Articles

Christians Spurn the Curious Arts
God's Word is Our Great Heritage Reformation 2005
Bulletin Blunders
You can learn a lot about the current condition of the Missouri Synod by reading congregations' church bulletins.
Sin and Grace in Matthew
A brief study of how St. Matthew presents Christ as a Savior for sinners, and how this is shown in the genealogy that begins the Gospel.
Ten False Assumptions
A refutation of the oft heard slogans of liberals and mission mongers to neutralize confessional Lutheran doctrine and practice. Written Summer 2004.
Confessional Lutheranism
Originally a statement of purpose for our congregational mission, this brief statement expresses the desire of confessional Lutherans for doctrinal and practical integrity.
Confidence in the Word of God
A plea for faith in the objective Word rather than the shifting sands of human emotion.
The Sacrament of the Altar
A brief study of Holy Communion; the Real Presence.
A Shot at Inclusive Language
A mid-90s article that criticizes the modern academic craze of using inclusive language, or fascist fem-speak.
Christ the Firstfruits
Jesus, risen and ascended, has gone on ahead of us. Because He lives we shall live also.
Antidote to Anxiety
An article lifting up Jesus and His unshakable promises, guaranteed by His death and resurrection, as the key to dealing with anxiety.
Are You A Practical Atheist?
The sad truth is, that many people who claim to be Christians live and think as though God didn't exist.
Christ's Sufferings: God's Hand and Counsel
A Lenten meditation based on the writings of Johann Gerhard dealing with Christ's sufferings as God's plan for our redemption.
Devotional Bible Study
This article deals with how a Christian may use the Bible in his daily devotions.
Terjesen's Bible Reading Schedule
Many Bible reading schedules start you with Genesis and take you through to the end of Revelation as is. My schedule includes an Old Testament, a New Testament, and a Psalm reading for each day. Plus it breaks things up in an interesting way that I think aids continuity.
Holy Baptism: A Brief Study
This paper was written at the request of a young Lutheran man who had married a Baptist girl, to help them decide whether to baptize their children. (She is now a Lutheran.)
Gospel, Baptism, Absolution, Eucharist
A brief study of the doctrine of the means of grace. Why, if we receive grace in one means, does God keep giving the same thing in the others?
Blessed be The Lord!
An exposition of the Benedictus.
Christ and the Tabernacle
A study of how the OT tabernacle and its furnishings pointed ultimately to the coming and redemptive work of Christ for the life of the world.
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?
Since I've been a pastor for the past 23 years, I've watched Christmas season greetings get more and more secular. Almost no one says Merry Christmas these days, and if you say it to them, they act scared.
Christmas 2000 - Luke 2:8-14
A Christmas article from a few years back.
Crypto-Calvinism and Open Communion
A criticism of those in the Missouri Synod who are urging and working for the practice of open communion, while pretending they're not.
The Disappearing Ghost
It was so silly (and wrong) to remove the word "Ghost" from our Bibles and liturgies. It opens the door to unitarianism, and it creates poetic difficulties galore.
Divine Providence
A summary of Pieper's presentation of God's governance of His creation.
Get That Camel's Nose Out of The Tent
Whenever I hear so-called confessional Lutherans demur regarding the proper use of biblical proof-texts, it makes me nervous. Liberals have always been big on rejecting proof-texting (because they can't really defend their apostasy with clear texts). But when conservatives start getting vague, it makes me want to throw a cream pie!
Hope and Help in Temptation
A discussion of 1 Corinthians 10:13, a precious promise of God's help in time of trial.
If People Only Knew What They Sound Like!
Written in the mid-90s, after reading an Ann Landers article. Ignorant church members sound so stupid when they start opining about their religion with no biblical basis whatsoever.
Jesus Humbled Himself
Comments on the great passage from Philippians 2 where it is said that Jesus made Himself of no reputation... but humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Mary: A model of Faith and Faithfulness
Roman Catholics worship Mary as co-redemptrix with Jesus, and evangelicals tend to denigrate her in reaction to Romanism. Lutherans have a high regard for Mary. They do not commit Romanist Mariolatry, nor do they make the opposite error of low-church protestantism.
Methuselah
An article commending the worthy calling of parenting, and the importance of Christian family life.
Millions now Living may Never Die!
A presentation of the biblical doctrine of the Resurrection on the Last Day.
Peace Through Grace
A criticism of the modern cult of self-esteem with a presentation of the biblical alternative.
Pew-Potatoes or Participants
Active participation in the Liturgy of the Church.
Pray Without Ceasing
What does Paul mean when he uses those words? What is a life of prayer?
Straight Talk About Closed Communion
A question/answer format article on Closed Communion aimed at a more general audience than the longer article on the same topic elsewhere on this site.
That Bad Old Missouri Synod is At It Again!
An article criticizing the phony hysterical surprise at the Missouri Synod's efforts to be true to its biblical, confessional heritage. Written in the mid-1990s.
The Biblical Practice of Closed Communion
Originally presented at the first Atlantic District Theological Convocation, at Concordia College, Bronxville, NY, in the winter of 1994, this paper has appeared in Christian News and has been the subject of several interviews on the LCMS radio program "Issues Etc."
The Governor's Surprise
Explores the Miracle at Cana as a window into the Creation/Evolution debate. One of my favorites.
The New Testament: Which Text
An article on New Testament textual criticism which favors the Traditional Greek Text of the Reformation and the translations based on it to the modern critical text and its various translations.
The Only Catechism that can be Prayed!
Luther's Small Catechism is an excellent devotional aid and prayer book.
The Survival of True Lutheranism
A brief presentation of the continual struggle of genuine Lutheranism against the forces that would water it down and genericize it.

Commentary on Dr. C.F.W. Walther's "The Sheep Judge Their Shepherds"
Mary and the Holy Trinity
Commentary on the Lutheran/Catholic "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification"
Dispute Resolution in the Missouri Synod
Commentary on "Why the Missouri Synod Stood Alone"