Stone Choir

Man is, by nature, religious. The Atheist or the agnostic is no less religious than the Buddhist, the Muslim, or the Christian. The question is not whether or not a man is religious, but which God or gods he worships. As Christians, it is incumbent on us not just to recognize this reality, but also to recognize how it plays out in our world, in our culture, and in our own lives. We may believe that because we attend church on Sundays (perhaps even also on Wednesdays), read our Bibles, and do all the things that Christians are supposed to do that we have no idols or that we have not fallen for any of the idols of our day. But is this true? When we examine our beliefs in light of Scripture, we may find that we have been indoctrinated into certain beliefs by the world. To hold such false beliefs is to have an idol. Today, we find that even pastors and teachers have fallen for some of these idols — and will even defend them more vigorously and more vehemently than they will defend the Word of God. And so we turn again to the genealogy of ideas. What do we believe and why do we believe it? And, more importantly: What should we, as Christians, believe? Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes Ezekiel 33 See Also “Fear Not, O Little Flock, the Foe” If you would like to hear more Gospel, see this previous episode: “You Are Forgiven” Further Reading Small Catechism First Commandment Second Commandment Large Catechism First Commandment Second Commandment Parental Warnings None.

Unlike the Old Testament Israelites, New Testament Christians are not required to observe any particular set of feasts, festivals, or commemorations — Scripture does not lay out a Church Year that we are required to follow. However, the Christian standard is not ‘What is required?’, but rather: ‘What is profitable?’ When we ask, instead of what we must do, what we should do for the sake of unity, instruction, and order, we arrive at a far different answer from that of most modern Christians, who have jettisoned from their faith much of the historic practices of the Church. Whereas we affirm that neither we nor you, as Christians, are required to observe the feasts, festivals, and commemorations of the Church and her historic calendar, we also resolutely contend that these observances are good for the body of Christ. It is in the cyclical and seasonal observances that we live out of lives as Christians and recognize our brothers-in-Christ, who are living out similar lives. There is a difference between the minimum of the faith and the fullness of the faith — we want you to have the latter. Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes Liturgical Year [Wikipedia] Church Year [Encyclopædia Britannica] See Also Owen Cyclops’ Church Year Calendar, as featured in the show art Ad Crucem’s Church Year Calendar Daily Devotions from Confident.Faith Further Reading The (Lutheran) Church Year Explained Free Church Year Calendar Download from CPH (You do not need to agree to receive emails.) Parental Warnings None.

What do we mean by “Church” or “church”? When we use this term (or these terms, when writing permits distinguishing them with the capital letter), we really mean a handful of distinct things — it is important to keep these clear. In today’s episode, we go over the Church (universal), the church (institutional), and the church (local, congregational). For the Christian, there is great comfort in recognizing the reality of the Church, even when the churches may be in disarray. “In short, according to Lutheran teaching, it is faith in the Gospel which in every case establishes membership in the Christian Church. To him who believes the Gospel, membership in the Christian Church may not be denied; of him who rejects the Gospel, membership in the Christian Church may not be asserted. Excommunication pronounced against true believers does not deprive them of membership in the Church.” Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes Augsburg Confession: Art. VII: Of the Church Art. VIII: What the Church Is Apology of the Augsburg Confession: Art. VII & VIII: Of the Church Smalcald Articles: Part III, Art. XII See Also Apology of the Augsburg Confession: Art. XV: Of Human Traditions in the Church Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration: Art. X Further Reading Christian Dogmatics by Francis Pieper: Vol. I Vol. II Vol. III Index (you do not need this volume, but it is nice to have) These volumes can be found online as PDFs. Church and Office by C. F. W. Walther This volume may not be available online as a PDF. Parental Warnings None.

