FaithCapo.com Lectures: Recent Episodes
Faith Lutheran Church
Lectures related to the Christian faith from Faith Lutheran Church in Capistrano Beach California. (https://faithcapo.com)
What Luther said about worship is discussed in this last session of Faith Academy 2018. Luther says Christian worship should primarily center in the Word and Sacraments, which are the instruments by which God's means of grace are delivered. The sacraments are signs and testimonies of God's will toward Christians for the purpose of awakening and strengthening faith. Our faith, together with Christian liberty, makes law and works unnecessary for man's righteousness and salvation. Luther viewed the importance of music in worship only secondary to God's Word and Sacraments. Preaching style and liturgy are also discussed in the concluding lecture.
Martin Luther emphasized service to God in one's calling in life, not artificial forms of piety. He called this the doctrine of Vocation. Government, instituted by God in the Fourth Commandment, Honor your father and mother...,was good but there are limits to governmental and temporal authoritys power. Dr. Mackenzie explains Luther's Two-Kingdoms doctrine, spiritual (Church) and temporal (State). Mixing the Church's Gospel into the State as well as mixing the State's law into the Church creates problems. The Church, not State, is to combat false religion using God's Word. A Christian lives not in himself, but in Christ and in his neighbor. A Christian lives in Christ through faith, in his neighbor through love, doing works directed toward the benefit, honor and salvation of others. Today we live in these "two kingdoms" and have responsibilities toward others in both.
At the time of the Reformation in Germany, there was no unifying German Language. Regional dialects existed under account of the government system of regional princes. In Luther's writings, he chose the court dialect of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, in his writing of the German Bible. During this period, Luther's Bible, and other of his writings, along with Lucas Cranach's pictures, promoted the Gospel. The reading of the Bible had more interest than what the Priest was doing at the front of the church. Luther promoted Scripture alone vs. the authority of the Church. This evening's lectures end with statistics on the scope and impact of Luther's writings in the early Reformation period.
This session, Day 2, focuses on Martin Luther's theology. The word "evangelical" summarizes his faith and includes five criteria: must be Biblically based, have the doctrine of Justification is central, be active in opposing errors that conflict with the Gospel, be in agreement with the true church through the ages, and understand that good works result as a fruit of faith. Luther's writings are a public record of what it means to be a Christian. Four of these writings are examined by Dr. Mackenzie. Luther's view on the sacrament of baptism is given by Dr. Mackenzie in response to a question from the audience at the 1:44:00 (1 hour and 44 minute) point of the audio file. The conclusion of the evening is that an evangelical faith is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and active in love.
Dr. Cameron MacKenzie, professor at Ft. Wayne Theological Seminary, gives a description of the early days of the Reformation. He shows how little Martin Luther's 95 Theses contained his eventual clarification of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, in comparison to his Heidelberg Theses, published six months later. Martin Luther's life and the people, places, events and government officials that influenced Luther in the early Reformation up until 1525 are described. This first evening concludes with a statement about the need for Christians to speak out and talk back to power in the secular, left-hand kingdom when Biblical truth is being ignored. We are to listen to God, and not the government in these situations, just as Luther did in his day. Suggested readings are listed below.
Dr. Cameron Mackenzie gives a lesson on the history of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod from Germany to America.
Christie and Brett Kittelsen describe their 30 day tour of Germany in June of this year using slides and video. Together with their fellow students, they toured prominent Luther sites in Germany and provide a commentary on their travels. Pepperdine University, where both attend, sponsored the event.
Philip Melanchthon (1-3): In this three part series, Dr. Keith walks the audience through a brief introduction to the life and teachings of Martin Luther's friend and fellow reformer, Philip Melanchthon.
Philip Melanchthon (1-3): In this three part series, Dr. Keith walks the audience through a brief introduction to the life and teachings of Martin Luther's friend and fellow reformer, Philip Melanchthon.
Philip Melanchthon (1-3): In this three part series, Dr. Keith walks the audience through a brief introduction to the life and teachings of Martin Luther's friend and fellow reformer, Philip Melanchthon.
Scripture: Revelation 4:4, Liturgy means God's service to us through Word and Sacrament. This second and final teaching covers God's service to us through the Service of the Sacrament, specifically the Lord's Supper. In this part of the Divine Service our focus is upon where the Lord is, in particular as He comes to us under the bread and wine. Heaven meets earth and we are joined together at the altar.
The word liturgy means "your public service". In Lutheran terms, liturgy means God's service to us through Word and Sacrament. This teaching covers God's service to us through His Word. We only stand in the presence of God only by the merits of Jesus. God's service to us through Sacrament is covered next week.
Scripture: John 1:14; Colossians 2:9, For many centuries medicine's goal was primarily comfort. Recently we have developed the ability to fix or do things to change a person's diagnosis by using new treatments and technology. This lecture covers ethical questions having to do with clinical medicine such as abortion, unnatural selection (preference of boy babies), eugenics and sterilization, gender dysphoria and frozen embryo resolution among other subjects.
End of life issues are discussed including physician assisted suicide, euthanasia, AMA's position against both death options, and the Brittany Maynard and Maggie Karner cases.
