Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

Do we have free will, and to what extent? The Concordians made a distinction between freedom in worldly things and freedom in spiritual things. A person can display worldly righteousness, or even civil righteousness to a certain extent, but we are fully unable to be righteous before God by anything we do (Galatians 3:2-6). Thanks be to Him that our hope is never on ourselves, but on the full sufficiency of salvation by Christ’s cross and empty tomb.Rev. Dr. Joshua Miller, pastor at Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study free will.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. The Concordians and the Roman Church both agreed with the clear words of Holy Scripture. Christ will come for judgement at a time we cannot predict (Matthew 24:43-44). The godly will have eternal life and eternal joys (2 Timothy 4:8) and the ungodly endless punishment (Matthew 25:46). Lord have mercy! “O Jesus Christ, do not delay, But hasten our salvation; We often tremble on our way in fear and tribulation. O hear and grant our fervent plea: Come, mighty judge, and set us free. From death and every evil.” LSB 508, st. 7Rev. Jack Gilbert, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Racine, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Christ’s Return.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Political order is a necessary and holy state. Christian perfection is not found by withholding property ownership. We are to be subject to our governing authorities (Romans 13:1). Although there is often much sin where the public office is concerned, we trust in the Lord’s promise to work through these authorities for good order and peace in our society. Land ownership can also cause sinful behavior, yet every Christian is to focus on how they can use God’s gifts to serve Him and love others. Our role is to pray for all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4), repent of our sins, and to participate in our government affairs when they conflict with the Word of God. “Lord God, we pray for all public servants, for the government and those who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord. Amen.” Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Ranch, NM, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Political Order.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Traditions and ceremonies are necessary— not necessary for salvation, but for good order. Nobody can institute them with the claim that they justify outside of faith in Christ. At the same time, to deny ceremonies that do not contradict the Word can be equally problematic. Human works could easily be perceived as the way to receive a perfect and spiritual life. Yet, it is only by the Gospel that one’s heart is changed and by the Holy Spirit that we live a holy life.Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Human Traditions.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Tradition is helpful to the church in promoting good order and peace. Yet tradition is not to hinder the free and gracious salvation we receive for Christ’s sake through faith. The Roman Church and the Reformers agreed on the benefits of tradition but were diametrically opposed in their understanding of its role in salvation. The issue is found in our hearts, not specifically in the traditions, and as our hearts need renewal by the Holy Spirit through the Word. By His grace, we follow God’s Word out of thankfulness for salvation and seek to live a good and holy life in Christ.Rev. Rick Stuckwisch, President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Human Traditions.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

God is the giver of order, and because of this, we are to live in an orderly way. In His wisdom, He established the office of the Ministry to steward His mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1). This Ministry is centered and grounded in Christ and the Word and Sacrament. To add more to the requirements for “good order” such as relics, canonical ordination, sacrifice of the mass, or a perfect structure leads consciences away from the full sufficiency of Christ. “O Lord, help us to keep order in Christ for the sake of the building up of your kingdom. Lord have mercy. Amen.”Rev. Scott Adle, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, Nebraska, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Order in the Church.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

How many Sacraments do we have? It depends on who you ask! The Reformers were focused on the reception of God’s gracious gift of forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ. The Roman Catholic Church focused on the authority of the Pope and traditions, but as we know, traditions and the Pope can err. Yet, Jesus and His Word do not err and give what He promises: the forgiveness of sins. A Sacrament is defined as a physical element with the promise of forgiveness attached to it (Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and sometimes Absolution). To quibble over exact numbers is unproductive when the focus needs to be on Christ and His gifts. “O Word of God incarnate, O Wisdom from on high, O Truth unchanged, unchanging, O Light of our dark sky: We praise You for the radiance That from the hallowed page, A lantern to our footsteps, Shines on from age to age.” LSB 523, st. 1Rev. Paul Cain, senior pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Sheridan, Wyoming, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the number of Sacraments.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

True repentance bears good fruit: prayer, thanksgiving, confessing Christ, teaching the faith, honoring authorities, and being faithful to one’s calling. This good fruit is not intended to diminish years of punishment in purgatory, rather, it is produced with thanksgiving to the Lord and for the good of one’s neighbor. Believers can take comfort in the Office of the Keys— the command to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, which always leads one back to Christ instead of our need to do more. “Baptismal waters cover me; Christ’s wounded hand has set me free. Held in my Father’s strong embrace, With joy I praise Him for His grace.” LSB 616, st. 5Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Confession and Satisfaction.

The Reformers understood that punishment is a necessary aspect of repentance. Punishment, they believed, is one when feels contrition over sin. The Roman Church at the time was determined to prescribe certain punishments to pay for certain sins. These punishments, according to the Church, could be satisfied by works performed in this life and in purgatory. However, punishment does not come because of a particular sin (take Job for example). Punishment is when contrition is felt, as we understand the weight of our sin and God’s wrath. Troubles are not meant to prompt a desperate search to determine our sins but rather are intended to bring us back to God as our strength (2 Cor. 12:9). Christ has had the final victory (1 Cor. 15:57) and our works are meant for His glory.Rev. Jonathan Buescher, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Mt. Pulaski, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the truth on the topic of Confession and SatisfactionFind your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

How easy it is to misuse Scripture! Jesus says, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Mark 1:15). Just as we learned that repentance is contrition combined with faith, we also understand that the LORD bears fruit through repentance. The Holy Spirit works through us to bear this fruit— it is not a requirement of our salvation. Christ has made full satisfaction for sin so that we can serve our neighbors in freedom and for their sake! We need not add the Law or human traditions to obtain a clear conscience. “The King of Love my shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His And He is mine forever.” LSB 709, st. 1Rev. Peter Schmidt, pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Waukesha, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss Confession and Satisfaction.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.