Gottesblog

“You can’t mass produce pastors and theologians. They can only be produced one by one by the Holy Spirit in the agonizing school of experience, crunching with the Word of God and the Sacraments. They see that as a divine miracle that has life- and resurrection-bearing power.”
— The Rev. Professor Kurt Marquart, Concordia Theological Seminary

Thank you, and God bless you, Dr. Weinrich.

“Authenticity” and “authentic” are front-burner words today. And this is true especially for us confessional Lutherans at this time of great debate about Lutheran identity. Given that we are bombarded 24-7 by ads, marketing, and propaganda, the quest for authenticity is a big deal in our day, especially in matters of worship.

The above footage comes from the August 29, 2025 retirement ceremony of Archbishop Janis Vanags of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. The new archbishop, Rinalds Grants, was installed the next day.

How often have you heard people say that all sins are equal?

This is one of the inherent problems with the Church Growth mindset. It’s all about number-lust, and it is never enough. The Church Growther is never satisfied. It’s built-in to the fabric of the universe. For numbers are infinite. There is always a higher number. In the world of mathematics, there is always a “next level,” even as the flesh is never satisfied.

The Enneagram (The Nine Paths) is an esoteric, mystic, occultish new age fad that has made its way into edgy megachurches - including the LCMS. Issues, Etc. has done two programs on the Enneagram.

What a treasure we have in our Lutheran tradition of hymnody!

This misguided trust - especially in matters of sex and reason - is based on our progressive culture. A lot of people are confused when I use the word “progressive,” thinking that this means politically left-wing, that is, what often (and often erroneously) is described as “liberal.” Progressivism is a deviation from conservatism, but there are both left- and right-wing progressives.