Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

What is Gnosticism? It's more than just a big word, and you've probably run across it more than you realize.Rev. Peter Burfeind joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss Gnosticism in America today. Learn the historical roots and key ideas of Gnosticism and the influence of Gnosticism on historic Christianity. Then, hear how the gnostic heresy is still active in Christianity today, the dangers of hidden Gnosticism to our concord as the Church, and how we combat Gnosticism in order to maintain concord in the Church.Rev. Peter Burfeind is Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, Michigan and Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, Michigan, and serves as a Reserve Chaplain in the United States Army. He is author of the book Gnostic America: A Reading of Contemporary American Culture and Religion according to Christianity's Oldest Heresy (Amazon.com), and a series of 3 books called A Year Crowned in Goodness: Daily Meditations on the Gospels of the Historic Lectionary (Amazon.com: Part One, Part Two, Part Three) that challenge gnostic ideas.

"Synod" is in the name of our church body, but what does that word actually mean? Learn this, who the official members of synod are, and why The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod holds to confessions written in the 16th century as the basis of our unity. Also, hear about whether it's mandatory for all members to subscribe to to Scripture and the Confessions, what this subscription looks like in practical terms for the Synod, and how our commitment to a common confession helps us accomplish the work of Christ’s Church here on earth and into eternity.The Rev. Dr. James Baneck, Executive Director of Pastoral Education for the LCMS, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss life together as Synod. Dr. Baneck was a parish Pastor for 22 years until he became the North Dakota District President, where he served for 8 years before accepting the call to be Executive Director of Pastoral Education. In his current position, he has recently worked to produce the "Life Together as Synod" video series, which you can view at resources.lcms.org/life-together-as-synod-video-series.

What is stewardship? You’ll often hear “time, talents, and treasures” referenced. But is that a helpful way to think about stewardship?Is stewardship “just the business side of the Church"? A matter of our Christian life? Only a matter of “me and God”? A confessional matter?How does the faithful pastor approach stewardship, and what does stewardship look like in the Church, the Christian home, and in daily life?As Lutherans we are always looking for Law and Gospel. But, with stewardship we tend to think of it as all law. Does stewardship relate to the Gospel?Rev. Heath Curtis, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worden, IL, and Zion Lutheran Church in Carpenter, IL; LCMS Coordinator for Stewardship; and co-author of the book, Stewardship for the Care of Souls joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss stewardship.

Where do we learn about the Advent of Christ in our Lutheran Confessions? What does the Advent of Christ mean for us in these gray and latter days? How do we participate in these parts of the church year in our Christian vocations?Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch, Jr., Pastor of Emmaus Lutheran Church in South Bend, Indiana, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the Advent of Christ.This is a rebroadcast from December 15, 2020.

What are these Saxon Visitation Articles of 1528? Learn about what church visitations are about, what they have to do with the Book of Concord, and why Gospel-focused Lutherans—wanting to get out from under the Pope tyranny— would want to visit their churches and establish a Church order. Also hear what the proper use of the Lord’s Supper, closed communion, daily worship services, and what is being taught in the churches and schools has to do with gospel-focused Church order. And finally, hear about what tribulation has to do with church visitation.Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of Worship for the LCMS and Chaplain at the LCMS International Center, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the Saxon Visitation Articles of 1528.

We continue in the discussion about understanding worship catechetically. Learn how the Golden Gate Bridge serves as an analogy for how we can understand the liturgy and its catechetical function. Also, hear how the liturgy helps us see the confession of both the earthly life and mission of Christ and the benefits of that completed mission being poured out today.Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss catechesis in worship.

We now dive into understanding worship “Catechetically.” Hear discussion about what worship is and how we rightly understand that term, what liturgy is, and how liturgy itself echoes the truth of God’s Word and teaches the Catechetical faith.Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss our Lutheran worship and liturgy.

We now study section 4 of the Catechism, Christian Questions with their Answers. How do the Christian questions and answers relate to the rest of the Catechism, especially the 6 chief parts? What is the distinction between self-examination and the duty of the pastor examine those who desire to come to the Lord’s Table? How does this section lead us to the reason for our hope in the Gospel promise? Read these questions and answers at catechism.cph.org/en/questions-answers.html and use them for your own examination before Communion.Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss Christian Questions and their Answers.

Today we explore Section 3 of the Catechism and the Table of Duties. What role does this section (the table of duties) play in the Catechism? Luther refers to these as “holy orders” but, how is Luther framing this in a radically different way of understanding that term than was taught in his day (and might even still be understood by some today)? How are we to understand these duties as paired in couplets of vocational relationships? What are God’s vocational expectations for those who serve in the pastoral office? And how are hearers of God’s Word to relate to who preach God’s Word? What is the vocational relationship between government and citizens? How does the Fourth Commandment inform our understanding of this relationship? What is the vocational relationship between husbands and wives in marriage, and parents and children? What is the vocational relationship between employees and employers? How are we to understand the couplet of youth and widows? What is the vocational relationship? How do the texts listed for everyone summarize our vocational expectations for our Christian life in the world?Rev. Mark Bestul joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss vocation.

We dive into section 2 of the Catechism on Daily Prayers and Table of Duties. What do these teach us for a catechetical devotional life? Why did Luther provide prayers for morning, evening, and mealtime in addition to the Lord’s Prayer in the catechism? How does the Lord’s Prayer form a foundation for our devotional life and for our prayers throughout the day? What do the italicized instructions included with the daily prayers teach us about the Christian devotional and prayer life?Rev. Mark Bestul, Pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss daily prayer.