199: Weil - We Humiliate Ourselves Before False Gods
Idol Talk. In this episode, we return to Simone Weil’s book, Gravity and Grace. Idolatry is the topic of conversation. What is an idol? In what ways does idolatry infiltrate our churches, and what are the consequences? How do we…
198: Simone Weil - The Cross
Into The Mystic. In this episode, we read and discuss the crucifixion as interpreted by Simone Weil, an anarchist, philosopher, and mystic.
197b: Leo the Great - Use Lent for general improvement in the whole round of Christian duties
The Right Man for The Job. In this episode, we finish reading and discussing Leo the Great’s Lenten sermon about Christ’s two natures. What happens when the old Adam adds to Scripture’s witness to Jesus’ two natures?
197a: Leo the Great - All the actions of Christ reveal the presence of the twofold nature
God Really Bodies Our Salvation. In this episode, we read and discuss a Lenten sermon from Leo the Great. What happens when the two natures of Christ are divided?
196b: Luther - Paul cuts out all merit and gives glory only to God
Grace Means Never Having to Try Harder. In this episode, Martin Luther’s comments on the letter to the Galatians regarding God’s mercy and predestination.
196a: Luther - I was forgiven only by God’s boundless grace
The stunning truth about God’s grace. In this episode, Luther’s comments about Galatians 1:15. What do we do when it’s revealed God chooses to be gracious to us while we are wicked and blasphemous?
195b: Luther - Mesmerized by the wizardry of the devil
You’re A Wizard, Lucifer!In this episode, Martin Luther continues to commentate on the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians, and his question, “Who has bewitched you...?”
195a: Luther - Ancient serpent bewitches not only the senses but also the mind with false and evil thinking
Satan Rules The World, And Is It’s God. In this episode, Martin Luther expands on the apostle Paul’s question to the Galatians, “Who has bewitched your...?”
194b: Luther - Our knowledge of God is merely passive
Just Sit Back and Let It Happen.In this episode, we continue our reading of Martin Luther’s Galatians lectures. This week, passive faith, internalizing virtue, and the law of the jungle.
194a: Luther - God’s will is to bless all nations... through Christ
Free Will Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be. In this episode, more from Luther’s Galatians lectures. This week, God’s will, free will, identity, and taking the moral low ground.
193b: Luther - Christ has made us free, not civilly, not physically, but divinely
Free For It All.This week on the podcast, we continue our Lenten series on Christian freedom in Martin Luther’s Galatians lectures. In this episode, Gospel, Satan, and competing freedoms.
193a: Luther - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free
Lent Is About Freedom.In this episode, we read Martin Luther’s 1525 Galatians commentary. Why is freedom a vulgar word to the old Adam? And we consider why freedom must be Lent's primary focus for Christians.
192b: Solzhenitsyn - Never knowingly support lies!
A spirit of timidity and a Spirit of courage. In this episode, we conclude our reading of Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s Live Not By Lies. What happens when the church chooses a spirit of timidity in order to spare itself affliction? Also…
192a: Solzhenitsyn - “I am Violence! Make way, step aside, I will crush you!”
How Quickly They Forget. In this episode, we continue to read Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s Live Not By Lies. What happens when the church takes the easy path of learned helplessness?
191b: Solzhenitsyn - We lie to ourselves for assurance
Gag me with a spoon. In this episode, part two of Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s essay, “Live Not by The Lies.” We consider herd mentality, our fear of standing up to unjust authority, and the secular indoctrination that infects the church.
191a: Solzhenitsyn - Things have almost reached rock bottom
Lies Taste Like Wonder-bread. In this episode, part one of Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s essay, “Live Not by The Lies.” We discuss the two kingdoms, the need for Christ alone with no additives, and the importance of having an ethos.
190: Kennedy - The Gospel deals with all of life, because it comes to heal the whole man
Keep it Spiritual, Keep it Safe. In this episode, the conclusion to our discussion of Gerald Kennedy’s sermon, Communism in the Churches. Should churches mind their own business in regards to social and cultural matters? What happens when churches and…
189: Kennedy - A Christian stands for truth even when it hurts the most
White Bread with Bologna and Propaganda Spread. In this episode, we continue reading a sermon preached by Bishop Gerald Kennedy, on Communism in Churches (c. 1960). The discussion focuses on whether propaganda is more important than the truth.
188: Kennedy - This communist doctrine that God is something we can take or leave
Religion is Extra Important. In this episode, is religion an extra? How has the communist doctrine on religion influenced our society and the churches? When is it time for churches to preach against society, and to what end?
187: Gerald Kennedy - Contentiousness is not listed as Christian virtue
Red Dawn in the Church. In this episode, a sermon by Bishop Gerald Kennedy on communism in the churches. What did it mean in 1960, and what does it mean today, that religion is an opiate?
186: Christmas During the Civil War
Can We Just Have A Civil Christmas? In the episode, what was Christmas like during the Civil War? Puritans, holiday traditions, and why the Church is an incarnate Church.
185: Christmas after the Enlightenment
Have Yourself A Very Enlightened Christmas. In this episode, an examination of the impact of the Enlightenment on the Church, especially the preaching and traditions of Advent and Christmas.
184: Bowler - Christmas in Nazi Germany
It’s Christmas in Germany for Hitler. In this episode, a historical examination of Christmas in Germany during the Nazi regime, including new hymns, advent calendars, the emergence of Wotan, and Hitler’s Silent Night.
183: Sasse - The secular and the spiritual are indeed to be dearly distinguished
A shelter from pigs on the wing... In this episode, how do Christians interface with a godless state, love our neighbors without being complicit in promoting sin, and maintain the tension between the two kingdoms?
182: Sasse - The office of the governing authority belongs to God’s created order
You Know Who Else Misunderstood The Kingdom of God? Hitler! In this episode, we read Herman Sasse’s 1930 essay on The Social Doctrine of the Augsburg Confession and its Significance for the Present. We discuss the two kingdoms doctrine, peoples’…
