Reading & Study Archives

Joy in a Beleaguered Church

The LCMS might be shrinking and North American culture might be becoming more hostile toward Christianity, but hand-wringing is not a Christian ceremony. The Lord calls us to hopefulness and joy.

Preparation for the Sacrament: Christian Questions with Their Answers

St. Paul writes, “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28; ESV). Why?

Evangelism and the Mirror of the Law: What’s Your Pose?

Speaking the Gospel in love seems good and right to us. But speaking the Law in love seems like a contradiction.

Smalcald Articles Study: Chapters and Cloisters

In article III, Luther confesses how dangerous the monastic life was to him and to all ensnared by its promises of “grace through holy living;” Such reasoning robs Christ of His glory as the Savior.

It Takes the Church

The Church is in the business of pastoral formation. She expends much in forming men over the course time to shepherd the faith and life of God's people.

The Reformation of the Lutheran Church in America Today

Fast coming up on the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, what is the Reformation in its present form - right here and right now?

“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” – Hymn Feature

Theologically, this chorale is based on the work of the third Person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit (Ghost), who is expressly celebrated on the Day of Pentecost.

How Is It With You?

There is only one Church. We confess this in the communion liturgy when we say that we are lauding and magnifying God’s glorious name with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven.

Free study guide tackles despair of ‘13 Reasons Why’

The new LCMS resource — “Faith, Hope and Love: A Threefold Response to 13 Reasons Why” — examines the popular Netflix series about teen struggles and suicide.

The Resurrection of Christians in the Lutheran Confessions

In this life, we need the church, where our sins are daily and richly forgiven for the sake of Christ. The Holy Spirit crucifies the Old Adam and the body of sin every day of our lives by daily contrition and repentance.

“Faith, Hope and Love: A Threefold Response to 13 Reasons Why”

Provides a timely theological response and reflection for teenagers, young adults and grown adults.

The Method of Melanchthon’s Loci Communes

Locus is the Latin word for "place". Loci are places. And Loci Communes are common places where one may like to put things, either in the mind or in a book—organized, as if in a physical location, and easy to retrieve when needed.

Smalcald Articles Study: Invocation of the Saints

Luther says that the invocation of saints "destroys the knowledge of Christ." How would you say the invocation of saints does this? What is the consequence of such destruction?