Reading & Study Archives

On the Clarity of Scripture

Since Martin Luther, Lutherans have held to the clarity of Scripture, insisting that Scripture is clear. But what does that mean?

On the Sufficiency of Scripture

During the years leading up to the Reformation, the Roman papacy had convinced much of Christendom that the Scriptures were not enough to settle questions of doctrine and life.

On the Authority of Scripture

Central to the project of the Lutheran Reformation was the restoration of the supreme authority of Scripture within the life of the Church.

Lutheran Spotlight: Johann Gerhard

Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) died as a professor of theology at the University of Jena, a post he had held for twenty-one years. His popularity there was evidenced by the fact that he received and turned down over twenty calls during his time as a professor.

Journal of Lutheran Mission – August 2017

The essays focused on the role of theological education and individual catechesis.

Smalcald Article Study: Sin

A lot of people think they know what “sin” is, but usually see their remedy to sin as “try harder, do better.” This not only confuses the remedy, but also the ailment!

How The Formula of Concord Came to Be

The Formula of Concord has two parts, the Epitome and the Solid Declaration. Together, these comprise the final document of the Book of Concord (1580), or the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Bible Study with Luther: Genesis 9

The connection between the salvation given to the human race in the flood and the eternal salvation distributed in holy baptism cannot be overlooked. St. Peter writes...

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.

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.

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...