Dr. Robert Kolb joins The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to talk about the second edition of The Christian Faith, A Lutheran Exposition. Dr. Kolb, along with his coauthor Ted Hopkins, use the history of the church and its creeds and confessions as a guide to share new perspectives on the presentation of Christian doctrine for current day.

Get the book on cph.org now.

Show Notes

For Martin Luther, pure doctrine was not just the content of Scripture but also that content conveyed faithfully into the lives of those who hear God’s Word.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Dr. Robert Kolb joins host Elizabeth Pittman to talk about the second edition of The Christian Faith, A Lutheran Exposition. He discusses his personal faith journey and ministry, why doctrinal theology is necessary, how Law and Gospel are central to Lutheranism, cultural and theological challenges facing Christians today, and more.

Questions

• Could you tell us about your faith journey? How did you come to enter the ministry?
• What is your reaction to the election of Robert Francis Prevost as Pope?
• What was the motivation for revising The Christian Faith after three decades, and what new challenges in the church or society prompted this second edition?
• You begin the book with the resurrection of Jesus. Why is the empty tomb the starting point for Christian theology?
• Why is doctrinal theology necessary in every generation?
• Why is it significant that this is a Lutheran exposition of the Christian faith, and not just a general Christian theology textbook?
• You highlight the importance of distinguishing Law and Gospel. Why is this so central to Lutheran theology—and how can readers learn to do it well?
• How does theology “listen” both to God and to the neighbor, and what’s the danger if we ignore either one?
• You note that “Christendom” is over. How does that change the task of theology and the way the Gospel is shared?
• What are some of the specific cultural or theological challenges facing Christians today that this new edition addresses?
• You write “The sanctified life is often called a life of new obedience.” What does a life of new obedience look like?
• In an age of increasing biblical illiteracy, how can theology still function as proclamation rather than just academic reflection?
• What do you say to someone who thinks doctrine divides more than it unites?

About the Guest

Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb received M. Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and a Ph.D. in history at the University of Wisconsin. He served as the director of the Center for Reformation Research from 1973-1977 and as a professor at Concordia College in Saint Paul, Minnesota from 1977-1993, then the acting president from 1989-1990. Kolb was then the director of the Institute for Mission Studies and professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis from 1993-2006. He continues to teach classes at the seminary following his retirement.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman is joined by guest Sharla Fritz to discuss Sharla’s newest book, Divine Directions: How God Guides Your Path.

Order the book now on CPH’s website at cph.org/divinedirections.

Show Notes
From Moses’ journey to the Promised Land and Ruth’s journey in life, it’s easy to see that following your own itinerary never goes as planned. In her new book, Divine Directions, Sharla Fritz writes about how this is especially true in her own travel woes. During the episode, listen as Sharla discusses these personal travel stories, the eight Biblical travels she writes about in the book, what it looks like to trust God’s itinerary instead of our own, how to reflect on our spiritual journeys, and more.

Questions

• What inspired you to write Divine Directions, and how did your own experiences with travel influence the theme?
• Why did you choose these eight biblical journeys to include in the study? Was there one that surprised you during your research?
• What common threads did you find among these journeys, despite their very different circumstances and outcomes?
• Can you share how one of these stories—perhaps Ruth or Jonah—has shaped your understanding of God’s guidance?
• One of the study's key ideas is that “God rarely gives us a detailed map.” How can that be comforting instead of frustrating?
• What does it look like, practically, to trust God’s itinerary instead of our own?
• You include timelines, maps, and historical context. How does understanding the “where and when” of Scripture help readers apply it to the “here and now”?
• This study is meant for both individual reflection and small group discussion. How does community enhance our ability to follow God’s lead?
• You encourage readers to share their own stories. Why is it so powerful to reflect on our spiritual journeys out loud?
• What encouragement would you offer to someone currently feeling lost or stuck at a crossroads in life?
• What do you hope readers take away from this study once they’ve completed all eight journeys?

About the Guest
Sharla Fritz loves to speak with women's groups and to share about her own struggles, victories, and failures, speaking about how God is miraculously present through them all. In doing so, she hopes to share a few laughs and meet new sisters in Christ. Sharla is a Lutheran author, musician, and speaker. She has published numerous books with Concordia Publishing House, including Measured by Grace, God's Relentless Love, Divine Makeover: God Makes You Beautiful, Divine Design: 40 Days of Spiritual Makeover, and Bless These Lips: 40 Days of Spiritual Transformation.

Rev. Kris Whitby joins this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss his new book with CPH, Come and Be Filled: Feasting with Jesus in His Word. Kris and host Elizabeth Pittman discuss 11 Biblical meals that Kris writes about in the book, and how Jesus blesses us when we dine together.

Get his book by visiting cph.org/feast.

Show Notes

In his new book, Come and Be Filled, Kristopher R. Whitby explores eleven meals throughout Scripture and the lessons God teaches there around His table. Through Jesus, your meals will mean more.

Kris talks to listeners about the idea behind his book and how it originated, how he went about choosing and studying the eleven meals in Scripture that he writes about, the importance of fellowship and having meals together in today’s world, and more.

About the Guest

Rev. Kristopher Whitby served for 24 years as a parish pastor, both in Florida and Illinois. In his years of pastoral ministry, Kris was honored to serve as the national LWML pastoral counselor as well as the Northern Illinois District’s North Region Vice President. He has been blessed to host the radio talk show “Faith Talks” and serve as a volunteer chaplain for the Association of Retired Intelligence Officers during the days of 9/11. Pastor Kris now serves on district staff as Assistant to the President–Mission and Ministry in the Northern Illinois District. He and his wife, Marguerita, enjoy their son and daughter, their daughter- and son-in-law, and their three grandchildren that the Lord has provided them, as well as board games, theater, and improv comedy.