Matthew L. Rubinstein is a Christian writer working at the intersection of biblical and covenantal theology. Shaped by Lutheranism and integrating literary reflection and poetic attentiveness, he writes to invite readers to see Christ anew in scripture, vocation, and ordinary life. He also teaches undergraduate and graduate students in clinical laboratory science. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and children.
John Andrew Schreiner
Contributor
John Andrew Schreiner
Contributor
John Andrew Schreiner/
ContributorAs a musician, composer, arranger, and producer; John Andrew Schreiner epitomizes what it is to be a musician’s musician. His wealth and depth of experience in all aspects of music creation and production is unrivaled.
John began his musical journey at the age of 3 when he would regularly pick out tunes at the church where his father ministered, this musical fascination in his early life compounded throughout his teens and towards adulthood, resulting in the only true course and outlet for his pitch perfect creativity.
In a professional music career that has spanned over three decades John has influenced almost every genre of music, musical production, and composition, and this influence and creativity has been recognized by his peers in his 2010 Emmy award, an ASCAP award, and seven dove awards.
After several projects being compromised in production John made the decision in 2001 to create his own full service recording facility near his home in Southern California in order to take full control of the projects under his direction. Due to his consummate experience and contact list his studio quickly became the home to a truly world class installation. Many less experienced musicians, producers, and composers dabble in a pro-tools environment, but John immerses his musical experience and knowledge into a medium that complements and expands his creative input across all musical genres, applications, and audio visual production.
As a producer/arranger Schreiner: Arranged and recorded a song for Aretha Franklin in the movie remake “Miracle on 34th St”. Produced debut CD for Cambria Detken, winner of the Ellen Degeneres “Sing In My Shower” contest 2009. Produced and co-wrote “Dance with Me” with the legendary Hal David (composer of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”) as background music for Cindy Crawford's 2010 beauty infomercials. Produced Jose Feliciano for Burger King commercial. Arranged and produced numerous string arrangements for Gustavo Santaolalla with well known alternative bands Café Tacuba and Julieta Venegas.
As a musician/composer, Schreiner: - Made numerous appearances on Jay Leno, Johnny Carson, Late Show, etc. with Donna Summer, Nell Carter, Lauren Christy, and Clarence Clemons of the E street Band.
In addition to his extensive musical accomplishments John has:
- Scored numerous movies, short films, and commercials both domestically and internationally.
- Won an Emmy Composition Award for the series “Understanding Chemistry in Our World in 2010.
- Played on Dokken’s hit song “Dream Warrior”, released for Nightmare on Elm Street 3
- Played piano and synth on Don Dokken’s 2008 solo album “Up from the Ashes"
- Won the 2001 ASCAP Christian Music Award for writing the number one song “This Good Day” with Fernando Ortega.
- Written seven number one songs for Inspirational Radio.
Other credits include playing and arranging music for internationally renowned recording artists such as: - Aretha Franklin, Cher, Paula Abdul, Gary Wright, Stephanie Mills, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Rosie Flores, Henry Mancini, CeCe Winans, David Pack, Sheri Belafonte, Jose Feliciano, Amy Grant, Stewart Copeland, Stanley Clarke, John Patitucci, Larry Taylor, Joe LaBarara, Bill Liston, Buddy Miller, Fernando Ortega, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, Marilyn McCoo, Nel Carter, Hamish Stuart (of the average white band), Mandy Barnett, the Blackwood Brothers, and many, many more.
John is often asked by recording hardware and software manufacturers to advise and consult on future products, a fact that speaks volumes to his unique reputation in the business of music. John Andrew Schreiner can and will make a difference to any project no matter what is required or desired.
Jason Oakland
Contributor
Jason Oakland
Contributor
Jason Oakland/
ContributorJason Oakland is an assistant professor of theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College after serving 17 years in the parish. He is a graduate of Martin Luther College, has an MDiv and STM from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and is currently a PhD student at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He is married to Kari, and they have been blessed with a daughter, Elizabeth.
Russ Lackey
Contributor
Russ Lackey
Contributor
Russ Lackey/
Contributor
Russell Lackey pastors Mission Lutheran Church in Laguna Niguel, California, after serving as campus pastor at Grand View University. He delights in proclaiming Jesus to hearts that are both wandering and held by grace. His hope is that every person hears again that the love of God in Christ is for you.
