Posts by Truth and Life
Captive to the Truth
In the past few weeks Donavon Riley has written two articles on how congregations abuse pastors and how pastors abuse congregations. Riley refers to himself as a husband, father, and a Lutheran pastor who writes for a number of organizations. Articles like this catch my eye because as a pastor and psychotherapist, these two articles…
Read MoreJesus Christ makes it possible
I am writing this blog for the benefit of generation Z and the millennialists—those who grew up at the time when words became what we wanted them to mean. The point I want to make with them is that there are words given to us that carry their own meaning from within them. The word…
Read MoreThe Holiness of God
It’s fall where we live in the pines and wherever we walk, we walk on cones and needles, a take on the expression, walking on pins a needles—a metaphor for waiting for something bad to happen like having to rake up these pine cones and needles, put them in barrels and haul them to the…
Read MoreThe Christian Church on earth
In a time when nations and people are in the throes of destroying each other a quick review of the solidarity of the Christian Church on earth and in heaven forever is in order. The Holy Christian Church on earth is the communion of saints, who believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of…
Read MoreTriumphant Faith
Jesus told His disciples that they would be rejected, persecuted and even put to death for what they believed. In spite of that grim news, the church grew because of those who were convinced that the Triune God who lived in them could not be destroyed. This is the faith that forms the foundation on…
Read MoreHelpless Obedience
Psychologist will tell you helplessness is a learned behavior. The Word of God will tell you it is mankind’s original condition before salvation came to him. The early church held that all men are sinners and can only be saved through faith given to them through Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, we preach a gospel where God…
Read MoreThe Christ of God.
The Reverend John Bombaro, a missionary of the Missouri Synod is the Assistant Director of Theological Education at the Luther Academy, Riga, Latvia, has written an article entitled Christ-centered’ Isn’t Good Enough. To openly challenge the employment of such terms as “Christ-centered:” as in Christ-centered preaching”, “Christ-centered worship”, “Christ-centered teaching”, “Christ-centered ministry”, as well as…
Read MoreStaying the Course
Recently, an old Christian friend sent me a message, an “Are you staying the course?” type of message. We attended Luther theological seminary together back in the 1950’s. By “staying the course” he meant are you still believing in the same One Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible? We’ve been reading many of the same…
Read MoreWhy Does the Church Exist?
Why does the Christian church exist? For far too many it’s a place where religious activities are conducted. Amy Mantravadi called my attention to a book written by Brad East entitled The Church: A Guide to the People of God. The church is very dear to my wife and me, something far more than a…
Read MoreThe Last Great Victory
On the 4th of July folks celebrate by remembering victories won. The 19th chapter of Revelation celebrates the last great victory humans will ever celebrate called the Lamb’s Wedding Feast. It is celebrated with shouts of “Hallelujah,” alleluia is the Greek spelling, used often in Lutheran hymns. Quite the opposite of self-glorification and the lauding…
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