Posts by Truth and Life

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…