In Memoriam: Richard H. Warneck
Remembering the life and ministry of Concordia Seminary Professor Emeritus Richard Warneck (1935–2021)
Is God Transgender? It Helps to Know Hebrew
In all the discussion and debate over transgender issues, let’s at least get facts right
Pentecost • John 14:23–31 • May 15, 2016
By Andrew Bartelt We find ourselves at the third great festival day (LSB 489), having celebrated the resurrection and the ascension of our Lord. Our text takes us to the night he was betrayed, as Jesus anticipates what we now remember as having happened. He is preparing his disciples—and us—for resurrection life after his resurrection ..
More on the Multiethnic Symposium: (Arranged?) Marriage, Family, and Children
Is the church an arranged marriage? (Part 2 of 2)
“Communities of Hope, One Community in Christ”: Becoming a Multiethnic Church?
We just finished our fifth Multiethnic Symposium. Have we learned anything? (Part 1 of 2)
The Press of the Text: Honoring Jim Voelz
A forthcoming Festschrift to celebrate a scholar of the Greek language, the Gospel of Mark, and a glass of wine
The King is Coming! An Advent & Christmas Sermon Series
A new sermon series by Andy Bartelt based on Old Testament lessons
Proper 9 • 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 • July 5, 2015
By Andrew H. Bartelt Exegetical Notes If one has been preaching through 2 Corinthians with the lectionary, then the isagogical issues have been addressed, including the question of the number of letters and visits to the Corinthian congregation (discussions are available in commentaries and summarized in most study Bibles). This lesson skips ahead to chapter 12, where we find Paul ..
Lent 5 • Hebrews 5:1–10 • March 22, 2015
Editor’s note: The following homiletical help is adapted from Concordia Journal, September 1979. by Andrew H. Bartelt Sermon Notes 1. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews continues his discussion of the “high priesthood” of Christ (and his commentary on Psalm 110) in 4:14. The importance of the office of high priest was obvious to a ..
Proper 28 • Zephaniah 1:7–16 • November 16, 2014
By Andrew Bartelt With the end of the church year near and coming quickly, Zephaniah deepens the darkness of the “great and terrible day of Yahweh.” The pericope includes the famous Dies Irae passage of the ancient hymn by that name (TLH 607). But this is only chapter 1, which is focused against Judah (1:4). Zephaniah 2 continues ..
Matthew 18 and “in statu confessionis”
Thinking about the collegiality (or lack thereof) among the church’s pastors…
Lent 5 • Ezekiel 37:1–14 • April 6, 2014
By Andrew H. Bartelt On this Sunday before Passion Week, both Ezekiel 37 and John 11 (the gospel reading) anticipate Easter; even if not there yet we know where we are headed. Within the context of Ezekiel, the end has already come with the fall of Jerusalem reported in 33:21. The prophet’s own speech is raised from ..
These Are the Generations
Thinking about today’s ministry after installing a new pastor
Reflections on Becoming a Multi-Ethnic Church
The Multi-Ethnic Symposium just concluded (January 27-28) reminds us of the changing mission environment in which the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod seeks to be, as confessional Lutherans, a faithful witness to the visible church on earth. Whether any earthly manifestation of the kingdom of God, described in the New Testament as disciples of all nations, including those ..
Reflections on “Listening to the Word,” Part 1
We don’t need to be – and really can’t afford to be — independent islands, working only in our own contexts, cultures, and circles
Proper 24 • 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5 • October 20, 2013
By Andrew Bartelt Exegetical Comments The past two weeks have heard the apostle encourage the “next generation” (1:2) to carry on and carry out the gift of God “delegated” to him (1:6) as one of Paul’s dearest and most trusted co-workers in ministry, keeping and proclaiming the “pattern of sound words” (1:13) and confession of ..