Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Tim Heinecke, pastor of New Life Lutheran Church in Hugo, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study James 3.Even those who have a true, saving faith that is lived out in good works and love toward one’s neighbor, can still run into trouble living as they should. One of the most challenging things for people to do is control their tongue! With the things we say we can lead others astray, hurt others, and destroy relationships. Therefore, we need temper our speech with God’s wisdom, but what does that look like?Thy Strong Word dips back into the New Testament for a week only with a careful examination of the Epistle of Saint James. Once called an “epistle of straw” by Martin Luther, many think this meant he thought this letter was not fit for Scripture. Not so! In this brief series, each chapter will be explored to reveal not only how important the Apostle James’ inspired message was for the Christians of his day, but how much we need to learn its lessons today.

Rev. Gem Gabriel, pastor of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in New London, CT, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study James 2.St. James covers two important topics in this part of his letter. Namely, the issue of showing favoritism and the necessity of living out one’s faith by doing good works. Evidently, both had been problems in the early church, as they are today. James teaches whether rich or poor, or any other division mankind can conjure, all people have equal access to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. True faith, a gift of God, can be recognized by the fruit it produces: good works which serves one’s neighbor. Examine yourself: are you putting your faith into action?Thy Strong Word dips back into the New Testament for a week only with a careful examination of the Epistle of Saint James. Once called an “epistle of straw” by Martin Luther, many think this meant he thought this letter was not fit for Scripture. Not so! In this brief series, each chapter will be explored to reveal not only how important the Apostle James’ inspired message was for the Christians of his day, but how much we need to learn its lessons today.

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’ Shalom in St. Louis, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study James 1.The Epistle of St. James has been called the “Proverbs” of the New Testament. Like Proverbs, James’ letter is loosely structured. It’s organized like a list of helpful instructions on Christian living—inspired by the Holy Spirit! In this first chapter, the Apostle wastes no time getting to the point: let trials strengthen your faith, seek wisdom from God, and do good works in keeping with your calling. James’ epistle is not without its controversy. Martin Luther described the book of James as an “epistle of straw,” but did that mean he thought it should remove from the Bible?Thy Strong Word dips back into the New Testament for a week only with a careful examination of the Epistle of Saint James. Once called an “epistle of straw” by Martin Luther, many think this meant he thought this letter was not fit for Scripture. Not so! In this brief series, each chapter will be explored to reveal not only how important the Apostle James’ inspired message was for the Christians of his day, but how much we need to learn its lessons today.

Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Daniel 11:36-12:13.This Reformation Day episode, which is also All Hallow’s Eve (or Halloween), covers what some people might consider a spooky topic: the antichrist and the time of the end! A new king is presented, a king from among God’s people who will set himself up over God. The vision Daniel receives from the “divine man” then culminates with the revelation that there will be an increase in lawlessness as the end draws near with tyranny and mistreatment of God’s people. The description of the antichrist finds its match in the Papacy of Rome. Does that mean the antichrist has come or is there more?Mysterious dreams carry a foreboding warning. A disembodied hand writes a cryptic message on the wall. Visions of beasts predict the falling of great kingdoms. And an apocalyptic prophecy foretells the end of time. Thy Strong Word now opens up the Book of Daniel and delves into the life of one of God’s prophets exiled in a Babylon. He speaks truth to power in a way that proclaims the providence and power of God. Daniel’s writings also leave for us visions of the Antichrist and God’s ultimate redemption of his people.

Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Daniel 11:1-35.The vision interpretation which began in the last chapter continues for Daniel in chapter 11. The prophet sees three kings, followed by a wealthy fourth king. The identities of these kings are dubious, but Daniel’s foretelling of the rise of “a mighty king” in verse three is undoubtedly Alexander the Great. Daniel’s prophetic descriptions of historical events, which have since come to pass, astounds even unbelievers. The end of this part of the vision points to Antiochus IV, who persecuted God’s people and profaned the temple over 300 years later. Despite all the chaotic and often horrifying things going on in history, God has remained in control. Can we trust that God is sovereign even over the troublesome events in our lives?Mysterious dreams carry a foreboding warning. A disembodied hand writes a cryptic message on the wall. Visions of beasts predict the falling of great kingdoms. And an apocalyptic prophecy foretells the end of time. Thy Strong Word now opens up the Book of Daniel and delves into the life of one of God’s prophets exiled in a Babylon. He speaks truth to power in a way that proclaims the providence and power of God. Daniel’s writings also leave for us visions of the Antichrist and God’s ultimate redemption of his people.

