including giving us assurance.
(Episode 38) "Theological Speculation" Part 2 With Guest Dr. Rod Rosenbladt"
Welcome to Christianity on Trial, where the claims of Christianity are examined and judged by the rules of evidence as used in the court of law. Your host, Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, is a lawyer, a theologian, an author, and…
Is there any good news in the law?
EPISODE #5: Ted asks Rod whether we sinners can find any good news in the law. Rod talks about how it can come across to some listeners to receive preaching and teaching which follows a law-Gospel-law format, and why putting emphasis on the Gospel in such messages is so critical.
Does baptismal regeneration conflict with sola fide?
EPISODE #4: Ted asks Rod about whether the Lutheran position on baptismal regeneration conflicts with sola fide, or faith alone. Rod talks about where the Christian faith comes from and how that relates to baptism, as well as how our faith is maintained through our lives.
Were the Bible authors divinely inspired?
EPISODE #3: Ted talks with Rod about whether or not the authors of Scripture were divinely inspired. Rod talks about logical fallacies and the veracity of the charges made against the historical accounts in the Bible by those who have tried to debunk them.
What about apologetics in the modern church?
EPISODE #2: Ted asks Rod about Christian apologetics, what it is and about its absence in the modern church. Rod speaks about the value of apologetics, the solutions it offers, and how it aligns with Scripture. And he clarifies that the apologetic task is rooted in the historical evidence that supports the claims in the four Gospels in the New Testament.
Do we fear the freedom of Christ?
EPISODE #1: Ted asks Rod why having the freedom of Christ causes fear for believers. Dad Rod explains that we sinners like ‘to do’ lists, and Christ did away with the need for works in regard to salvation. Yet, even though sinners are free in their faith, they are tempted to impress God with their works.
Faithless to Fearless
The Thinking Fellows sit down with David Andersen to talk about his apologetic book Faithless to Fearless.
Common Objections to Christianity
Drs. Rod Rosenbladt and Scott Keith sit down with Caleb to dive to the heart of why apologetics matters.
Christian Apologetics?
On this episode, the Fellows define what Christian apologetics is as a category of theology and lay the groundwork for how to approach it.
Featured Resources
The Thinking Fellows
The Thinking Fellows is a 45 minute audio program published weekly across a host of podcasting platforms. It is hosted by Caleb Keith and Drs. Rod Rosenbladt, Scott Keith, and Adam Francisco. The Thinking Fellows shares the Gospel message by…
Christ Alone
In our postmodern, pluralistic world, there are plenty of genuinely spiritual people who consider Christ a way to heaven, or even their way to heaven, but who refuse to acknowledge Him as the only way for everyone. In their estimation…
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