Talks with Dad Rod

Ted asks about the effect that a pastor with a good bedside manner can have on a sinner. Rod talks about how pastors who aren't trained to have a good bedside manner have to fall back to their fathers, and about his experience being his father's son and being trained in Springfield Seminary. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks about what it means when Scripture seems to sometimes imply that sinners should be able to satisfy the law for their own salvation. Rod talks about what we're told about the depth of our sin, why we need someone to rescue us and advocate for us, and what imputed righteousness means. He also talks about how being baptized into Christ comes into play. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks why some theologians have become interested in subjectivizing the truth of the Gospel. Rod talks about our postmodern age, and uses his background in science to make a comparison to the theological realm, identifying our biases and how that can effect our position in relation to Jesus on the cross. SHOW NOTES: Gene Veith - https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B00J1K87CI Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks if Jesus died for a Chief of Sinners like me. Rod talks about the condition of some people who are crushed by the law, the danger to our faith of adverbs and adjectives, and where sinners can look for the confirmation of the truth of the faith and to receive assurance. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks what Good News should a Christian be able to bring to someone on their deathbed who is afraid and in dire need of comfort and assurance. Rod talks about how we can know the claims in the New Testament are true and factual, and how the claims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be offered to anyone, believer or unbeliever, at such a dark time to bring them assurance. SHOW NOTES: https://shop.1517.org/products/sensible-christianity-mp3 Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks about what Luther means about the unique religion of grace versus all the others. Rod talks about the unique Christian claims about Christ. Also discussed are how sinful believers can malign the name of Jesus Christ and what that means. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks about the difference between the idea of God working with matter versus the gnostic anti-matter ideas. Rod talks about Jesus becoming a man, body and soul, in order to save sinners who were beset with Adam's sin, body and soul. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks why the consistently delivered word and sacrament, Jesus Christ died-and-risen for your sins, doesn't have outsiders storming Lutheran doors to receive it. Rod talks about the Lutheran church, some of the LCMS history, the nature of German Lutherans and communication skills, and the history of Lutherans' tendency to be insular. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks how the Gospel is received by someone struggling with particular sins, and how that good news contends with it for the sake of that sinner. Rod talks about what it means to be like St. Paul—a believer in Christ who still lives in his sinful flesh, the two natures in tension against each other, and what the believer in Jesus can expect his life of faith to look like. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks about a perceived trend of Christianity gaining ground in non-Western countries where Christians are often persecuted. Rod talks about the effect of losing the Gospel, the Christian message, in church, and the message of morality and improved behavior that takes its place in its absence. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks what St. Paul means when he says in 1 Corinthians 15:56, "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law". Rod talks about how closely sin and the power of sin are intertwined, and that through the work of Christ, the power of sin is demolished. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks why people are leaving the church. Rod talks about how people have come to the church in these days to be entertained, how that model is failing, and the primary purpose of the church. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks why people are leaving the church. Rod talks about the primary element that is too often missing that causes people to leave, and what people should be able to expect in a Christian church, and what will draw them back. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks if my suffering in my faith is due to my lack of improvement or getting in line with what God is trying to teach me. Rod addresses the bad responses to the problem of evil that too often come out of the Christian church, how he taught his students about that, and what the reality is regarding our sinful yet faithful relationship with God. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks what Scripture is talking about when we are warned to be discerning of enemies of the Gospel who would spy out our Christian liberty. Rod talks about where Scripture warns us to keep an eye out for those who would use the liberty of Christian believers in order to accuse us, and how Paul takes that idea on in Galatians. