Pastor Strey's Weblog

MEDIA LINKS: Apologetics, Liturgy, Preaching, Theology

“We should have fewer spaghetti suppers
and more serious work on the defense of the faith in our churches!”
-John Warwick Montgomery

Last update of this page: February 1, 2012

The following page contains media links for on-line presentations that would be useful to pastors, teachers, and other Christians who are looking to continue their education in some of the topical areas reflected in this blog.  The inclusion of links on this page or elsewhere on this blog should not be construed as a complete endorsement of the files’ content, particularly for presenters outside WELS fellowship.  Files are included because of their overall usefulness for learning more about the subject matter under discussion.  As other resources are discovered, this page will be expanded, so please check back occasionally to see if there is something new that you would find useful.  You can also find similar resources under “Media Links” in the side bar on each page of this site.

American Evangelicalism by Larry Rast

The following series on American Evangelicalism was offered on Issues, Etc., a confessional Lutheran talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  The series guest, Dr. Larry Rast of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, discusses the theological emphases and cultural trends within American Evangelicalism which unwittingly draw Evangelicals away from the evangel.  Since Evangelicalism has such a strong influence in the greater American Christian culture, this series should prove very valuable. These links connect you to the archived shows on the Issues, Etc. website.

• 12/1/2008 – Achristological
• 12/2/2008 – Acreedal
• 12/3/2008 – Ahistorical
• 12/8/2008 – Asacramental
• 12/9/2008 – Aliturgical

Answering the Objections of Unbelievers by John Warwick Montgomery

The first five links below present a five-part series on Christian Apologetics offered on Issues, Etc. with guest Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, one of the premiere Christian apologists of our day.  The series was titled, “Answering the Objections of Unbelievers.”  The last link is another apologetics segment with Dr. Montgomery on Issues, Etc. on the day after Easter; this program was titled, “Answering Objections to the Bodily Resurrection of Jesus.”  These links connect you to the archived shows on the Issues, Etc. website.  More information on the five-part series is available in this post.

• 10/20/2008 – The Existence of God
• 10/21/2008 – Miracles
• 10/22/2008 – The Exclusive Claims of Christianity
• 10/23/2008 – The Problem of Evil
• 10/24/2008 – Errors & Contradictions in the Bible
• 04/13/2009 – The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus

 Apologetics and Human Rights Lectures by John Warwick Montgomery

In 1999, Dr. John Warwick Montgomery presented lectures on apologetics and human rights at the University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB), and also participated in a related interview with fellow attorney and apologist Craig Parton.  Although Montgomery’s assessment of the “days and nights” in Genesis 1 is questionable (cf. the “Parton Interviews Montgomery” links), the vast majority of what he says is very useful for defending the Christian faith.  The files are from the Veritas Forum website.  The linked pages offer both audio and video files of the presentations.

• A Lawyer’s Defense of Christianity
• Parton Interviews Montgomery
• Why Human Rights Are Impossible without Religion

Apparent Bible Contradictions on Issues, Etc.

In 2010 and 2011, Issues, Etc. offered an ongoing series of shows that discussed and responded to several apparent contradictions in the Bible.  The series included a variety of guests.  These links will take you to each segment in this series.

• 03/11/2011 – Timing of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
• 01/20/2011 – David’s Children and Grandchildren
• 12/20/2010 – Jesus Enters Jerusalem, Jesus’ Temptations, Jesus’ Ministry
• 12/02/2010 – Genealogies of Christ, Lists of the Apostles
• 11/17/2010 – Marriage of Siblings, Did God Sanction Adultery?
• 11/02/2010 – Location of the Ascension
• 10/28/2010 – Who Moved David to Number Israel?
• 10/26/2010 – Resurrection of Jesus
• 10/15/2010 – Two Creation Accounts, Did Adam Die at the Fall?