We are told to ‘test the spirits’, and this is a blanket admonition. You should test the things we say on this podcast against the Word of God; you should test the things your pastor says against the Word of God; you should test the things you believe against the Word of God. Yes, there are things that belong to natural revelation — to wisdom that can be gained from exploration of God’s Creation —, but, where Scripture speaks, Scripture is binding and final. In today’s episode, we will subject Eastern ‘Orthodoxy’ both to Scripture and to natural revelation, which is to say human wisdom derived from God’s good creation. At the end of this episode, we fully believe that you will be left with a simple and unavoidable conclusion: Whatever the EO may have been historically, they are no longer Christian today. The practice they call ‘hesychastic prayer’ is not prayer, but it is a very real spiritual practice — the problem is that those spirits with which it seeks (and even obtains) communion are not of God, but of an entirely different master. And God has spoken on the matter: »“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.« — Matthew 6:7–8 (ESV) These are not idle or unimportant matters. To believe the things taught by the EO is to endanger one’s soul. If you or anyone entrusted to your care has ever expressed or pursued any interest in the EO, then we strongly encourage you to listen carefully to this episode — perhaps more than once. We also encourage you to ask question, if you have them — we will try to respond promptly. Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes “At the Kremlin in 1943: Stalin presented Orthodox leaders with a proposal: the Soviet state that had destroyed their Church would bring it back” “Organization of the Eastern Orthodox Church” [Wikipedia] See Also “The Monks Who Spent Years Turning Themselves into Mummies—While Alive” Sokushinbutsu (the Japanese name for the process) [Wikipedia] Further Reading “Distinction” (Philosophy) [Wikipedia] See also Duns Scotus [Wikipedia] “Eastern ‘Orthodoxy’” Parental Warnings We discuss the demonic in this episode (and also, briefly as an example, sex), so you may wish to screen it before listening to it with your children. Nota When speaking of “distinctions”, I deliberately did not mention the difference between “logical“ and “formal” or “conceptual“ distinctions, because that difference was not relevant or helpful for the episode. If you are interested in the philosophy of this, please start with the links under the “Further Reading“ section.

Whether our gifts are many or few, great or small, God has most assuredly prepared beforehand opportunities for us to use those gifts to serve our neighbors. We, in fact, have a duty to use what God has given us for the good of our neighbor. All that we have we hold in trust as stewards, for all comes from God and all belongs to God. It is through our good works that we demonstrate, both to ourselves and to the world, that we have a living faith. There are no hard and fast rules or mathematical formulae to determine precisely what one should do with what one has been given — these are matters of wisdom. But we know the basics: Faithfully pursue your work, come to the aid of family and neighbor, and render good works when and where God provides you the opportunity. The Christian life is not found in pilgrimages or hair shirts or in putting crosses on every surface in one’s home. The faithful Christian baker makes good bread; the faithful Christian shoemaker makes good shoes; the faithful Christian woman keeps a good home; a faithful Christian man diligently pursues his calling — whatever it may be. These are not matters over which to be anxious or about which to fret or worry; God knows what we need and he knows what our neighbor needs, and He has so ordered things that our neighbor can aid us and we can aid him. The Christian life is lived out in many thousands of small interactions, all undertaken with thanks for the good gifts, all of which flow from God. »17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.« — James 1:17 (ESV) Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes Previous episodes: Persuasiveness Matters Conspiracy Theories and Truth The Fear of the Lord Some recommended Scripture passages: Matthew 6:25–34 Matthew 25:1–13 Romans 12:3–13 Romans 14:1–12 1 Corinthians 4:2 1 Corinthians 12:1–11 1 Corinthians 15:58 Ephesians 2:10 Colossians 3:18–4:1 1 Peter 4:7–11 James 1:16–18 Luke 12:35–48 Luke 16:1–13 Proverbs 3:27–28 Proverbs 16:3 Proverbs 22:29 Ecclesiastes 9:9–10 See Also Further Reading “Family Trump Strangers” Parental Warnings None.

The hosts challenge capitalism, questioning its moral foundations and its alignment with Christian values. They explore the historical roots of usury and capitalism, highlighting how debt can resemble modern slavery. The discussion also emphasizes the negative impact of consumerism on local economies and critiques the inequality perpetuated by major corporations. By viewing economic systems as tools rather than idols, they advocate for a reevaluation of values that prioritize community and neighborly care over mere profit.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of me.” In the same way also, He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes John 6 1 Corinthians 11 Luke 22 Mark 14 Matthew 26 See Also The Mode of Christ’s Presence in the Supper Further Reading Small Catechism: The Sacrament of the Altar Large Catechism: The Sacrament of the Altar Augsburg Confession: Of the Mass Apology of the Augsburg Confession: Of the Mass Epitome of the Formula of Concord: The Lord’s Supper Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord: The Holy Supper Parental Warnings None.