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks if it's circular to use the Bible to prove the truth of the claims in the Bible. Rod taps into his training in apologetics and talks about what Dr. John Warwick Montgomery has taught regarding the veracity of the claims in the Gospel texts and how and why Jesus trusted the Old Testament as God's word, and His comments to His disciples about the coming inspiration that would be gifted to them, which became the Gospels in the New Testament. SHOW NOTES: https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Lutheran-Theology-Lutheranism-Contemporary/dp/1945978325/ref=sr_1_2?crid=29WXD2BEGIRAH&dchild=1&keywords=crisis+in+lutheran+theology&qid=1601313479&sprefix=crisis+in+Lutheran+%2Caps%2C274&sr=8-2 https://shop.1517.org/products/sensible-christianity-mp3 Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks what is the best way to inform someone who is not Lutheran (or not even Christian) about Lutheran distinctives on Scripture. Rod dips into his experience teaching at Concordia and how and why he used Scriptural passages as the primary source text for such discussions. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks about what Lutherans believe about baptism. Rod clarifies the details of what Lutherans believe baptism is and what it does and how that ties in to assurance and confidence for the believer. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks about what Lutherans believe about communion and consubstantiation. Rod talks about what Lutherans believe communion is and what it does and what it gives us, and how the Lutheran position differs from some other denominations. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks about what Gospel reductionism is. Rod speaks about the term's origin and what it means. Ted clarifies how he sees 'Gospel reductionism' being used sometimes in present discussions, and Rod speaks about how Lutherans are commanded to preach and teach both law and Gospel. SHOW NOTES: https://shop.1517.org/products/sensible-christianity-mp3 Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted starts has fun with a tongue-in-cheek statement and asks Rod about the core basic differences between Lutherans and other denominations. Rod talks about his perspective on differing doctrines that folks in the Lutheran and Reformed denominations focus on and the differences in perspectives on Scripture, and what one should be able to expect in Lutheranism. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the daily and weekly struggle in the Christian faith that God is trying to improve our condition through tough admonishment. Rod talks about filial fear, its history, talks about how his respect for his own father affected his behavior, and the error of the preached Gospel being for moral improvement in the believer. SHOW NOTES: "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Glory-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060653205 Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the differences in views on the subject of apostolic succession. Rod talks about how Lutherans focus on a succession of doctrine and its survival into the next generation, rather than a succession of ordinations. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about how Lutherans view Calvinists and their doctrine. Rod talks about what he was taught about the differences and speaks about his history with Mike Horton on the White Horse Inn radio program, and what he thinks is the most important focus of both camps. SHOW NOTES: "Wittenberg vs. Geneva" by Pastor Brian Thomas https://www.amazon.com/Wittenberg-vs-Geneva-Biblical-Doctrines/dp/1945500379/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CWX4A3FS7N8Y&dchild=1&keywords=wittenberg+vs+geneva&qid=1596477204&sprefix=wittenberg+vs+%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1 "Between Wittenberg and Geneva" by Robert Kolb and Carl Trueman https://www.amazon.com/Between-Wittenberg-Geneva-Lutheran-Conversation/dp/0801049814/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Robert+kolb+carl+trueman&qid=1596477135&s=books&sr=1-2 Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the idea that true religion is a switch from a focus of going from vice to virtue, to going from virtue to Christ. Rod talks about virtue being moral improvement and a self-help scheme, and what it means to change one's perspective away from that focus to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. SHOW NOTES: Support the show - https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about what it means to have a pastor step in and help with or for you in tough situations. Touching on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Rod talks about how Christ can get lost in our minds in the dark times, and that we need a faithful pastor to remind us that no matter what's coming, Jesus Christ has you and you're safe. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about whether Lutheran churches are the only churches where one can reasonably expect to hear the Gospel. Rod talks about how the Good News of the Gospel should be accessible in other Protestant denomination churches, regardless of doctrinal differences. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about whether answered prayers can be trusted as proof of the truth of the Gospel. Rod talks about our temptations toward using prayers and whether they are answered as a basis to trust what Scripture says, and that we should not do that but gives the apologetic answer about where we should go for the answer. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod why some people struggle to believe the Christian claims of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection. Rod talks about the necessity of a pastor who faithfully preaches and teaches the Gospel and attending regularly even while doubting. SHOW NOTES: https://shop.1517.org/products/sensible-christianity-mp3 https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the idea that fairy tales which feature the defeating of evil by good point toward the greatest Good News ever in Jesus Christ's Gospel. Rod speaks about the importance of hope in fairy tales and reflects on different stories and J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and what was communicated in their writings. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

