John W. Hoyum Luther’s most jarring words concerning the law are contained in How Christians Should Regard Moses […]
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Black Friday. The holiest sacrament of capitalism, where the faithful descend like vultures on a carcass. A nationwide […]
Above all things, I most affectionately and for God’s sake beseech all, who see or desire to observe […]
July 26th of last year, my world came to a shattering halt. My very much loved husband of […]
In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. “How are we to live […]
By – John W. Hoyum
A kind of revisionist history has come to surround the issue of “radical Lutheranism,” taking aim especially at the theology of Gerhard Forde. Forde’s work has been particularly notable in recent years for his interpretation of Luther’s law-gospel distinction, the theology of the cross, and the relevance of proclamation for Christian theology. Unfortunately, Forde’s contribution has become a symbol of encroaching liberalism in confessional Lutheran circles. Yet this narrative of blaming Forde isn’t quite accurate. An examination of the origins of “radical Lutheranism” and the details of Forde’s own background will, I hope, help to set the record straight.
Recently, Lutheran scholar John Bombaro wrote a powerful article for 1517.org here. Within, he argues that those who are justified in Christ have had their superficial and shallow identities replaced with the historical occurrence of their own baptisms and are free to love as Christ loves. Pursuits that aim to re-justify a self-image of virtue, therefore, are expressions of a Christian seeking to shackle themselves again to a law that does not fit and will not acquit. “The Christian is free from asinine, self-defined religion, of course, but also the dictates and pressures of every political, social, and ideological agenda the world has to offer.” Amen and amen.
Lost among recent headlines of pandemics and riots, we seem to have missed several stories that may have been big news at any other time. But finally, Ringside is attacking this major worldwide issue…are there aliens in space? And almost more importantly, will Rev. Ross Engel be the first Space Force Chaplain?
Dear friend, in your Baptism you entered into brotherhood with Christ, with all the angels, saints, and Christians on earth. Hold to this fraternity, and live up to its demands, and you have brotherhoods enough. - Luther
Christianity is nothing but the constant practicing of this passage, namely, being convinced that you have no sin although you have sinned, that your sins rest on Christ, who is the eternal Savior from sin, death and hell. - M. Luther
"The promises of God give what the commands of God ask, and fulfill what the law prescribes, that all things may be of God alone, both the commands and the fulfilling of the commands. He alone commands, He also alone fulfills." - Martin Luther, On Christian Liberty
The article of justification must be sounded in our ears incessantly because the frailty of our flesh will not permit us to take hold of it perfectly and to believe it with all our heart.” ― Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians
By Cindy Koch – I am often exhausted after church. I used to think it was because I […]
By Andrew Belt – “Pastor? Will I recognize my loved ones in Heaven?” A good question and a […]
By Dennis Matyas – Many have and will undertake an account of the recent synodical convention in Tampa. […]
By Andrew Belt – In C. S. Lewis’ books The Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan creates the world by […]
By Karl Strenge – The language we used in the proper preface for the Ascension reminded us that […]
By Dennis Matyas – News reached me last week of the closing of a church. This church was […]
By James Hopkins – Here’s one of the things I heard while the Cathedral of Notre Dame was […]
By Marc Engelhardt –
Everything we have covered thus far highlights how wonderful sex is and that it is a gift from God. At the same time, it highlights how destructive sex can be for people when used outside the intentions for which God gifted it. It can be very discouraging to know that bonding ourselves to people through a misuse of sex will change our reality and who we are. What’s worse is that even if we were ignorant of the truth about sex we typically can’t blame anyone but ourselves for our choices. This can lead to discouraging depression.