End of life issues are discussed including suffering, miracles, patient autonomy, patient decision-making capacity, advance directives, and methods that prolong life.
This lecture is PART 2 of Day 1. The bio-ethical issues of abortion and sex-selection in culture are discussed. Abortion statistics are given along with arguments to make abortion unthinkable.
This lecture is PART 3 of Day 1. The bio-ethical issues of egg donation, disposition of frozen embryos, cloning as well as the history of eugenics are discussed.
Scripture: Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16;Jeremiah 1:5; Proverbs 31:8-9; Exodus 21:22-25;Luke 1:41-44, Bioethics is the study of the impact of biological discoveries and biomedical advances on human life. Abortion is discussed first in the context of what God's Word declares about human life.
Scripture: Luke 10:25-37;Luke 17:11-19; John 4; John 8:48; 1 Kings 11; 1 Kings 12:1-26; 2 Kings 17; Ezra 4; Nehemiah 4; Acts 1:8;Acts 8:1-25, Both Old and New Testament Bible passages are examined that explain how differences between the Samaritans and Jews came about and what Jesus had to say about the Samaritans, especially why the Gospel must come to the Samaritans through the Apostles. This teaching reveals the breadth and scope of the Gospel that includes Samaritans (and all peoples) in God's plan for salvation.
Scripture: Luke 10:20;Philippians 4:3;Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 21:27; Exodus 32:31-33; Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 65:6-7; Psalm 10; Daniel 7:10; Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16; Psalm 56:8; Psalm 87:5-7; Colossians 2:13-15, Many passages in the Bible refer to "things being written in heaven", especially names in the Book of Life. This lecture covers the many old and new testament verses that mention "books" and the promises of God associated with these verses.
Scripture: Romans 1:16;Romans 3:23-26; Rom 4:2-5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Rom 10:17, This lecture covers the question: "How does God bring His gifts to His people?" The Gospel is being delivered by the power of God and is always pointing to Christ. The Gospel is Christ and He is being delivered. And this gift of God must be received by faith. Christ won mankind's salvation at the Cross, but He is distributing it through His Word, where it is preached. God uses "means" to distribute what He has won on the Cross. It is suggested to use the attached Power Point slides when listening to this lecture.
Scripture: Mark 7: 15-17; Matthew 13; John 15; Romans 12; Galatians 4; Matthew 18; Ephesians 5; Hosea; Numbers 22; Jeremiah; 1 Corinthians 11-12; Ephesians 5: 6-2; Romans 13; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 19; Romans 1; Matthew 16; Revelation 19; Mark 7:14-17; Mark 4:1-20; Matthew 13; Luke 15; Luke 18; Mark 7; Matthew 7; Matthew 20; Luke 16, Matthew and Mark both record Jesus stating that He would not teach the people in public unless it was in a parable. We will consider the nature of parables and explore examples of various kinds of parables and parabolic language in the Bible.
Dr. Jeff Mallinson discusses the connections between sexuality and spirituality, and how to teach erotic ethics to young people in a perplexing culture.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8, Dr. van Voorhis discusses the ways in which Christians might engage mass/popular culture. And it probably isn't what you think. He discusses how the "two kingdoms" paradigm has been lazily slapped onto complex questions about culture. He also discusses how the church has been shackled with a new law when it comes to finding "redemption" and Christ-figures in every thing they watch or read. How does one "justify" getting into the swamps of mass/popular culture? Dr. van Voorhis broadens out the definition of "pop" culture to discuss everything from The Walking Dead, Star Wars, and Harry Potter to jazz, modern art and classics in 20th century classic American literature.
Dr. Scott Keith is the Director of Operations and Scholarship for 1517 The Legacy Project. In this lecture Scott describes the challenges of sharing the Gospel message with Millennials (young adults born between the early 1980's and early 2000's). He concludes this lecture by listing the possible approaches centered around story-telling.
Scripture: Matthew 28: 19-20, Is Europe lost to Islam -- or will the immigration of millions of Muslim refugees lead the renewal of Christianity on the Old Continent? Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto discusses a stunning development that is totally ignored by the U.S. media: In Germany, droves of refugees from the Middle East are converting to the Christian faith. While the leadership of state-related churches disobeys the Great Commission, individual congregations baptize ex-Muslims every Sunday. One independent Lutheran parish in Berlin now counts more than 1,000 converts.
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-11; 1 Cor 13:3-13; Luke 4:31-44, This audio was recorded in our Divine Service. It contains an explanation of the second of two parts of our Divine Service, the Service of the Word. Each component of the Service of the Sacrament is described and its purpose given as the service progresses. This concludes this two part series.
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10; Psalm 19:1-14; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Luke 4:14-30, This audio was recording in our Divine Service. It contains an explanation of the first of two parts of our Divine Service, the Service of the Word. Each component of the Service of the Word is described and its purpose given as the service progresses. Next week the Service of the Sacrament will be explained in like-manner.
When Machen began a revolt against modernism and liberal Christianity he paved the way for the burgeoning fundamentalist controversies that enveloped the Protestant church from the 1920's to the present.
