Author Archives: Chaplainmike

God’s Sovereignty in Lutheranism: An Interview With Josh Strodtbeck (3- Assurance)

In this question, Josh deals with the sensitive subject of assurance. Can a believer know they are saved? This is bound to be controversial and informative. 3. Adam O’s piece on “Why I Am Not A Calvinist” centers on the issue of assurance. Can Calvinists know they are elect or are they in a similarContinue reading “God’s Sovereignty in Lutheranism: An Interview With Josh Strodtbeck (3- Assurance)”

God’s Sovereignty in Lutheranism: An Interview With Josh Strodtbeck (2- Pastoral Care)

How does Lutheranism present the sovereignty of God in pastoral care? 2. How would the difference between Lutheran and Reformed views of God’s sovereignty be evidenced pastorally? Since Calvin borrowed a lot from Luther, there are obviously going to be similarities. And since Calvinism is a pretty diverse tradition, I think that in some contexts,Continue reading “God’s Sovereignty in Lutheranism: An Interview With Josh Strodtbeck (2- Pastoral Care)”

God’s Sovereignty in Lutheranism: An Interview With Josh Strodtbeck (1)

UPDATE: Read Don Matzat’s excellent essay on “Martin Luther and Predestination.” A perpective on the Biblical view of God’s sovereignty that’s seldom heard- at least by me- is that of our Lutheran brothers. Lutheran blogger Josh Strodtbeck is a outstanding expounder of Lutheranism, so I’ve invited him to answer some questions. From the first timeContinue reading “God’s Sovereignty in Lutheranism: An Interview With Josh Strodtbeck (1)”

Riffs: 09:10:07 Adam Omelianchuk on “Why I Am Not A Calvinist.”

Many of you who read Adam Omelianchuk’s “Why I am Not An Open Theist” will want to read his new essay: “Why I Am Not a Calvinist.” Adam is part of the absolutely incredible Rock TV Comedy Group. I appreciate this kind of discussion, because you rarely hear it in the Christian blogosphere. The picturedContinue reading “Riffs: 09:10:07 Adam Omelianchuk on “Why I Am Not A Calvinist.””

Some Relevant Quotes for the Olson Discussion

UPDATE: Keith Schooley takes the big chance of critiquing Piper’s statements on sovereignty. UPDATE II: It’s a good thing the Calvinistic blogosphere wasn’t around when Wesley wrote Predestination Calmly Considered. Now, I beseech you to consider calmly, how is God good or loving to this man? Is not this such love as makes your bloodContinue reading “Some Relevant Quotes for the Olson Discussion”

Why Isn’t The Gospel Front Page News?

For more than thirty years, I’ve been reading our state denominational newspaper. While I don’t read every word, I usually spend 15 minutes or so taking in whatever interests me. As I read that Baptist newspaper this week, I noticed something that strikes me as typical of how contemporary evangelicals see the Gospel and indicativeContinue reading “Why Isn’t The Gospel Front Page News?”

A Shocking Agenda for the Church

Jared Wilson’s post on 11 Innovations for Your Church. These shocking ideas (plus a couple I’d like to add) define the revolutionary vision of church I’m advocating. Prepare to be knocked off your feet with the sheer AWESOMENESSNESS of these ideas. 1. Sing hymns. 2. Preach through a book of the Bible. 3. Talk aboutContinue reading “A Shocking Agenda for the Church”

Will You “Come Down?”: A Sermon on Humility

This is most of a sermon on humility I preached in the Monday chapel service at the school where I serve. It’s taken from the lectionary text for the previous Lord’s Day. In many places I included illustrations and more content, but this gets the sermon across. Text: Luke 14: 1, 7-11. If someone wereContinue reading “Will You “Come Down?”: A Sermon on Humility”