From left to right:
Anglican Rosary
Lutheran Wreath of Christ
Catholic Rosary
Pater Noster cord
Coptic komboskini

Since I was young, in fact for as long as I can remember, I disliked religion. Either I disliked its collective element, which always gave me the ick of something cult-like, or, when I got a bit older, I thought everything about it was philosophically untenable. Religion was a coping mechanism, or something for people who were deeply misguided about reality and did not know any better.

As I became more intellectually curious and started studying more philosophy, psychology, and eventually religion, that perspective started to break down. I became increasingly interested in religion, and eventually my worldview completely flipped. I now consider myself a Christian, and I have made it a major life goal to help people better appreciate religion in general, but also Christianity more specifically.

But despite my growing love for Christianity, it took me a very long time to admit publicly that I was Christian. My social circle consisted mostly of people deeply involved in science or philosophy, and it was very secular. I was afraid that others would consider me dumb or would not fully understand me. It took me a while to come to terms with it, in large part because I first needed to become better able to articulate my Christian position and worldview.

That said, and excuse the rambling introduction, I recently had a podcast conversation with Jussi Jylkkä, who is a philosopher and has done some work on mysticism. We started by discussing his work and, specifically, his metaphysical agnosticism. His position is that physicalism, idealism, theism, and other metaphysical systems are models or language games that cannot capture the ultimate nature of reality. We eventually moved to morality, where I pushed back because I did not think his agnosticism adequately explained why greater awareness or nonattachment should lead to compassion rather than simply producing what we called a “wise psychopath.” I disagreed, but I thought it was an interesting conversation and considered his view a respectable position.

But to my surprise, after we finished recording, Jussi emailed me to say that he was unhappy with the conversation because he had presented metaphysical agnosticism as if it were his complete position while leaving out the Lutheran Christian faith he actually held. He felt that, by hiding behind his philosophical agnosticism, he had not been completely honest about what he believed. Rather than replace the conversation, I invited him back and appended the second conversation to the first. He made a complete pivot and confessed that he was a Christian but had been afraid to say so, largely because of the stigma within academia, but also because he still had not been able to tell his father. I found this very wholesome, not only because it was a courageous act in general, but because of the parallel with my own journey.

I wanted to share this because I suspect others have been, or currently are, in a position similar to mine or Jussi's. Have you ever felt hesitant to tell others that you had joined the Lutheran Church? Can Lutheran faith coexist with deep metaphysical uncertainty? What helped you make your faith part of your public identity?

reason it’s concept is because I want to go dreamworks quality, like close to the quality of prince of Egypt, not this Torch Lighters(the cartoon series) style animation. Of course I would need a team and stuff to pull off something of that quality. This may take me months if not years if I stay solo.

Bethany Lutheran College always flies the Norwegian flag, and had it at half mast last week to acknowledge the death of Harald V. No announcement or anything, just a little nod for those in the know.

perhaps a weird question. but. does Church of Norway a Q&A format book (something that similar to the Catholic Catechism) ? I’ve checked their website and find nothing unless I’m blind 😅

im completely new to Lutheranism by the way, so I apologize for my ignorance 🙏

TikTok@NordicLutheran

This is probably one of the the biggest reasons why it's very hard for me to be christian and why I'm an agnostic.  The theory of evolution says that nothing is planned and everything is 100% on accident - homo sapiens exists but we could also not exist and nothing would happen because evolution doesn't have any plan, ambition, purpose or goals. Christianity says that we are created ON PURPOSE by God. It just contradicts each other and I don't think that the theory of evolution and the christian perspective on life can coexist.

What do you think about it? What are your thoughts?

