July 4 in Lutheran Perspective
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The Fourth of July brings to mind both patriotism today and political resistance in 1776. It turns out, German Lutherans had pondered the principles of political resistance long before that.
New at the Hausvater Project:
- “Reflections on the End of Civil Government”—Dr. Ryan MacPherson inquires: When is political resistance permissible?
- “The Only Catechism That Can Be Prayed!”—Pastor William P. Terjesen marvels over Luther´s Small Catechism
- CHRISTMAS IN JULY: “Celebration of Holy Christmas”—Consider using Friedrich Lochner’s classic German children’s program in your congregation this year!
Reflections on the End of Civil Government
By Ryan MacPherson
Drawing upon the thinking of Martin Luther, Philip Melancthon, and other prominent Lutherans, the Magdeburg Confession of 1550 provided not only a cogent analysis of a contemporary problem (the Siege of Magdeburg), but also a timeless treatment of the theological principles that properly shape our understanding of civil government—its origin, its purpose, and also its limits.
Two hundred twenty-six years later, Thomas Jefferson would similarly aim to express both universal principles and concrete applications in the American Declaration of Independence. The fruit of Philadelphia was the birth of a new nation; the fruit of Magdeburg was the preservation of the Gospel.
The Only Catechism That Can Be Prayed!
Pastor William P. Terjesen
There have been many catechisms written by many people throughout the Christian era, but none is as exquisite as Luther’s Small Catechism. Brief, simple, yet deeply profound, summarizing the whole of the Christian faith in a few easily memorizable pages, it is one of Luther’s crowning achievements. Most of us remember memorizing it in confirmation classes as young men and women, and having to recite portions of it on confirmation day. And so it holds a place of fondness in our hearts as a part of our early Christian education.
But did you know that Luther’s Small Catechism was not simply written to instruct children, but to be a regular resource for Christians of all ages?
Celebration of Holy Christmas
By Friedrich Lochner
The Christian celebrates Christmas in joyful thanksgiving for the birth of Jesus Christ. God the Father promised this birth in the beginning and repeated His promise down through the ages. It was not the birth of any ordinary man, but God Himself being born a man of the Virgin Mary. This birth of the Son of God is for our good because, through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, God offers to all mankind freedom from the guilt of sin and the fear of death.
Throughout the program the children encourage the congregation to take to heart and take comfort in our Lord’s birth as the Savior of the nations. In this way this children’s program is a suitable preparation for the full Christian Christmas celebration; namely, the Service of our Lord where the benefits of His birth are unmistakably distributed in the Word and Supper of our Christ.
Rediscovering God's Design for Marriage
Ryan MacPherson
Marriage is the divinely established (Gen 2:18) life-long union (Mt 19:4–6) celebrating sexual complementarity (Gen 1:27), children (Gen 1:28), and chastity (Gen 2:25); as a sanctified vocation, marriage reflects Christ’s love for the church (Eph 5:25–27).
Learn more by watching the video archive from the Christian Education Symposium (Wasilla, Alaska, July 1, 2017).
Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education XIX
Are you interested in classical education? Would you like to know more about distinctively Lutheran approaches to classical education? Join the Hausvater Project for the 2019 Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education conference at Concordia University, Chicago, July 16-18, 2019. Click for more information.
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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