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Resource Guide

Issues, Etc.

2005 - What's New Archives

Program Resources- Articles and Links

Dear Friend of Issues, Etc.,

 In the Name of Jesus, whose birth, life, death and resurrection gives sinners a certain hope, greetings!

 As we prepared to celebrate the first coming of our Savior, Christians sing:

See, my soul, your Savior choosing
Poverty and weakness too,
In such love He comes to you.
Neither crib nor cross refusing,
All He suffers for your good,
To redeem you by His blood.

The Good News of Christmas is both the Crib and the Cross of Jesus.  He took the path of the Virgin’s womb to poverty, weakness, suffering and death for us sinners.  We at Issues, Etc. rejoice with you in the coming of our Savior Jesus, and join with you in the expectation of His coming again. 

This is the Good News you have heard on Issues, Etc. for more than ten years, and this is the Good News you will continue to hear in 2006!

Please support the Christ-Centered, Cross-Focused outreach of Issues, Etc. by making a year-end, tax-deductible gift or by joining our monthly donor program the Issues, Etc. Reformation Club.

 CONFESSOR
$25 per month or an annual gift of $250
Issues, Etc. Journal subscription
Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
The Defense Never Rests book by Craig Parton

APOLOGIST
$50 per month or an annual gift of $500
All of the benefits of being a Confessor
Quarterly Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (4 books total)

 REFORMER
$100 per month or an annual gift of $1,000
All of the Confessor and Apologist benefits
Three Issues, Etc. Journal Subscriptions
Two Issues, Etc. Tapes of the Month
Written Transcript of each Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (12 books total)

Click here to donate online.  You can also make a credit card donation by calling our resource line at 1-800-737-0172.  Or you can donate by check: Issues, Etc., P.O. Box 9360, St. Louis, MO 63117.

 Thank you for your support of Issues, Etc. as we continue proclaiming worldwide the Good News of Jesus’ Crib and Cross!

 Wir sind alle Bettler,

Todd Wilken, Host
Issues, Etc.

PS        For a gift of $50 or more to Issues, Etc. during the last two weeks of December, we’ll send you a CD of hymns recorded by the Kantorei at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN!

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December 25
"The Christmas Story According to St. Matthew"

Dr. Jeff Gibbs

Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, MO

• God in a Box by Todd Wilken

December 18
"Christmas: Fact & Fiction"
Dr. Richard Bucher, Pastor
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church-Lexington, KY

• The Birth of Christ FAQ

• Biblical Christmas Quiz

• Biblical Christmas Quiz Answers

• Christmas is Not Pagan

• Jeremiah 10 and the “Pagan” Christmas Tree

• The Origin and Meaning of the Christmas Tree

• What Does Christmas Mean?

• Why December 25?

• The Origin of Santa Claus and the Christian Response to Him

• The Christmas Customs FAQ

• Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, and the Census

• Christmas is Gospel (Don’t Turn it into a New Commandment)

• The Meaning of Immanuel, God with Us

• The Heaping Pile: A Christmas Parable

• She Said Yes: A Sermon on Luke 1:38, 45

• Gabriel’s Annunciation about Jesus’ Birth: A Commentary on Luke 1:26-38

• A Closer Look at Christ’s Birth: A Study of Luke 2:1-14

• The Angels Sermon Reveals the Meaning of Christmas

• O that God would Come Down

• Reason for the Season

• The Unwritten Rule about Receiving Gifts

• Nothing Shall Be Impossible for God

• The Quiet Christmas

• Christmas Celebrates What IS and What CAN Be

• The Pastor’s Letter to Those Who Do Santa, and to Those Who Struggle with Guilt, Fear, or Sadness at Christmas

• Martin Luther’s Christmas Sermons

December 11
“Simultaneously Saint & Sinner”
Dr. Steven Hein, Director
Concordia Institute for Christian Studies

• Romans 7: Semantics, Referent, and Pragmatics by Dr. Michael Paul Middendorf

• Eschatological Tension and Existential Angst: “Now” and “Not Yet” in Romans 7:14-25 and 1QS 11 by Dr. Lane Burgland

• Proper Interpretation Between Law & Gospel from Good News magazine

• God Works Through Law and Gospel from Good News magazine

• A Bible Study on Repentance from Good News magazine

• A Journey in the Cross of Christ by Dr. Steven Hein

• The Cross Is Our Theology by Dr. Steven Hein

• The Doctrine of Life Brings Death by Dr. Steven Hein

• The Damnable Paradox that Saves by Dr. Steven Hein

• Righteousness Sufficient and in Need of More by Dr. Steven Hein

• Getting Righteous, Doing Nothing by Dr. Steven Hein

• When All Is Believed…All Is Done by Dr. Steven Hein

Welcome and thanks to our new church sponsor on KKMS in the Twin Cities!

