Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible

E. Randolph Richards (PhD, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is dean of the School of Ministry and professor of bible studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida. Brandon J. O’Brien is editor-at-large ...

Strength for the Calling…His…Ours!

It’s a double-edged connection. The more I see the power for Jesus’ calling of his own baptism by John, the more I will see the power for my calling(s) of my own baptism. And the ...

Hmong Outreach in Vietnam

 The fields are white for the harvest in Vietnam, and through the gospel, the Holy Spirit is bringing many to faith.   Jonathan Bare as told to himby Wasa Lau Translated by Bounkeo Lor   Pastor Wasa Lau is one of 60 Hmong Fellowship Church (HFC) leaders ...

Night Driving – Notes from a Prodigal Soul

Chad Bird is a former LCMS pastor and seminary professor who now works as a speaker, scholar, writer, and truck driver. He has contributed articles to Modern Reformation, The Federalist, and other publications. He also ...

Lord, What Should We Do?

“You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” (Luke 3:7).   Wow, is that John the Baptizer’s suggested homiletical greeting for Gaudete?  That historic name for next Sunday, taken from the ...

Four Branches December 2018

Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical   Exegetical Theology: Appreciating Isaiah's Poetry If you page through the book of Isaiah in most English editions of the Bible, you will notice that much of the text ...

The Gospel Preached Through Music: The Purpose and Practice of Lutheran Church Music

Daniel Zager has served as organist and director of music for several Lutheran congregations. He was a member of the Hymnody Committee for Lutheran Service Book. Zager has served as editor of CrossAccent: Journal of the ...

Preach the Word – November/December

Volume 22, Number 2 Apologetics in Preaching: Prophecies Fulfilled in Real History To some apologetics is a dirty word. The obvious objection to apologetics is “What about faith?” This concern is not unique to sola ...

Four Branches November 2018

Jump to: Exegetical Systematic Historical Practical   Exegetical Theology: Little Words, Big Worth - καί These last two months we’ve discussed how particles like ἀλλά and δέ help an exegete navigate a text. Today we’ll ...

Do You Love Your Hearers? Then Speak of God’s Judgment!

“Where never is heard a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all…Sunday.”  Such is the current reality in many Christian pulpits.  In misguided love preachers wash from their sermons any reference to God’s ...