Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

What are the negative statements, or things we don’t believe, about original sin? How does what we believe about Christ’s incarnation and perfect human nature affect what we believe about original sin? What does Pelagian, Semi-Pelagian, and Manichean mean and why should we be aware of these things? Dr. Kevin Armbrust, Director of Editorial for LCMS Communications, and Peter Slayton, Social Media Manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the Epitome of the Formula of Concord, Article I: of Original Sin (paragraphs 11-17) in the Book of Concord.

What’s the difference between the Epitome of the Formula of Concord and the Solid Declaration? What is original sin? What is the nature of humanity? Does Human = Original Sin? What does philosophy have to do with all of this? Rev. Peter Ill— pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, Peter Slayton— Social Media Manager for the LCMS, and Dr. Kevin Armbrust— Director of Editorial for the LCMS Communications Department, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss Epitome of the Formula of Concord, Article I: of Original Sin in the Book of Concord.

The old saying goes, “if we do not learn from history we will have to repeat history’s mistakes.” On this episode we will dig in to the history and background of the Formula of Concord, including how it came into being and succeeded in healing the young strife-torn Lutheran Church. We learn wisdom from it that, God-willing, creates the setting for us to approach controversies that threaten our unity in the Church today. Rev. Jaime Nava, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Maplewood, Missouri, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss the history, background, and setting for the Formula of Concord.

The gospel requires those who preside over churches to “exercise jurisdiction”–that is, excommunicate those who are guilty of notorious crimes and absolve those who repent. The bishops have tyrannically reserved this right for themselves alone, and have employed it for gain. But again, this belongs to the proper work of the gospel, which by divine right belongs to all who preside over the churches in the gospel. Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah, Illinois, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: The Power and Jurisdiction of Bishops (paragraphs 74-end) in the Book of Concord.

The gospel requires of those who preside over the churches that they preach the gospel, remit sins, and administer the sacraments. This power belongs, by divine right, to all who preside over the churches–whether they are called pastors, presbyters, or bishops. For wherever the church exists, the right to administer the gospel also exists. Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, Social Media manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: The Power and Jurisdiction of Bishops (paragraphs 60-73).

Is the Pope the Antichrist? Rev. Peter Ill— pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, Peter Slayton— Social Media Manager for the LCMS, and Dr. Kevin Armbrust— Director of Editorial for the LCMS and interim editor of the Lutheran Witness, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: The Marks of the Antichrist (paragraphs 39-59).

Is Christianity strengthened and expanded in the world by worldly power and influence? That was the thinking of the Roman papacy at the time of the Reformation and the Power and Primacy of the Pope (paragraphs 32-38) contrasts this thinking of the Pope between that of Christ and the Gospel, which is the true influence of the Church in the world. Rev. David Wiist, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Evansville, Indiana, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope: A Contrast Between Christ and the Pope (paragraphs 32-38) in the Book of Concord.

Does Matthew 16:18-19 mean that Peter was named the first Pope by Jesus himself? Does the Papacy have any special or Divine authority? Are the Keys given to just Peter and his successors, or the whole Church? These are some of the questions the Lutherans address in the Power and Primacy of the Pope in their Refutation of the Roman Arguments (paragraphs 22-31). Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, social media manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss The Power and Primacy of the Pope in the Book of Concord.

What is the right of any one man to rule absolutely in the church on Earth? Was the Pope always regarded by the Early Church as the supreme ruler in Christendom? How is the Church organized, structured, and governed? How do Lutherans receive pastors? These are the questions that are addressed in the document in the Book of Concord called “The Power and Primacy of the Pope.” Rev. Peter Ill, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, and Peter Slayton, Social Media Manager for the LCMS, join host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss “The Power and Primacy of the Pope” in the Book of Concord. This is a rebroadcast from September 24, 2019.

What is the history surrounding this document, The Power and Primacy of the Pope? How does this history reflect itself in the Book of Concord and how does it relate to us today? How does the expanse of the church across the world play into Biblical church hierarchy? What is church hierarchy, anyway? Rev. Peter Ill— pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, Illinois, Peter Slayton— Social Media Manager for the LCMS, and Dr. Kevin Armbrust— Director of Editorial for the LCMS and interim editor of the Lutheran Witness, joins host Rev. Sean Smith to discuss paragraphs 12-21 in The Power and Primacy of the Pope in the Book of Concord.