Is a Faulty Understanding of Sanctification at the Root of the Worship Wars?

Last updated on: January 14, 2015 at 9:05 pm By nathanrinne

NOTE: The following is being put forth by Nathan Rinne, on behalf of Pastor Holger Sonntag and Pastor Paul Strawn (the founders of Lutheran Press), for the purpose of encouraging theological reflection and discussion. These theses are not to be understood as the position of all those posting at the Just and Sinner site. The following is a summary, by Pastor Paul Strawn and Pastor Holger Sonntag, of the main points of their arguments regarding Christian worship. These were presented at... Read more

From Calvinism to Lutheranism

Last updated on: January 14, 2015 at 3:33 pm By Jordan Cooper

On today’s program I interviewed Josh Brisby who is a recent convert from the Reformed to the Lutheran tradition. We discussed a number of the differences between the two traditions, both practical and theological. Here is the program Josh’s website can be found at http://downtoearthlutheran.wordpress.com/ Read more

American Lutheran Theological Journal Volume 1, Issue 2

Last updated on: January 10, 2015 at 4:19 pm By Jordan Cooper

Price: $6 Kindle: $5.99 Articles What Does Biblical Admonition and Exhortation Mean for Lutheran Preaching? By Mark Surburg The Two Kinds of Righteousness and Pastoral Care By Jordan Cooper This May Be Our Theology, But was it Luther’s? The Homiletical Limitations of Today’s Version of “The Two Kinds of Righteousness” By Michael T. Badenhop An Evaluation of Beth Moore’s The Patriarchs Study in View of the Two Kinds of Righteousness By Lisa Cooper Lutheran Theology by Steven D. Paulson: A... Read more

Episode 30: The benefits of The Sacrament of the Altar

Last updated on: January 9, 2015 at 5:53 pm By Jordan Cooper

Luther said that three points needed to be discussed when addressing the Sacrament of the Alter: What is it? What are its benefits? and, Who is to receive it? We asked “What is it?” in Episode 24 so we figured we should tackle “What are its benefits?” next, in obedience the good Dr. Luther. Lutherans have always insisted on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist but maybe you’ve wondered, “So What?”. This is Trent and Levi’s best attempt... Read more

Theologoumena from a great theologian: Rev. Dr. Kurt Marquart on who may be saved

Last updated on: January 8, 2015 at 8:19 pm By trentdemarest

HT: Rev. David Jay Webber Another matter which has worried me for some time: In your absolutely correct and necessary insistence that Christ is the only Way to Salvation, do formulate more carefully especially as regards hell. It is surely not helpful to be insisting at every turn that such and such shall undoubtedly burn in eternal hell. As with unbaptised babies, so with those who never heard the Gospel, for instance, the Church has been much more reticent... Read more

We’ve lost the Messiah!

Last updated on: February 20, 2015 at 12:59 pm By ericphillips

Sermon for the Second Sunday after Christmas, on Jesus being left behind at the Temple. Texts: 1 Kings 3:4–15, Ephesians 1:3–14, Luke 2:40–52. Read more

Moving to Patheos

Last updated on: January 7, 2015 at 9:11 pm By Jordan Cooper

Just and Sinner is soon going to be moving to Patheos. I just faxed in our paperwork, and at some point soon, all of the blog content will be moved to Patheos.com. If you are unfamiliar with Patheos, it is a website featuring bloggers from various religious convictions. It has been featured in Newsweek, Time Magazine, and other popular media. This will help us to gain more exposure, and Patheos will help promote this blog. We will be placed specifically... Read more

Pietism

Last updated on: January 7, 2015 at 5:08 pm By Jordan Cooper

On today’s program I discussed pietism. I gave some historical context and a brief history of the movement. Most of the time was spent on Philip Jacob Spener. I talked about the influence of pietism, and both the negative and positive impact of the movement. Here is the program Read more

Sermon: Feast of the Holy Innocents

Last updated on: January 4, 2015 at 3:35 am By ericphillips

Now that another Sunday is almost here, I’ll post my Sunday from last week. Texts: Jeremiah 31:15-17, Revelation 14:1-5, Matthew 2:13-18. Read more

Why we Should Stop Using the Term "Pietism"

Last updated on: January 3, 2015 at 6:15 pm By Jordan Cooper

These thoughts are a continuation of Nathan Rinne’s post Playing the Pietist Card. It is extremely common in Lutheran circles to hear the refrain: “You’re a pietist,” or “that’s pietism.” The term is used so often that it virtually has no meaning any longer, and it is used synonymously with legalism, or salvation by works. The problem here is that pietism is an actual historical movement with its own particular theological roots, practices and beliefs. In a day of theological soundbites... Read more