The Concordia Publishing House Podcast

Concordia Publishing House
  • 4.8 (30)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Concordia Publishing House Podcast where we consider everything in the light of Jesus Christ who is the same today, yesterday, and forever. Hosted by Elizabeth Pittman. 

  1. Dinner with the Doctor: Luke's Gospel for the Hungry | Dr. A. Andrew Das

    15h ago

    Dinner with the Doctor: Luke's Gospel for the Hungry | Dr. A. Andrew Das

    In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Dr. A. Andrew Das, author of Dinner with the Doctor: Luke’s Gospel for the Hungry. Dr. Das brings his scholarly expertise to a broader audience, guiding readers through the unique voice, motifs, and theology of Luke’s gospel. He explores Luke’s distinctive emphasis on food, women, and possessions; the meaning of “today” in Luke’s theology of salvation; the importance of reading scripture in its first-century context; and how the book serves both pastors and laypeople hungry for deeper engagement with God’s Word. Episode Timestamps 0:49 — Introduction 1:42 — Each Gospel Writer's Unique Voice 5:11 — Luke's "Today" — A Different Theology of Salvation 7:25 — Luke's Unique Motifs: Food, Women & Possessions 9:58 — Reading Luke in His First-Century Context 13:36 — The Rich Man and Lazarus: Wealth & the Possessions Motif 16:23 — Dr. Das's Favorite Lucan Passages 17:52 — How to Use This Book: Pastors & Lay Readers 20:05 — The Art of Good Biblical Interpretation 23:02 — What's Next: A Preview of Mark's Gospel 25:08 — Closing & Where to Find the Book About the Guest Dr. A. Andrew Das is the Niebuhr Distinguished Chair and professor of religious studies at Elmhurst University. He has authored several books with leading publishers in biblical studies, including Paul and the Stories of Israel (Fortress, 2016); Galatians, Concordia Commentary (CPH, 2014); Solving the Romans Debate (Fortress, 2007); Paul and the Jews (Hendrickson, 2001); and Paul, the Law, and the Covenant (Hendrickson, 2001). Dr. Das is also researching key women and their leadership in the Pauline communities and writings. Dr. Das received graduate degrees from Yale University and Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He also did doctoral work at Duke University. He teaches in biblical studies, early Christianity, and Second Temple Judaism.   Resources Mentioned Dinner with the Doctor: Luke’s Gospel for the Hungry by Dr. A. Andrew Das — cph.org Concordia Publishing House: Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub LCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

    27 min
  2. Family Discipleship | Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson

    4d ago

    Family Discipleship | Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson

    How do we actually raise our children in the faith? In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson, author of Family Discipleship with Christ. Dr. Thompson maps out a partnership between the home and the congregation that is both theologically grounded and practically usable. He draws on Luther’s Small Catechism, extensive field research, and his own experience of daily prayer with his family to help parents and pastors understand what faithful, grace-filled family discipleship looks like in today’s changing cultural landscape. Episode Timestamps 1:51 — Introduction — Welcome & book overview 2:30 — The quest begins — a seminary student’s question that launched a lifetime of research 5:00 — Map and compass — the Lewis & Clark framework for navigating family discipleship 8:00 — The compass of new creational wisdom — God’s design, sin, and grace working together 11:30 — Defining family discipleship — the partnership of home and congregation 14:00 — Starting with common ground — the bold claim that all parents want the best for their children 17:30 — Secular liturgies — how culture forms children’s hearts away from Christ 21:30 — Parents as the primary faith-formers — why God has creationally positioned them for this work 24:30 — The Flathead Lake aha moment — Luther’s catechism as a daily family prayer book 29:00 — The congregational paradigm shift — from church-centered to a home-and-congregation partnership 33:30 — Seven things for the congregation, seven for the home — the map in practice 37:30 — Tools in the book — the family audit, family mission statement, and bibliography 41:30 — All kinds of families — how this approach serves non-traditional and single-parent households 44:00 — Closing encouragement — there is always more grace in Christ About the Guest Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson is associate professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He presents at workshops and conferences on the vocation of raising children in the faith and is the project manager for the Family Discipleship Initiative at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in partnership with the Concordia Center for the Family. Prior to being called to the seminary, he served as a campus pastor, sole pastor, and senior pastor. Mart, and his wife, Cheryl, are blessed with three children who are married and have children of their own, in whose homes the legacy of family discipleship continues. Resources Mentioned Family Discipleship with Christ by Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson — cph.org Dr. Thompson’s blog post on family discipleship (a dialogue between a professor and a seminary student, forthcoming) — concordiatheology.org Concordia Publishing House: Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub LCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