NEW THEME MUSIC! Ted asks Rod about why it seems easier to have no rules than to have to confess sins and receive absolution for them. Rod talks about the lie and false freedom offered by satan compared to the real demands of the law and the necessity of a true rescue, which is what we find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the idea that Jesus Christ did all the work necessary for sinners to be saved. Rod talks about Jesus' words from the cross, "It is finished.", and what that means for sinners after the fact and how it relates to justification before a holy God. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/articles/how-do-i-know-i-have-actual-saving-faith https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about how Christianity isn't just another self-help program in which you rescue and improve yourself. Rod talks about how Christianity differs from other religions of the world, the evidence supporting the Christian claims, and where Christians can find assurance that God follows through on His promises. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/articles/how-do-i-know-i-have-actual-saving-faith https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about why he continues to feel guilt after he's been forgiven by his pastor. Dad talks about how important it is to have a pastor who understands how important the forgiveness of Christ is (the Gospel), and that sinners should always expect and receive the forgiveness Christ brings us in the preached Good News, and in baptism, communion, and confession and absolution, when they go to church. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the Lutheran understanding of baptism and how it ties to assurance for the Christian believer. Rod speaks of the passages on baptism and the concept of free will, and the means of grace and what attendees should expect to receive at a Lutheran church. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod what it means to have an advocate. Rod talks about what it means to have a good father be an advocate for his child and how having someone advocate for you in our present life reflects on how Jesus advocates for us with our Heavenly Father. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the idea that we can take comfort in our infants being baptized, or if it's just another thing we are expected to do in certain churches because we're told to. Rod talks about why we approach this subject the way we do in Lutheran churches, and how we use it to teach our children that even through such a seemingly simple method, God acts when we sinners don't. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about dealing with the difficult situation of explaining to people close to you why you switched from a Gospelless church to a Gospel-centered one. Rod speaks about what the Christian church is for, and what we should expect to receive there, referencing Scripture about why that is important. SHOW NOTES: https://shop.1517.org/products/sensible-christianity-mp3 https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about why when Jesus tells us not to be anxious, that doesn't seem to help us be less anxious. Rod speaks about the struggles we sinners have and what to expect and why, and where our final comfort and assurance come from. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about the possibility of losing one's faith, seemingly accidentally or easily. Rod addresses the struggles we Christians have and the gifts God gives us to sustain our faith, including giving us assurance. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod whether we sinners can find any good news in the law. Rod talks about how it can come across to some listeners to receive preaching and teaching which follows a law-Gospel-law format, and why putting emphasis on the Gospel in such messages is so critical. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/videos/the-gospel-for-those-broken-by-the-church https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about whether the Lutheran position on baptismal regeneration conflicts with sola fide, or faith alone. Rod talks about where the Christian faith comes from and how that relates to baptism, as well as how our faith is maintained through our lives. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/articles/gift-an-imaginary-dialogue-on-the-gift-of-grace https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted talks with Rod about whether or not the authors of Scripture were divinely inspired. Rod talks about logical fallacies and the veracity of the charges made against the historical accounts in the Bible by those who have tried to debunk them. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate

Ted asks Rod about Christian apologetics, what it is and about its absence in the modern church. Rod speaks about the value of apologetics, the solutions it offers, and how it aligns with Scripture. And he clarifies that the apologetic task is rooted in the historical evidence that supports the claims in the four Gospels in the New Testament. SHOW NOTES: https://www.1517.org/donate Content mentions: https://shop.1517.org/products/sensible-christianity-mp3

Ted asks Rod why having the freedom of Christ causes fear for believers. Dad Rod explains that we sinners like 'to do' lists, and Christ did away with the need for works in regard to salvation. Yet, even though sinners are free in their faith, they are tempted to impress God with their works. Show Notes: Support the show: 1517.org/donate