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Mission Advocate at KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Daniel 10.Chapters ten, eleven, and twelve make up one cohesive unit of prophecy. This episode deals with the first third. A being, “having the appearance of a man” (v. 18) with an other-worldly form appears to Daniel. After his initial fear and terror at the encounter, this messenger touches Daniel and gives him strength to endure the rest of the vision. There are many parallels between this divine man and the description of Jesus in Revelation. Is this the pre-incarnate Christ giving Daniel a glimpse of the end of the world?Mysterious dreams carry a foreboding warning. A disembodied hand writes a cryptic message on the wall. Visions of beasts predict the falling of great kingdoms. And an apocalyptic prophecy foretells the end of time. Thy Strong Word now opens up the Book of Daniel and delves into the life of one of God’s prophets exiled in a Babylon. He speaks truth to power in a way that proclaims the providence and power of God. Daniel’s writings also leave for us visions of the Antichrist and God’s ultimate redemption of his people.

Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Churubusco, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Daniel 9.Daniel discovers a passage in the book of Jeremiah that prophesies about the restoration of the God's people from exile after seventy years. Time is almost up. In a prayer wrought with confession for the sins of the people, Daniel intercedes on behalf of his fellow exiled and appeals to God’s covenant faithfulness in confidence that he would redeem his people from Babylon. Toward the end of the chapter, more esoteric visions point to the redemption of all people through Christ, but can we really know what each symbolic statement means?Mysterious dreams carry a foreboding warning. A disembodied hand writes a cryptic message on the wall. Visions of beasts predict the falling of great kingdoms. And an apocalyptic prophecy foretells the end of time. Thy Strong Word now opens up the Book of Daniel and delves into the life of one of God’s prophets exiled in a Babylon. He speaks truth to power in a way that proclaims the providence and power of God. Daniel’s writings also leave for us visions of the Antichrist and God’s ultimate redemption of his people.

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Daniel 8. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics.Two years have passed since Daniel’s vision in our last chapter. Whereas in the previous vision, each of the four beasts represented Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, respectively, now the vision is of two animals: a ram and a goat. Thankfully Gabriel interprets the vision for Daniel. The ram is Medo-Persia and the goat is Greece. 200 years before Alexander the Great’s conquests and 350 years before Antiochus IV’s persecutions, Daniel sees it all. Does this vision give us comfort or concern for the future?Mysterious dreams carry a foreboding warning. A disembodied hand writes a cryptic message on the wall. Visions of beasts predict the falling of great kingdoms. And an apocalyptic prophecy foretells the end of time. Thy Strong Word now opens up the Book of Daniel and delves into the life of one of God’s prophets exiled in a Babylon. He speaks truth to power in a way that proclaims the providence and power of God. Daniel’s writings also leave for us visions of the Antichrist and God’s ultimate redemption of his people.

Rev. Dr. Jason Wagner, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Daniel 7. This chapter introduces a vision that Daniel had during the first year of Belshazzar’s reign, about 550 BC. There’s shift in genre as Daniel's narrative description of the events in the courts of Babylon have now given way to apocalyptic visions and interpretations. This first frightful vision is of four unique beasts! Daniel describes the first three like animals, but he to the vocabulary to fully describe the last terrifying sight. What does this all mean for Daniel, for God’s plan of salvation, and for believers today?

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in Pine Lawn, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Daniel 6.Ask any Sunday schooler about Daniel and they’ll likely tell you about his time in the lion’s den. Darius the Mede is the current ruler of Babylon and he favors Daniel for his wisdom and administration abilities. However, just when he considered making Daniel head over the whole kingdom, other high officials schemed to lay a trap to rid themselves of Daniel. They convinced the king to make an edict that no man could pray or make petition to any god or man, except the king, for thirty days. Daniel refused to cease worshiping God even for a month, even if it could mean his death. Daniel kept the third commandment, but the king kept his word, too, and into the lion’s den Daniel went. How did Darius react to all of this?