Dangers of Reformed Theology by Daniel Deutschlander

Rev. Daniel Deutschlander, professor emeritus of history, German, and religion at Martin Luther College (New Ulm, MN), originally gave the following presentation on the dangers of Reformed theology (more commonly called “Evangelicalism”) to a pastors’ conference in Des Moines, IA in 2001.  He offered the presentation again for the student body of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary sometime later, and that presentation is available as a three-part audio file on the Seminary’s website.

• Dangers of Reformed Theology – Part 1
• Dangers of Reformed Theology – Part 2
• Dangers of Reformed Theology – Part 3
• Reformed Theology and its Threat (text)

Ephesians Exegesis Lectures by David Kuske

The Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library’s on-line essay files website includes media files, in addition to standard text files of essays.  Among the media files is this 12-part exegetical presentation on the book of Ephesians by Prof. Em. David P. Kuske.  Prof. Kuske examines key sections of Ephesians with a careful word-by-word analysis in order to accurately draw out the apostle Paul’s intended meaning and message.

• Menu for Ephesians Lectures
• Ephesians Introduction
• Ephesians 1:3-7
• Ephesians 1:13-14
• Ephesians 1:22-23
• Ephesians 2:8-10
• Ephesians 2:13-16
• Ephesians 3:17b-19
• Ephesians 4:3-7
• Ephesians 4:11-16
• Ephesians 4:20-24
• Ephesians 5:7-12
• Ephesians 6:10-13

Evaluating Religious Truth Claims with Craig Parton

The following three-part series on Christian Apologetics was offered on Issues, Etc.  The guest for this series is Santa Barbara attorney and Christian apologist Craig Parton. These links connect you to the archived shows on the Issues, Etc. website.  More information on this series is available in this post.

• 02/23/2009 – Worldviews
• 02/24/2009 – The Fundamental Case for Christianity
• 02/25/2009 – The Impact of Christianity

How Luther Became a Lutheran by Daniel Deutschlander

Rev. Daniel Deutschlander is professor emeritus of history, German, and religion at Martin Luther College (New Ulm, MN), the ministry-training college of the WELS.  In retirement, Prof. Deutschlander has given many different presentations, including lectures for the student body at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.  The following lecture, “How Luther Became a Lutheran,” is posted on the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library’s on-line essay file website and describes the historical circumstances surrounding Luther and the Reformation.

• How Luther Became a Lutheran – Part 1
• How Luther Became a Lutheran – Part 2

Justification Lectures by Siegbert Becker

These lectures on the key Lutheran doctrine of justification were given by the late Dr. Siegbert Becker, professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (Mequon, Wisconsin).  The links below take you to the audio files on the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary website.

• Justification – Part 1
• Justification – Part 2
• Justification – Part 3

The Pastor’s Bible Study by Daniel Deutschlander

On February 21-22, 2011, Rev. Daniel Deutschlander gave a seminar for WELS pastors titled “The Pastor’s Bible Study.”  For many years he faithfully taught what it means to be a Lutheran pastor, preacher, and Seelsorger (a carer of souls).  The following links connect to the files for this presentation on the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s “Growing in Grace” continuing education website.

• The Pastor’s Bible Study – Part 1
• The Pastor’s Bible Study – Part 2
• The Pastor’s Bible Study – Part 3
• The Pastor’s Bible Study – study guide

Resurrection Apologetics by Gary Habermas

Dr. Gary Habermas is a professor at Liberty University who has spoken and written extensively on the defense of Jesus’ resurrection and on New Testament textual criticism. The middle link is a radio interview from the archives of the old version of Issues, Etc.  The remaining links will take you to the audio and video files available through the Vertias Forum.  These presentations were given at California Polytech State University (San Luis Obispo). The resurrection debate took place between Habermas and noted atheist-turned-deist Antony Flew.