Saint Michael Lutheran Church
Rev. Philip Bickel
Rev. Christopher Dodge
9201 Normandale Blvd
Bloomington, MN  55437-1940
(952) 831-5276

December 4
“Pietism & American Evangelicalism”
Dr. Martin Noland, Director
Concordia Historical Institute

• The New White Whine Pietists by Craig Parton
• Cardinal Principles of Lutheranism and Evangelical Theology by Dr. Karl Barth
• The Roots and Fruits of Pietism by Dr. Ronald Feuerhahn
• Pietism and Mission by Dr. Larry Rast
• Liturgy and Pietism: Then and Now by the Rev. John Pless
• An Unholy Trinity: The Liberal, Charismatic, and Evangelical Movements in the Lutheran Church Today by Dr. Martin Noland

November 27

"The Church of Scientology"

Craig Branch, Director

Apologetics Resource Center

• Church of Scientology: A Profile by Rick Branch

• Hubbard’s Religion by Craig Branch

• Scientology: Religious Tyranny by Craig Branch

• Hubbard’s Magic by Craig Branch

• The Ultimate Spin Doctor: L. Ron Hubbard – The Man and His Myth by Craig Branch

• Scientologist Lisa McPherson’s Tragic Death by Craig Branch

• Scientology’s Moral and Financial “Black Hole” 

• Scientology: A History of Terror and Abuse by Craig Branch

• Church of Scientology: A Religious Mafia? by Craig Branch

• Scientology’s Concentration Camps

• A Hubbard Legacy: Scientology’s Punitive Policies

November 20
"Christian Symbolism in The Chronicles of Narnia"

Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics and the History of Christian Thought

Trinity College and Theological Seminary

• An Excerpt from Myth, Allegory and Gospel by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• The Soul of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: An Excerpt by Dr. Gene Edward Veith

Welcome and thanks to our new church sponsor on KSIV in St. Louis…

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Rev. Mark Smith
8646 New Sappington Road
Crestwood, MO 63126
(314) 843-8448

November 13
“The Fad Driven Church”
Rev. Greg Alms, Pastor
Redeemer Lutheran Church-Catawba, NC 

• Wearing the Cross: Servant Leadership and Other Pastoral Fads by Rev. Greg Alms

• The Fad Driven Church by Rev. Todd Wilken

• Incarnatus Est: A Blog by the Rev. Gregory Alms

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Dear Friend of Issues, Etc.,

The Reformation was a giant moment in history. Historians, both Christian and secular, recognize that the events of the Reformation changed the course of the Church and society.

But the Reformation was hardly unique.  In fact, the event at the center of the 16th century Reformation is continuing today.  That event was, and is the preaching of Christ and Him Crucified for sinners.  It was the preaching of Christ Crucified that sparked the Reformation. It is the preaching of Christ Crucified that continues the Reformation.  Luther famously wrote:

I simply taught, preached, and wrote God's Word; otherwise I did nothing.  And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it.  I did nothing; the Word did everything.

The Word still does everything.

This is what Issues, Etc. is all about: teaching, preaching, and writing God’s Word of good news for sinners — Proclaiming Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

Become a monthly supporter Issues, Etc. by joining the Issues, Etc. Reformation Club.
 

CONFESSOR
$25 per month or an annual gift of $250
Issues, Etc. Journal subscription
Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
The Defense Never Rests book by Craig Parton

APOLOGIST
$50 per month or an annual gift of $500
All of the benefits of being a Confessor
Quarterly Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (4 books total)

 REFORMER
$100 per month or an annual gift of $1,000
All of the Confessor and Apologist benefits
Three Issues, Etc. Journal Subscriptions
Two Issues, Etc. Tapes of the Month
Written Transcript of each Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (12 books total)

Please help us reach our goal of 200 Reformation Club members by Reformation Day!

Click here to donate online. You can also make a credit card donation by calling our resource line at 1-800-737-0172. Or you can donate by check: Issues, Etc., P.O. Box 9360, St. Louis, MO 63117.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

Wir sind alle Bettler,

Todd Wilken, Host
Issues, Etc.

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181 Current Reformation Club Members.
Please help us meet our Reformation Day 2005 goal of 200 members!
 

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Dear Friend of Issues, Etc., 

I recall sitting in the call screener’s booth at KFUO Radio on Sunday, October 29, 1995. As we launched this experiment of syndicating Issues, Etc., I wondered if anybody would be interested in talking about The Reformation.  We only had two phones lines that we shared with the office phone system.  Several minutes into the show, the calls started coming in from San Francisco, New Orleans and Detroit.  We only had five affiliates for the debut broadcast.  

Almost ten years later, we have nearly 100 affiliates, eight studio-only phone lines, listeners on digital satellite radio and a worldwide listening audience on the Internet.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus! 

We want to celebrate this milestone with you!   

ISSUES, ETC. TENTH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET

Todd Wilken, Emcee
Dr. Larry Rast, Guest Speaker

5:30 p.m. - Saturday, November 5, 2005

Wartburg Hall on the campus of Concordia Seminary

801 Demun Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63105 

In addition to Dr. Rast, many of our regular guests will be in attendance.  We have room for only 200 attendees.  The cost is $50 per person. 

For reservation information, please contact Jenny Williams at (314) 505-7836 or jennyw@kfuo.org. 

Thanks for your support of Issues, Etc.! 

In Christ,

                                                        

Jeff Schwarz, Producer

Issues, Etc.

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Join guest speaker Dr. Larry Rast and several other regular guests for the Issues, Etc. Tenth Anniversary Banquet 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 5 Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, MO

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The Image of God Bioethics Conference November 11, 2005 St. Louis For more announcement, click here. For PDF brochure, click here.