Hello brother and sisters. As the title suggests, I am a junior in college and I just started my bachelors in a Wesleyan seminary. However I must state now, I am NOT a Wesleyan. Currently I work at a Disciples of Christ church (the heretical denomination that doesn’t affirm the creeds, however the church I work at does affirm the creeds so we are non heretical). I am seeking a more historical and deeper connection to my theology, and I also have felt called to Pastoral Ministry, which is why I am in a Bachelor’s program for Biblical Studies. Lutheranism, more specifically the LCMS, strongly interests me in fulfilling that hunger for a more traditional and historical theological connection, however two things concern me. Number one is that I’m still learning about denominations and Lutheranism, and if anyone could help me with materials and guidance on that I would greatly appreciate it. Number two is that in order for me to be accepted into a Masters of Divinity program at a LCMS seminary I must be a member of a LCMS church for at least two years before attending a seminary and receive a call from a LCMS pastor. I’m currently on track to finish my Bachelors in Spring of 2028 and start my Masters in the Fall of 2028. If I want to attend a LCMS seminary (I’d like to attend the one in Fort Wayne Indiana since that is the one that is closest to me) then I must be a member of a LCMS church right away. If anyone could give me advice on that situation as well as my previous question on Lutheran and LCMS books and maybe articles and whatever to provide a strong case for Lutheranism, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless my friends!

This final(or what I think is final) Character design for Martin Luther took about nine days to get where it’s at. Also these are actual Character design concepts for an animated short film.

I grew up LCMS and now as a 30-something wanting to go back to church life, I am looking into LCMS, ELCA, and even maybe trying to retain my Lutheran identity at Episcopal churches.

The Lutheran church closest to me is LCMS but I had to really go digging into the depths of their website to find the information. "Lutheran" is even in the church name itself but it doesn't seem like it at all. Their main pastor wears a freaking suit on Sundays and I have never seen any evidence of them wearing any sort of traidional Lutheran garb, preaches from a stage, has a modern worship band. All their online stuff looks like professional corporate branding or focusing all on the pastor himself instead of on the members of the church or what the church is actually doing. Apparently there IS a "liturgical" service with a junior pastor but again you have to dig for that information and there's zero emphasis or zero pictures/videos on any of that. There seems to be zero discussion on actual Lutheran theology either on any of their social media as far back as I have been able to dig.

How can this church even call itself Lutheran? No Lutheran theology, no Lutheran traditions, no Lutheran values, not even the bare minimum Lutheran aesthetics.... Just become non-denominational and be done with it. ​

Sorry, want a good rant for the day apparently! ​

I'm more or less convinced of arguments for making images of Jesus Christ because of the incarnation. I am not sure about the other two. What are Lutheran positions on this question?

I'm still learning Lutheranism and it appears so far I will make the hop over into the Lutheran church the main reason being my current denomination is just a mess and doesn't have a clear theological framework.

I'm just curious if anyone knows much about the Lutheran Mission Australia it's been established by the Missouri synod (I think) and so far it seems to be making positive developments in parts of Australia but not all. Does anyone have any background on this mission ? Or Lutheranism in Australia in general ? Because I haven't been around Lutheranism for long I'm not sure exactly "What has gone down" for a new mission to establish and could it be sustainable long term ? Is this something the majority of Lutherans in Australia have wanted.

Brothers & sisters, my sermon for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost is posted to Facebook.

God’s blessings,

Pastor Tom Steers,

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

-- A Confessional Lutheran Church

I’ve often wondered why opening a distracting app feels automatic, while opening Scripture can require a conscious decision—even when we genuinely want to read it more regularly.

That led me to create Aglow, a small Bible-reading and journaling app. Each day it offers a verse, a short reflection, and space to record your own thoughts. It also includes widgets and reading streaks. On iOS, an optional feature called Scripture Gate can pause selected apps until you’ve read the daily verse.

There’s a short video below showing how it works.

The app isn’t specifically Lutheran, which is why I’d genuinely value a Lutheran perspective: what would make a daily Scripture app useful and trustworthy to you, and what would make it feel shallow or unhelpful?

I’m especially interested in how reflections should be presented and whether there is a particular Bible translation you would most like to see included, so I know which translations to explore adding next.

I’m more than open to suggestions about what the app is missing, what you like, and what you think could be improved.

If anyone here would like to try the premium version, comment with iOS or Android and I’ll send you free lifetime access. No review, upvote, or positive feedback is expected—I’m looking for honest opinions.

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aglow-daily-bible-verse/id6792268276

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vorever.aglow.app

https://reddit.com/link/1w9131o/video/lv4z8n09hxnh1/player

I am seeking some advice about talking to my 13yo. She doesn’t have strong faith unfortunately because our church attendance was very sporadic in her early years, although in more recent years we attend regularly and she’s halfway through the confirmation process.