• 01/29/2003 – Near-Death Experiences: Evidence for an Afterlife?
• 12/31/2003 – Jesus’ Resurrection: Atheist and Theist Dialogue (audio only)
• 05/03/2004 – Evidence for the Resurrection of Christ (Issues, Etc.)
• 02/04/2008 – The Resurrection Argument that Changed … Scholars
• 02/06/2008 – Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife (audio only)

Revelation Lectures by Siegbert Becker

In 1981, Dr. Siegbert Becker, professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (Mequon, Wisconsin) gave a series of eight lectures on the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. The lectures were originally given as part of an adult enrichment series. Tapes of the lectures have been converted into digital audio files, and may be accessed through the links below, which will take you to the files on the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary website.  Becker’s lectures offer a clear and accurate interpretation of a very difficult book in the Bible.

• Menu for Revelation Lectures
• Revelation – Lecture 1
• Revelation – Lecture 2
• Revelation – Lecture 3
• Revelation – Lecture 4
• Revelation – Lecture 5
• Revelation – Lecture 6
• Revelation – Lecture 7
• Revelation – Lecture 8

The Veracity of the New Testament by Gary Habermas

Bible critics frequently claim that the Scriptures are unreliable, error-ridden documents, but such claims do not stand up to the facts.  Dr. Gary Habermas, professor at Liberty University, addresses the critics’ charges and explains the real story of the New Testament’s manuscript transmission in this lecture.  Dr. Habermas’s areas of expertise include New Testament textual criticism and the defense of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  The link will take you to the media files available through the Vertias Forum.  This lecture was given at California Polytech State University (San Luis Obispo).

• 01/29/2005 – The Veracity of the New Testament

WELS Guests on Issues, Etc.

The links below include past Issues, Etc. programs in which WELS pastors and representatives are mentioned or interviewed.

• 02/27/2009 – Blog of the Week - This blog & another WELS blog were selected
• 05/27/2009 – Lutheranism in America – WELS President Mark Schroeder
• 06/23/2009 – Theology of the Cross – Prof. Em. Daniel Deutschlander
• 01/20/2012 – Christian Suffering – Prof. Gregory Schulz

WELS National Worship Conference Presentations (2008)

Dozens of workshops were offered over the three main days of the conference.  Among them is the following presentation on worship, the local parish, and the fellowship of our synod by Pastor Jon Schroeder, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg, Georgia.  The video’s description from the WELS Streams website says: “Compelling worship is one of the most important factors driving parish health. Stronger worship in its several aspects – setting, music, preaching, variety, engaged involvement – will, under God, build stronger parishes. Stronger parishes are better able to support the worldwide mission of WELS. Can WELS practice worship that strengthens the parish and builds synodical strength and unity?”

• Compelling Worship, Vital Parishes, Strong Synod
• Worship and Synodical Unity (a shorter excerpt of the presentation)

The new WELS hymnal supplement, Christian Worship: Supplement, was formally presented to our church body at the 2008 worship conference.  With the release of the supplement in mind, the keynote address focused on the history of WELS hymnals and the lessons we can learn from our synod’s worship life, past and present.  Pastor Jon Zabell, a member of the WELS Commission on Worship, a member of the supplement committee, and chairman of the supplement’s introduction committee, gave the address.  Pastor Zabell serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Green Bay.  His address is an extremely valuable contribution to the current worship discussions in the Lutheran Church.

• The Formation and Function of Hymnals in WELS

The Western Rite by Daniel Deutschlander

Prof. Em. Daniel Deutschlander delivered the following essay on the traditional Lutheran liturgical service for a pastors’ conference in spring 2008.  The paper is not as much a historical look at the liturgy as it is a pastoral and devotional consideration of the liturgy, following the progression of the “Common Service” as it is found in Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal.  Prof. Deutschlander presented the essay again to the student body at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and this recording comes from that presentation.  The essay links are taken from the Seminary library’s on-line essay file.  Audio files are available for the entire presentation, but a video file is available only for the first part of the presentation.

• The Western Rite – Part 1 (audio)
• The Western Rite – Part 1 (video)
• The Western Rite – Part 2 (audio)
• The Western Rite – Parts 1 & 2 (text)