Dispensationalism is a modern heresy. (No, we are not going to bury the lede.) Taking shape, primarily, in the 1800s and 1900s, Dispensationalism posits a distinction between God’s plans for ‘Israel’ and the Church — this is contrary both to Scripture and to the historical teachings of the Church. God is no polygynist — He has but one bride. Today, the churches, particularly in the US, are rife with Dispensationalist teachings, and it is our duty as Christians to refute these lies. God has only ever had one plan for humanity and one path to salvation — declared to the first man, Adam, in Genesis 3:15 and echoed throughout the pages of Scripture; there is no path to the Father except through the Son. In today’s episode, we go over the history of Dispensationalism, what Dispensationalism teaches, and why we, as Christians, must oppose this particularly pernicious false doctrine. Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes Exegesis of Genesis 12 (As promised near the end of the episode.) A Brief History of Power: What Is Dispensationalism? A Word Fitly Spoken: Dispensationalism [Overcast] A Word Fitly Spoken: Cyrus Ingerson Scofield [Overcast] Luther’s Preface to the Book of Romans See Also The Augsburg Confession, Art. XVII — “Of Christ’s Return to Judgement” “Dispensationalism Today” by Charles Ryrie [PDF] Further Reading John Nelson Darby [Wikipedia] Plymouth Brethren [Wikipedia] Cyrus Ingerson Scofield [Wikipedia] Samuel Untermeyer [Wikipedia] Amillennialism [Wikipedia] Dispensationalism [Wikipedia] Revelation by Louis A. Brighton from the Concordia Commentary series [Amazon] This commentary is from the Concordia Commentary series from CPH, and, thus, is from a Lutheran perspective, which is to say it teaches Amillennialism. A Case for Amillennialism by Kim Riddlebarger [Amazon] This book is from the Reformed perspective, and so, naturally, includes Reformed distinctives, but it still gives a good overview of Amillennialism and also spends times refuting various Millenarian claims. Parental Warnings None.

The Reformation was not the beginning of the problems in the Western Church, nor in the Church more generally. Over the centuries before the beginning of the Reformation, generally accepted as 31 October 1517, the Church faced a number of heresies, divisions, and other problems. Yet God has always seen her through these tumultuous waters. Today, we find ourselves yet again in need of reformation, for the existing church bodies are corrupt — virtually all from the top down. This does not mean that there are no faithful churches, that there are no faithful congregations, but we do, indeed, find ourselves virtually bereft of faithful, ‘official’ leadership. To address these challenges and to restore Christendom, we will have to work together. Not as Lutherans or Reformed or Baptists or Romans or whatever other tradition or denomination we may call our own, but as Christians. This is not a call to abandon our distinctives or our doctrinal convictions; rather, it is a call to work together across these lines in the kingdom of the left hand of Christ. God willing, our grandchildren will see a Christendom we have known only in history books. Subscribe to the podcast here. Show Notes The Book of Concord See Also Facing Wokeism as a Church (After Lutheranism Part 4) The Book of Gomorrah by St. Peter Damian Further Reading The Apostles’ Creed The Nicene Creed The Athanasian Creed Parental Warnings None.

Modern churches, by and large, have been subverted — we all know this. Is the subversion of the churches an argument against Christianity? Of course not. The Church fought for decades against the very sort of infiltration and subversion that is, today, destroying our churches before our very eyes. Further, the Christian faith is the foundation of the West — the West is Christendom and Christendom is the West. Without a restoration of the Christian faith, there will be no revival in the West. As Christians, we must know both where the battle is joined and how we are to fight. In today’s episode, we are joined by an editor from Antelope Hill Publishing to review the book The Sword of Christ by Giles Corey and discuss the issues raised in the book (and maybe a tangent or two). Subscribe to the podcast here. Guest TaylorEditor at Antelope Hill Publishing Show Notes The Sword of Christ by Giles Corey Save 10% at checkout with discount code “stonechoir102023” Further Reading The Magdeburg Confession Parental Warnings This episode contains some discussion of human sacrifice and sex crimes and passing mention of pornography. The book itself contains a number of chapters that are unsuitable for younger readers (but they are not the target audience, anyway). Disclosure Although we did receive free review copies of the book, we have not been compensated in any other way (nor are we compensated if you purchase the book via the links on this page).