So what do you think? How many sins are there?
One. What would your reaction be to that number?
In the latest chapter of Martin Luther’s Theology I discoverd that Luther was playing with a question that can seem ridiculously simple but also incredibly complex. What is a human being?
I’m sure if you talked to scientists you would get a certain answer. If you talk to a sociologist you’d probably get another one. Teachers, [...]
Continue reading about Are You a Human? Would About Your Friends?
As I mentioned last week, Martin Luther spent some significant time writing about what he referred to as the “three stands” or “estates” in which all people lived.
The first estate established by God was the Church. Now when you look at Scripture that might seem incorrect. After all, there is no church as we know [...]
Continue reading about Church, Household, and State- How many estates do you live in?
So I start by posting a somewhat provocative title out there- is a Christian closer to an atheist or a Hindu? What I mean by this is when you look at religion, and when you look at faith, can we better be compared to a person who espouses no faith in the eternal or “god”, [...]
This was a chapter that seemed to move in a lot of different directions, most of them interesting, but a little less closely connected than others. One of the themes in the chapter on creation, however, did really stand out. That was the fact that in every doctrine for Luther justification must be a lens [...]
Continue reading about Understanding Justification through Creation
This is probably one of my favorite chapters in the book. Now maybe I could write this about many of the chapters, but there’s so much to this one. It’s hard to pick one point and direction to focus, but if I expand each chapter into multiple posts you’ll be reading this book with me [...]
Continue reading about What Makes the Bible become Holy Scripture?
In chapter 3 of Martin Luther’s Theology Oswald Bayer starts really digging in. He asks the question, what was it that really marked the turning point for Martin Luther. What understanding set him apart? What was it that was reformational or evangelical in his thinking?
Most good students of Lutheran theology and history would quickly answer, [...]
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How many times in recent history have you thought, “I just need a break”. You’d love it if you looked at your planner and it truly was a little quieter. And I don’t mean just ignoring the things you’re supposed to be doing. Nothing to do! Yeah!
Well, what if I told you that the hardest [...]
Continue reading about Digging Deeper- Your hardest job is to do nothing
Are you a theologian?
If you are a Christian, then the answer is “Yes!” Martin Luther would say so anyway. I’m not sure how many people really think of themselves that way. Perhaps that’s because theology has a bad rap. It’s a word associated with doctrine and dogma, church, institution, tradition, close-mindededness, and other connotations which [...]
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As I was thinking about some new possiblities for the blog in the new year I was hit by the possiblity of combining one of my New Years Resolutions with the blog (that’s always a score when two task can be combined!). I wanted to work at hitting the books some more in the year [...]
Continue reading about What does Martin Luther Have to Do with New Years Resolutions?
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