Want to be better informed about what’s going on in the scholarly world on topics like the Bible, archaeology, culture and society, world religions, church history, missions, worship, or pastoral theology? Let Grow in Grace help you keep up. Our new newsletter feature, Peer Reviewed and Peer Recommended, will link to five full-text, peer-reviewed articles each month selected from the more than 2,000 journals indexed in the ATLA Religion Database for their timeliness and possible interest to pastors. The seminary subscribes to this database and you will need a seminary Microsoft365 account to access the articles. Request an account here if you don’t already have one.
November 2025 Recommendations
Jackson, Justin. “A Tax Not His Own: Matthew 17:24-27 as an Enacted Parable of Atonement.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 65, no. 1 (December 31, 2022): 79–91. Summary: This article argues that Matthew 17:24–27 should be read in the context of Jesus’s statement of his impending death and resurrection. When read in the context of Matthew 17:22–23, Matthew 17:24–27 gives an illustration of Jesus’s person and work. As the free, royal Son, Jesus pays a ransom tax, from which he is exempt, in order to demonstrate what he has come to do for those who follow him. Usefulness: The article will lead to a better understanding of the account of the temple tax in Matthew 17.
Judd, Andrew. “Do the Speakers in Acts Use Different Hermeneutics for Different Old Testament Genres?” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 64, no. 1 (December 31, 2021): 109–27. Summary: Drawing on modern genre theory’s observation that genres create distinct hermeneutical roles for the reader, this article tests the hypothesis that the hermeneutical structures employed by the apostles to interpret and apply the Old Testament vary depending on the genre of the source material. It concludes that if the genre of the source text is a psalm, then the text will usually be interpreted typologically to make a Christological point. Usefulness: This article may help the pastor better understand the genre specific use of the Old Testament in the New Testament.
Leaver, Robin A. 2023. “The First Lutheran Hymnals of 1524.” Lutheran Quarterly 37 (4): 373–406. See also Leaver, Robin A. 2002. “Johann Sebastian Bach and the Lutheran Understanding of
Music.” Lutheran Quarterly 16 (1): 21–47. Summary: Robin Leaver is one of the most significant and reliable scholars for worship and music principles espoused by Luther and Bach. In addition to the two links provided here, those with access to the ATLA database can find many more articles by him. Usefulness: Valuable for pastors and musicians who want both to understand historic theological principles but also to gain insights for implementing them in various modern contexts. The second listed article includes “Music and Theology in Homiletical Partnership.”
Gatti, Nicoletta. “From Alien to Neighbor: The Journey of Ruth.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 32, no. 1 (December 31, 2022): 1–16. Summary: In the Tanak, migration to the land of Israel is often presented as synonymous with a journey of identity construction and faith, while migration from the land of Israel represents a journey of self-destruction, slavery, and death. Against this background, this article examines the relationship between Israel and the “alien” as portrayed in the book of Ruth. The book of Ruth is often considered the result of the debate generated in Israel in the postexilic era, documented in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Jonah, about the relationship between the Jewish identity, obtained by election, and “otherness.” The article’s hypothesis is that the book of Ruth enters paradoxically in this debate, inviting its reader to the reception and the inclusion of the foreigner. Usefulness: The article helps the reader to understand that the God of Israel cares also for the “others” – the enemies and aliens. And they can also be a part of salvation history.
MCMAHAN, A. The Strategic Nature of Urban Ministry. Great Commission Research Journal, v. 7, n. 1, p. 28–42, 2015. Summary: The explosive growth of cities around the world provides an opportunity for the advancement of the gospel and the expansion of the church. Ten overlapping realities found in urban contexts are explored in this article to show how the world is dramatically changing the context in which most people live. The enormous advantages offered by urban ministry are then examined to show how the church can extend its reach, identify and reach receptive people and influence the culture of a region or a nation. Usefulness: To better understand the unique character of today’s cities in order to carry out evangelism in them.
October 2025 Recommendations
Jensen, Gordon A. “Highlighting in the 1534 ‘Luther Bible.’” Lutheran Quarterly 35, no. 2 (December 31, 2021): 125–44. Summary: The author examines the use of highlighting (the capitalization of all the letters in words) in printings of the 1534 Bible, determines that Luther himself was likely behind this, and theorizes why he encouraged it. Usefulness: For someone who has an interest in the German language and Luther’s translation of the Bible.
Tinetti, Ryan Patrick. “Reverse the Curse: Preaching Sermons That Stick.” Concordia Journal 45, no. 2 (December 31, 2019): 85–95. Summary: The author explores the “Curse of Knowledge” as it applies to a pastor’s ability to preach meaningful, memorable sermons. The curse of knowledge is a term coined by social scientists Chip and Dan Heath, in their book Made to Stick, and can be defined as “a difficulty in imagining what it is like for someone else not to know something that you know.” The article then suggests ways pastors can reverse this curse in their preaching. Usefulness: For the pastor who wants to improve his preaching.