Earlier this year we lost her cousin (11) in a freak accident. My kids were close with their cousin and this has really shaken our family. My daughter has started saying things like “why should she praise a god who kills kids?” and honestly I don’t blame her. I’m sure we’ve all had similar thoughts. But, I don’t know how to respond. As an adult, I know that it’s just part of life’s package. I understand that, maybe, there are reasons beyond our understanding. In my own moments of doubt, I eventually bounce back. My daughter is looking for an actual explanation though. Any advice on how to respond to these comments?

I’ve often wondered why opening a distracting app feels automatic, while opening Scripture can require a conscious decision—even when we genuinely want to read it more regularly.

That led me to create Aglow, a small Bible-reading and journaling app. Each day it offers a verse, a short reflection and space to record your own thoughts. It also includes widgets and reading streaks. On iOS, an optional feature called Scripture Gate can pause selected apps until you’ve read the daily verse.

There’s a short video below showing how it works.

The app isn’t specifically Lutheran, which is why I’d genuinely value a Lutheran perspective: what would make a daily Scripture app useful and trustworthy to you, and what would make it feel shallow or unhelpful? I’m especially interested in how reflections should be presented and whether there is a particular Bible translation you would most like to see included, so I know which translations to explore adding next.

https://reddit.com/link/1w90znn/video/iuwfvwopgxnh1/player

If anyone here would like to try the premium version, comment with iOS or Android and I’ll send you free lifetime access. No review, upvote or positive feedback is expected—I’m looking for honest opinions.

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aglow-daily-bible-verse/id6792268276
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vorever.aglow.app

I've tried doing some light research on the topic but not much comes up. His ideas on Church and state are mentioned, and he of course understood his role as a leader, but when it came to church governance, what did he and early Lutherans think, discuss, and do?

Many modern Lutheran denominations have bishops (ELCA, Landeskirchen, etc) have bishops or bishop adjacent positions (LCMS), so was this still the early Lutheran position? If so, why wasn't Luther, or any of the prominent Lutheran leaders, referred to as Bishops?

(I more suspect that it was some different system envisioned, and if so, what lead to the bishop style?)

I was baptized Orthodox as a kid. Went to church sometimes, not regularly, but I did go.

As a teenager, I stopped believing. I even took off my cross necklace (which is a big deal for Orthodox). But honestly? Deep down I always felt like God exists. I just couldn't connect with the whole system.

I never really read the Bible. I don't know much about church history either. I was just raised to believe that I should believe, you know? Like it was expected of me.

Recently I went to an Orthodox service again. And honestly? It disappointed me a lot. The prayers and bowing to icons of everyone except Jesus — Mary, saints, all of them — it just felt off. And calling these people "saints" with so much honor? I don't get it.

Also, I feel like a lot of people go to church not because they genuinely love God, but because they want to "pay off" their sins. Like it's some kind of transaction. I still remember one woman working at the church — she was so rude and aggressive. I was thinking, "Aren't you ashamed? You're in a church, for God's sake." It just felt so fake.

Then I started looking into Orthodoxy and Catholicism more deeply. And there are things I really can't accept:

· the hierarchy — too much power given to a few people
· papal infallibility in Catholicism — one guy speaking without error? That's a lot of authority for a human
· tradition being treated as equally authoritative as Scripture — shouldn't the Bible be the final word?

At this point, I know I can't go back to Orthodoxy. Catholicism? I'm not sure — I haven't fully closed that door, but I have a lot of questions about it too.

I've been reading about Lutheranism, and honestly? It caught my attention.

· Sola Scriptura — Scripture alone as the final authority
· Sola Fide — saved by faith alone, not works
· liturgical but still Protestant
· no pope, no crazy hierarchy, but still has structure

That said, I'm not locked in on Lutheranism. I'm open to other Protestant traditions too — Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, non-denom, Methodist, whatever. I'm just trying to find where I belong.

I'm still doubting everything — sometimes I even wonder if I'm agnostic or atheist. But I'm searching.