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The Good Shepherd Institute: Pastoral Theology and Sacred Music for the Church November 6-8 Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne, IN For more information, click here.

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November 6
“Martin Luther: A Biography”
Dr. Paul Maier, Professor of Ancient History
Western Michigan University

• Martin Luther and the Bible by Dr. Cameron MacKenzie

• Martin Luther: Pioneer of Reform by Dr. Alister McGrath

• Luther and Justification by the Rev. Roland Ziegler

• Luther and Mission in the 16^th Century by Dr. Detlev Schulz

• Luther and the Church’s Song by Dr. Paul Grime

October 30

"The Doctrine of Justification"
Dr. Ken Schurb, Pastor
Zion Lutheran Church  Moberly, MO

• The Blueprint for the Gospel? by the Rev. Todd Wilken

• Christ Alone in the Scriptures by Dr. Rod Rosenbladt

• The Lutheran Identity Crisis: With Emphasis on Justification by the Rev. Daniel Preus

• The “Lutheran” Solas in the Fathers of the Church by the Rev. Wil Weedon

• Cardinal Principles of Lutheranism and “Evangelical Theology” by Dr. Karl Barth

• Luther Lite and Reformation Schmooze by Craig Parton

October 23
"The Effeminate Gospel"
Aaron Wolf, Associate Editor
Chronicles magazine

• Effeminate Gospel, Effeminate Christians by Aaron Wolf

Attention Detroit listeners!

What:               Reformation Concert
Where:             Macomb Center for Performing Arts
When:              4 p.m. Sunday, October 30
Why:                Proceeds benefit the Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society
|How:               For more information, click here

Attend one of the fall retreats at Concordia Theological Seminary -Fort Wayne, IN.    For more information, click here.

October 16
"Youth Ministry"
Rev. Todd Peperkorn, Director of Publications
Higher Things

• Five Dumb Things Adults Think About Youth by the Rev. Todd Peperkorn

• Higher Things magazine

• The Feast: A Higher Things Youth Conference 2006

October 9
"American Evangelicalism"

Dr. Mike Horton, Co-Host

"The White Horse Inn"

• The Disturbing Legacy of Charles Finney by Dr. Michael Horton

• Christ Alone in the Scriptures by Dr. Rod Rosenbladt

• Cardinal Principles of Lutheranism and “Evangelical” Theology by Dr. Karl Barth

• From Arrowhead to Augsburg: Bill Bright in the Light of the Lutheran Confessions by Craig Parton

• An Unholy Trinity: The Liberal, Charismatic and Evangelical Movements in the Lutheran Church Today by Dr. Martin Noland

• Luther Lite and Reformation Schmooze by Craig Parton

Issues, Etc. Reformation Tour: Tuesday, October 4 McPherson, KS   Wednesday, October 5 Topeka, KS   Thursday, October 6 Excelsior Springs, MO

October 2

“Cults & New Religions”

Dr. Ron Rhodes, President

Reasoning from the Scriptures 

• Find it Quick Handbook on Cults and New Religions: An Excerpt by Dr. Ron Rhodes

Welcome and thanks to a new church sponsor on WLQV in Detroit!

Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word
Lutheran High School NW
1000 Bagley
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
(248) 930-0173

September 25
“Just War”
Dr. J. Daryl Charles, Associate Professor of Religion and Ethics
Union University

• Between Pacifism and Jihad: An Excerpt by Dr. J. Daryl Charles

• Fighting for Peace: Can a War Be Just? by Dr. Daniel Gard

LCMS World Relief A Christ-Centered, Cross-Focused relief agency.  Help support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts! Why Do Bad Things Happen?  Click here for more information.

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Read "Bible-Believing Liberals" by Rev. Todd Wilken from the Issues, Etc. Journal, Vol. 4, No. 2

Also of interest "Liberal conservatives" by Gene Edward Veith (WORLD Magazine - July 16, 2005)

Is it true that "Many evangelicals are liberal when it comes to the church ."?

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Attend the 2006 International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights

When:  July 11-22, 2006

Where: Strasbourg, France

Speakers: Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, Craig Parton Esq., Pastor Todd Wilken, and Dr. Gary Habermas of Biola University.

Info:  Craig Parton

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	With the recent death of southern Sudanese leader John Garang, this is a critical time for Sudan. Click here to find out how you can support relief efforts in Sudan.
A Sudanese internally displaced boy carries water in the western Upper Nile village of Leal, Southern Sudan.

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Prayerfully consider a fall visit to Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN.   For more information, click here.

