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: ..
Proper 22 • Luke 17:1–10 • October 2, 2016
By Rick Marrs This is a difficult text for Lutherans to hear. We are more comfortable with texts about God’s grace, and being his children and heirs of his promises, but Jesus is prone to saying things that challenge our regular metaphors, and that will increase our faith. This is also a difficult text for ..
Proper 21 • Luke 16:19–31 • September 25, 2016
By Thomas Egger It is interesting to look at different paintings inspired by this Bible story. The rich man is surrounded by friends and servants and tables furnished with food, and his gaze is fixed on one of his friends or on an alluring woman or on the platters of food. Poor Lazarus is surrounded ..
Three Questions with Mary Jane Haemig…
…before she presents at Concordia Seminary’s 2016 Theological Symposium: “From Font to Grave: Catechesis for the Lifelong Disciple” (Sept 20-21)
Proper 20 • Luke 16:1–15 • September 18, 2016
By Victor Raj Justice God’s Way I began to study this text rather carefully on tax day, April 15. Especially in that context, the theme of accounting surfaced in my mind almost instantaneously as I read along. Thoughts about managing wealth, budgeting, income and spending, and claiming deductions on tax returns could not be disregarded. ..
Proper 19 • Luke 15:1–10 • September 11, 2016
By Erik Herrmann Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” The parables of the “lost” in Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son—are perhaps the most well-known parables of ..
Proper 16 • Luke 13:22–30 • August 21, 2016
By Jeffrey Thormodson This focus of this text is about the baptized, to “those who are being saved”; verse 23 uses a present participle that identifies the hearer for whom salvation has already come. An individual in the crowd is curious, or speculating about the salvation of others and asks, “Lord will those who are ..
Proper 15 • Luke 12:49–53 (54–56) • August 14, 2016
Jeffrey A. Oschwald As if the themes of this Gospel weren’t challenge enough, two significant exegetical/translational questions must also be addressed. Luke 12:49b is “a passage of well-known difficulty, the translation of which remains doubtful.”1 Just presents the case for the translation “How I wish that it were already kindled,” but the parallels are not ..
Proper 14 • Luke 12:22–34 (35–40) • August 7, 2016
Mark Rockenbach It is always important to consider the context of the assigned readings. Therefore, look at Luke 12:16–21. Jesus tells a story about a rich man who has an abundance of earthly goods. He has so many earthly goods that he is considering a plan to tear down his current barns in order to ..
Proper 13 • Luke 12:13–21 • July 31, 2016
David I. Lewis Literary Context In the verses proceeding today’s text Jesus confronts the religious authorities about their hypocrisy (11:37–54) and then warns his disciples to be faithful in the midst of persecution (12:1–12), persecution that would come in part from those very religious authorities. Today’s pericope then follows. Here Jesus turns from the disciples ..
Proper 11 • Luke 10:38-42 • July 17, 2016
By Paul R. Raabe The Gospel lesson appointed for the ninth Sunday after Pentecost is the Mary and Martha account. It illustrates the priority of the word over food. The psalm for that day prays, “Teach me your way, O Yahweh” (Ps 27:11). That prayer expresses the desire of Mary. When tempted, Jesus himself said, ..
Proper 10 • Luke 10:25–37 • July 10, 2016
By David Peter Provided here is a sermon digest based on the parable of the Good Samaritan. The reader is free to appropriate into a sermon that which is beneficial. Focus: As those restored by Jesus, we love others by serving their needs despite the messiness and busyness of life. Introduction: Anyone who seeks to ..