Pope Francis is in the midst of making his first visit to North America. But why should Lutherans care? Scott and Todd discuss the Pope’s speech before Congress, his upcoming speech before the United Nations, and lament why he didn’t speak about Jesus Christ, the unborn, and the very least and lowest in our society. Hear more from Todd and Scott in Episode 36 of The Crux of the Matter.
Read moreCRUX Episode 34 - Islam and Western Europe
While Islam seems to be taking over the world, there is a small revolution taking place. One Lutheran Church, Trinity (SELC) in Berlin, Germany, has seen their membership grow from 150 to 600 members over the past two years. Trinity and their pastor, Rev. Gottfried Martens, have been getting press all over the wrold because of this phenomenon. Are these conversions real, or just political expediency? How do we tell? Hear Pastors Todd Peperkorn and Scott Stiemeyer get to the Crux of the Matter in episode 34.
Read moreCRUX Episode 33 - Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis
Times of crisis are difficult at best. Who do I talk to and why? Where does the Church fit in to the conversation? Oftentimes, pastors are the last to know about a major crisis in the life of their parishioners. In this episode, Scott and Todd discuss what role pastors play in times of crisis, as well as what role(s) they should or could play if they knew about what was going on. Join us for episode 33 of The Crux of the Matter.
LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
- How the World Began, by Helmut Thielecke
WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
SCOTT
- Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis
TODD
- Imagination Redeemed, by Gene Edward Veith and Matthew P. Ristuccia
WHERE TO FIND US
Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER. You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.
You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.
Email the show at feedback@thecruxofthematter.net
To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice: https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss
To subscribe via iTunes, please go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811
Intro and Outro Music Copyright © 2011 Varazuvi™ www.varazuvi.com
CRUX Episode 32 - The Pro-Life Pastor
It is easy to say one is pro-life. It is much harder to actually do it in practice. In this episode, Scott and Todd talk about what it means to be a pro-life pastor today, how it affects preaching, catechesis, and pastoral care, and how things have changed over the decades. Join us for episode 32 of The Crux of the Matter.
Read moreCRUX Episode 31 - The 2nd century and the 21st
It has been said that the struggles the Church faces today are much closer to the second century than to the sixteenth century. In this episode, Scott and Todd wrestle with what this means, what we can learn from the martyrs and apologists of the early church, and how it applies today.
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CRUX Episode 29 - Preaching the Gospel, Part One
Lutherans have a difficult time occasionally in preaching to the whole person. In this episode, Scott and Todd try to unpack what it means to preach the text in a way that engages the mind, the body, the heart, and the imagination. This conversation goes from Dr. John Kleinig to Minecraft and the modern fascination with world building games. At the end, there is also a long overdue mention of the Pope.
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CRUX Episode 28 - Preaching the Law, Part Two
What does it mean to be human? What did Naomi mean when she prayed that the Lord would "deal kindly" with Ruth? Can the preacher actually use the Law in a certain way, or is that the Holy Sprit's job? All this and more are the topics of discussion in episode 28 of The Crux of the Matter. Join Pastor Todd Peperkorn and Professor Scott Stiegemeyer as they tackle the issues of the day, written by pastors and for pastors.
Read moreCRUX Episode 27 - Preaching the Law
Preaching the Law is the second hardest thing the pastor does, right after preaching the Gospel. There are so many pitfalls for the preacher. How do we approach it in a way that is faithful to the text, and is faithful to our ultimate goal of communion with Christ? That’s the question for this week. Join Scott and Todd as they talk about the the crux of the matter in preaching the Law.
LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
- “Their Names in Heaven” -A funeral sermon for the miscarriage of two young children who were adopted in embryo. (link will be coming soon)
WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
SCOTT
- Beyond Therapy: Biotechnology and the Pursuit of Happiness, by The President’s Council on Bioethics
TODD
WHERE TO FIND US
Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER. You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.
You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.
Email the show at feedback@thecruxofthematter.net
To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice: https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss
To subscribe via iTunes, please go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811
Intro and Outro Music Copyright © 2011 Varazuvi™ www.varazuvi.com
CRUX Episode 26 - Pastors and Tech, Part Two
Pastors are more accesible to their congregation than ever before. Web sites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, the ways to find the pastor increase with each day. How do we make ourselves available to our people, and what is the cost? Listen to Scott and Todd talk it over in episode 26 of The Crux of the Matter.
LINKS AND OTHER STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT
WHAT'S BRINGING JOY THIS WEEK
SCOTT
TODD
WHERE TO FIND US
Todd and Scott co-host THE CRUX OF THE MATTER. You may find Todd Peperkorn @toddpeperkorn on Twitter or facebook.com/toddpeperkorn on Facebook. He also blogs, posts sermons, and random nonsense at Lutheran Logomaniac and Dark My Road. Todd’s parish is Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California. You can find his sermons & bible classes on YouTube HERE.
You may find Scott Stiegemeyer @scottstieg on Twitter or Facebook.com/scottstiegemeyer on Facebook. Scott is an assistant professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine.
Email the show at feedback@thecruxofthematter.net
To subscribe directly, please paste the following link into your pod-catcher of choice: https://thecruxofthematter.squarespace.com/podcast/?format=rss
To subscribe via iTunes, please go to: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-the-crux-of-the-matter/id959171811
Intro and Outro Music Copyright © 2011 Varazuvi™ www.varazuvi.com
CRUX Episode 25 - Pastors and Tech, Part One
It is nearly impossible for a pastor in 21st century america to avoid technology. Phones, tablets, computers, even watches are more and more advanced as the days go by. How does all of this fit into the workflow of the faithful Lutheran pastor? Listen to Scott and Todd talk it over in episode 24 of The Crux of the Matter.
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