The Advent of the Word
Reflecting on the advent(s) of Christ in a year of interruptions
What Sound Does the Holy Spirit Make?
In celebration of Pentecost, we reprise two reflections by Dr. David Maxwell on the “sound” of the Holy Spirit. The first is a sound recording of a chapel sermon on Acts 2 from 2005, asking the very question, “What sound does the Holy Spirit make?”. The second is a video of Dr. Maxwell on the ..
Encouragement for Preaching Christmas
A voice from the past on preaching the gospel at Christmas…and beyond
Erik Herrmann, “Sola Fide”
The relevance of remembering the Reformation
ICYMI: Chanting Luke’s Passion
Every year now, for nearly 20 years, I have chanted one of the Synoptic passion narratives in our chapel service for the Monday of Holy Week. I have also received requests from pastors every year for a copy of my notation of the text, remembering it chanted when they were here as students. I’m always ..
He Came Down To Earth From Heaven
Welcome all wonders in one sight ! Eternity shut in a span! Summer in winter! Day in night! Heaven in earth! And God in man! Great little one, whose all-embracing birth Lifts earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to earth! (Richard Crashaw, Quem Vidistis Pastores) Adventus Domini: The coming of the Lord—it is the great theme ..
Social Media: Weaponizing the Tongue
A sermon on Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Good Beer is Likely a Mortal Sin
The following is from a “soapbox” talk at the Student Association’s “Prof n’ Stein,” a regular convivial gathering of students and professors for the sake of enjoyment, laughter, and theological levity. Corresponding to the Theological Symposium, Prof. Erik Herrmann was asked to give the soapbox on Martin Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation. September 18, 2018. Good beer is ..
Kolb Festschrift Announced: From Wittenberg to the World
This summer was the 13th International Congress of Luther Research. The Congress is generally held every 5 years, and continues be the venue for the world’s most prolific and influential Luther scholars. This year was particularly special because it coincided with the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses Against Indulgences in 1517. ..
Two Branches of One Tree: The Fellowship of Confession and Mission
The following op piece from one of our former professors could have been written yesterday. It was written in 1952. It seems like the either/or that we so often experience in our synodical fellowship today has been with us for a very long while. But Martin Franzmann has put his finger on the tragic result: our ..
Today … Paradise.
Even though our winter was mild this year, spring always seems delayed. The cold … a brief warming … cold again. It makes one ache for spring. But spring is finally here and I’m glad. The ground has warmed and the grass has greened. My family and I spent some time last week turning the soil ..
New Video Resource on the Reformation
It has been 500 years since a lone monk’s actions ignited a firestorm that changed the religious, social, and political landscape of the West. Concordia Seminary has produced a new video resource that explores how the Reformation has shaped the world around us, perhaps more than we realize. Hosted by St. Louis anchor, Sandy Miller, ..
Reading Notes: Faith Alone
Why Luther inserted the word “alone” when he translated Romans 3:28
Robert Kolb to Speak at Concordia Seminary on “Luther’s Fiercest Foes”
In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this year, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will host the final lecture in the REFORMATION500 Speaker Series at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in Werner Auditorium. The lecture, “Luther’s Fiercest Foes: Satan, Sin, the Wrath of God,” will be presented by Dr. Robert Kolb, professor emeritus of international ..
Christmas Peace
As we near Christmas, I am struck by how old the world is, how little it has changed, in spite of our celebration that a new world was beginning in a manger in Bethlehem. The reports from the news of tragedy and turmoil throughout the world continue to shout down my “Christmas cheer.” Especially the images from ..