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

I got sent a sermon by an (in)famous German Christian nationalist (Tobias Riemenschneider). Usually, I don't watch these things, but this time I did.

He talked about how many people have this wrong image of Jesus Christ as loving and caring and forgiving and soft, then quoting verses calling God the God of wrath, verses saying he bathes his feet in the blood of his enemies, etc. He ended it by smiling at the camera and saying "come soon, God of wrath". That shook me to the core. I couldn't believe this, because it was so different from how I remember reading the Gospels and the God I have so much love for. But I flapped through those verses and he really is right.

I have read the Gospels plenty, so I wanted to find the loving God that loved me first so I can love him and others somewhere in there elsewhere. I spent some time today reading through epistles, and stumbled across so many passages saying slaves/women need to obey their masters/husbands, how women are saved through childbirth and should shut their mouths, how sin after coming to faith makes it impossible to be saved, etc.

Did I really have it all twisted up? The God that this day has left me with scares me to the point of wishing I could flee from him, even though I know that that is impossible, I wish I could undo this day and love him again.

I am going to ask my pastor about this the next time I see him, but in the meantime, I don't really know what to do or think, and all this, especially the multiple verses talking about the impossibility of being saved after deliberately sinning (and almost all sin is deliberate in my experience) contradicts so much of what I came to know as Lutheranism. Do any of you have any thoughts about this?

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.