Reading & Study

2017 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music resources

Presented by LCMS Worship, the Institute was held under the theme “The Just Live by Faith: Make it Plain in Sermon, Service, Song.”

Robert Barnes: A Lutheran Martyr in England

July 30 is the commemoration of Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. But his name might not be well known, even among those who study the Lutheran Reformation in Germany.

Lutheran Spotlight: Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach’s connection and admiration of Luther stems from his childhood; in particular, his early education. Born in 1685 in Eisenach in Thuringia, Bach spent three years at the Latin school that Luther had attended two centuries prior.

Celebrate the Reformation by Reading the Bible

Luther and others came to believe that the only thing in this world that is fully trustworthy and infallible is the Bible. It is, of course, subject to abuse, misinterpretation, and misapplication by fallen men, but it is clear and simple enough that Christians can understand it. Everyone then should be urged to read it and everyone who does so in faith will be blessed.

Christ’s Presence in the Sacrament

The presence of Christ’s body and blood in the sacrament of the altar was a matter of great debate in the early sixteenth century. Particularly in the 1520’s this question was fiercely debated among different Reformers.

Synod demographic studies offer insight despite critiques

In this blog post, I hope to offer some clarifications that will further the efforts of interested readers, as they make plans for the future of their ministries in the challenging cultural landscape of 21st-century America.

Smalcald Articles Study: The Papacy

Luther states that the papacy demands obedience to itself (to the pope) and to whatever is said from that office of pope, even to the point of tying salvation to that obedience. What is the true Gospel?

The Marriage Booklet in the Catechism

The culture increasingly maintains that marriage is man’s institution. Thus marriage can be defined according to the shifting winds of popular opinion, and ultimately government mandate. This is to rob marriage of any real objective meaning.

Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 6-8

Because we believe that this world will end and our Lord Jesus Christ “will come again to judge the living and the dead,” the world scoffs at and is hostile to what we preach. As we hold fast to the Word of God, let us consider how...

Joy in a Beleaguered Church

The LCMS might be shrinking and North American culture might be becoming more hostile toward Christianity, but hand-wringing is not a Christian ceremony. The Lord calls us to hopefulness and joy.

Preparation for the Sacrament: Christian Questions with Their Answers

St. Paul writes, “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28; ESV). Why?

Evangelism and the Mirror of the Law: What’s Your Pose?

Speaking the Gospel in love seems good and right to us. But speaking the Law in love seems like a contradiction.

Smalcald Articles Study: Chapters and Cloisters

In article III, Luther confesses how dangerous the monastic life was to him and to all ensnared by its promises of “grace through holy living;” Such reasoning robs Christ of His glory as the Savior.

It Takes the Church

The Church is in the business of pastoral formation. She expends much in forming men over the course time to shepherd the faith and life of God's people.

The Reformation of the Lutheran Church in America Today

Fast coming up on the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, what is the Reformation in its present form - right here and right now?