If the Bible’s writers were from men who sinned how can we say it’s without flaw? And, since writers were guided by the spirit to write the books/letters/poems, is that why we say God is the author of the Bible? Also, how were certain books/letters/poems chosen to be part of the Holy Book?
To better understand a hymn it is helpful to know the backstory and the person/situation that led to writing of that hymn. Is there a resource that easily shares this information, or is a google search ok?
What is difference in LSB vs TLH hymnal?
Growing up, I seem to recall singing amen at the end of a hymn. That’s not done anymore. Why not?
Season 4 Episode 1
January 29, 2025
Hey Pastor, I was listening to a podcast last night and the Pastor in it said that Lutherans have a sense of mortal sin and there's a possibility of forfeiting salvation by continuing to live in unrepentant sin. I’m a little confused on how we receive saving grace freely but our actions can elicit the loss of it. Could you help me understand better, please?
When at communion and joined by family and friends who have died, am I joined by those who were faithful Christian of other faiths? Especially wondering about mother in law who was faithful Catholic.
A friend who attends a nondenominational church shared that her pastor explained that Jesus didn’t die over and over, so we don’t receive his actual body and blood each week. Please explain what we know and don’t know about how we receive the body and blood, and what she was trying to tell me. My response was that he is above, below and within, and we don’t understand how it happens, but have faith by the Words He spoke. How close was I?
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 12
December 23, 2024
How about you create a list of your top Christian books, Pastor Andrew. Fiction, Historical fiction and non-fiction - suitable for lay people. And, identify those that are in our Church Library.
How does the divine service differ from other LCMS services?
Christmas thoughts
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 11
November 25, 2024
Did Job get ten new kids or did God raise his kids from the dead?
I like listening to Christian music. Some call this music heresy.
I also watch movies about the Bible. Growing up we watched Charleston Heston in the Ten Commandments every year. I am currently watching The Chosen. I realize it is a tv show based on the Bible that takes creative liberties. What I appreciate is seeing the culture and history portrayed, and it has also led me to read the Bible more to better understand the scene they are portraying. Is there an issue with watching ‘Christian’ movies/shows?
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 10
October 28, 2024
How does the placing of Pastors work in the LCMS? Do you have guidance over Christ Lutheran long-term or do you shift like Catholics do?
How should Christians approach voting and politics?
You shared a good way to better understand a parable is to place ourselves and Jesus in different roles of each parable. Would you please review that again?
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 9
September 30, 2024
I know that the Hebrew word for holy means set apart, but I was wondering if it had a positive connotation attached to it. I know culturally I understand holy to be a good thing, but I learned a while back that it doesn't necessarily mean good. It just means to be set apart, but I was wondering if it technically had a positive connotation to make holy something that is set apart, but also good?
How many times did David kill Goliath? According to 1 Samuel 17:49-52 Goliath was killed twice.
Michaelmas and the Angels
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 8
August 26, 2024
What makes a Lutheran a Lutheran?
When we hear of “Lutherans” in the news, are they usually talking about a Church that we would align ourselves with doctrinally or not?
Why are we studying the Lutheran Confessions in Bible study, not just the Bible?
Why should I attend Bible Study and Chapel?
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 7
July 29, 2024
How do you pray the Psalms?
Do you baptize a baby if the parents aren’t married?
I have heard it said that there will be no birth in the new earth after the resurrection because there will be no longer be any death. However in the garden before sin and therefore death, Adam and Eve were commanded to fill the earth with their offspring. Why the difference?
What does a blessing do?
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 6
June 24, 2024
How should Christians handle dreams?
Why is the Gospel of Thomas not in the Bible?
Can you explain hate in Luke 14:26 when we’re supposed to
love each other?
Is it a sin against the 9th/10th
commandment to keep praying for something that God hasn’t given?
Thoughts on 6 years as a Pastor.
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 5
May 28, 2024
God created the world and everything in it, then sin entered and ruined it all. When Jesus comes again and we go to the new Jerusalem (new heaven and earth) will there not be any animals that God created in the beginning? I do know we will be singing and praising God, however will we still have things to do like caring for the New Jerusalem?
What is the third heaven?
What is the antichrist?
Season 3 Episode 4 (April 2024)
April 29, 2024
How should we, as Christians, think about adoption or fostering?
Do animals have souls or spirits?
Why can Lutheran Pastors be married, but Catholic priests can’t?
Season 3 Episode 3
March 25, 2024
How should a Christian think about birth control?
What about IVF and other fertility treatments?
Can babies repent? (Thinking in regards to baptism)
What does it mean that Jesus was a Jew?
Ask the Pastor Season 3 Episode 2
February 26, 2024
The logistics of the sacrifices. How did they get anything else done? How could they have that many lambs without blemish? How did they remember all of the rules?
What about the ashes on Ash Wednesday? Do I have to get them? What about the idea of getting ashes but not going to Church on Ash Wednesday?
What are some of the traditions of Lent and why do we do them?
Are other religions just different paths to God? What about other denominations?
Season 3 Episode 1 (January 2024)
January 29, 2024
What about cremation? Is it a sin?
Is it wrong to have a celebration of life instead of a funeral?
You were saying one of the characteristics of the sacraments is physical. You went over the physical elements of baptism and communion but skipped confession. What is the physical element of confession?
Regarding baptism you said the reason we baptize is because Jesus said we should but John the baptist was baptizing before Jesus instructed it. When did baptizing start? Is it a jewish custom? If not, why was John doing it?
Lenten Theme
Season 2 Episode 12 (December 2023)
December 18, 2023
When Jesus comes back is there any sin/devil?
Is there any soccer, events, shopping, restaurants, cars, etc. in heaven/new creation?
Will there be animals in heaven?
Do we stay the same age in heaven? (like if you die at 100, do you stay 100?) Do we look the same when we die or do we look like we are our 20 year old self?
What if somebody that is generally a good person that doesn’t believe in Jesus, do they go to hell?
Will we remember our lives here on earth?
