Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

This special Advent edition of “Headlines” features three rounds of Advent and Christmas-themed news stories, with two fabricated by the host and one real headline. The guest’s challenge is to identify the real story, which serves as a springboard for a deeper theological discussion. The conversation weaves together humor, insight, and reflections on Christ’s incarnation and return. The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to be quizzed on and unpack holiday headlines. 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.

God confronts His people's unfaithfulness, "Will a man rob God?" He calls them to return, promising blessings. The book of Malachi closes with a final, stark warning of the "great and awesome day of the LORD," a day of judgment (fire) for the wicked and healing for the righteous. It ends with the prophecy of Elijah's return to turn the hearts of the fathers and children, a promise fulfilled in John the Baptist. The Rev. Mitchell Gowen, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aiea, HI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Malachi 3:6-4:6. To learn more about Our Savior, visit oursaviorhawaii.com.This Advent series begins by covering the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and then spends twelve episodes alternating between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, tracing God's promises from Isaiah to the birth of Christ. The series explores Emmanuel's promise, the Davidic King, John the Baptist as forerunner, and reaches its climax with the Nativity. The final episodes examine the Suffering Servant, the shadow of the cross in Christ's infancy, Isaiah's Messianic mission statement, and John's declaration that "the Word became flesh." 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.

Join Rev. Roger Mullet, Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, as he delves into Malachi's sharp rebukes against unfaithful priests and the corrupt sacrifices they offer. They discuss how these ancient issues mirror modern church challenges and emphasize the need for pastoral diligence. Rev. Mullet also offers insightful advice on the importance of marital faithfulness and choosing Christian partners, while revealing Malachi’s promise of a messenger to refine God's people. Their conversation sheds light on faithfulness, integrity, and divine purification.

The final book of the Old Testament opens with God's passionate declaration of His unique love for Israel ("Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated"). Yet this loved people, particularly the priests, have dishonored Him. They offer blind, lame, and sick animals, a "polluted" worship they would never offer their governor. God rejects their blemished offerings and makes a stunning prophecy: His name will be great among the nations. The Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI and Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Malachi 1:1-14. To learn more about Our Savior and Agnus Dei Lutheran Churches, visit facebook.com/oursaviorunioncity and agnusdeimarshall.com.This Advent series begins by covering the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and then spends twelve episodes alternating between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, tracing God's promises from Isaiah to the birth of Christ. The series explores Emmanuel's promise, the Davidic King, John the Baptist as forerunner, and reaches its climax with the Nativity. The final episodes examine the Suffering Servant, the shadow of the cross in Christ's infancy, Isaiah's Messianic mission statement, and John's declaration that "the Word became flesh." 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 Matthew concludes with a spectacular display of God’s ultimate power and authority over death and the grave. Jesus, who was once dead, now lives, having raised himself from the grave. An angel scares away the guards and gives the women at the tomb great news as they look for Jesus’ body: "He is not here, for he has risen." Jesus then meets His disciples on a mountain in Galilee and gives them the Great Commission: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching, promising "I am with you always, to the end of the age." The Rev. Dr. Steven Mueller, Vice President and Chief Mission Officer, Professor of Theology, and Dean of Christ College at Concordia University, Irvine, CA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 28:1-20. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. 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.

Kings don’t die like this. Kings die in palaces, surrounded by honor, not naked and nailed to a Roman cross between criminals. Kings wear golden crowns, not thorns. Yet in Matthew 27, the “King of the Jews” is stripped, spat upon, mocked, and crucified. As Jesus’ spirit departed his body, the temple veil is torn in two, earthquakes shook the land, and a Roman centurion is compelled to proclaim, "Truly this was the Son of God!" The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 27:27-66. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. 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.

After Judas's remorseful and tragic suicide for the role he played in betraying the Messiah, Jesus is dragged before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate finds no fault in Him, but he is trapped between his conscience and the crowd. In a moment of political expedience, Pilate offers them Barabbas, a notorious criminal, likely in hopes that he could spare Jesus. His plan backfires when the chief priests and elders persuade the crowd to demand Barabbas's release and Christ's crucifixion. Pilate attempts to indemnify himself by washing his hands of the innocent blood he will then order to be shed. The Rev. Donald Stein, pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 27:1-26. To learn more about St. Andrew Lutheran, visit standrewrockton.com.The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. 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.

Jesus is led to a sham, and likely illegal, trial before the high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, who seek false testimony to execute Him. He remains silent until He is put under oath and makes this divine claim: "you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power." Hope for those who believe, these words are “blasphemy” in the eyes of the Jewish leaders and for them this statement seals His fate. Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Peter, the rock, crumbles by denying three times He even knows the Lord, just as Jesus predicted. The Rev. David Boisclair, senior pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 26:57-75. To learn more about Our Redeemer, visit ourredeemerstl.org.The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. 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.

On the Mount of Olives, Jesus foretells Peter's denial before entering the crushing agony of Gethsemane. He prays, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me," yet submits perfectly: "nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." His disciples sleep as His anguish deepens. The scene is shattered by the arrival of Judas, who betrays the Son of Man with a kiss, leading to His arrest as the disciples scatter. The Rev. George Murdaugh, pastor emeritus, assisting First Lutheran Church, Birmingham, AL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 26:31-56. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. 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.

As the Passover approaches, the plot to kill Jesus solidifies. A woman anoints Him with expensive ointment, an act the disciples see as waste, but Jesus commends as a proper preparation for his upcoming death and burial. This contrasts with Judas, who has agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. At the Last Supper, Jesus institutes the Sacrament of the Altar which gives us His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. The Rev. Dr. Richard Davenport, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, AR, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 26:1-30. To learn more about Our Redeemer, visit OurRedeemerFortSmith.360unite.com.The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. 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.