“Lutheran Worship for the Not-Yet Christian:
Can We Reclaim the Missa Catechumenorum?”
Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Lutheran Mission Matters.
Abstract: In the face of post-Christendom, many North American churches have chosen to either integrate with culture or isolate from it. Both choices often blur the connection between evangelism and faithful liturgical form. As a synod which values the historical practices of the Christian Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is in a unique position to revive Missa Catechumenorum, or service of the learners. Unfortunately, a common practice of general confession and absolution at the outset of a liturgical gathering can be seen as a problem for using Missa Catechumenorum. A deep understanding of Lutheran liturgical heritage, however, reassures that reshaping liturgy around the Missa Catechumenorum is not only a faithful Lutheran option but it reflects the practice of the very first LCMS liturgy.
Luther’s Confession Prayer?
Tilman Pfuch, Translated by Steve Zank
Published in peer-reviewed jounal: LOGIA — A Journal of Lutheran Theology.
There is a form of public confession of sin that appears under the title “Luther’s Confession Prayer” (it is often referred to as the “Allgemeine Kirchenbeichte,” or, “Common Church Confession”) even though investigations into its history do not corroborate the claim that Luther was the author. This essay first asks about the origins of this prayer form and then, with it, the possibility of identifying its author. Additionally, the effect and dissemination of this particular prayer of confession needs to be more clearly traced than in previous attempts, and, furthermore, its relationship to Luther needs to be made clear. The historical importance of the prayer should be underscored since the confession plays a special role in the Saxon Church [and beyond] to this day…
“Preaching the Law through Horatian Satire”
Published in a peer-reviewed journal: Concordia Journal.
Abstract: The use of the theory of satire to analyze Banksy's Girl with Balloon reveals that the law can, within the Lutheran framework of the distinction of Law and Gospel, be winsomely preached as a type of Horatian satire. In particular, the ability of visual art to engage its viewer in self-reflection can be incorporated into Walter Brueggemann's poetic approach to preaching, supplementing his Old Testament rootedness with a method to direct 21st-century practice. This is theologically significant because as culture has become fractured and entrenched along ideological lines, preachers need additional techniques and tones with which they can express applications of God’s law in the context of Law/Gospel preaching.