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September 18

"Baptism"

Steven Parks, Former Research Consultant

Christian Research Institute

• Baptism: Is It a Work of God or a Work of Man? from Good News magazine
• Baptism: A Christological Work  by Dr. Larry Rast
• Luther's Large Catechism on Baptism by Dr. Martin Luther
• Luther's Large Catechism on Infant Baptism by Dr. Martin Luther
• Baptism and Faith: Just Whose Work Is It? by Dr. Richard Shuta
• Infant Baptism: An Ongoing Event in the Christian Life by Dr. Peter Scaer
• Baptism: Christ Marks Us as His Own by Dr. David Scaer
• Into the Womb of the Church Again by Dr. Kent Burreson
• Evidence for Infant Baptism in the Church Fathers and Inscriptions by Dr. Richard Bucher
• Why We Baptize Babies: The Case for Infant Baptism by Dr. Richard Bucher
• Is Baptism Our Symbolic Work for God or God’s Powerful Work for Us? by Dr. Richard Bucher
• Infant Baptism by Dr. Andrew Das
• Baptism in the New Testament by Dr. Andrew Das

September 11
"Dealing with Doubt"
Dr. Steven Hein, Director
Concordia Institute for Christian Studies

• Holy Anguish: Ministering to Doubt by Dr. Steven Hein

September 4
"The Book of Mormon"
Art Vanick & Wayne Cowdrey, Co-Authors
Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?

• Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?:  An Excerpt

Welcome listeners in Monroe, LA on KAPI, 88.3 FM!

August 28
"Christian Nice Guy Syndrome"
Paul Coughlin, Author
No More Christian Nice Guy

• Excerpt from No More Christian Nice Guy by Paul Coughlin

• Nice Guy vs. Good Guy Test

August 21
"Eastern Orthodoxy"

Dr. Martin Noland, Director

Concordia Historical Institute

Craig Parton, Author

The Defense Never Rests

• Scripture and Tradition by the Rev. Benjamin Mayes

• Where Is the True Church? by Dr. Al Collver

• Faith and Works by the Rev. Tony Sikora

• The Invocation of the Saints by the Rev. David Fleming

• The “Lutheran” Solas in the Fathers of the Church by the Rev. Wil Weedon

August 14
"The ELCA General Assembly"

Dr. James Nestingen, Professor of Church History

Luther Seminary

• An Open Letter to Bishop Mark Hanson by Dr. Carl Braaten

• An Open Letter to Bishop Mark Hanson by Dr. James Nestingen

• Background of the Current ELCA Crisis Over Homosexuality by Solid Rock Lutherans

• An Excerpt from The Same Sex Controversy by James White

• The Bureaucratization of the Church by David Mills

Issues, Etc. is back on LIVE at 11 p.m. in Detroit on WLQV, 1500 AM thanks to our friends at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in Dearborn, MI!

 

Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School
800 S. Military Street
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 565-4002

August 7
“American Civil Religion”
Dr. Ken Schurb & Dr. David Adams,
Co-Editors
The Anonymous God

• The Anonymous God by Dr. David Adams

• The Church in the World by Dr. David Adams

• The Moral Imperative of the Church by Dr. David Adams

• Religious Liberty in America by Dr. David Adams

• Polytheism: The New Face of American Civil Religion by Dr. Alvin Schmidt

Issues, Etc. Welcomes a New Underwriter! Help support relief efforts in the Sudan! Click here for more information.

July 31
"The Gospel According to Oprah"
Bob Waldrep, Director of the Alabama Office
Watchman Fellowship

• The Gospel According to Oprah by Bob Waldrep

July 24

"The Crusades"

Dr. Thomas Madden, Chairman

Department of History-St. Louis University

• The Real History of the Crusades by Dr. Thomas Madden

• Crusade Propaganda by Dr. Thomas Madden

• Crusade Myths by Dr. Thomas Madden

July 17
"Defending the Pro-Life Position"

Scott Klusendorf, President

Life Training Institute

• Is Embryonic Stem Cell Research Morally Complex? by Scott Klusendorf

• How to Defend Your Pro-Life Views in 5 Minutes or Less by Scott Klusendorf

• Toddler Tactics by Scott Klusendorf

• Abortion Debate: A Short Defense of the Pro-Life Position by Scott Klusendorf

• Five Bad Ways to Argue About Abortion by Scott Klusendorf

• Dead Silence: Must the Bible Say Abortion Is Wrong Before We Know It’s Wrong? by Scott Klusendorf

• Does Pro-Life Rhetoric Lead to Violence? by Scott Klusendorf

Welcome and thanks to our church sponsor on KLCV in Lincoln, NE!

Immanuel Lutheran Church
Rev. Scott Porath
1009 G. Street
Eagle, NE 68347-5048
(402) 781-2190

July 10
"The Book of Proverbs"
Dr. Ken Schurb, Pastor
Zion Lutheran Church-Moberly, MO

Thanks and welcome to our church co-sponsors on KSIV in St. Louis.

 

Village Lutheran Church
Rev. John Temple
9237 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63124
(314) 993-1834

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Dr. Fred Baue

5600 Old Collinsville Road

Fairview Heights, IL 62208

(618) 632-6906

July 3

"Preaching Christ Crucified"

Dr. Carl Fickenscher, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions

Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne, IN

• Handling the Word of Truth: An Excerpt by the Rev. John Pless

• Are Today’s Ears Hearing the Timeless Message? by Dr. Carl Fickenscher

• Luther on the External Word of Preaching by Dr. Carl Fickenscher

• God Works Through Law and Gospel from Good News magazine

• Proper Interpretation between Law and Gospel from Good News magazine

• Law and Gospel by C.F.W. Walther

• Solus Christus and the Pastor by Dr. Rod Rosenbladt

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June 26 - July 2, 2005 Click here, for information on a Confessional Christian Worldview Seminar this summer at the Schwan Center in Trego, WI.  Meet Issues, Etc. regular guests: Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Dr. Alvin Schmidt and Dr. Angus Menuge!

