To learn about Mattathias, we need to learn about Joarib. Joarib (spelled Jehoiarib in 1st Chronicles) was part of the 24 priestly divisions that served at the First Temple, which Solomon had built (1 Chronicles 24:7). After the Babylonian exile, Joarib (no doubt from the Joarib priestly division) was a priest who was one of […]
Thinking About the Hymns We Sing
May 21, 2013 by
This is our pastor’s newsletter article for June. Hymns are strange. It’s not that hymns are strange writings put to music but that many of the hymns we like and are used to singing all differ. I didn’t grow up as a Lutheran. I converted to Lutheranism in the autumn of 1988. So, most […]
Acts 2:1-21: Living in Pentecost
May 19, 2013 by
Pentecost was a feast that God told the Israelites to celebrate. The Jews celebrated Pentecost 50 days after Passover; that’s why it had the name “Pentecost.” That Old-Covenant feast was a joyous day, which, over time, became an entire week of celebration. The people thanked God and presented to Him the first-fruits of the wheat […]
1st Maccabees, Lesson 2: Events Leading Up to the Maccabean Revolt
May 15, 2013 by
Historical Backdrop: 1:1-9 Read 1 Maccabees 1:1-9 These verses give the background, as a review to the reader, for the events that will follow. This book was written for Jews, and so it should not surprise us when it uses Old-Testament terminology. For instance, “Kittim” points back to the capital of Cyprus (Genesis 10:4 and […]
1st Maccabees, Lesson 1: Introduction
May 8, 2013 by
Why the Apocrypha When we consider studying a book from what we call the Apocrypha, why should we do so? After all, when we look at our Bible translations, those books are missing from our English-language Bibles and have been so for about 200 years. Are those books part of the Bible? If so, then […]
John 16:23-30: Praying as We Ought
May 5, 2013 by
God put on the robe of human flesh, being born from the womb of Virgin Mary. As God, He knew all; as a human, He had to learn, grow, and develop. As a man, God, in the person of Jesus the Messiah, made Himself a sacrifice for our sin–for us and our salvation. He ascended […]
John 16:5-15: Grace Alone
April 28, 2013 by
In 418 AD, the Church held a council at Carthage, today in Tunisia, to deal with a false teaching in the Church. That teaching was called “Pelagianism.” Pelagianism taught that we humans are born neutral before God, neither good nor evil. And because we are neutral, someone’s own choices or efforts get him into heaven. […]
Confession, Absolution, and the Spoken Word of Forgiveness
April 27, 2013 by
Often, Christians are confused about a Pastor speaking God’s forgiveness to others. Some (i.e., Protestants) say that only God can forgive sins. Such a statement is true, but neglects how God chooses to bring His forgiveness of others. This short theological pondering by Pr. Futrell may help someone better understand what God’s Word teaches. […]
What are We to Make of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary?
April 27, 2013 by
What are we to make of the traditional Lutheran position that Mary remained a virgin her entire life? This short theological pondering from Pastor Futrell helps us look at this teaching with historic eyes. From the time of Martin Luther’s excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church taught and believed that Mary […]
Thoughts on Personal Preferences and Worship of God
April 24, 2013 by
From the beginning, when we first see God give His people instructions on worship, we find worship to be liturgical (following prescribed patterns, not free form of one’s own choosing). After giving His people the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), God told them to how to build an altar (Exodus 20:24-26). Then, He told them about […]
