I’m beginning a series on important theologians who have influenced my own life and theology. Many of these names are somewhat unknown, and perhaps I will be able to expose a larger audience to some of these important Christian thinkers. (Look at that beard!) Revere Franklin Weidner (1851-1915) is a relatively unknown Lutheran theologian with a prolific writing career. His work has been extremely influential on my own, and when I am asked who my favorite theologian is, Weidner is... Read more
As readers of my blog and listeners to my podcast know, I’ve been doing some study of the Pietist movement lately. One of the reasons I began to study this topic is that due to my writing on the subject of good works and sanctification, I have sometimes had the phrase thrown at me. Well, I figured it would be worthwhile to explore the actual historical movement known as Pietism, so that I can interact with such accusations in an... Read more
One of the distinctive characteristics of Lutheran theology in contradistinction to Reformed theology is the notion that the second, or condemnatory, use of the law is primary. For Calvin, the third, or the didactic use, of the law is the primary purpose of God’s law within the Christian life. The distinction between the two kinds of righteousness helps to explain exactly how these two uses of the law comport with one another, and why the Lutheran view differs from that... Read more
While Matt was out on patrol (vehicle pictured above), Pseudepodcasters Trent and Levi were joined by the Rev’d Christopher Porter of Advent Lutheran Church in Winchester, Virginia, for a discussion of liturgy—the good, the bad, the ugly; pet peeves, wild and undomesticated peeves; whether it’s legitimate to have more than one Lutheran rite, etc. These and many other scintillating distillations were discussed up one hill and down the other. By the end of the episode, all of the problems are solved.... Read more
On today’s program I was joined by Rev. David Preus to discuss practical orthodoxy. David is currently working on his PhD at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO on the thought of Balthasar Meisner. The program covered a lot of ground, including the practical nature of scholastic theology, some important representatives of practical orthodoxy, and the differences between Luther and Melanchthon’s theological approaches. Here is the program Read more
One of the contemporary Lutheran theologians that I have been very impressed by is Gifford Grobien, who teaches Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. He is also the current editor of the Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics series put out by Luther Academy Press. I recently stumbled across an article of his online on ethical formation in Christian worship. This article is essentially a summary of his doctoral dissertation which addresses ethical formation from a Lutheran perspective. Grobien... Read more
This is a compiled list of podcasts and posts I have done on the subject of Law and Gospel. Podcasts: Response to Rich Lusk on Law and Gospel Part 1 Response to Rich Lusk on Law and Gospel Part 2 Response to John Frame on Law and Gospel Part 1 Response to John Frame on Law and Gospel Part 2 Response to John Frame on Law and Gospel Part 3 Response to John Frame on Law and Gospel Part 4... Read more
The Just and Sinner blog is going to be moving to patheos here. New posts are already up on the patheos site, and within the next couple weeks, all old posts will also be moved over. A new website just for the publishing house will be set up soon. Read more
After the publication of Joel Biermann’s recent book A Case for Character (which can be purchased here), the subject of the two kinds of righteousness in Lutheran thought has been prominent in theological dialogue, especially in online discussions about the role of justification, good works, preaching, etc. One of the primary contentions of those who oppose the utilization of the two kinds of righteousness distinction is that such a distinction displaces law and gospel from its central position. This has... Read more
“The difference seems to be conveyed best by saying that the Reformed Christian thinks theologically, the Lutheran anthropologically. The Reformed person is not content with an exclusively historical stance but raises his sights to the idea, the eternal decree of God. By contrast the Lutheran takes his position in the midst of the history of redemption and feels no need to enter more deeply into the counsel of God. For the Reformed, therefore, election is at the heart of the... Read more
Just and Sinner
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