    45 min
  3. How to Live Outside Yourself | Rev. Joshua Pfeiffer

    Jun 3

    How to Live Outside Yourself | Rev. Joshua Pfeiffer

    We live in a world that constantly tells us to look inward — to follow our heart, trust our feelings, and find our identity within ourselves. But Christians are called to a completely different posture. In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Joshua Pfeiffer, author of Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself. Pastor Pfeiffer draws on Lutheran theology and cultural analysis to help us understand what it means to lift our eyes up to God and out to our neighbor — and why that posture changes everything about how we live the Christian life. Episode Timestamps 1:51 — Introduction — Welcome & book overview 2:00 — The spiritual posture of looking: how the Nicene Creed sparked the idea for the book 5:00 — Expressive individualism: what it is and how it shapes both culture and the church 9:30 — Pastoral approach: helping people find their identity in Christ rather than in self-expression 12:30 — Two realms and two kinds of righteousness: the Lutheran theological foundation of the book 16:00 — Looking up — faith, worship, and lifting our eyes to Christ in the divine service 20:30 — Looking out — love within the Christian community and why it has a special priority 27:00 — Looking inward rightly — self-examination, mortification, and avoiding the downward spiral 32:00 — Looking forward — the resurrection hope and living with one eye on the horizon 35:30 — How Pastor Pfeiffer hopes readers and congregations will use the book About the Guest Rev. Joshua Pfeiffer is pastor of the Tarrington Lutheran Parish in the southeastern state of Victoria in Australia, where he lives with his wife, Kimberley, and their four children. He served various congregations in Australia before moving to the United States for graduate studies. He hosts a YouTube channel and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, golf, and other outdoor activities.   Resources Mentioned Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself by Rev. Joshua Pfeiffer — cph.org Concordia Publishing House Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub\ LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

    40 min
  4. From Shame to Glory | Rev. Dr. John Kleinig

    May 30

    From Shame to Glory | Rev. Dr. John Kleinig

    Shame affects us all — but do we truly understand it? In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. John Kleinig, author of From Shame to Glory: God’s Surprising Remedy for Injustice and Failure. Dr. Kleinig draws on decades of pastoral experience to help us understand what shame is, how it differs from guilt, and how Jesus frees us from its weight through baptism, Holy Communion, and the blessing of the Church. Episode Timestamps 1:51 — Introduction — Welcome & book overview 2:00 — Guilt vs. shame: the key differences — behavior vs. identity, actions vs. wounds 9:00 — What caused Dr. Kleinig to start thinking about shame? 13:50 — Dr. Kleinig’s story: his Wendish ethnic minority background and experiences of discrimination 25:30 — How Jesus frees us from shame: Holy Communion, the blood of Christ, and John the Baptist’s words 29:00 — Jesus as the Lamb of God who bears and carries the sin of the world 33:00 — The divine service as the ongoing remedy for shame; blessing vs. absolution 34:10 — Encouragement for listeners struggling with shame — and how to use the book About the Guest Rev. Dr. John Kleinig is professor emeritus at Luther College, Adelaide, SA, Australia. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. from Cambridge University, Doctor of Divinity from Fort Wayne (1998) and Concordia University, Irvine (2014). He is the author of numerous articles and books. Dr. Kleinig and his wife, Claire, have four children and many grandchildren.    Resources Mentioned From Shame to Glory: God’s Surprising Remedy for Injustice and Failure by Rev. Dr. John Kleinig —  cph.org Concordia Publishing House Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries: 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

    39 min
  5. Paul Gerhardt at 350: The Life, Legacy, and Hymns of a Lutheran Treasure | Peter Reske

    May 23

    Paul Gerhardt at 350: The Life, Legacy, and Hymns of a Lutheran Treasure | Peter Reske

