The Plot-structure of Genesis

Todd L Patterson, Ph. D. (2012), Trinity International University, is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. Overview There are two main questions that Patterson takes up as he writes ...

Did I Sign Up for This?!

“Did I sign up for this?” I know I asked that question on occasion. You too? The Gospel reading for this Sunday is the end of a lengthier segment. Jesus is about to send out ...

Four Branches – June 2020

Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical Exegetical Theology: Rebuilding After Exile I: Fearless Yet Concerned for Legality As we return from the brief coronavirus exile, we can find much fodder for reflection in the history ...

Preach the Word – July/August 2020

Volume 23, Number 6 Delivery Matters I can still remember my first real “preaching” opportunity—evening chapel at MLC during my senior year. I triumphantly finished writing my manuscript. It felt so good to be done! ...

Theologians You Should Know

Michael Reeves (PhD, King’s College, London) is president and professor of theology at Union School of Theology in Oxford. He is the author of Delighting in the Trinity, Rejoicing in Christ, and The Unquenchable Flame: ...

Watch Yourself and Your Doctrine Closely

It’s easy as WELS pastors to read the first paragraph of Sunday’s gospel (Mt 7:15-29) and mentally check off this pericope as having no rebuke for us.  Jesus urges his hearers to be constantly watching ...

A Lutheran Looks at Baptists

Eric Hartzell is a 1976 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He spent six years serving as a missionary in Zambia, Africa. He also served as a pastor in East Fork, AZ and Georgetown, TX. Baptists ...

Four Branches – May 2020

Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical Exegetical Theology: The Swim in Historical-Exegetical Waters & Acts 17:22-31 Though I fail to remember the source, someone described text study like this: “When you bathe yourself in a ...

Brand Luther: How an Unheralded Monk Turned His Small Town into a Center of Publishing, Made Himself the Most Famous Man in Europe—and Started the Protestant Reformation

Andrew Pettegree is Professor of Modern History at the University of St. Andrews, where he was the founding director of the St. Andrews Reformation Studies Institute. He is the author of a number of books ...

Give What You Command, O Lord!

“Give what you command [O Lord], and then command whatever you will.” In St. Augustine’s Confessions, that was his memorable way of capturing this comforting scriptural truth: God himself effectively works in us to will ...