Lutherans have a strange history when it comes to the traditional disciplines of Lent. In Luther’s day, many of the disciplines, particularly fasting, were often frowned upon because they were so easily abused into works righteousness. But is that the case today? How might our obsession with freedom actually turn into a cover up for evil? Join us for Episode 68 of The Crux of the Matter.
Read moreCRUX Episode 67 - Twenty Years in the Ministry
In episode 67, Scott and Todd discuss twenty years in the pastoral office. What are the highs and lows, what have they learned, what was the best and worst? And why did Kurt Marquart call their situations a "Felicitous inconsistency?" Join us for this episode of The Crux of the Matter.
Read moreCRUX Episode 66 - Interpretation and Preaching
Bible interpretation is somewhat that every pastor engagesevery day of his ministry. In this episode, Todd and Scott start to tackle the question of how to interpret the Bible, particularly for preaching and teaching. They also talk about Isaiah, the HT unConference, Stephen King’s Dark Tower Series, and the Quick to Listen podcast. Join us for Episode 66 of The Crux of the Matter
Read moreCRUX EPISODE 65 - After Christmas
The time after Christmas is typically pretty difficult for pastors, at least these pastors. How is it that we reconnect with family, recharge the batteries, and in general reengage with the ministry after an intensive period. Scott and Todd also talk about the Incarnation, Guatemala, and noise-canceling headphones. Take a listen to episode 65 of The Crux of the Matter to find out more.
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CRUX EPISODE 64 - Honor Among Pastors
Ronald Reagan had the 11th commandment for conservatives. Is there a similar standard of conversation among pastors? How do we treat each other? How do we speak about one another to the laity? Is that somehow different from what we do and how we should speak as Christians anyways? Listen in as Scott and Todd try to get at this good question in episode 64 of The Crux of the Matter.
TEACHING/READING/LEARNING
- Angels
- Theology of Preaching
TOPIC -Honor Among Pastors
- Law/Gospel (not the one you’re thinking of)
- Bonhoeffer, Life Together
JOY BRINGERS
- Mockingbird web site
- Law & Gospel, A Theology of Sinners for Saints (Scott’s Pick)
- PreachByEar.com(Todd’s Pick)
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 Music is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.
CRUX Episode 63 - Pastoral Care and Politics
Trump and Clinton, morals and economics, parish membership and political parties. The lines are drawn, but where is Jesus in the midst of all of this madness? Scott and Todd try to untangle the question of pastoral care and politics in episode 63 of The Crux of the Matter. Join us for a listen!
Read moreCRUX Episode 62 - Sick Pastors
How do pastors deal with being sick? It’s the season when children go back to school, and so many pastors struggle with sickness, both short term and long term. Do you cancel classes or worship services? Who looks after you when you are sick? Will the church collapse in upon itself without you? Scott and Todd take a crack at this question and more in to episode 62 of The Crux of the Matter.
Read moreCRUX Episode 61 - Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was canonized by Pope Francis on Sunday, September 4, 2016. So there's a lot of talk in the media about saints. For Lutherans, this is a mixed conversation. We cling to and hold on to the saints, but we neither worship no pray to them. So what are we to do with a woman like Mother Teresa? John us for Episode 61 of The Crux of the Matter, hosted by Todd Peperkorn and Scott Stiegemeyer.
WHAT ARE WE TEACHING
- Judah and Tamar (Todd)
- CS Lewis (Scott)
NOTES
- Mother Teresa
- Christopher Hitchens
- Mother Teresa, Ineffective Altruist
- Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article XXI
- The Third Miracle (IMDB link)
JOY BRINGERS
- Alone Together, Sherry Turkel (SCOTT)
- Reclaiming Conversation (also SCOTT)
- The Word Remains (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 is “On My Heart Imprint Your Image” from the album, “On My Heart Imprint Your Image,” copyright 2003 by Kathryn M. Peperkorn. Used by Permission.
CRUX Episode 60 - The Summer
Bioethics, preaching of the poor, Catholic social ethics, what we did over summer vacation, German, Yosemite. We cover it all and much, much more this episode! John us for Episode 60 of The Crux of the Matter, hosted by Todd Peperkorn and Scott Stiegemeyer.
Read moreCRUX Episode 59 - Church Politics
Church politics. Even the phrase leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But what is it, and is it all bad? Whether you are talking about what color the carpet should be, all the way up to how we should deploy missionaries, politics are involved if humans are involved. Todd and Scott go back and forth on the subject today. Learn more in Episode 59 of The Crux of the Matter.
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