Preaching: Taking the Saved Seriously
Why do we preach to the baptized as if they weren’t Christian?
Preaching: Taking the Scriptures Seriously
If Law and Gospel is to truly be at the heart of preaching, then it calls for more than a boilerplate Law-then-Gospel structure
2015 Theological Symposium Videos
Better late than never…videos of presentations around the theme, “In Remembrance of Me: Memory and the Life of Faith.” (Videos from 2016 Theological Symposium coming soon.)
Preaching: Taking the First Article Seriously
Preaching the whole Word of God to the whole person – and people – of God
Concordia Journal, Fall 2016
The digital edition of the Fall 2016 CONCORDIA JOURNAL, featuring articles by James Prothro, Glenn Fluegge, Abjar Bakhou, Matthew Rosebrock, and Jeff Gibbs on preaching Matthew
Making More of Gospel Metaphors
…aka, preaching the whole can of worms
Preaching Matthew
Jeff Gibbs on how to preach the Gospel of Matthew during the upcoming church year (Series A)
Proper 29 • Luke 23:27–43 • November 20, 2016
By Mark A. Seifrid The drama of the text unfolds in three acts. The first act is the way of the cross with Jesus’s word to the women who followed him on the way. The second act is the crucifixion at the place called “Skull.” The third act is the mocking of Jesus. Yet amidst the ..
Proper 28 • Luke 21:5–28 • November 13, 2016
By David Adams The Text as Text The text of this account in Luke’s gospel is well-attested, and there is no variant that is so problematic as to demand serious consideration. In v. 19 the future tense κτησεσθε occurs in many manuscripts in place of the the eclectic text’s aorist κτήσασθε. It is thought more likely ..
All Saints’ Day • Matthew 5:1–12 • November 6, 2016
By Joel Elowsky Crowds are always following Jesus looking for something. These crowds come from everywhere, not just the locals, and they’re filled with expectation. He always takes their expectations and transforms them into something more significant than they perhaps knew they needed. His Sermon on the Mount is a classic example. He ascends a mountain ..
Reformation Day • John 8:31–36 • October 30, 2016
By Travis J. Scholl Commemorating the sixteenth-century events that came to be called the Protestant Reformation is more complicated than it used to be. Triumphalism—a certain weirdly coiffed presidential candidate notwithstanding—is no longer in vogue. We left it behind in favor of our more cosmopolitan sensibilities. Moreover, the drop in religious literacy has further problematized our ..
Book Blurbs: Robert Kolb on Luther’s use of Scripture
Robert Kolb discusses his forthcoming book Martin Luther and the Enduring Word of God
Proper 25 • Luke 18:9–17 • October 23, 2016
By David Schmitt Textual Notes In this reading, Jesus moves from the world of the imagination, where he tells a parable (vv. 9–14), to the world of his ministry, where he blesses children (vv. 15–17). Both of these worlds are joined by a common problem and a common theme. The common problem is contempt for others, ..
Meet the Professor: Peter Nafzger
Prof. Peter Nafzger teaches in the practical theology department, with a focus on homiletics (preaching)
Proper 24 • Luke 18:1–8 • October 16, 2016
By Kent Burreson The Persistent Church and the Long-suffering Lord O Spirit, who didst once restore Thy Church that it might be again The bringer of good news to men, Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more, That in these gray and latter days There may be those whose life is praise, Each life a ..
Proper 23 • Luke 17:11–19 • October 9, 2016
By Dale A. Meyer This text speaks to our faith within the context of a changed America, a churched nation in our youth but now a country that gives the church no special privilege. This sermon can probe, perhaps uncomfortably, parishioners’ faith, and do so with an eye toward more faithful community outreach. About the text: ..