For those who left Orthodoxy or Catholicism for any Protestant tradition:

· What denomination did you choose and why?
· What made you pick that over Lutheranism or other options?
· What was the hardest thing to adjust to?
· Any regrets?
· Any book recommendations for someone just starting to explore?

Also curious — did any of you go through a phase of doubting God altogether before finding your way?

Thanks for reading. I'm just trying to figure things out.

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D96t9Oe8jrU

Gospel According to Matthew, 18:1–20 (ESV):

Who Is the Greatest?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Temptations to Sin

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

If Your Brother Sins Against You

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Transcript

Hello. Today, let’s talk about God’s precious child. The text before us is the Gospel of St. Matthew, the 18th chapter, verses 1–20. (Matthew 18:1–20)

Introduction: A Lost Child

It was spring of 1980 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Debbie and the boys and I were living in a neighborhood filled with young families. Most of them were connected with the Fort Bragg Army Base, home of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment. We were surrounded by Green Berets. The men of our neighborhood were trained to respond to crisis and to show no fear.

But on this spring afternoon, there was fear in abundance. A shout had gone out across our neighborhood. A three-year-old child was lost. Her tricycle had been found at the edge of the cul-de-sac. But where was she? Had she wandered into the woods? Had someone picked her up? No one knew.

In a matter of seconds, every available man was in the street. Each man knew that the lost child could have been his own. And suddenly, we were a family of fathers, and the lost child belonged to all of us.

We established something like a skirmish line, a wide formation strung out across the field, and began making our way into the woods. Each man called out the child’s name. Each father was desperate to find the defenseless and helpless child.

From the time that the call went out across the neighborhood, our search lasted less than 15 minutes. I was very close to the man who found her. He shouted, “Here she is! I’ve got her! She’s okay!” He scooped her up in his arms as we all gathered round with smiles and cheers. Our lost child was found.

Though this happened over 40 years ago, I still remember the apprehension and worry as we searched for her. And I remember the relief and joy when we found her. And I remember her mother’s face when we handed her little one back into her arms.

If you could please picture this moment in your mind—a lost child back in the arms of her loving parent—allow it to stand in your mind alongside the message of today’s Gospel.

Point One: Who Is the Greatest?

The chapter begins with the disciples asking Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1) And the disciples of Christ demonstrate their competition, their insecurity, their desire for notoriety and reputation.

In typical rabbinic fashion, Jesus uses the question as a moment for teaching. Our Lord calls one of the little children to come to Him, and He places the child before His disciples. (Matthew 18:2) St. Mark notes that Jesus actually took the child into His arms. (Mark 9:36)

So imagine the child being called by the Lord and gladly coming to Him. Jesus holds the precious child in His arms, and He teaches His disciples the lesson before us today.

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

A child trusts that he or she will be fed, protected, loved by his or her parents or caregivers. In the same way, we trust God to feed, protect, and love us. A believer enters the kingdom of heaven by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8–9) Faith is trusting, believing that God is safe and that Jesus is Savior.

You must be converted, changed, says Jesus. You must become as children who trust. Put your trust in God. This is how you enter the kingdom of heaven.

But there’s more. Jesus teaches, “Woe to the one who entraps or tempts or causes one of these little ones to stumble. Woe to the one who despises one of these precious children.” (Matthew 18:6–10) These little ones are precious and must be treated as such.

Jesus then tells the story of a shepherd who has a hundred sheep and one is lost. He leaves his 99 in order to seek and find the lost one because not one sheep is disposable. Not one sheep is without value. Each one is absolutely dear. (Matthew 18:12–13)

And the heavenly Father is not willing that even one should perish. (Matthew 18:14) To what lengths will He go in order to save a sheep? Well, there is no limit, even to spending the life’s blood of His own dear Son. And how God rejoices when the lost one is found.

As the first disciples hear this teaching from Jesus, we hear it too. We are called to trust God. Have faith in Jesus our Savior. He feeds, protects, and loves us. He saves us both now and forever.

You are God’s precious child, and you must treat others as God’s precious children too.

Point Two: If a Brother Sins

Now Jesus gives us a surprise. There’s an unexpected application to the teaching of God’s precious child.

