Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

The gospel requires those who preside over churches to “exercise jurisdiction”–that is, excommunicate those who are guilty of notorious crimes and absolve those who repent. The bishops have tyrannically reserved this right for themselves alone, and have employed it for gain. But again, this belongs to the proper work of the gospel, which by divine right belongs to all who preside over the churches in the gospel. Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah, Illinois, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: The Power and Jurisdiction of Bishops (paragraphs 74-end) in the Book of Concord.

The gospel requires of those who preside over the churches that they preach the gospel, remit sins, and administer the sacraments. This power belongs, by divine right, to all who preside over the churches–whether they are called pastors, presbyters, or bishops. For wherever the church exists, the right to administer the gospel also exists. Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, Social Media manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: The Power and Jurisdiction of Bishops (paragraphs 60-73).

Is the Pope the Antichrist? Rev. Peter Ill— pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, Peter Slayton— Social Media Manager for the LCMS, and Dr. Kevin Armbrust— Director of Editorial for the LCMS and interim editor of the Lutheran Witness, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: The Marks of the Antichrist (paragraphs 39-59).

Is Christianity strengthened and expanded in the world by worldly power and influence? That was the thinking of the Roman papacy at the time of the Reformation and the Power and Primacy of the Pope (paragraphs 32-38) contrasts this thinking of the Pope between that of Christ and the Gospel, which is the true influence of the Church in the world. Rev. David Wiist, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Evansville, Indiana, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: A Contrast Between Christ and the Pope (paragraphs 32-38) in the Book of Concord.

Does Matthew 16:18-19 mean that Peter was named the first Pope by Jesus himself? Does the Papacy have any special or Divine authority? Are the Keys given to just Peter and his successors, or the whole Church? These are some of the questions the Lutherans address in the Power and Primacy of the Pope in their Refutation of the Roman Arguments (paragraphs 22-31). Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, social media manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope in the Book of Concord.

What is the right of any one man to rule absolutely in the church on Earth? Was the Pope always regarded by the Early Church as the supreme ruler in Christendom? How is the Church organized, structured, and governed? How do Lutherans receive pastors? These are the questions that are addressed in the document in the Book of Concord called “The Power and Primacy of the Pope.” Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, Social Media Manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss “The Power and Primacy of the Pope” in the Book of Concord. This is a rebroadcast from September 24, 2019.

What is the history surrounding this document, The Power and Primacy of the Pope? How does this history reflect itself in the Book of Concord and how does it relate to us today? How does the expanse of the church across the world play into Biblical church hierarchy? What is church hierarchy, anyway? Rev. Peter Ill— pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, Peter Slayton— Social Media Manager for the LCMS, and Dr. Kevin Armbrust— Director of Editorial for the LCMS and interim editor of the Lutheran Witness, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss paragraphs 12-21 in The Power and Primacy of the Pope in the Book of Concord.

Does God’s presence come directly to us? How do churches relate to each other, and how to pastors relate to churches? Do we have authority or divine right to have power over others? How did Jesus send disciples and apostles out to teach? These questions are covered in this week’s episode of Concord Matters. Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, social media manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss paragraphs 6-11 of The Power and Primacy of the Pope in the Book of Concord.

What is the right of any one man to rule absolutely in the church on Earth? Was the Pope always regarded by the Early Church as the supreme ruler in Christendom? How is the Church organized, structured, and governed? How do Lutherans receive pastors? These are the questions that are addressed in the document in the Book of Concord called “The Power and Primacy of the Pope.” Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, Social Media Manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss “The Power and Primacy of the Pope” in the Book of Concord.

Some traditions and institutions are created with the best of intentions, but when they do not work out as planned, rules and regulations designed to “fix things” can end up making matters worse. This is what the Smalcald Articles says happened in the case of Monastic Vows (Part III, Article XIV) and Human Traditions (Part III, Article XV). Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Illinois, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss these articles.