Luther’s use of Scripture to challenge the pope came to a climax in the early summer of 1519 when Luther and the renowned theologian John Eck met face to face in Leipzig to debate the main topics of contention raised by the Wittenberg theologians.
LCMS Worship provides suggestions for liturgy, psalms, readings, hymns and collects to use during 2017 midweek Advent services.
Many events were set in motion by Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses on October 31st, 1517, but ironically, not the very thing he intended. The 95 Theses were meant for theological debate, a debate that never occurred. Any expectation of a lively academic disputation was consumed by a firestorm that reached far beyond Wittenberg and Germany to the pope himself.
This month’s Life Together News Digest focuses on 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
While we often think of repentance being poorly understood because of Papist emphasis on man’s efforts, the Reformers (and we still to this day) also recognized that many are burdened in conscience by the notion that Christians shouldn’t need to repent.
The burning of the bull was not something Luther did lightly, or with great pomp necessarily. He later told his friend and superior Johann von Staupitz that he did this while “trembling and praying.”
Read the latest about religious liberty issues affecting Christian service members in our nation’s military and how LCMS military chaplains, the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces and some religious liberty advocates are making a difference.
Through the Gospel our Lord Jesus Christ works faith in the hearts of men and causes them to be saved. This Luther realized and thus advocated for the tireless and ceaseless bringing of the Gospel to the people.
Located on the banks of the Elbe River, Hartenfels is not only an impressive Renaissance castle on the outside, but inside contains a jewel of the Reformation: the first newly constructed Lutheran church in the world!
The Large and Small Catechisms of Dr. Luther were born of pastoral necessity. In 1528, Luther and his colleagues visited the congregations in Saxony to assess their spiritual health. Luther was horrified.
LCMS Stewardship Ministry discusses how steward leaders can best communicate to their congregations’ members that stewardship is more than the church begging for more money.
A great experience was had by many at the 2017 Lutherans in Black Ministry Family Convocation this summer in Birmingham, Ala. More than 500 people attended the event, coming together “All for Jesus” to worship Him in Word, in Sacrament, and with hymns and spiritual songs.
Luther says of the Genesis 12:1, “Therefore this passage is important as proof for the doctrine of grace over against the worth of merits and works, which reason extols so highly.
As Western Christians celebrate the church festival of St. Michael and All Angels (also known as Michaelmas) during this season, it is fitting to explore the topics of interest regarding angels that occupied the thoughts of the Reformers—namely, their existence and how they intervene on God’s behalf in the lives of Christians—and examine what the Church actually confesses concerning these creatures as taught from Holy Scripture.
The LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces newsletter highlights the story of Dr. Martin Luther, the Lutheran Reformation and its impact on those who serve God and country in the military.