Just and Sinner Podcast

On today's program I discussed the doctrine of election and the debates over the subject which have existed in Lutheranism since the nineteenth century. I tried to show that there are four different positions which have been held among Lutherans, and that holding to intuitu fidei (though wrong) does not necessarily make one a synergist.

I spent the program answering listener questions, addressing a number of topics. I discussed speech-act theory, the difference between Lutheran and Reformed approaches to union with Christ, the continual nature of justification, and the use of prayer beads.

On today's program I was joined by Rev. Lewis Polzin to continue our discussion of Henry Eyster Jacobs' book "A Summary of the Christian Faith." We looked at chapter five on the providence of God. This led to discussions of theodicy, Calvinism, miracles, and other important topics.

On today's podcast, I continued my discussion of the ordo salutis. I addressed the call, especially in relation to the Reformed view of the effectual call. I discussed the nature of God's call, the means of the call, and the distinctions within the doctrine of the call. I spent a large part of the program demonstrating that God's call is both universal and resistable.

On today's program, I played a lecture from Rev. Dave Spotts of Wittenberg Door Ministries in Columbia, MO. In this presentation pastor Spotts makes a case for judging our faith and practice against Scripture. This use of Scripture as our authority in judging the history of the Christian faith is central to living an authentic, Reformational life in Christ.

On today's program I was joined by Rev. Richard Shields, who is pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Frazier Park, CA and president of the American Lutheran Theological Seminary. We discussed his article "Tools for Bible Study," which led to a number of different topics, including: postmodernism and modernism, Bible translations, B.B. Warfield's doctrine of inerrency, and other important discussions.

On today's program I was joined by Rev. Lewis Polzin from Boars in the Vineyard to continue discussing Henry Eyster Jacobs' book "A Summary of the Christian Faith." We looked at chapter four on Creation.

Dr. Joel Biermann, Lutheran theologian and lecturer, presents a lecture on preaching and the two kinds of righteousness. He contrasts active (vocation-driven) and passive (gift of God) righteousness. He argues for using law boldly in sermons, shows how both righteousnesses shape Christian life, and explores practical pastoral implications for preaching and neighborly service.

On today's program, I gave an overview of the doctrine of justification as it is taught in the Lutheran scholastics. This is a follow up to the programs on the Ordo Salutis and on the Grace of the Holy Spirit.

On today's program I began discussing some of the specific issues related to the order of salvation. I talked about the definition of grace, and the different forms of grace in the Christian life.