This class looks at the biography and theology of Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274), highlighting his enduring influence in the western church since the Middle Ages.
This class looks at the biography and theology of John of Damascus (c. 675-749), the last of the church fathers and first of the scholastic theologians.
An introduction and brief overview of English Reformer and contemporary of Martin Luther, Robert Barnes (1495-1540).
Biography of Bo Giertz (1905-1998), Swedish theologian and author of over 600 books. Gain a greater understanding of piety and Pietism. Hear one of the greatest "sermons" read from his book The Hammer of God on the meaning of "grace alone".
Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) is one of the top three Lutheran theologians of all time. He magnificently wedded doctrine with devotion in his writings. Gerhard gives proper understanding to piety versus Pietism, and the Theology of the Cross versus the Theology of Glory.
Have you ever wondered why American Evangelicalism is the way it is? Why the loud music? Why the emotionalism? Why the fads and stunts? Why the emphasis on you: your decision for Jesus, your testimony, your transformed life? This video will help you see that the church growth movement, the mega church phenomenon, the entertainment-driven worship service, and just about everything else characteristic of American Evangelicalism has its source in a 19th-century theologian who believed that Jesus' death on the cross did not atone for your sins. His name is Charles Finney.
Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560 A.D.was a 16th century theologian, teacher, prolific author and life-long friend of Martin Luther.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German theologian. Guest speaker, David Hodel, brother of Pastor Ron Hodel presents this lecture.
John Hus (1380-1415 AD) was an early reformer who opposed papal authority. He insisted on individual interpretation of the Bible. He sought clergy reform. He was burned at the stake.
Johannes Bugenhagen (1485-1558 A.D.). organized Lutheran churches in Northern Germany and Scandinavia. -He loved the liturgy and promoted retaining it. -He was pastor to Martin Luther and gave the sermon at Luther's funeral. -He published many commentaries, including a chronological harmony of the four Gospels and the Psalms in 1524.
Pastor Rhode comments on the June 26 2015 Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruling on gay marriage.
Pastor Rhode comments on the June 26 2015 Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruling on gay marriage.
John Chrysostom (349-407 AD) was known for his preaching and pastoral approach. The liturgy he developed is still in use by the eastern orthodox church. He began in Antioch and ended up in Constantinople, becoming a Bishop there.
Saint Ambrose (340-397 AD) was the Bishop of Milan during a period of political struggle between the east and west churches. He judged and fought Arianism (Christ is not God) a heresy.
Irenaeus (133-202 AD) grew up in Symrna. He was under the Bishop Polycarp (a disciple of John). In 177 AD he moved to Leon France and was said to have converted the whole town.
Ignatius of Antioch (35-98 AD) emphasized the teachings of John the Apostle. Unity is the work of Christ and it comes through the Sacraments. He saw the Church as one (i.e. undivided). He coined the word "catholic" which means one or whole. He also coined the word Christianity.
A talk on the place of Christian freedom and political freedom, and where the two do and don't mix.
Dr. Jeff Mallinson "Virtue In The Wasteland" Part One. Faith Lutheran Church.Virtue in the Wasteland is a podcast about culture, religion, and ethics. In this series of two lectures, Jeff Mallinson lays out the purpose for this new podcast (2012) and points us to its goals and target audience. Podcast hosts"Dr. Jeff Mallinson and Dr. Daniel van Voorhis" discuss ways to cultivate civic courage and navigate our complex cultural landscape, in search of truth, goodness, and beauty.
Scripture: Psalm 69, Dr. Jeff Mallinson "Virtue In The Wasteland" Part One. Faith Lutheran Church.Virtue in the Wasteland is a podcast about culture, religion, and ethics. In this series of two lectures, Jeff Mallinson lays out the purpose for this new podcast (2012) and points us to its goals and target audience. Podcast hosts"Dr. Jeff Mallinson and Dr. Daniel van Voorhis" discuss ways to cultivate civic courage and navigate our complex cultural landscape, in search of truth, goodness, and beauty.
In light of Christianity's persecution by the Empire, as well as its ridicule by pagan intellectuals, a number of "Apologies" or defenses of Christianity were produced especially during the church's second century. This third lecture examines the nature, purposes, and implications of these demands.
With Christianity's rapid expansion also came an increased visibility, prompting sporadic but often severe persecution by the Empire. This second lecture surveys some common pagan perceptions of Christianity, together with the nature and causes of its early persecution.
Eyewitness accounts and mythology are covered in this third and final lecture in this series.
This opening lecture in this series looks at the reliability of the New Testament, particularly the Gospels. Eyewitness accounts for the Gospels and the non-canonical Gospels are covered specifically. The lecture answers the question: "Can we pick and choose which Gospel to follow?"
Adam Francisco has a Ph.D. in Islamic-Christian relations from Oxford University. His work on the history of Islam is nuanced and informed. The Muslim worldview is discussed in this first lecture.
Three uses of the Law, first use of the Law, second use of the Law, third use of the Law
Please download and view the attached PDF titled TWO KINGDOMS CHART. This chart will be used through the lecture series.