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What:         Classical Lutheran Education Conference
Where:       St. Paul Lutheran Church and School-Brookfield, IL
When:         June 27-July 1
How:           (708) 485-0650 or classicaled@gmail.com

June 26
"The Church & the Parachurch"
Dr. Larry Rast, Associate Professor of Historical Theology
Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne, IN

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Reformation Tour Bonus- Jeff and Todd visit Willow Creek Community Church (Jeff Schwarz left, Todd Wilken right):

 

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June 19
"Fatherhood & Atheism"
Dr. Paul Vitz, Professor of Psychology
New York University

• Faith of the Fatherless: An Excerpt by Dr. Paul Vitz

• The Father Almighty, Maker of Male and Female by Dr. Paul Vitz

June 12
"The Theology of Robert Schuller"

• The Faulty Gospel of Robert Schuller by the Rev. Joe Gudel

Participate: Issues, Etc. Reformation Tour Tuesday, June 7 Wheaton, IL   Wednesday, June 8 Oak Park, IL   Thursday, June 9 Elm Grove, WI

June 5
“Classical Education”
Rev. Joel Brondos, Headmaster Elect
St. Paul Lutheran Church and School-Brookfield, IL

• Classical Education: New Models of the Liberal Arts by Gene Edward Veith and Andrew Kern

• Techniques of Classical Teaching by Gene Edward Veith

• The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers

• Anatomy of a Makeover by Karen Holgate

May 29
“Seminary Training”
Dr. Dean Wenthe, President
Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne, IN

• Who is the “Perfect” Pastor? by Dr. Dean Wenthe

• Thus Says the Lord: The Study of Holy Scripture by Dr. Charles Gieschen

• Church History and Pastoral Formation by Dr. Cameron MacKenzie

• A Matter of Doctrine by Dr. David Scaer

• Where God Calls He Equips by Dr. Detlev Schulz

• Kramer Chapel and Spiritual Life by Dr. Arthur Just

 May 22
“Doctrine & Practice”
Rev. Klemet Preus, Author
The Fire and the Staff

• The Fire and the Staff: An Excerpt by the Rev. Klemet Preus

• The Theology of the Church Growth Movement by the Rev. Klemet Preus

• A Sermon on 2 John by the Rev. Klemet Preus

Special thanks to another congregation in San Francisco for renewing it sponsorship on KFAX!

Grace Lutheran Church
Rev. Charles Froh
2825 Alameda De Las Pulgas
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 345-9068

Nebraska listeners!  You can now listen to Issues, Etc. LIVE Sundays from 10-11 p.m. on the following frequencies:

 May 15, 2005
“Daniel Prophecy”
Dr. Paul Raabe, Professor of Old Testament
Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, MO

• Will You Be Left Behind? by Brent Mcguire

• The End Times in Revelation from Good News magazine

• Jesus Christ: The Sum and Substance of Biblical Prophecy by Dr. Kim Riddlebarger

• A Present or Future Millennium? by Dr. Kim Riddlebarger

• How Shock Musician Marilyn Manson Lost His Christianity by Paul Coughlin

• Approaching the Next Millennium by Dr. Paul Raabe

• Apocalypse Now by Aaron Wolf

May 8
“The Office of the Deaconess”
Dr. Arthur Just, Director of the Deaconess Program
Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne, IN

• What is a Deaconess?

• 85 Years of Deaconess History Starting in Fort Wayne from For the Life of the World

• True Calling: Deaconess Program Gives Women Opportunity to Help from the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel

• Deaconess Program: Academic Curriculum

• Deaconess Program: Mission Statement

131 Current Reformation Club Members.
Thank you for helping us meet and exceed our Easter 2005 goal of 125 members!
 

Welcome listeners in northern Minnesota and Northwest Ontario on KBHW, 99.5 FM!

Welcome and thanks to our new church sponsor on KCCV in Kansas City…

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
Rev. James Gier
1215 Baldwin Street
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
(816) 630-4900

Christ Academy is a two-week residential program for high-school aged young men of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Christ Academy 2005 will be from June 19 - July 2, 2005. Click here for more information.

For more information, email clhutchinson@sbcglogal.net or call 620-665-8513

Attention St. Louis-area listeners!  You are invited to attend a LIVE remote broadcast of Issues, Etc. from 3-6 PM on Thursday, April 28.  Meet Todd Wilken and guests.
Refreshments will be served.

Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
Freeburg, IL
612 North State Street
(618) 539-5664

3-4 p.m.
“Theology of the Cross”
Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director
LCMS World Relief

4-5 p.m.
“The Easter Hymn ‘Joy to the Heart’”
Rev. Wil Weedon, Pastor
St. Paul Lutheran Church-Hamel, IL

5-6 p.m.
“The Gospel”
Rev. Bruce Keseman, Pastor
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church-Freeburg, IL
Rev. Fred Baue, Pastor
Bethany Lutheran Church-Fairview Heights, IL
Rev. Brian Holle, Pastor
Messiah Lutheran Church-Lebanon, IL
Rev. Stuart Rethwisch, Pastor
Holy Cross Lutheran Church-Waterloo, IL

April 24
“The Emergent Church Movement”
Dr. Mike Horton, Co-Host
“The White Horse Inn”

April 17
“Divorce”
Dr. David Adams, Associate Professor of Old Testament
Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, MO

California Listeners!

