Catechism truths from Matthew: Baptism
“The Bible never says we should baptize babies.” So goes the stale argument against infant baptism. I like to respond, “And the Bible never says we should commune women, either.”…
Catechism truths from Matthew: The Lord’s Supper
Everything in Luther’s catechism revolves around the forgiveness of sins in Jesus. The Ten Commandments reveal sins that need forgiving. The Apostles’ Creed proclaims the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’…
Catechism truths from Matthew: The keys and confession
If the hymn “Amazing Grace” were written about Matthew, it would end, “I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was out but now I’m in.” Matthew's experience The Jewish…
Catechism truths from Matthew: The Lord’s Prayer
To be a good listener, it’s good to practice reflective listening. You listen intently to another person’s words to understand their meaning. You then respond by paraphrasing the message in…
Catechism truths from Matthew: Apostles’ Creed
Imagine you are one of three thousand in Jerusalem at Pentecost who repent, are baptized, and are gathered by the Spirit into the Christian church—the messianic kingdom of Jesus. An…
A heart captured by the gospel: Article 2
When we know God has declared us righteous because of Jesus, we are consumed by a desire to share that truth. On April 17, 1521, Martin Luther stood before the…
Faith and the thinking Christian: Part 6: Evolution and the thoughtful Christian
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The last…
Faith and the thinking Christian: Part 5: Home field advantage
First and ten for the New York Giants on the 55-yard line. Wait. What?! Football fields don’t have 55-yard lines. That is, unless it’s a game in the Canadian Football…
Faith and the thinking Christian: Part 4: Does faith hinder scientific discovery?
Back when folks wore hats and overcoats, they laid them aside when they entered a theater or restaurant. They would check their outerwear at the Coat Check so they could…