Why I Am Still A Lutheran

An open Bible displaying text on both pages.

This coming Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday. In her book, Mind of the Maker, Dorothy L. Sayers, known for her mysteries, brings the mystery of the Trinity into focus. As the Athanasian Creed states, “We worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.” Creeds are confessionals…

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No Better Time

A sunrise over a field with an inspirational Bible verse about new creation.

The life of the Christian church here on earth draws her life from the Spirit.  In a time when hate grabs for the mind of the church, never has there been a greater opportunity to celebrate the Day of Pentecost and the ascension of Jesus. He now reigns with steadfast power as the world convulses.…

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The Folly of the Politics of Marriage

A group in a therapy session listens intently to a speaker's hand gesture.

For those males and females who are considering marriage I want to advise you that the global society in which you are now living has abandoned the Judeo-Christian ethic of marriage. The Judeo-Christian ethic of marriage implies a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman, ordained by God, and becomes the societal foundation for…

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What is a Marriage?

An open Bible rests on a wooden surface in a sunlit church.

Christoph C. L. von Pheil, wrote a hymn back in 1782 defining a home as a place where Jesus Christ is all in all! For many of us faith in Jesus Christ is like a construction project in which we do all the work. Bradley Gray wrote an interesting article on The Fullness of Life…

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An Apology on a Christian Marriage

Man in a turban holding Jesus lay down on the ground

Sola scriptura, (only scripture) is according to Lutheranism, the only authority. It is the norm of norms, the standard according to which all other standards or rules of the Christian faith are measured.  Thus, Scripture is the foundation which forms the body of Christ, the communion of saints. This body consists of many documents which…

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Marriage according to the Word of God

Two men sitting closely, one comforting the other who appears distressed.

In his blog Edward Killian brought my attention to a book entitled Dying to live by Pastor Harold L. Senkbeil.  During this season of Lent I am writing a short blog each week on the Christian marriage. The gift of sexuality between a husband and a wife whom God created as male and female was…

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Male and Female

A vibrant monarch butterfly resting on green leaves.

During this Lenten season I am writing blogs on marriage. The prophet Jeremiah writes of God’s love for us.  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 That love God showed us in His Son. And by faith in His Son Jesus, we are loved by…

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The Biblical Meaning of Marriage

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As a retired psychotherapist I would be inclined to speak of marriage in psychological terms using words and phrases that are supported by research. As a pastor, which I am, I am constrained by the Word of God to speak of marriage in terms of the Word of God. I respect the professions of each.…

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Faithful to the Word

Open book resting outdoors with sunset and wildflowers in the background.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation. Psalm 71:18 Age means nothing; truth remains forever. It is the eternal Word of God that remains.  That Word informs us that the next generation depends completely on its parents to declare to…

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The Sacred Domain of Marriage

Sunset over a calm sea with silhouetted land and clouds.

When a male and female, a husband and a wife cannot see beyond themselves, that marriage will be destroyed by their own authority. Marriage was designed to be complimentary. In her book, God’s Design for Man and Woman, Margaret Kostenberger writes that even after The Fall, God never left us. He remains the final authority…

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