Bock, Darrell L, and Kymberli M Cook. “The Table Briefing: Ai and Transhumanism: Opportunities for the Church?” Bibliotheca Sacra 180, no. 717 (December 31, 2023): 81–88. Summary: Artificial intelligence is a barrier- breaking, world-changing technology, just as was Gutenberg’s printing press. This article highlites some of the positive dimensions of the technology for the church. Usefulness: For pastors interested in artificial intelligence and its use in the Church.
Bolen, Todd. “The Date of the Davidic Covenant.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 65, no. 1 (December 31, 2022): 61–78. Summary: Current evangelical scholarly consensus dates the Davidic covenant to the end of David’s life. This author presents biblical evidence supporting dating the covenant to the middle of David’s reign. This also allows David ample time to write the Messsianic psalms. Usefulness: For anyone interested in a deeper understanding the significance of the Davidic covenant to the psalms that foretell the Messiah’s suffering and glory.
Maxwell, David R. 2015. “The Nicene Creed in the Church.” Concordia Journal 41(1): 13–22. Summary: This article surveys three ways the creed is used in the church: doctrinally, hermeneutically, and pedagogically. See also Rorem, Paul. 2024. “The Nicene Creed and Luther’s Credal Hymn.” Lutheran Quarterly 38 (3): 249–61. Usefulness: It’s not too late in this 1700-year anniversary of the Nicene Creed to make something of it in a sermon or Bible class—or to mention it again.
September 2025 Recommendations
Swenson, Jennifer, and Brock Shaw. “Visual Worship with the Center for Liturgical Art.” Lutheran Forum 44, no. 3 (December 2010): 64. Summary: The author explains how the Center for Liturgical Art at Concordia University, Seward, helps congregations facilitate worship and praise through the visual arts. Usefulness: For the congregation wishing to utilize the visual arts in their worship life.
Hovey, Craig. “Distinctions: Uses of the Bible in Immigration Debates.” Anglican Theological Review 106, no. 4 (December 2024): 444–52. Summary: This article considers and responds to some of the ways the Bible is used in US immigration debates, focusing on restrictive interpretations by conservative scholars. The article contrasts these views with more inclusive biblical interpretations that emphasize hospitality and justice. Usefulness: For the pastor who evaluating how people use the Bible to defend their views on immigration.
Schuler, Rhoda. “Voyage to Belonging and Renewal through the Adult Catechumenate.” Currents in Theology and Mission 49, no. 2 (December 2022): 42–48. Summary: The author describes the faith formation process for individuals and the congregation. She describes how a sense of belonging was created for the catechumens which connected them to the worshiping community, and how communicating doctrine effectively deepened the faith of participants. Usefulness: To help pastors and the laity more effectively bring catechumens into the family of the congregation.
Senkbeil, Harold L. 2024. “Lutheran and/or Evangelical?: The Impact of Evangelicalism on LCMS Pastors.” Concordia Journal 50 (3): 47–65. Summary: Senkbeil: “These twin responsibilities of the church and her ministers, that is, both faithfulness and zeal, have frequently if not perpetually been in competition during the church’s history. The desire to keep the message straight has on occasion gotten in the way of getting the message out. But more frequently, and especially in our own generation, zeal for getting the message out seemingly trumps the need for faithfulness in keeping the message straight.” Usefulness: The title of the article makes clear its value for pastors; valuable also for discussion with lay leaders especially if there are tensions about planning future direction or change. While we in WELS haven’t had to deal with the topic as much as our cousins in LCMS, we are not immune.
ZIEGERT, C. What is חֶ֫סֶד?: A frame-semantic approach. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, [s. l.], v. 44, n. 4, p. 711–732, 2020. Summary: Using the methodology of cognitive linguistics, Ziegert takes a deep dive into the meaning of חֶ֫סֶד and applies his definition to passages including Hosea 6:6 and Isaiah 40:6. Usefulness: The article will help the reader better understand the biblical meaning of חֶ֫סֶד.
August 2025 Recommendations
Mayer, Jonathan. “The Necessity of Liturgical Art in the Lutheran Church.” Logia 30, no. 2 (December 2021): 15–19. Summary: Mayer addresses 3 questions about liturgical art: Does beauty matter in worship, do works of liturgical art serve the mission of the Church, and is commissioning works of liturgical art good stewardship. Usefulness: For congregations interested in liturgical art.
