Am I Really Included?
Any conception that contends that Jesus only died for some sinners turns the gospel into an uncertain message for everyone.
Contributors
Steven A. Hein
Dr. Steven A. Hein serves as Director of the Concordia Institute for Christian Studies, an organization that offers auxiliary educational services to Christian gatherings across the country and the leadership of Lutheran Churches in West Africa. Dr. Hein also serves as an affiliate professor of theology at Concordia University, Chicago and the Institute of Lutheran Theology. He is the author of, "Christian Life: Cross or Glory?" and "You Can Give an Answer: A Study in Christian Apologetics."
Christ in You, Christ for You
The distinction between Christ-for-you and Christ-in-you can present a misleading dichotomy.
When You Can't Forget
In truth, forgetting transgressions has little to do with forgiving others who wrong us.
Without a Doubt
Thomas was without a doubt a skeptic. And he was a skeptic without a doubt.
After Epiphany: The Rest of the Story
Epiphany teaches us that when God’s peace advances, spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness does not decline. It increases.
The Song of Zechariah
Zechariah’s prophecy about John’s ministry also comes to us in the fullness of our time.
The Christian Life: Cross or Glory
Here We Still Stand is an annual three-day event, designed to center your faith in Christ for you, based in the Scriptural truths rediscovered in the Reformation. It's an invitation to celebrate the gospel truths reclaimed in the Reformation and a call to incite a modern Reformation under the banner of the finished work of Christ. It is a three…
Getting Saved, Doing Nothing
We are saved by grace, and strictly speaking, not by an offer.
Truth is Hard
In order to shore up wavering faith commitments, both for the disciples and for us today, Jesus used His actions during a day’s worth of ministry to evidence the hard truth about His Messianic identity.
Taking the Lowest Seat
The first course is always humble pie because, at the table, there are just two seats: from humiliation to exaltation.
Outrageous Grace
Exemplified here are two misunderstandings about the forgiveness and graciousness of God among some Christians.
God’s Last Word
The Gospel predominates when hearers receive the saving gifts of Christ as God’s final word to them.
Christ’s Seventh Word From the Cross: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”
So, on this Good Friday, our sinful self and all our sins rest with Jesus here in His tomb. Our transgressions are fully atoned.
A Good Day to Die
Every day for the baptized is a good day to die."
Mary's Joy, For a Song
What comes to us at Christmas is not a great seasonal bargain to enhance our happy holidays. It is the priceless gift of God’s Son.
A Purpose Driven Devil
The Devil cultivates fear of God and promotes motivation and zeal for outward works and earthly virtue out of pure eternal self-concern.
Unsavory Grace From and Unsavory Lord
The cross presents us a radically different standard. In God’s justice executed in the cross of Christ, nobody gets what they deserve.
About Preaching Good Works
Proper preaching of good works is never for our encouragement.
Fathers, Don’t Let Them Die
You have suffered your son to come unto Jesus; but fathers, don’t let him die!
Our Redeemer Lives, and So Will You
The story of Christ crucified has a happy ending. Jesus has conquered the grave. He beat the death rap.
Giving Up Something For Lent?
What would be a fitting thing to give up, especially during the season of Lent?
Christmas is Bigger on the Inside
“It’s bigger on the inside” is not only an evocative literary device, it is also a phrase heavy laden with Good News found in the true story of Christianity, especially at Christmas.
Behold The King Israel Never Expected
We have heard of the man born to be king. Here in Bethlehem, by divine condescension, the King—the King of kings—is born to be man.
Human Depravity: The Doctrine on which Justification Stands or Falls
Lose trust in the free grace of the righteousness of Christ alone, and the holiness of the Church and all in her is lost.
Tacking to Glory
You cannot fudge Glory in this life. You get there only on the Better Day that is coming and not one day before.
The Not-So-Empty Tomb of Jesus
Should we consider the tomb of Jesus completely empty, or just somewhat empty?
Being Lured Away From Justification
There is an unfortunate, but familiar pilgrimage that entirely too many have taken—servants who have offered strong confession and service in the pure Gospel, but who then have doctrinally gone astray.
Justification: You Have It All, But You Always Need More
To be justified means to be declared righteous in the forgiveness that is ours in the crucified Christ. It is a done deal, and by faith we have it all.
Christians Have A Secret: Good Works
Just how should we think about our good works in the Christian life of faith as we live that life before others... and before God?