We will be examining some of Luther's writings on such important topics as Christian Freedom, Training Children in God's Word, Good Works, Marriage and more. As Lutherans we would do well to be familiar with what Luther taught from Scripture so we can explain, defend, and celebrate our Lutheran heritage.

Apologetics is narrowly defined as “defending the Christian faith by reason with gentleness and respect.”  

The apologetic task is to use every bit of knowledge available as we engage skeptics with the goal of proclaiming Christ crucified. Think of apologetics as a ministry of caring. We care about skeptics and their thoughts.

Jesus, the God of love, was moved with compassion when he saw people in difficult circumstances. The Bible tells us he had compassion for a widowed woman whose only son had died. Jesus had compassion for a large multitude that had followed him for three days to hear him teach, and now they were hungry. He was moved and had compassion for those who were blind and those who had horrible skin diseases. People needed help, and Jesus wanted to help. In each instance where he had compassion for someone, Jesus acted and put his love into practice to help them.

What does (and doesn't) the Bible say about homosexuality? How do we compassionately communicate God's love and truth for fellow-Christians who struggle with temptations? How does God give us the power and the grace to overcome? Join us as we search God’s Word for the answers to these questions.

The book’s title comes from its primary character, Job. Although of uncertain etymology the name Job could come from Arabic meaning “one who turns back [to God]/one who repents” or Hebrew verb “to hate/be an enemy of” (which could signify “the assailed one, an object of enmity”).
• As with several books of the Bible, the human author of Job is unknown (cf. the compilers of the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles; the book of Hebrews). As those who are convinced that the Bible is God’s Spirit-inspired Word, we too consider this book to have been composed under his direct guidance for a number of reasons:
1.) The book reveals spiritual realities and conversations that no human is naturally privy to.
2.) The book has numerous Messianic parallels and references.
3.) The unparalleled quality of its composition.
• Some best guesses: Like the book of Ruth, it is clear that Job was not the author of the book that bears his name. Given the likely (early) time period in which it was set and the linguistic parallels with the Pentateuch, some claim Moses as the author. Other conservative commentators see similarities with the wider geographic knowledge and poetic/wisdom literature (cf. particularly Proverbs 1, 8, 9) of the Solomonic age and afterwards.

This is a study on The Smalcald Articles (written by Dr. Martin Luther) and a companion study, Contemporary Catholicism. In the Smalcald Articles Luther gives us the clear testimony that sinners are saved by the grace of God in Christ and how at the same time the Catholic Church of his day was subverting that truth by teaching that we are saved by our good works. In the Contemporary Catholicism study we will see that unfortunately the Catholic Church has not changed its official stance on these teachings. God-willing this will help us better understand not only the serious differences between Lutheranism and Catholicism, but also guide us in sharing the grace of God found in Scripture with our Catholic family and friends.