Gage Jordan
Contributor
Gage Jordan
Contributor
Gage Jordan/
ContributorGage Jordan is the Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Dyersburg, TN. He holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies with a Pastoral Emphasis from Central Baptist College and a Masters in Theology from Lamp Theological Seminary while currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry at Birmingham Theological Seminary. Gage co-hosts the podcast Assurance of Pardon with Scott Davis and is married to Katie and has a 3-year-old daughter named Ayla Grace. He loves people and Jesus and is passionate about helping make the truth of the Scriptures accessible to everyone.
Matthew L. Rubinstein
Contributor
Matthew L. Rubinstein
Contributor
Matthew L. Rubinstein/
ContributorTanner Olson
Guest Contributor
Tanner Olson
Guest Contributor
Tanner Olson/
Guest Contributor
Tanner Olson is an author, poet, and speaker living in Nashville, TN with his wife Sarah and their dog, Pancake. The mission of Tanner’s writing is to spread hope and announce love through written and spoken word poetry. From classrooms to churches to coffee shops to conferences, Tanner has traveled the country performing poetry, delivering messages of hope, and sharing stories. You can find Tanner's work at writtentospeak.com and @writtentospeak on Instagram.
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis/
Clive Staples Lewis was a British writer and lay theologian.
Hermann Sasse
Hermann Sasse
Hermann Sasse/
Hermann Otto Erich Sasse was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, and author.
Gerhard Forde
Gerhard Forde
Gerhard Forde/
Gerhard Forde was an American Lutheran Theologian.
Ben Haupt
Guest Contributor
Ben Haupt
Guest Contributor
Ben Haupt/
Guest ContributorRev. Dr. Benjamin Haupt was recently chosen to join PLI as Global Executive Director. Ben is coming to PLI from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he served as associate provost and associate professor of Practical Theology. There, he oversaw the Seminary’s recruitment and admissions teams and liaised with the Board of Regents, the Executive Management Team, faculty and staff to accomplish the Seminary’s enrollment goals related to its residential, distance, and multiethnic Ministerial Formation programs and Advanced Studies programs. He has also been a faculty member since 2013.Ben’s areas of interest and expertise include the history of the text of the New Testament, early Christianity prior to Constantine, the intersection of church and society, 19th-century Lutheran missiology, the theology and practice of preaching, and pastoral/congregational leadership.He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Birmingham, U.K. (2019), and both a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (2011, 2005). He received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon (2000).During his M.Div. program, he studied for a year at Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. After graduation, he was installed as an associate pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church, a large congregation in Boca Raton, Fla., and served there until 2008. From 2008-13, he was the sole pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, a small congregation in Gainesville, GA.Ben is married to Celina, who works at Captain Elementary School. They have two teenage sons. He and his family are avid travelers, comics readers, theater fans, Lego-maniacs, and video gamers. Ben enjoys running, lifting and has led the Concordia Seminary Wine Society for the last 8 years.
Louis Markos
Guest Contributor
Louis Markos
Guest Contributor
Louis Markos/
Guest Contributor
Louis Markos is a Professor in English & Scholar in Residence at Houston Christian University, where he holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities. His books include Restoring Beauty: The Good, the True, and the Beautiful in the Writings of C. S. Lewis; Apologetics for the 21st Century; From Achilles to Christ; On the Shoulders of Hobbits; and Heaven and Hell: Visions of the Afterlife in the Western Poetic Tradition.
Jonathan Linebaugh
Guest Contributor
Jonathan Linebaugh
Guest Contributor
Jonathan Linebaugh/
Guest ContributorJonathan Linebaugh serves Beeson Divinity School as the Anglican Chair of Divinity. Previously, he served the University of Cambridge, where he was a professor of New Testament and a fellow of Jesus College. His research and teaching focus on the texts, contexts, and history of reading Paul’s letters, as well as the history and theology of the Reformation. Linebaugh also serves as the director of the Institute of Anglican Studies and teaches courses in New Testament, Reformation theology, and Anglican history, doctrine, and worship.
Linebaugh, an ordained minister, has had an extensive preaching and education ministry in churches throughout the worldwide Anglican communion, especially in England and North America. He also served on the Council of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Examination in Theology/Lambeth Research Degrees in Theology and is a Teaching Fellow for the Wittenberg Center for Reformation Studies. He has also served on the Board of Trustees for Ridley Hall, an evangelical theological seminary in the Church of England.
Prior to Cambridge, he was an associate professor of New Testament at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he also directed the Doctor of Ministry program in the History, Doctrine, and Worship of the English Reformation. He serves on the editorial advisory board for the Library of Pauline Studies and is a member of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas. He is the author or editor of several books, including The Word of the Cross: Reading Paul and God’s Two Words: Law and Gospel in the Lutheran and Reformed Traditions.
He is married to Megan, and they have three children: Liam, Callie, and Anna.
