

Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio
KFUO Radio
Thy Strong Word 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.
Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 16, 2024 • 57min
Proverbs 8: Lady Wisdom and her Blessings
Solomon once again personifies wisdom as a woman who calls out to all of humanity. He emphasizes wisdom's invaluable role in life, declaring her to be more precious than jewels and more profitable than silver or gold. Wisdom is portrayed as having been present at the creation of the world, working alongside God as a master craftsman. Her presence brings blessing and honor to those who embrace her, and she offers a path to prudence, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.The Rev. Doug Griebenaw, pastor and Mission Advocate at KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 8.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 15, 2024 • 54min
Proverbs 7: Her House is on the Highway to Hell
In this chapter, Solomon provides a stern warning against the dangers of adultery, using the narrative of a young man seduced by an adulterous woman to illustrate the severe consequences of succumbing to such temptation. The chapter emphasizes the importance of adhering to wisdom and moral discipline as safeguards against destructive choices. It depicts the young man’s path to ruin as inevitable, likening him to an animal led to slaughter.The Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 7.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 12, 2024 • 56min
Proverbs 6:20-35: More Warnings Against Adultery
The second half of Proverbs 6 returns to the seductive allure of the adulterous woman, portraying her as a grave threat to one’s well-being and social standing. Solomon argues that succumbing to such temptations lead to irrevocable harm and dishonor. He contrasts the consequences of theft—which can be remedied by restitution and may be driven by necessity—with the deeper, more damaging repercussions of adultery, which include public disgrace and personal ruin.The Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 6:20-35.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 11, 2024 • 58min
Proverbs 6:1-19: A Father’s Practical Warnings
Solomon begins by advising against becoming financially entangled through guarantees for debts, emphasizing the importance of quick action to free oneself from such commitments. He then extols the virtues of diligence and foresight, using the ant as a model of hard work and preparation. Following this, Solomon strongly condemns laziness and the consequences of sloth and enumerates seven things that are detestable to God, including haughty eyes, lying, shedding innocent blood, devising wicked schemes, eagerness to do evil, false witness, and sowing discord among brothers.The Rev. Ryan Kleimola, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 6:1-19.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 10, 2024 • 58min
Proverbs 5: The Forbidden Woman
Solomon, in the context of a father’s advice to his son, offers wisdom and guidance on the dangers of succumbing to the temptations of adultery. He contrasts the fleeting pleasures of immoral relationships with the lasting satisfaction of faithfulness within marriage. He advises the reader to cherish and be satisfied with their own spouse, warning that straying leads to dire consequences, including loss of honor, wealth, and health. But is there more to these verses than sexual purity?The Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 5.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 9, 2024 • 56min
Proverbs 4: Passing Down Wisdom from Fathers to Sons
This chapter begins with a father encouraging his sons to embrace godly wisdom, citing his own father's teachings to illustrate wisdom's value and its ability to guide one towards righteousness and away from wickedness. He then contrasts the prosperous path of wisdom with the ruinous ways of the wicked. In the final set of instructions, the father advises his son to steadfastly follow the path of wisdom, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus and purity of heart to navigate life.The Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 4. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 8, 2024 • 57min
Proverbs 3:13-35: Wisdom is More Precious than Silver and Gold
Solomon presents godly wisdom and understanding as treasures that surpass all material wealth, emphasizing their unparalleled value in securing a fulfilling and prosperous life. Through these verses, he delineates the manifold blessings of embracing wisdom, including longevity, peace, divine favor, and protection. Solomon advises his readers to lean not on their own insight but to trust wholly in the Lord, to honor God with their resources, and to perceive divine discipline as an expression of God's love.The Rev. Brian Davies, pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 3:13-35.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 5, 2024 • 59min
Free-Text First Friday: Confessing Our Sins
Following His resurrection, one of the first things Jesus did was to give His church a profound gift: the authority to forgive sins, as well as the duty to withhold forgiveness from those who remain unrepentant. This significant aspect of faith may have been a topic of discussion in your Confirmation classes, yet the question remains—have you fully embraced this divine gift? This episode delves into the profound significance of Jesus' institution of the Office of the Keys and the practice of Confession and Absolution.The Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss Confession and Absolution.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.

Apr 4, 2024 • 59min
Proverbs 3:1-12: Trust in the Lord
Solomon emphasizes adherence to God's commandments and teachings, promising a long life, prosperity, and peace as rewards. The passage highlights the importance of trust in the Lord and discourages reliance on one’s own understanding, advocating instead for acknowledgment of God in all aspects of life to ensure proper direction. Solomon proclaims kindness, generosity, and fairness as virtues that lead to favor both with God and people.The Rev. Christopher Craig, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sylvan Grove, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 3:1-12.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.

Apr 3, 2024 • 57min
Proverbs 2: Search for Wisdom
This chapter contains a moral dichotomy, contrasting the path of the righteous with the ways of the wicked. It warns against the enticements of evil men and the seductions of the adulterous woman, suggesting that these paths lead to darkness and estrangement from God. The righteous, on the other hand, are promised protection and a fruitful life in adherence to God’s wisdom.The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Proverbs 2.Step into the spiritually rich landscape of the Book of Proverbs, a text divinely inspired and attributed to Solomon, the sage king endowed by God with unsurpassed wisdom. This ancient scripture begins with heartfelt lessons from a father to a son, laying a foundation of moral and ethical guidance before unfolding into a collection of timeless proverbs. It uniquely personifies wisdom and folly as two paths that stand before humanity, offering a choice between a life filled with virtue, fear of the Lord, and understanding, and one marred by shortsighted pleasures and foolishness. Proverbs serves as a compass for those seeking to walk in righteousness, offering insights that resonate deeply with the human experience, guiding us toward a life of purpose and discernment according to God’s will.