Williamson, Darren T. “‘Male and Female He Made Them’: The Church and the Transgender Debate.” Journal of Christian Studies 1, no. 2 (December 2022): 99–116. Summary: A Bible-based examination of contemporary transgenderism. The author carefully defines terms and offers many resources to further understand and deal with this today. Usefulness: For any Christian seeking to understand transgenderism and to recognize how Scripture defines gender.
LONG, T. G. The Christian Funeral as Counter Witness. Interpretation, [s. l.], v. 75, n. 3, p. 216–226, 2021. Summary: Unconventional funeral practices in North America, however innovative, are an expression of societal confusion about the nature of death and grief. If the church can recover the theological and liturgical fabric of funerals, they can serve as a hopeful counter-witness to an uncertain culture. Usefulness: To further a biblical understanding of contemporary funeral practices.
Edwards, J Kent. “Stories Are for Adults: Equipping Preachers to Communicate Biblical Narratives to Adult Audiences.” The Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society 15, no. 2 (December 2015): 50–59. Summary: The learning characteristics of adult learners make biblical narratives especially valuable for preaching to adult audiences. Pastors trained to employ the “story shaping” homiletical methodology in this paper will be equipped to effectively proclaim the stories of scripture to adults. Usefulness: For the pastor who wants to learn more about preaching scriptural narratives to adults.
Lange, Jonathan G. 2020. “Fellowship in Its Necessary Context: The Doctrine of the Church and the Overseas Theses of 1961.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 84 (1–2): 101–18. Summary: Lange: “Three months [after the Statement of the Overseas Committee was released], Wisconsin’s suspension of fellowship meant that the conflicting parties would never again meet at the same table. Lost in the shuffle was the work of the Overseas Committee. To this day, its theses remain unexplored as a resource for navigating the fellowship questions that have bedeviled confessional Lutheranism in America.” And from the articles conclusion: “Could [the Synodical Conference] be reconstituted even now? Perhaps recently renewed conversations between our erstwhile partners still hold that promise. Only time will tell. But more immediately, Missouri herself lives in the same existential crisis that undid the Synodical Conference. … While the Overseas Theses provide us a sound framework for moving forward, they also leave some key questions unanswered.” Usefulness: A recent article in FIC comments on meetings of leaders from WELS, LCMS, and ELS. “In some cases, caricatures have been removed, and the differences have been shown to be less than had been imagined.” With this in mind, it’s good for WELS pastors to understand how confessional Missourians think about the doctrine of fellowship.
July 2025 Recommendations
Cheesman, James. 2024. “WRATH IN WORSHIP?: An Analysis of the ‘Wrath of God’ Controversy Surrounding Getty and Townend’s ‘In Christ Alone.’” Artistic Theologian 11 (December): 55–72. See also Smietana, Bob. 2021. “Twenty Years Later, ‘In Christ Alone’ Still Inspires Millions to Sing.” The Christian Century 138 (20): 18. Summary: From a conservative Baptist perspective, the author reviews diverse interpretations of the wrath of God along with satisfaction and substitutionary understandings of the atonement. He notes that “In Christ Alone” (CW510) is the most significant hymn addressing the wrath of God since the late eighteenth century. He also mentions wrath in Jordan Kauflin’s “All I Have Is Christ” (CW 580). Noting avoidance of the topics of judgment and wrath in some churches, he urges the value of such hymns. Usefulness: For the pastor preaching on or teaching about God’s wrath – especially with a goal to connect doctrine and hymnody. Those with Service Builder can search for additional hymns that mention God’s wrath, including four by WELS hymnwriters: 436:4, 494:1, 649:2, 984:2.
Carlson, Kit. “Equipping the Next Generations to Speak Their Faith Aloud.” Anglican Theological Review 98, no. 4 (2016): 703–13. Summary: The author explores the challenges post-Boomers have in expressing their faith and suggests ways to help them become better at evangelizing. Usefulness: For someone who wants to better understand the post-Boomer generations and to learn how to help them become better at sharing their faith.
Herrmann, Erik H. “Anatomy of a Sermon: Sermon on Job 19:18-25 by Timothy Saleska.” Concordia Journal 49, no. 2 (2023): 55–61. Summary: A critical examination and analysis of a sermon on Job 19:18-25. Usefulness: For the pastor who wishes to improve his own preaching by studying the sermons of others.
Nafzger, Peter H. “Anatomy of a Sermon: ‘Peace For Life and Death’ (Luke 2:22-40) by Bruce Keseman.” Concordia Journal 50, no. 3 (2024): 69–78. Summary: The author critiques a sermon on Luke 2:22-40, examining its structure in detail and evaluating how the preacher has reached the sermon’s goals. Usefulness: For any pastor who would like to improve his preaching.
