New video reading guide for “A Case for Character”
A video companion to virtue ethics and Joel Biermann’s book “A Case for Character.”
Proper 12 • Deuteronomy 7:6-9 • July 27, 2014
Editor’s Note: The following homiletical help is adapted from Concordia Journal, January 1984. By Thomas Manteufel According to the context of this pericope, Israel was to have no fellowship or covenant with the heathen. She was to war against their blasphemous religion. In a similar way, Christians of the New Testament are to distance themselves from the ..
Day of Exegetical Reflection 2014: “Listening to God’s Word in the 21st Century”
Last November (2013) a conference was held at Oberursel in Germany that involved the faculty of the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule of the independent Lutheran church in Germany (with which the LCMS is in fellowship), SELK (Selbstständige Evangelische Lutherische Kirche), and the exegetes from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, supplemented by theologians from elsewhere in the world ..
Pastoral Formation Survey
The faculty of Concordia Seminary is in the midst of an assessment and revision process for the residential Master of Divinity, Alternate Route, and Deaconess Studies curricula, and we’d like to hear from you
Proper 11 • Isaiah 44:6–8 • July 20, 2014
By Tony Cook Isaiah 44:6–8 is nestled within a larger discourse of the chapter that glorifies the God of creation over the idols made by man, while reminding the reader that the Creator God is also a redeeming God. Below are three approaches to preaching this text. Each one utilizes the text and the surrounding context to explore different ..
Proper 10 • Isaiah 55:10–13 • July 13, 2014
By James W. Voelz Preliminary Thoughts It is easy to treat this text non- or a-historically, preaching a generalized sermon about the word of God and its power, especially in verses 10–11. Such a sermon would not be unorthodox, but it would not be textual. These four verses, as all pericopes, are situated in a context, first literarily/textually, and ..
Proper 9 • Zechariah 9:9–12 • July 6, 2014
By David Peter Context Considerations It might come as a surprise that this Old Testament text is appointed for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost when we are used to it being read on Palm Sunday. Why does it make an appearance at this time? Most likely, the reason is its thematic association with the Gospel reading, Matthew 11:25–30, in ..
Call for Papers
The Theological Symposium committee invites proposals for open sectionals during the Theological Symposium, September 23-24, 2014, “Faithful Witness to God’s Story in the World Around Us: Bringing a Unique Perspective to Our Common Human Experiences.”
Proper 8 • Jeremiah 28:5–9 • June 29, 2014
By William W. Schumacher On May 13, 1940, Winston Churchill addressed the British parliament as he was about to become prime minister. Hitler’s troops had already invaded Poland, and they had just begun their Blitzkrieg advance into France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. War was crashing upon the world as Churchill stepped into leadership. And unlike so many politicians, Churchill did ..
Summer LBI on Revelation – August 9, 2014
The next Lay Bible Institute, led by David Peter, is “Decoding the Apocalypse: Study of the Book of Revelation.”
Proper 7 • Jeremiah 20:7–13 • June 22, 2014
By Victor Raj Conflicting Messages On this day the church in worship ponders God’s “unfailing love” (gradual) and “never-failing providence” (collect). The church prays to God to put away from her all hurtful things and provide for her all things profitable. As in the prophetic words of Jeremiah, in Matthew 10 our Lord’s words ring true that the ..
Is it okay for a Christian to be “happy”?
Here is the original post: Is it okay for a Christian to be “happy”?
Faith and Writing Workshop – July 29-31, 2014
Explore creativity, communication, and faith at this three-day workshop
Holy Trinity • Genesis 1:1–2:4a • June 15, 2014
By Jason Broge As with any pericope there are a number of directions a sermon based on this text could take. When one considers the average parishioner’s familiarity with the creation account—and given that this is Trinity Sunday—one is also confronted with the reality that people will bring expectations to the service and the sermon in particular. A close reading ..
Pentecost • Numbers 11:24–30 • June 8, 2014
By William Wrede Gift giving frequently accompanies celebrations. The birth of a child, the joining of man in woman in marriage, confirmation, graduation, and the like are all occasions for giving and receiving gifts. Some gifts are received with great joy and gratitude. Some gifts have caused recipients to express gratitude while simultaneously thinking of how that gift might ..