Reading & Study Archives

Formula of Concord Study: Article V

This article considers whether the gospel is a preaching of repentance that rebukes sin and unbelief. The authors of the Formula conclude that the answer depends on what you mean by “gospel.”

“Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” – Hymn Feature

In 1523 Martin Luther wrote his first hymn for congregational use, “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” (LSB 556). It appears as the first hymn in the first published collection of Lutheran hymns, Etlich Cristlich lider of 1523/24.

Journal of Lutheran Mission – September 2016

Throughout time, the Church continues to reform and repent, dialogue and discern. This issue focuses on the community of believers who call themselves Lutheran and the confession they make as a result.

Confession and Absolution – Setting Free the Conscience

One of the chief concerns of the Lutheran Reformers was to protect the conscience of each believer from being harmed by the burdens of works-righteousness or other sorts of legalism.

Formula of Concord Study: Article IV

As we’ll study more below, the Confessors of the Formula of Concord took great care to properly define “good work” as that which flows, not unto faith and salvation, but from faith and salvation.

Bible Study with Luther: Galatians 4:21-31

The propensity of the sinner is to trust in the visible works of the Law; to place our confidence in our own deeds, rather than the saving act of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Remembering the Reformation Martyrs

Although in modern parlance, the term "martyr" has come to mean a person who suffers and dies for a cause, the original meaning of the Greek word is merely "a witness.”

Right from the beginning – Bible Study

Written to accompany the video for Erin Bode’s song “Right from the Beginning,” this Bible study teaches the truth of life as a gift from God, while facing the reality of our sinful condition, all in light of God’s love in Christ Jesus.

Formula of Concord Study: Article III

In article III, we will see how the Lutheran Confessions address and faithfully refute old and new efforts to refashion the doctrine of justification as some change within us.

Studying God’s Word: Tentatio

The Latin word is related to the English word “tension,” and means something like an “agonizing internal struggle.

Protecting Your Ministry: Synod provides legal guide amid increased intrusions

The LCMS has partnered with Alliance Defending for a downloadable manual, Protecting Your Ministry, to help congregations and schools prepare for lawsuits and other legal intrusions.

Studying God’s Word: Meditatio

For most of us, meditation seems to be antithetical to orthodox Christianity. We associate it with techniques like deep breathing, posture, and the recitation of words without content.