In the Bible Study I attend, we’ve been covering the Augsburg Confession in preparation for the anniversary of the Reformation. We just finished discussing Article XXVII on Monastic Vows, and even though I don’t have much experience with monks or nuns, and I don’t have reason to believe I’ll have much experience in the future,…
This entire series is my 30-paged bachelor thesis I submitted to the theology department at Concordia University-Ann Arbor—a higher Lutheran education university—as part of the requirement to graduate from the Pre-Seminary programme. It has been reformatted to fit this blog. This is the first section of my paper. Go here to read the introduction. The…
I get asked this question often, and I was inevitably asked this question during my Michigan District interview as part of the process in applying for the LCMS seminary. When it comes down to it, I really just have a simple answer: Because of Jesus. Of course, that’s not a satisfactory answer for one probing at…
As you’re reading this, keep at the forefront of your mind: What is the meaning of the rainbow so far as the covenant of Christ is concerned? A little bit of exposition: after Cain killed his brother Abel, there were two lines—Cain and Seth. Cain’s line was called the sons of man, and Seth’s line…
Genesis 15:4-6, And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your…
Mark 16:11, But when they [the disciples] heard that He was alive and had been seen by her [Mary Magdalene], they would not believe it. It amazes me that the disciples—the ones closest to Jesus—did not believe He was risen from the dead, especially because He told them several times He would die and then rise on the third day.…
1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” Some would say the main difference between Christians and unbelievers is that Christians have faith whereas atheists have logic, but everyone has faith in something. Not only is…
