Podcast Overview

Author

424: Kleinig - The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Divine Service

01/16/26

8 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

In this episode, we learn about the Holy Spirit and the Divine Service from Dr. John Kleinig. In particular, we discuss how Christ gives the Spirit to the church through his word, how Christ institutes the divine service and empowers it with God’s Spirit, and how the church receives the Holy Spirit by faith in God’s word as it is proclaimed and enacted in the divine service. The conversation revolves around the central question: How then can we be sure that the Spirit is at work in our worship?
- Holy Spirit
- Liturgy
- Worship
- Faith
Has Lutheranism Failed?

01/11/26

5 mins

By Caleb Keith | Adam Francisco | Bruce Hillman | Scott Keith

Has Lutheranism Failed? In this episode, the Thinking Fellows discuss the purpose and aim of the church to examine if Lutheranism in America has failed.
423: Graff - Rationalism's war on everything "magical."

01/09/26

8 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Who Made Who. In this episode, Gillespie takes the wheel and steers us into tradition, liturgy, worship styles, and the various “-isms” that have sprung up within the churches over the centuries. What’s the purpose of the Divine Service? What is the fundamental meaning of Christian meaning? Have we jettisoned mystery for sensible explanations that find no seat pulled out for them in God’s house? Is Christian worship, polity, and piety about what we know, experience, feel, or conformity to specific doctrines? Why is the old magic not welcome amongst sensible worshippers? What’s the place of hymns, prayers, preaching, and Scripture in Christian worship? Is liturgy a delivery mechanism or a tool?
419: C.S. Lewis - All that Christianity adds to Paganism is the cure

12/05/25

9 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Pagan Neart, Christian Soul. In this episode, we read C.S. Lewis’ “A Christmas Sermon for Pagans.” Why does the post-Christian person need to become pagan again to be prepared to hear the gospel? How has a mechanistic view of nature led us to kill each other? Why do we reject the good news that Jesus ended the need for guilt-offerings, sin-sacrifices, and fear about the afterlife? What happened as a consequence of moderns pushing heavenly truth out of the material world? What is the message of Christmas that offers a cure for all that ails us?
Why Do Christians Sing Hymns? | Dr. Steve Mueller, Concordia University Irvine

10/02/25

5 mins

By Scott Keith | Caleb Keith

Singing is one of the most recognizable parts of Christian worship. But why do Christians sing hymns?
- Hymns
- God's Word
- Liturgy
- Worship
On Apathy and Excuses

09/10/25

4 mins

By Adam Francisco | David Andersen

David and Adam discuss religious apathy and the excuses people give for avoiding church.
406: Giertz - The Parish Church

08/30/25

9 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Take Me to Church. In this episode, we read Bo Giertz’s "Christ’s Church: Her Biblical Roots, Her Dramatic History, Her Saving Presence, Her Glorious Future." The Church, who is she? What kind of life is present within the church walls? Who wants to understand that life better and know more about it? We read Christ's Church and take you on a walk from her biblical roots toward her glorious future.
Lost in Interpretation (Acts 2:1-24 and 1 Corinthians 14:1-5)

08/28/25

5 mins

By Scott Keith | Daniel Emery Price

In this episode of Tough Texts, Scott Keith and Daniel Price dive into the often misunderstood topic of speaking in tongues, focusing on Acts 2:1-24 and 1 Corinthians 14:1-5.
Peter's packed pericope for pastors

08/28/25

4 mins

By Craig Donofrio | Troy Neujahr

Peter--the apostle--exhorts pastors to be humble, and he leads by example.
- Ministry of the Church
- Humility
The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: “Why Do We Do That”? A Liturgical Mailbag

08/23/25

6 mins

By Dan van Voorhis

Weekend Edition for August 23-24, 2025
Tips on suffering well for the positionally righteous

07/23/25

4 mins

By Troy Neujahr | Craig Donofrio

How can we be righteous even in the face of evil?
Church without God

06/18/25

4 mins

By Adam Francisco | David Andersen

David and Adam discuss a recent CBS show from its State of Spirituality series, which examines how atheists and agnostics are creating communities with their own set of rituals that often mimic Christian ones. You can find the show here.