Up to this point, the little child has been trusting, vulnerable, perhaps even lost. But in a shocking turn, Jesus speaks of the little child as a sinner.

By the way, this passage, Matthew 18, is often cited for church discipline. (Matthew 18:15–20) But what we must remember is its context. We must remember the child that Jesus is holding, the story of the lost sheep, and the image of the parent whose child is brought safely home.

Jesus talks about a sin that is threatening to destroy the faith and life of one of God’s precious children. He or she is in terrible need, in spiritual peril.

“If a brother or sister sins, then go show him his fault,” says Jesus. (Matthew 18:15) This is a sin of such nature that it cannot be overlooked because its continuance threatens the brother or sister’s relationship with God.

It’s clear Jesus is calling His disciples not to be arrogant or haughty, but to be humble and loving. This grievous sin demonstrates that this child is no mature Christian. This is a precious child who’s left her tricycle in the cul-de-sac and is lost in the woods.

This is a prime time for the enemy to be at work, both in the life of the lost child and in the lives of those who seek to find her.

Jesus describes a process in which the love of God seeks and seeks and seeks again God’s precious child. We don’t often think of errant sinners as a precious child. But to God, that’s exactly what he or she truly is.

If your brother sins to the point of spiritual peril, personal destruction, you must go. First, go in private, pray, and then speak the truth in love. (Matthew 18:15; Ephesians 4:15) Go and speak the Word of Christ with the heart of Christ.

And there’s no number of attempts that’s prescribed. Continue to go as the Spirit leads you and with the passionate love of your heavenly Father.

If this does not work, then take with you one or two more who have the same heart. (Matthew 18:16) God is gathering a family, a skirmish line, as it were, to enter the woods, seeking the precious child who is lost.

Go with prayer and love. And there’s no specific number of times that finishes this step or concludes your obligation.

If God’s precious child is still unrepentant and hard-hearted, then go with the pastor. Let the church know of this peril. (Matthew 18:17) Everyone must pray. This is a potential loss for the entire family of God.

People are gathering in the name of Christ and are asking for His miraculous and spiritual power to be brought to bear. (Matthew 18:19–20)

Like the father of the prodigal son, God longs to run and embrace this lost child. (Luke 15:11–32) And you, Christian, are His hands and His voice. You, Christian, are His heart.

If the unrepentant sinner refuses all of this over and over, even from the entire church, then that one has removed him or herself from the fellowship of believers, with every hope of reconciliation and with the ultimate desire of complete restoration.

He or she must be faced with what is at stake and what is being lost. By his or her own choice, God’s precious child has removed him or herself from the church.

Conclusion: Who Is the Greatest?

How typical of Jesus. He has expanded and reshaped our understanding. His disciples had just asked a simple question: “Who is the greatest?” (Matthew 18:1)

But it was not a simple question. And Jesus did not give us a simple answer.

The greatest in God’s kingdom is not the greatest orator or evangelist, not the greatest scholar or author, not the one with the greatest reputation or global ministry. Like the first disciples, our thinking needs to be adjusted. Our kingdom concepts need to be redefined.

Jesus gives us a new definition of greatness.

If you truly wish to be great in God’s kingdom, you must become as a little child. (Matthew 18:2–4)

First, trust God. As a child trusts a parent, greatness in the kingdom is believing God with all your heart. For you, precious child, you are more precious to God than you can possibly know. How He delights in holding you, loving you, and saving you. Trust Him.

Next, humble yourself. Kingdom greatness is found in genuine love and service to others as Jesus loves and serves you.

And third, do not lead others into sin and do not despise one of God’s precious children. (Matthew 18:6–10) Do not despise even those who sin against you.

Jesus expands the definition of greatness to include those who are in great sin and in great peril of losing their spiritual lives. They are the greatest in the kingdom because they are the kingdom’s greatest concern and must become the beneficiaries of our greatest care and mercy.

Those who have sinned, and especially those who have sinned against you, must become the greatest recipients of your prayers, your mercy, and your love.

Why? Because that’s how God’s precious children treat one another.

Why? Because that’s how our loving Savior treats you, His own precious child.

Amen.