500 Years of Luther's Insight

October 31, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. In thanksgiving to God for Luther’s clarity and boldness in proclaiming the Gospel, the Hausvater Project offers:

What Is That? (a.k.a. What Does This Mean?): The Genius of Luther’s Small Catechism
Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain: a Hymn Study, for All Ages
Katharine von Bora: The Morning Star of Wittenberg: a Review of a New Children’s Book concerning Luther’s Wife Katie.
Two Points on Marriage from the Augsburg Confession: Chastity and Procreation
The Lord’s Prayer: a New Musical Setting for Chanting the Prayer That Jesus Taught Us

What Is That? The Genius of Luther’s Small Catechism

By Ryan Loeslie

Most Lutherans who went through junior high confirmation class at one time in their lives are familiar with Luther’s famous question from his Small Catechism, “What does this mean?” Sadly, this is all many remember. But at the same time, this proves Luther’s genius. He devised a simple, childlike question which all people can relate to as they are learning the basics of the faith. Whatever failure the church has had in retaining its children after confirmation is its own fault, not that of the Small Catechism.

In the original German, Luther’s question was framed a bit differently than what we’ve come to know in English translation. “Was ist das?,” the Small Catechism reads. Literally we would translate this as “What is it?” or “What is that?” As you can see, this is an even more basic question than “What does this mean?” It is simpler. It is more childlike. We can picture a small child pointing to a colorful flower or a strange-looking insect and asking the same question: What is it? What is that?

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/articles/387

Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain

By Douglas Zahner

This hymn points us to the Catechism and reminds us that the Six Chief Parts of Christian doctrine remain important all of life. The presence of all six parts is very clear in the text and invites discussion and instruction.

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/hymnody-liturgy/386

Katharine von Bora: The Morning Star of Wittenberg

By Marie MacPherson

Jenna and Shanna Strackbein, Katharine von Bora: The Morning Star of Wittenberg, illustrated by Emily and Jenna Strackbein, with maps and illumination by Elisabeth Strackbein, and a forward by John and Marlene Eidsmoe (Aransas Pass, Texas: Unbroken Faith Publications, 2017)

I unwrapped the manila packaging, surprised to find a children’s book inside. I pulled out a strikingly beautiful, smooth matte book that I simply couldn’t help running my hand over. “I don’t remember ordering this!” I thought to myself, running my finger over the title, Katharine von Bora: The Morning Star of Wittenberg. Later, as I read it aloud to my children, it struck me that the theological and historical contents of Katharine von Bora were just as pleasing as all of the intricate illustrations inside.

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/book-reviews/391

Here We Stand: Two Points on Marriage from the Augsburg Confession, Article XXIII

By Justin Whitmore

Both Luther’s writings and the writings of the Lutheran Reformers in general grant special focus to the topic of marriage. The Augsburg Confession and the Apology take up the matter with boldness in Article XXIII, applying a Scriptural understanding of marriage to the office of priests. Article XXIII begins with two basic points that are foundational to this Scriptural understanding of marriage. These points are not to be taken as one against the other, but as two purposes that stand side by side in understanding this blessed estate that God has given us. ... Chastity and Procreation ...

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/articles/392

The Lord’s Prayer (Chant)

By Heather Schulz

I composed this piece in the years following my brain injury in 2005. As I was healing, this version of “The Lord’s Prayer” just came out one day on the piano in about an hour. The Lord’s Prayer had become very dear to me, as I wasn’t sure many times even what to say to God during those difficult times. It is His perfect prayer for all times. This was how I prayed the Lord’s Prayer in my heart and being. ...

Click to Continue Reading: http://www.hausvater.org/hymnody-liturgy/393

Forgiveness in Christ: it’s for you and your children. (Acts 2:38-29)

The Hausvater Project seeks to equip Christian men and women for distinctive and complementary vocations in family, church, and society, by fostering research and education in light of Holy Scripture as proclaimed by the Lutheran Confessions.

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