Meet Issues, Etc. Regular Guests Gene Edward Veith and Craig Parton

Who: General public and students - all are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
What: "God at Work - On the Job."
When: April 22, 2005 at 12 noon
Where: at the Ayres Suites in Costa Mesa
Cost: $20.00 General Public - $10.00 for students

• Witnessing to the Nation of Islam by Dr. Jerry Buckner

• Hate Begotten of Hate: Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam by Rev. Joseph Gudel

• Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam: Striking a Chord in the Black Community by Eric Pement

Dr. John Warwick Montgomery writes Issues, Etc:

We (The Ninth International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism & Human Rights Summer Study Session) have just had four Academy participant cancellations from Canada.  This has extraordinarily opened up that number of spots for this coming July session.  Assuming an applicant's financial need, the price would be only $1,895 (with $1,000 scholarship from our scholarship fund).  Anyone wanting to come needs to pay 1/2 immediately ($950) and the rest by 1 May ($945).  Without a scholarship, the payments would be $1,450 and $1,445.  To register, we need an e-mail to Craig Parton (parton1@juno.com) and to myself, and the first payment cheque made out to "International Academy" and airmailed to me at 2, rue de Rome, 67000 Strasbourg, France (NOT by a commercial mailing service requiring signature).

Blessings,

JWM

Welcome to listeners in Central Georgia on WQSA, 99.9 FM! -  Toccoa Falls, GA, Sundays, 11 p.m.- midnight

Thanks to our church co-sponsor on KLCV in Lincoln, NE…

Redeemer Lutheran Church
Rev. Mark Ebert & Rev. John Schmidt
510 S. 33^rd Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 477-1710

April 3
“When Homosexuality Hits Home”
Joe Dallas, Program Director
Genesis Counseling

• An Excerpt from When Homosexuality Hits Home by Joe Dallas

• Answering the “Gay Christian” Position by Joe Dallas

• Responding to Pro-Gay Theology by Joe Dallas

• What About Rosie? by Joe Dallas

Dear Friend of Issues, Etc.,

Greetings in the name of Jesus!  Who has obtained our redemption by His blood.

The book of Hebrews pictures Jesus as a priest at the sacrificial altar:

Every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:11-12)

Jesus was the priest.  His altar was the Cross.  His sacrifice was His own body.  Jesus did not make this sacrifice for Himself but for us sinners.  Jesus cried out from the Cross, “It is finished!”  Jesus was saying that this one, final sacrifice had been made.  When God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, He was saying that this one, final sacrifice had been accepted. 

To talk this way about what Jesus did for us might seem kind of gruesome.  Many in the Church today are trying to tone-down the message of the Cross.  But not us.  Issues, Etc. still proclaims this one, final sacrifice for sins —Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  

During this Holy Week, please consider becoming a monthly supporter of the Christ-Centered, Cross-Focused outreach of Issues, Etc. by becoming a member of our Issues, Etc. Reformation Club.

CONFESSOR
$25 per month or an annual gift of $250
Issues, Etc. Journal subscription
Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
The Defense Never Rests book by Craig Parton

APOLOGIST
$50 per month or an annual gift of $500
All of the benefits of being a Confessor
Quarterly Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (4 books total)

 REFORMER
$100 per month or an annual gift of $1,000
All of the Confessor and Apologist benefits
Three Issues, Etc. Journal Subscriptions
Two Issues, Etc. Tapes of the Month
Written Transcript of each Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (12 books total)

Click here to donate online. You can also make a credit card donation by calling our resource line at 1-800-737-0172. Or you can donate by check: Issues, Etc., P.O. Box 9360, St. Louis, MO 63117.

Help us reach our Easter goal of 125 Reformation Club members!  We promise to continue Proclaiming Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.

Wir sind alle Bettler,

Todd Wilken, Host
Issues, Etc.

• The Resurrection of Christ from the Explanation to Luther’s Small Catechism

• The Resurrection of the Body from the Explanation to Luther’s Small Catechism

• The Resurrection in Gospel Proclamation by Dr. Ken Schurb

• The Jury Returns: A Juridical Defense of Christianity by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• Our Faith, Our Funerals, Our Future by Dr. Jeff Gibbs

Welcome and thanks to our new church sponsor on KCRL in Lake of the Ozarks…

Shaped by the Cross Lutheran Church
Rev. Robin Fish
P.O. Box 1557
Laurie, MO 65038
(573) 374-2276

March 20 
“The Lord’s Supper”
Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director
LCMS World Relief and Human Care

• Responding to "Real Absence" Arguments by Todd Wilken

• It’s the Lord’s Supper by Dr. Charles Manske

• This Is My Blood from Good News magazine

• The Sacrament of the Altar from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

• The Sacrament of the Altar from Martin Luther’s Large Catechism

• Exhortation to Receive the Sacraments Frequently from Martin Luther’s Large Catechism

• Sacrament of the Altar: Christ’s Daily Food and Sustenance by the Rev. Larry Rast

• Feeding the World: The Lord’s Supper in Luke’s Gospel by Dr. Art Just

• The Holy Supper: A Taste of Heaven by Dr. Bill Weinrich

March 13
"The Person & Work of Jesus Christ"
Dr. Norman Nagel, Graduate Professor of Systematic Theology
Concordia Seminary-St. Louis, MO

Welcome and thanks to our new church sponsor on KFAX in the San Francisco Bay Area ….

