In this special edition of The Bookcase Behind Me podcast, we’re bringing you an inside look at the 2021 Synod and Colloquium of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (ELDoNA). Your host, Pastor Brandon Warr, had the privilege of attending this gathering of confessional Lutheran pastors and theologians, where he conducted a series of interviews on a wide range of topics vital to the Lutheran faith.
The Confessional Lutheran Understanding of the Diaconate (Deacon Oncken)
- The diaconate is a grade within the one Office of the ministry
- Equivalent to the modern concept of assistant or associate pastor
- Deacons are fully able to preach, teach, and administer the sacraments according to a Divine call
- Serves to assist the bishop or local pastor
Advice for Further Theological Study (Pastor Heimbigner)
- Read a journal article a day to stay sharp and on the cutting edge of academia
- Regularly read books, such as Luther biographies or other works that pique your interest
Combating Heterodoxy and Confessing Scriptural Truth (Pastor Carver)
- Everyone has a confession; Lutherans adhere to the Book of Concord as the best exposition of Scripture
- Follow your conscience and God’s truth when struggling with heterodoxy
- Seek out an ELDoNA pastor and pursue fellowship with those who confess the truth
- A new ELDoNA documentary is in the works to address misconceptions about the diocese
Christian Parenting Advice (Pastor Henson)
- Use the catechism for training children from a very young age
- Establish daily devotions, such as Matins or Vespers, to familiarize children with hymnody and repetition
- Love your wife as an example to your children
- Pray Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers as a family
Seminarian Experiences and Insights (Jacob and Benjamin Henson)
- The continuous study is both the most challenging and rewarding aspect of seminary education
- Balancing family life with the demands of study can be tricky but is ultimately worth it
- Preparing for Word and Sacrament ministry is of the utmost importance
The Importance of Daily Prayer for Laypeople (Pastor Sheck)
- Scripture compares prayer to daily food; both are necessary for spiritual nourishment
- Prayer should involve meditating on and speaking God’s Word back to Him
- Resources for daily prayer include the catechism, the Psalms, and the Lutheran hymnal
The Value of Confessional Hymnody (Pastor Stefanski)
- Lutheran hymnody inculcates sound doctrine and an appreciation for the means of grace
- Hymns should tell the story of salvation and explain how we receive Christ’s benefits
- The fullness of Lutheran hymnody is essential; shortened or edited versions lose important aspects of teaching
The Life and Influence of David Henkel and the Tennessee Synod (Bishop James Heiser)
- David Henkel was a key figure in establishing confessional Lutheranism in North America
- The Tennessee Synod, founded by Henkel and others, was an indigenous confessional Lutheran body
- Henkel and the Tennessee Synod are often overlooked due to the “cult of personality” surrounding C.F.W. Walther and the Missouri Synod
- Studying Henkel’s life and work provides an inspiring example of zeal for God’s truth lived out in piety and service
