Offered without comment… Regarding the recent FiveTwo Wiki14 conference, an acquaintance on Facebook, Jeffrey K. Radt, writes: I’m sorry, but as a “Newtheran” I can’t find any way to “put the best construction” on any of it—the conference itself, those who participated, those who support all of it, and those who have remained silent when we expect them to speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) in this case. St. Paul writes in Galatians 1:6-10 (ESV): I am astonished that... Read more
There is surely some justice to the accusation (made in jest and in earnest) that whenever Lutherans see a reference to any trace bit of moisture in a Biblical passage, we immediately think it’s a reference to the sacrament of Baptism. Though I suppose this tendency could lead to silly eisegetical gymnastics, it’s actually a bit of a challenge to find a watery text that admits absolutely no typological reference to baptism—and if not to baptism, then to the sacraments... Read more
In this sweet sixteenth episode of pseudepodcasting, our heroes (how do you like that, eh?) took a plunge into a controversial topic (surprise, surprise): Baptism. They talked specifically about the baptism of believers, and how Lutherans DO practice “believers’ baptism”–just not exclusively. The conversation went on from there into the relationship between justification and baptism, and how “saved through faith in Christ alone” doesn’t mean “saved by faith in faith.” Featured content: Don’t pass this up! Free searchable PDF »... Read more
This is an excerpt from a book I am currently writing on the ordo salutis: Though traditional Reformation theology has emphasized the redemptive nature of Christ’s life and death, the resurrection has often failed to have a function beyond simply proving that what Christ did in his death was accepted by God the Father.[1] For Paul, however, Jesus was “raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). Luther expands upon this statement saying: His victory is a victory over the Law, sin,... Read more
First: It is not enough for a man to know that his sins are forgiven in Christ Jesus; he must also grow in grace and holiness. II. Pet. 3:18; 1:5-8; Rom. 6:22. Second: All exhortations to a holy life take it for granted that we possess salvation in Christ Jesus. Rom. 6:22. Third: This is illustrated by the argument of the Epistle to the Romans. (1) Being justified by faith, we are in a state of grace. Rom. 5:1, 2.... Read more
We celebrated St. Matthew’s day in church this past Sunday. That means we had back-to-back festivals in the middle of Pentecost Season! My sermon focused on Matthew’s identity as a tax-collector, and sought to answer why Jesus would call someone like him to be one of the Twelve. Read more
On today’s program I interviewed Dr Joel Biermann on his recent book “A Case for Character.” We discussed virtue ethics, Law and Gospel reductionism, Escondido theology, and many other topics. Here is the program. The book can be purchased here. Read more
In the recent and controversial Noah movie the character Methuselah, the oldest living man in the Bible, made an appearance. In the film, he is shown not only as strange shaman-type figure, but as the man who remembered, and could relay, what had happened from the very beginning. While the film gets much wrong, it does get his ability to do this – by virtue of his age and experience – right. In the completely fictional story of J.R.R. Tolkien’s... Read more
The following article has been posted on Just & Sinner with the permission of the author. –TDD The Church Fathers’ Interpretation of the Rock of Matthew 16:18 An Historical Refutation of the Claims of Roman Catholicism Includes a Critique of Jesus, Peter and the Keys By William Webster Matthew 16:18 is the critical passage of Scripture for the establishment of the authority claims of the Roman Catholic Church. It is upon the interpretation of the rock and keys that the entire... Read more
First: Justification does not signify to make righteous, but to declare, to reckon righteous. Gal. 3:6; Rom. 4:3; James 2:23; Gen. 15:5, 6. Second: It is a judicial process. (1) A judgment is spoken of. Ps. 143:2. (2) A criminal. Rom. 3:19, 20. (3) The law is the accuser and plaintiff. Rom. 3:19; Acts 13:39; Gal. 2:16; 3:11; John 5:45. (4) Conscience concurs with the accusation of the law, and is the witness. Rom. 2:15. (5) The indictment is read.... Read more
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