Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

We encounter a stunning introduction to Jesus—He is not only the Word who was with God from the beginning, but the Word who is God. He is the Light breaking into a world of darkness, offering life and power to those who believe. And in a moment of profound revelation, John the Baptist points to Jesus, calling Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. What does it mean for Jesus to be the Word, the Light, and the Lamb? Join us as we explore these awe-inspiring titles and dive into the mystery of who Jesus truly is! The Rev. Sam Powell, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church & School, Jefferson City, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 1:1-34. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

How can Christians navigate the complex world of politics while staying true to their biblical values? On this special, First-Friday Free Text episode, tune in as Professor Joel Biermann and Pastor Booe explore how to engage in political discussions with grace and wisdom. This is an hour of insightful conversation and practical guidance on living out your faith in the public arena.The Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, systematics professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss Christian ways to talk about politics.This program originally aired on February 2, 2024.Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

On All Saints’ Day, a.k.a. The Feast of All Hallows, we dig deep into the significance of this important celebration in the Church. Pastor Brady Finnern comes on the show to discuss life after death from a biblical and pastoral perspective. What happens when believers die? What is it like in Heaven? Do unbelievers go straight to Hell? We’ll also address questions on the resurrection, the communion of saints, and the ultimate future that awaits believers and unbelievers alike in this final episode of the special four-part All Hallows miniseries. The Rev. President Brady Finnern, president of the Minnesota North District and host of Concord Matters on KFUO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss All Saints Day and life after death. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

This third part of our special four-part All Hallows miniseries features Pastor Jon Furgeson, who completed his Ph.D. research in spiritual warfare. He comes on the program to discuss spiritual creatures: both benevolent (angels) and malevolent (demons). We explore how the popular depictions of these spiritual beings are often at odds with the truth revealed by God’s Word. When were angels created? What powers do they have? Do we have anything to fear from the spiritual warfare conducted against God’s people by demons? These questions and more are answered in this intriguing episode. The Rev. Dr. Jon Furgeson, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss angels and demons. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

In part two of our four-part series on All Hallows, things get a bit eerie as we explore ghosts, hauntings, and the occult. We address popular beliefs about ghosts, compare them with biblical teachings, and consider what fascinates us about death. What are the proper and improper ways to honor the dead? Can ghost hunting, using Quija boards, and performing seances really be done in a harmless way? Tune in to hear what Ghosts really are and how they cannot be the spirits or souls of departed humans. The Rev. Tim McCall, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran in Junction City, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss ghosts, hauntings, and the occult. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

We kick off this four-part “All Hallows Special” with a discussion surrounding the origins and modern practice of Hallowe’en. Is this spooky season really something for Christians to avoid? Does dressing up like Spiderman and going trick-or-treating mean that your child is participating in ancient pagan cultures? Although many have usurped this season for their own nefarious purposes, the pastors explain that much of the hype and fear around Halloween came about only recently. Discover how Hallowe’en (or All Hallows Eve) is connected to Reformation Day, All Saints Day, and whether Christians should take part. The Rev. Rick Schneider pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ronan, MT, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss the origins of Hallowe’en. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Heaven— God’s final vision of heaven to John unfolds with the river of the water of life flowing from God’s throne and the tree of life bearing its eternal fruit, symbolizing abundance and healing. Jesus proclaims, "I am coming soon," offering an open invitation to all who thirst for His presence to come and receive freely. This message of hope is both a promise and a call to action. May we be ever responding to His invitation, living in eager anticipation of His return. The Rev. Warren Woerth, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Arnold, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Revelation 22:1-21. Shrouded in mysterious visions of cosmic battles, plagues, and catastrophic events, the Apocalypse of St. John, or as it’s more commonly known--the Book of Revelation, paints a haunting picture of the end times. Cryptic symbols of beasts, the rise of the Antichrist, and the final judgment unfold with unsettling intensity, revealing the ultimate clash between good and evil. Yet, beneath its terrifying imagery, Revelation is also a deeply personal letter, offering comfort to early Christians facing persecution. It reassures them—and believers today—of God's control over history, His promise of redemption, and the certainty of Christ's victory. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Heaven and Earth— John sees a vision of a “new heaven and a new earth,” replacing the current, fallen creation. The holy city, the New Jerusalem, descends from heaven, and God takes up His dwelling place among His people. This future reality where God wipes away every tear, abolishes death, and eliminates sorrow and pain is a powerful image of hope and restoration. Today, we explore how this ultimate hope of eternal communion with God shapes our lives now, offering peace and purpose in the midst of a world marred by struggle. The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Revelation 21:1-27. Shrouded in mysterious visions of cosmic battles, plagues, and catastrophic events, the Apocalypse of St. John, or as it’s more commonly known--the Book of Revelation, paints a haunting picture of the end times. Cryptic symbols of beasts, the rise of the Antichrist, and the final judgment unfold with unsettling intensity, revealing the ultimate clash between good and evil. Yet, beneath its terrifying imagery, Revelation is also a deeply personal letter, offering comfort to early Christians facing persecution. It reassures them—and believers today—of God's control over history, His promise of redemption, and the certainty of Christ's victory. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Earth and Heaven—Satan is bound for a thousand years as Christ reigns with His saints, but what does that mean? A literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth or does it represent that Christ reigns now? Satan is described as chained, but he’s not inactive. Eventually, Satan is released but ultimately defeated and thrown into the lake of fire. The dead are judged according to their deeds. Knowing that a final judgment awaits, how comforting it is to know that our Christ wins in the end, and he gives us the victory! The Rev. William Cwirla, pastor emeritus, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Revelation 20:1-15. Shrouded in mysterious visions of cosmic battles, plagues, and catastrophic events, the Apocalypse of St. John, or as it’s more commonly known--the Book of Revelation, paints a haunting picture of the end times. Cryptic symbols of beasts, the rise of the Antichrist, and the final judgment unfold with unsettling intensity, revealing the ultimate clash between good and evil. Yet, beneath its terrifying imagery, Revelation is also a deeply personal letter, offering comfort to early Christians facing persecution. It reassures them—and believers today—of God's control over history, His promise of redemption, and the certainty of Christ's victory. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.