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.)
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 ..
Easter 7 • John 17:20–26 • May 8, 2016
By Rick Marrs Background Our text is the end of Jesus’s High Priestly Prayer. Parts of the rest of this prayer, 17:1– 19, are texts for the same Sunday in different years (John 17:1-11 in Series A and John 17:11b-19 in Series B), so the preacher may want to familiarize the hearers with the salient parts ..
The Symposium Line Up: Day 2
The FYI for the second day of Concordia Seminary’s 2015 Theological Symposium, “In Remembrance of Me: Memory and the Life of Faith,” September 22-23
Proper 13 • Ephesians 4:1–16 • August 2, 2015
By Rick Marrs Paul has regaled the Ephesians with rich spiritual blessings they have in Christ (Eph 1), how both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace alone through faith alone (Eph 2), how the mystery of the gospel has been revealed by the Spirit through the very human apostles and prophets; Paul then prays for spiritual strength ..
Proper 27 • Amos 5:18–24 • November 9, 2014
By Rick Marrs The words of the first writing prophet, Amos, come to us only five times in the three-year lectionary, and only once during the Series A year in this pericope. It is paired with important New Testament eschatological readings of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (a frequent funeral sermon text) and Matthew 25:1–13 (the parable of the Ten Virgins) which ..
Proper 28 • 2 Thessalonians 3:(1–5) 6–13 • November 17, 2013
By Rick Marrs Since becoming a seminary professor, I have been unpleasantly surprised at the number of lay people who have told me that they do not believe their parish pastor is working very hard. Note that this is their perception, and is not necessarily truth. They have said things like, “Our pastor preaches and teaches on Sunday ..
Proper 27 • 1 Kings 17:8–16 • November 11, 2012
By Rick Marrs The kingdoms of Israel and Judah had been in spiritual decline for two centuries. Starting with Solomon’s syncretism (1 Kgs 11) and the division of the kingdom (1 Kgs 12), Israel was ruled by a whole series of kings who worshipped impotent idols. Even one of the LORD’s prophets who confronted a ..
A glimpse into the past (and future?) of the LCMS
Did German Lutherans in America wait too long to start speaking English?
Epiphany 4 • Deuteronomy 18:15–20 • January 29, 2012
by Rick Marrs When considering each text for preaching, pastors are called upon to ponder how the law of that text is speaking to the pastor as well as to the parishioners who will hear his sermon. In this case, the law of verse 20 (“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my ..
Faculty travels – October 2011
Check out this list to see if a Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, professor is traveling near you
What would you like your local Baptist Christian counselor to understand?
Many Lutheran pastors find it challenging to know who to refer their beloved parishioners to for psychological, marital, or family counseling. If you had 30 minutes to engage a local non-Lutheran counselor in your area, what would you say?
Christ-Centered Christian Counseling – Part 2
New thoughts from Rick Marrs as he writes his new book “Making Christian Counseling More Christ-Centered.” Here, he discusses law-gospel distinctions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and depression
Christ-Centered Pastoral Counseling
New Book Project from Prof. Rick Marrs
Walter Koehler’s classic is back: read the new foreword
A new edition of Walter Koehler’s classic book COUNSELING AND CONFESSION is out, with new introduction by Rick Marrs. Plus, read here Harold Senkbeil’s new foreword to the book
The Resurrection of our Lord • Matthew 28:1–10 • April 24, 2011
By Rick Marrs Proclaiming the gospel on Easter is a joy-filled challenge. This is the big Sunday in which everyone coming expects dynamic, joyous music and an outstanding, memorable sermon. It is, after all, the resurrection of Jesus Christ we’re celebrating! But the preacher’s hearers are of many types. The regular members, perhaps a little ..