Reyes, Ian. “‘Nebuchadnezzar, My Servant’: A Reexamination of the Honorific Title ‘Servant of the Lord.’” Andrews University Seminary Studies 59, no. 2 (2021): 185–202. Summary: ONLY 10 individuals are given the title “servant of the Lord” in the OT. This article examines those instances and then discusses why Nebuchadnezzar might be given this honorific. Usefulness: For a pastor wanting further insight into the title “servant of the Lord.”
June 2025 Recommendations
Litfin, Duane. “‘To Fulfill All Righteousness’: What Did Jesus Mean?” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 65, no. 4 (2022): 667–88. Summary: The author examines the two most commonly offered interpretations of Jesus’ words in Matthew 3:15 and rejects them because of their dependence on speculation and lack of textual support. He then offers a theologically more satisfying alternative based on exegesis. Usefulness: For the pastor preaching on or teaching about the baptism of Jesus.
Korcok, Thomas. “Weaponizing the Word: A Lutheran Look at Christian Nationalism.” Lutheran Theological Review 36 (2024): 82–101. Summary: The author presents the history of today’s Christian Nationalism and critiques it with respect to its ecclesiology, eschatology, and Christology. Usefulness: For those seeking a better understanding of Christian Nationalism.
Granquist, Mark Alan. “American Lutherans and Their Hymnals.” Word & World 44, no. 2 (2024): 177–88. Summary: A historical look at hymnody and development of hymnals among Lutherans in America. Usefulness: For anyone interested in Lutheran hymnody.
Biermann, Joel D. “The Star-Spangled Luther.” Concordia Journal 50, no. 3 (2024): 13–23. Summary: The author examines, on the basis of Luther’s exposition of Psalm 82, the roles of government and of the Church. He carefully explains how one’s culture will affect one’s theology and shows how often the desire for a common good or for social justice will be impossible if the goals of the Church and the goal of government are not the same. Usefulness: For any Christian who wants to gain clarity on living their Christian goals in our often anti-Christian culture.
Paroschi, Keldie. “On God’s Side of History: Time and Apocalyptic History in Paul’s Speech at the Areopagus.” Andrews University Seminary Studies 59, no. 2 (2021): 227–50. Summary: This paper considers Paul’s speech to the Areopagus from the frame work of Jewish apocalyptic historiography and determines that although there is some similarity between Paul’s thought and Stoicism, his message is only intelligible through a Judeo-Christian point of view. Usefulness: For a pastor preaching or teaching on Acts 17:22-31.
May 2025 Recommendations
Hornik, Heidi J, and Mikeal C (Mikeal Carl) Parsons. “The Feast of Pentecost and Trinity Sunday: Liturgical Art in Context.” Interpretation 66, no. 1 (2012): 55–66. Summary: The author surveys depictions of the Pentecost event and the doctrine of the Trinity in art and suggests how such resources can inspire the contemporary Christian to a deeper understanding of their Christian faith. Usefulness: To help a pastor or teacher use exisiting art to aid understanding of Pentecost or the doctrine of the Trinity.
Hood, Jared C. “Yhwh Tsevaot in Samuel: God of the Davidic Age.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 62, no. 3 (2019): 495–513. Summary: The author examines the use of YHWH Tsevaot in three blocks in the books of Samuel and concludes that the introduction of this name in Samuel has redemptive historical significance. Usefulness: For a pastor preaching or teaching on the books of Samuel or on God’s names.
Lindberg, Carter. “Luther on Poverty.” Lutheran Quarterly 15, no. 1 (2001): 85–101. Summary: A well-referenced historical examination of Luther’s view of poverty and the role of government and the Christian toward the poor. Usefulness: An aid to understanding and evaluating current social justice issues regarding the poor.
Powell, Kara, Brad Griffin, and Tyler S Greenway. “Identity, Belonging, and Purpose: New Research on Three Big Questions That Change Every Teenager.” The Journal of Youth Ministry 21, no. 1 (2023): 7–28. Summary: A qualitative interview-based study that probes the questions of identity (Who am I?), belonging (Where do I fit?), and purpose (What difference can I make?) in today’s teenagers. The results of the study provide valuable insights for youth ministry. Usefulness: Useful for helping a pastor understand how today’s teenagers see themselves.
Garrison, Brianna. “Transforming the Narrative of Aging and Dementia in Faith Communities: Toward a New Paradigm of Inclusion.” Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging 33, no. 4 (2021): 413–29. Summary: This paper examines the role of faith communities in dealing with persons living with dementia and their caregivers. Usefulness: This article gives insight into how to include the elderly with dementia into the life of the congregation.