Are You in the WRONG Church? The Truth About Faith, Fellowship & Hardened Hearts

The Image of God: Value, Sin, and Christ at the Center

What gives human life its value? In this episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew responds to a thoughtful listener question about the imago Dei—the image of God—and whether our worth comes from being created by God or from being redeemed in Christ. We dig into questions like: * Did humanity lose the image of God after the fall? * Is human dignity based on something in us… or something God has done? * How should Christians think about issues like abortion, suffering, and human value? * And how do we avoid a subtle, Christless "humanism" that sounds right—but misses the point? Ultimately, this episode brings everything back to where it belongs: Jesus Christ as the true image of God, and the one who restores what was lost. 📩 Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Check below for our email and send it in—we'd love to include it in a future episode! news@christiannewsmo.com #ChristendomAndTheWorld #ImagoDei #ImageOfGod #ChristianTheology #Christology #Lutheran #FaithAndCulture #BiblicalTruth #TheologyMatters #GospelCentered

Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and the Danger of "Enthusiasm"

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus sits down with Pastor Craig Wehmeyer to talk about Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and the dangers of "enthusiasm." What does it really mean to be "Spirit-filled"? In this Pentecost-focused episode, we unpack Acts 2 and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—what happened, why it mattered, and what it means for the Church today. We wrestle with a major tension in modern Christianity: how do we avoid chasing emotional, experience-driven faith ("enthusiasm") while also not reducing Scripture to a cold, lifeless text? Along the way, we talk about: * The true purpose of Pentecost and the apostolic signs * Why the Holy Spirit always works through the Word * The difference between genuine faith and experience-based religion * Whether miracles and extraordinary experiences still happen today * How the Spirit gathers, strengthens, and builds the Church At the end of the day, the Spirit's work is clear: not to point us inward, but to deliver Christ to us through His Word and gather us into His Church. 📩 Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Check below for our email and send it in—we'd love to include it in a future episode! news@christiannewsmo.com #Pentecost #HolySpirit #Acts2 #ChristianPodcast #TheologyMatters #WordAndSacrament #FaithAndTruth #ChurchLife #Lutheran #BibleTeaching #ChristendomAndTheWorld

Christology and the Problem of WWJD

"What would Jesus do?" It sounds like a simple and helpful question—but is it actually the right one to ask? In this episode, we dig into Christology—who Jesus is—and why that matters more than simply trying to imitate what He would do. While WWJD can seem like a good moral guide, it can subtly turn Jesus into just an example to follow rather than the Savior who redeems. We talk about the danger of reducing Christianity to behavior, how a right understanding of Christ shapes our faith, and why the gospel is about what Jesus has done for us before it's ever about what we do. 📩 Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Check below for our email and send it in—we'd love to include it in a future episode! news@christiannewsmo.com #Christology #WWJD #ChristianPodcast #TheologyMatters #GospelCentered #FaithOverWorks #JesusSaves #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #christendomandtheworld Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Christendom in the World 00:57 Listener Emails: Honoring Abusive Parents 14:54 Navigating Relationships with Toxic Family Members 24:48 The WWJD Movement: Reflections and Critiques 29:46 Exploring Christology and WWJD 34:55 The Evolution of WWJD in Modern Christianity 40:25 Understanding What Jesus Has Done 48:25 The Balance of Example and Redemption 55:00 Living in the Light of Christ's Work

Are You in the WRONG Church? The Truth About Faith, Fellowship & Hardened Hearts

What if the problem isn't your church… But your expectations? In this episode, we respond to real listener questions about feeling disconnected in church, struggling to find strong Christian community, and wondering if you're even in the "right" place. We also tackle a deeper and more uncomfortable topic: the hardening of the heart. Does it mean God has given up on you? Can you come back from it? How should Christians actually understand it? We break down what Scripture teaches about: * Why church can feel spiritually dry * The difference between true fellowship and surface-level community * What it means to hear the Word and receive the Sacraments * Whether a hardened heart means you're beyond saving If you've ever questioned your church, your faith, or your spiritual condition — this episode is for you. #ChristianPodcast #FaithQuestions #Lutheran #ChurchLife #HardeningOfHeart #TheologyMatters #JesusSaves #ChristianLiving #BibleTeaching #ChristendomInTheWorld Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hardness of Heart 02:58 Engaging with Audience Questions 05:46 Understanding Evangelism in the Lutheran Church 08:57 The Role of Doctrine and Order in Lutheranism 11:37 Sharing Faith: Starting at Home 14:38 Finding Community in the Church 17:58 Navigating Church Culture and Fellowship 20:53 The Importance of Word and Sacrament 23:43 Evaluating Church Practices 26:45 Final Thoughts on Hardening of Hearts 36:06 The Need for Christ: Recognizing Our Lostness 39:17 Understanding Hardening of Hearts: Biblical Examples 42:05 The Hardening of Hearts in Believers 49:11 The Dangers of Spiritual Hardening 56:05 Overcoming Hardness of Heart: The Role of the Gospel

When the Church is Overwhelmed by Chaos

In this week's episode of Christendom and the World, Pastor Andrew Preus reflects on how Christians should respond when everything around them feels like it's falling apart—shrinking congregations, lost traditions, and cultural instability. Looking at Scripture, including Hosea and the exile of Israel, he explains that what may look like chaos is often God's call to repentance and a return to what truly matters. This episode strips things down to the essentials: the Gospel, the Word, and the simple structures God has given—home, church, and society. What does the Church actually need to survive? Not programs, not numbers, not nostalgia—but faithful preaching and faithful hearers. If you've ever wondered whether the Church is "losing its way," this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a much-needed reset on what it means to be God's people. #ChristendomAndTheWorld #Lutheran #ChristianPodcast #FaithOverFeelings #GospelCentered #ChurchLife #BiblicalTruth #TheologyMatters #ChristianLiving #WordAndSacrament Chapters 00:00 The Call of Hosea: A Divine Metaphor 01:41 Understanding the Exodus: Chaos and Judgment 06:00 Existential Crisis: The State of the Church 11:42 Foundations of Order: Home, Church, and Society 18:01 The Role of the Church: Preaching and Community 25:56 The Need for Faithful Pastors: A Call to Action 29:16 The Necessity of Community and Education 32:38 The Importance of Teaching the Word of God 36:28 The Role of Pastors and Community in Faith 42:12 Recognizing Our Identity as God's People 47:40 Hope Amidst Change and Chaos