March 6
“The Office of the Papacy”
Dr. Martin Noland, Director
Concordia Historical Institute

• What Does the LCMS Teach about the Pope? by Dr. Martin Noland

• The Papacy from the Smalcald Articles

• A Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope

 

Participate: Issues, Etc. Reformation Tour Tuesday, March 1 Dearborn, MI   Wednesday, March 2 Auburn, MI   Thursday, March 3 Fort Wayne, IN

Dear Friend of Issues, Etc.,

Thank you for helping us reach our goal of 100 Reformation Club members by the end of 2004!  As of December 31, we had 107 members enrolled in our monthly donor program.

Your support is vital to the worldwide outreach of Issues, Etc.  Knowing what we can count on from this core group of donors, helps make Issues, Etc. a more efficient outreach.

If you haven’t joined the Issues, Etc. Reformation Club yet, please consider doing so today!  The different levels of support and the premiums can be found below.  Our new goal is 125 Reformation Club members by Easter!

Thank you in advance for your prayerful support.

Wir sind alle Bettler,
 
Todd Wilken, Host
Issues, Etc.

Please consider becoming a monthly supporter of the Christ-centered, Cross-focused outreach of Issues, Etc. by joining our
"Issues, Etc." Reformation Club.

You can make a credit card donation by calling our resource line at 1-800-737-0172. Or you can donate by check: Issues, Etc., P.O. Box 9360, St. Louis, MO 63117.

For your consideration ~ Read what LCMS leaders have to say about Issues, Etc.
 

February 27
“New Age Teachings & Practices”
Craig Hawkins, Director
Apologetics Information Ministries

• The New Age Movement by Craig Branch

• Discussing the Bible with New Agers I by Elliot Miller

• Discussing the Bible with New Agers II by Elliot Miller

• New Age Movement: What Is It? by Elliot Miller

• A “New Age” of Science by Elliot Miller

• The “New Age” Myth by Elliot Miller

• The New Myth by Elliot Miller

• Tracking the “Aquarian Conspiracy” by Elliot Miller

February 20
“Evangelism Myths”
Dr. Larry Rast, Associate Professor of Historical Theology
Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne, IN

• Doctrine and Mission: Not Either/Or, but Both/And! by Dr. Larry Rast

February 6
"Responding to Skeptics of the New Testament"
Greg Koukl, President
Stand to Reason

• The Jesus Seminar Under Fire by Greg Koukl

• The Bible Translated, Retranslated and Changed?  No Chance by Greg Koukl

• The Bible or the Book of Mormon by Greg Koukl

• Archeology, the Bible, and the Leap of Faith by Greg Koukl

• Lessons from Luther on the Inerrancy of Holy Writ by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

January 30
“Theology of the Cross and Worship”
Dr. Mike Horton, Co-Host
“The White Horse Inn’

• Singing The Blues with Jesus by Dr. Mike Horton

• Paradigms of Praise by Dr. Carl Schalk

• New Generation Is Looking Back by Uwe Siemon-Netto

• Felix Hell and the Worship War by Uwe Siemon-Netto

• Through All Generations by Dr. Gene Edward Veith

• Do I Need to Listen to Christian Music to be a Christian? by Lori Lewis

• Music: Gift of God or Tool of the Devil? by Rev. Richard Resch

• Holy Ground and Countercultural Music by Dr. Dan Zager

• Teenagers and Church Music by Dr. Barbara Resch

January 23
“Pietism”
Dr. Rod Rosenbladt, Co-Host
“The White Horse Inn”

• The New White Whine Pietists by Craig Parton

• Cardinal Principles of Lutheranism and Evangelical Theology by Dr. Karl Barth

• The Roots and Fruits of Pietism by Dr. Ronald Feuerhahn

• Pietism and Mission by Dr. Larry Rast

• Liturgy and Pietism: Then and Now by the Rev. John Pless

January 16
“Christian Orthodoxy in the Black Church”
Dr. Jerry Buckner, Adjunct Professor
Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary

• Is Christian Orthodoxy Strong in the Black Church? by Dr. Jerry Buckner

• Witnessing to the Nation of Islam by Dr. Jerry Buckner

• The Man, His Ministry, and His Movement: Concerns About the Teachings of T.D. Jakes by Dr. Jerry Buckner

Welcome and thanks to the following church sponsors…

The Lutheran Church and School of Our Savior
Rev. Dennis Bestul
5825 Bollinger Road
Cupertino, CA  95014
(408) 252-0345

