On The Line

Rev. Ian Kinney, a Lutheran pastor and teacher for Memento, guides men in reclaiming historic Christian disciplines. He discusses fasting as training to mortify the flesh, Lent as spiritual preparation, how fasting uncovers hidden sins, and the role of small fraternities, accountability, and seasonal feasting in sustained devotion.

Stefan Gramatzki, a Lutheran pastor and liturgical scholar recovering historic worship treasures for English speakers. He explores Lutheranism as a recovery of the ancient Church, the value of historic liturgy and lectionaries, hymnody’s continuity with the past, reviving Latin chant and sacred music, and the aims of the Lutheran Missal Project.

Dr. Louis Markos, a veteran English professor and scholar of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, explores how reason and imagination unite Greek and Christian traditions. He traces myth, beauty, and virtue as antidotes to modern reductionism. Conversations range from Tolkien’s Shire and good versus bad magic to Lewis’s moral formation, science’s limits, and the role of imagination in discovery and faith.

Join us at the long table as we hear the story of persecution and faith in Nigeria, where thousands of Christians have been killed for confessing Christ. Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi bears witness to the cost of discipleship, the power of forgiveness, and the hope that endures even amid genocide.About Today’s GuestArchbishop Benjamin Kwashi is a global Anglican leader and former Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria, known for his courageous witness during periods of persecution. For decade,s he has led churches, built schools, and cared for orphans across northern Nigeria while speaking internationally on the plight of Christians in Africa. A survivor of multiple assassination attempts, Archbishop Kwashi continues to proclaim the gospel with unshakable faith—believing, as he says, that “the gospel is worth living for, and the gospel is worth dying for.”🔗 Stay Connected with Us📷 Instagram: @otl_podcast_📘 Facebook: facebook.com/onthelinepod𝕏 Twitter/X: @otl_podcast_Check Out Our New Website: https://ontheline.net/Support the Launch of LIT: https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/Contact Bryan: bryan.stecker@ontheline.netSend us Fan Mail

Join us at the long table as we retrace the forgotten corners of American religion, from frontier revivalism and folk magic to the birth of Mormonism, and ask what these movements reveal about faith, authority, and the hunger for revelation in every age.About Today’s GuestRev. Willie Grills is a pastor in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and co-host of A Brief History of Power with Dr. Adam Koontz. Known for his vivid storytelling and historical insight, he explores how theology, history, and culture intertwine in shaping the Church’s witness. With a background in both pastoral ministry and American religious history, Pastor Grills brings clarity, humor, and perspective to the strange and fascinating landscape of faith in America.Check Out Our New Website: https://ontheline.net/Support the Launch of LIT: https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/Contact Bryan: bryan.stecker@ontheline.netSend us Fan Mail

Evan Scamman, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and passionate advocate for confessional Lutheranism, shares his journey from Pentecostalism to embracing Lutheran liturgy. He discusses the importance of maintaining tradition amid modern trends and explains how infant baptism reflects God's grace, emphasizing its necessity and power. Evan addresses objections to infant baptism and highlights the comfort of Lutheran theology in difficult times. He also urges valuing historic worship practices as vital for nurturing faith in the next generation.

Dr. Jared Longshore, a pastor and political theologian, dives into America's historical roots as a Christian nation. He challenges the myth of secular neutrality and argues that the founders envisioned a civic framework rooted in Christianity. Longshore traces the shift away from ordered liberty to modern autonomy and discusses the importance of the family unit in shaping civil society. He advocates for a strong Christian presence in public life, calling for renewed commitment to covenantal marriage and family duties.

Dr. Angus Menuge, a professor of philosophy specializing in personhood and technology, explores the depths of consciousness and the limitations of materialism. He critiques reductionist views on love and how these philosophies can devalue human dignity. Angus warns against the dangers of overreliance on AI and the erosion of human skills, emphasizing the ethical implications of transhumanism. He invokes C.S. Lewis’ insights to highlight the necessity of prioritizing human relationships over technology and encourages a return to God-ordered values.

Join us at St. John's Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin, as we talk about resilience in the pastoral life, the discipline of daily habits, and the courage to face adversity—not as exceptions to the Christian life, but as God’s very means of shaping His people for faithfulness and strength.About Today’s Guest:Rev. Jason Braaten is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tuscola, Illinois, and podcast host. A confessional Lutheran voice with a heart for liturgy and pastoral care, he brings insight into sanctification, vocation, and the daily practices that sustain faith. Through parish ministry, podcasting, and teaching, Pastor Braaten encourages Christians to embrace both the gifts and the demands of life under the cross.Check Out Our New Website: https://ontheline.net/Support the Launch of LIT: https://institute.ontheline.net/donation/Contact Bryan: bryan.stecker@ontheline.net🔗 Stay Connected with Us📷 Instagram: @otl_podcast_📘 Facebook: facebook.com/onthelinepod𝕏 Twitter/X: @otl_podcast_Send us Fan Mail

Dr. John Bombaro, Lutheran pastor, naval officer, and theologian who writes on Christology and liturgy, explains how Christ shapes theology, worship, and the church. He discusses Scripture as encounter, sacraments as Christ’s concrete self-giving, the need to re-center liturgy on Communion, Eucharist’s role in cosmic redemption, and why regular Mass and sacramental practice matter.