What does Scripture say about sacrifice? There are two kinds of sacrifices found in the New Testament: atoning sacrifice, and eucharistic sacrifice. The one and final atoning sacrifice was accomplished by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the sins of the whole world. Eucharistic sacrifices are done by those who are reconciled to God in Christ, giving thanks for their salvation and serving others. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of the Mass. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]. 

The Concordians had no desire to abolish the Mass. When one looks at the order of the Mass in the Catholic Church, and then compares it to the Divine Service of the Concordians, there is not much difference. The greatest difference came in the understanding of sacrifice and in the use of the German language. Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient; therefore, we proclaim the Truth of His forgiveness, life, and salvation (Luke 24:44-47). As people hear the Word, it is important that they understand the Word in their own language (Romans 10:17). Rev. Dr. Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to begin a study on the Mass. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]. 

The history of Pontifical Law forbade the marriage of priests due to a revelation from God; however, such a revelation is not found in Scripture. As Christians, our faith is founded in God’s Word alone. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of marriage and seek His blessing upon our pastors’ families to live in the faith, hope, and love of Christ. Rev. Matthew Moss, St. John Lutheran Church, Corcoran, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study on the marriage of priests. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]. 

The Lord has designed humanity to be fruitful, and that one sex should desire the other in a proper way. While the Office of the Ministry is a high calling, there is no mandate which states that overseers should be “married to the Church.” Melancthon’s concern was that believers would take a good gift of God and call it unholy. Everything begins with His good and divine ordinance (Genesis 1:28). When we go against His natural order, chaos ensues. There are those who are called to a single, chaste life; however, it is not to mandated on God’s people (1 Corinthians 7). Lord, have mercy on the Church to lead a sexually pure and holy life. Rev. Benjamin Meyer, Hope Lutheran Church, Sunberry, OH, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Scriptural truth on the marriage of priests. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]. 

When Jesus tells us to receive His body and His blood (Matthew 26:26-29), there are no limitations where the laity is concerned. We must ask ourselves the question, “What is happening in this Sacrament?” The Reformers emphasized the benefits that Jesus provides, while the Roman Church emphasized the work the priest does for you. Receive both kinds with joy as He gives you full forgiveness, life, and salvation!   Rev. James Maxwell, President of the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to examine the Scriptural truth of both kinds in the sacrament. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected]. 

Saints are those who have died believing in the blood of Christ for salvation. Saints are to be remembered with thanksgiving, seen as examples of holy living for the sake of being strengthened in faith. However, whenever saints are seen in such a way as makes it appear that they help with atonement, Christ’s sufficient work on the cross is lost. We can faithfully proclaim the ways that saints have lived a holy life at funerals and at the celebration of All Saints Sunday without confusing the salvation belonging only to Christ. “Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!” LSB 677, st. 4 Rev. Dennis McFadden, pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Scriptural truth on the invocation of saints Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Good works do not reconcile us to God. Only by faith in the blood of Christ are we reconciled to the Father (1 Timothy 2:5). However, good works are necessary (Ephesians 2:10). They are done to fulfill God’s will. In faith, there are no fractions in salvation. Works without faith will never be enough, but Christ’s cross is enough. “Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling. Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me Savior, or I die.” LSB 761, st. 3 Rev. John Pless, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Scriptural truth on good works. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Who caused sin? Did God cause sin? Who is to blame? When we look at Genesis 1-3, we understand that the fault for sin lies with the devil and with us. The Lord is not the cause of sin— if He was, He would be no different than a terrorist. However, our Lord is merciful in Christ to all nations. He created everything and still preserves it. Therefore, we trust that the LORD who did not spare His own Son will also strengthen us as we walk through this veil of tears. Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to confess the Scriptural truth on the cause of sin. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Do we have free will, and to what extent? The Concordians made a distinction between freedom in worldly things and freedom in spiritual things. A person can display worldly righteousness, or even civil righteousness to a certain extent, but we are fully unable to be righteous before God by anything we do (Galatians 3:2-6). Thanks be to Him that our hope is never on ourselves, but on the full sufficiency of salvation by Christ’s cross and empty tomb. Rev. Dr. Joshua Miller, pastor at Jehovah Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study free will. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. The Concordians and the Roman Church both agreed with the clear words of Holy Scripture. Christ will come for judgement at a time we cannot predict (Matthew 24:43-44). The godly will have eternal life and eternal joys (2 Timothy 4:8) and the ungodly endless punishment (Matthew 25:46). Lord have mercy! “O Jesus Christ, do not delay, But hasten our salvation; We often tremble on our way in fear and tribulation. O hear and grant our fervent plea: Come, mighty judge, and set us free. From death and every evil.” LSB 508, st. 7 Rev. Jack Gilbert, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Racine, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Christ’s Return. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Political order is a necessary and holy state. Christian perfection is not found by withholding property ownership. We are to be subject to our governing authorities (Romans 13:1). Although there is often much sin where the public office is concerned, we trust in the Lord’s promise to work through these authorities for good order and peace in our society. Land ownership can also cause sinful behavior, yet every Christian is to focus on how they can use God’s gifts to serve Him and love others. Our role is to pray for all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4), repent of our sins, and to participate in our government affairs when they conflict with the Word of God. “Lord God, we pray for all public servants, for the government and those who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord. Amen.” Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Ranch, NM, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Political Order. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.