Trinity Lutheran Church
Rev. Robert Wentzel
162nd and Old Cheney Road
Walton, NE 68461
(402) 782-6515

Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
Rev. Bruce Keseman
612 N. State Street
Freeburg, IL 62243
(618) 539-5664

Grace Lutheran Church
Rev. Dale Dumperth
800 E. First Street
Mc Pherson, KS 67460
(620) 241-1627

St. Paul Lutheran Church
Rev. Peter Kurowski
207 N. Owen Street
California, MO 65018
(573) 796-2735

Join the staff of Issues, Etc. on January 18-21, 2005 for Symposia at Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS) in Fort Wayne, IN. Held every year on the Fort Wayne campus, the four-day event is highlighted by presentations on Exegetical Theology and the Lutheran Confessions. The theme for the 20th annual symposium on Exegetical Theology is "Who is Jesus? The Church's Response to Christological Controversies" The theme for the 28th annual symposium on The Lutheran Confessions is "The Third Use of the Law: Revisiting a Perennial Issue".

January 9
“The Gospel of Matthew”
Dr. John Saleska, Director
Concordia Bible Institute

• How to Study the Bible by Dr. John Saleska

• A Sermon on Matthew 24:1-14 by Dr. Jeff Gibbs

• A Sermon on Matthew 24:37-44 by Dr. Jeff Gibbs

• Parables of Atonement and Assurance: Matthew 13:44-46  by Dr. Jeff Gibbs

Tuesday, January 4 - Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director of LCMS World Relief will be a guest today.  He is going to discuss tsunami relief efforts. 

Dear Friend of Issues Etc.,

The world is finishing an old year.  The Church is beginning a new one.  It is the season of Advent.

While the season of Advent is often associated with Jesus’ first coming at Christmas, Advent puts me in mind of Jesus’ second coming on the last day.  Jesus disciples once asked Him, "Tell us, …what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

Jesus then foretold false prophets, wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, tribulation, martyrdom and apostasy.  Indeed, these signs of Jesus’ return have persisted since Jesus first predicted them.  But these signs can be, and often have been, misunderstood and misinterpreted. 

Yet Jesus spoke of one, unmistakable sign of His return.  He said,

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (Matthew 24:14)

The good news of Jesus crucified and risen for sinners is the one, unmistakable sign of Jesus’ return.  Jesus has come in human flesh, borne our sin in his body on the Cross, died for us, been raised and will come again.  In these confusing last days, this message of the Cross remains the only clear and infallible hope for a lost world.

This is why Issues, Etc. remains committed to a Christ-centered, Cross-focused message!

Please partner with this worldwide Gospel outreach by joining our Issues, Etc. Reformation Club.  Consider becoming a Confessor, an Apologist or a Reformer…

CONFESSOR
$25 per month or an annual gift of $250
Issues, Etc. Journal subscription
Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
The Defense Never Rests book by Craig Parton

APOLOGIST
$50 per month or an annual gift of $500
All of the benefits of being a Confessor
Quarterly Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (4 books total)

REFORMER
100 per month or an annual gift of $1,000 All the Confessor and Apologist benefits
Three Issues, Etc. Journal Subscriptions
Two Issues, Etc. Tapes of the Month
Written Transcript of each Issues, Etc. Tape of the Month
Issues, Etc. Book of the Month (12 books total)

We have 85 Reformation Club members as of December 21 of this year.  We would like to have 100 by 2005. 

We are also seeking a one-time, year-end gift of $39,000.  This money would be used to broadcast one hour of the weekday edition of Issues, Etc. on XM Satellite Radio.  That’s five days a week LIVE on XM Radio!

Thank you again for supporting Issues, Etc. as we continue proclaiming Christ and Him Crucified nationwide and around the world.

Jesus Christ be with you,
 
Todd Wilken, Host
Issues, Etc.

PS        For a gift of $50 or more to Issues, Etc. during December, we’ll send you a CD of the latest recording by the Concordia Seminary Chorus!  It contains Advent, Christmas and Epiphany hymns. 

Below are two new articles written by Todd Wilken…

• Putting God in a Box from The Lutheran Witness magazine

• Everybody Loves Jesus: The Culture Cherishes a Counterfeit Christ from For the Life of the World magazine

Click here to receive a complimentary copy of the Issues, Etc. Journal.

Welcome and thanks to our new church sponsor on KCVT in Topeka, KS….

St. John’s Lutheran Church
Rev. Peter Lange
905 SW Fillmore
Topeka, KS 66606
(785) 354-7132

January 2
“The Gnostic Gospels”
Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics and the History of Christian Thought
Trinity College and Theological Seminary

• Gnosticism and the Gnostic Jesus by Dr. Doug Groothuis

• The Gnostic Gospels: Are They Authentic? by Dr. Doug Groothuis

• The Jury Returns: A Juridical Defense of Christianity by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• Science, Theology and the Miraculous by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• Why Has God Incarnate Suddenly Become Mythical? by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• Lessons from Luther on the Inerrancy of Holy Writ by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• The Essentiality of Transcendence and the Failure of Religious Answers by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• A Critique of Chinese Religious Options by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• How Muslims Do Apologetics by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery

• The Apologists of Eucatastrophe by Dr. John Warwick Montgomery