Reading & Study

Concerning Christian Freedom

How free can one be? According to Martin Luther, human beings can be fully free toward God and toward one another.

Bible Study with Luther: Galatians 5:7-15

Instead of preaching the Gospel of forgiveness and salvation by grace through faith in Christ, apart from works of the Law (Gal. 3:16), the false teachers in Galatia were peddling a religion of works based on the Law.

Insights from LCMS Statistics: Reasons for Hope and Growth

What studying LCMS Baptism and Confirmation trends reveals about the state of our church body and our hope for the future.

Kingdom of the Right: Luther on the Church

Simply put, the kingdom of the right is the Church, both in earth and heaven. In Luther’s On Temporal Authority, the reformer refers to this as “the kingdom of God.”

Kingdom of the Left: Luther on Temporal Authority

Since the twentieth century, Lutherans have spoken about a “two-kingdoms” doctrine to work out the relationship between church and state.

How will the LCMS adapt when checkbooks rest in museums?

Are we asking – even expecting – an increasing number of people to use the financial equivalent of a rotary-dial phone in an era of smartphones and chip-enabled debit cards?

Formula of Concord Study: Article VI

Even during Luther’s lifetime, a strong “antinomian” (against the Law) spirit had risen up among certain theologians who claimed that, once the Gospel regenerates the heart, the Law is no longer needed.

Welcoming Questions

As we approach Reformation Day, are our churches a place where we can wrestle with questions of faith? In a time with instant access to information, the church's response to questions can help faith to grow or it can lead to isolation and uncertainty.

Lutheran Spotlight: Philipp Nicolai

If you are a Lutheran, chances are that the music of Philipp Nicolai has delighted your ears and his words have flowed joyfully from your tongue.

“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” – Hymn Feature

Luther’s Reformation hymn, “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” (LSB 655) is one of his best known compositions. When it was published in 1542, it appeared with the subtitle, “A Children’s Hymn, to be Sung Against the Two Archenemies of Christ and His Holy Church, the Pope and Turk.”[1]

A Foundation and Structure for Faith

Books are like buildings. Think of them as constructed with words and thoughts rather than with bricks and mortar.

Gathering Reflection: I Am An Echo

In Christ alone our lives echo Christ's humility. Youth demonstrated this through service at the Gathering. Continue to be an echo at home.

Solus Christus: Christ Alone

Luther said, “The cross alone is our theology.” Another way to say this is Solus Christus, or “Christ alone” saves us.

LCMS Youth Gathering Revisited

Reflecting on the 2016 LCMS Youth Gathering, giving thanks to God and asking for continued prayers.

Let the Main Thing Be the Main Thing

Who are we? We are children of God. Why are we there? Because God called us.