    May 27th, 2026, marks the 350th anniversary of the death of Paul Gerhardt — one of the most beloved hymn writers in the history of the Lutheran Church. In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman is joined by Peter Reske from the CPH music team for a deep dive into Gerhardt's life, his enduring hymns, and the faith that sustained him through one of history's most devastating eras. Grab your hymnal and join us. Episode Timestamps 1:51 — Why talk about Paul Gerhardt? Previous episodes & the 350th anniversary 5:21 — Overview of Gerhardt's 17 hymns in Lutheran Service Book (grab your hymnal!) 10:44 — Paul Gerhardt's biography: Early life, the Thirty Years' War & Wittenberg 14:42 — "A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth" (LSB 438) — hymn as drama 25:28 — "Entrust Your Days and Burdens" (LSB 754) — comfort, acrostic structure & Psalm 37:5 37:04 — Mittenwalde, the altarpiece & the origin of "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" 44:53 — "Rejoice My Heart, Be Glad and Sing" & closing reflections 46:43 — New CPH release: Gerhardt Hymns for SAB Choir by Kevin Hildebrand  Preview the new collection of hymns at cph.org/paul-gerhardt-hymns-for-sab-choir. About the Guest Peter C. Reske is senior editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House, where he has served since 2004. He holds degrees in English literature from Marquette University and in musicology from The Pennsylvania State University. In addition to his ongoing role overseeing music publications for CPH, he was the editor of Lutheran Service Book (2006) and its attendant resources, editor of The Hymns of Martin Luther (2016), and editorial advisor for One and All Rejoice (2020). With Joseph Herl and Jon D. Vieker, he was co-editor of Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns (2019).  Concordia Publishing House – Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long‑term funding to support ministries: 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

    48 min
  6. Classical Education and the Reformation

    Apr 11

    Classical Education and the Reformation

    What can a 19th-century history of a 16th-century Lutheran school teach us about education today? More than you might expect.  Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Jr. joins us to discuss a new translation from Concordia Publishing House — The History of the Gymnasium and Educational Institutions of Wittenberg, written in 1830 by Franz Spitzner. The Wittenberg Latin School was one of the first distinctly Lutheran classical schools, born out of the Reformation. Dr. Veith wrote the preface to this volume, and today he helps us understand not only the school's fascinating history, but why it's essential reading for anyone who cares about classical Christian education in our own time. 0:00 — Introduction & Welcome to the Concordia Publishing House Podcast. Sponsored by the LCMS Foundation. 1:42 The History of the Old Latin School, as told in the History of the Gymnasium and Educational Institutions of Wittenberg, written in 1830 by Franz Spitzner. 2:42 —Dr. Veith sets the scene: how Luther and Melanchthon built the first classical Lutheran school in Wittenberg — bringing literacy and education to ordinary people for the first time. 8:08 — Why Classical Education Matters Today. The philosophical crisis driving today's educational decline: postmodernism's rejection of objective truth, and how classical Christian education offers a grounded alternative. 11:06 — Education for All: Luther's Vision Luther's radical idea that every child deserved a full "liberal" education. A baptized child of God is worthy of the best. 15:35 — Vocation, Freedom, and Social Mobility. How education enabled social mobility and the development of vocation — not just as a job, but as service to God and neighbor in every area of life. 17:25 — The Prussian Reforms and the Decline of Classical Education. How Frederick William III's authoritarian reforms dismantled classical Christian education, invented the modern research university, and set education on a path away from truth. 24:50 — Why Parents Must Be Invested in Their Children's Education. Preparing children not just for work, but for citizenship, faith, and the next generation. Why parents — not schools alone — are the key to passing on what is precious. Learn more about The History of the Gymnasium and Educational Institutions of Wittenberg. About the Guest Gene Edward Veith Jr. is a retired English professor and college administrator, most recently at Patrick Henry College and Concordia University Wisconsin. He is the author of twenty-seven books, including Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Authentic Christianity: How Lutheran Theology Speaks to a Postmodern World; Christianity in an Age of Terrorism, and God at Work. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and currently lives in St. Louis with his wife, Jackquelyn. He has three grown children and twelve grandchildren. Concordia Publishing House – Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long‑term funding to support ministries: 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

    30 min
  7. Love, Marriage, and Family: Learning from Early Christians — Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi

    Feb 7

    Love, Marriage, and Family: Learning from Early Christians — Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi

    How did our modern culture get here—especially when it comes to sex, marriage, and family life? In this episode, Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi, a Finnish Lutheran pastor and scholar, to explore how closely today’s world mirrors the ancient Greco-Roman world. Drawing from history, Scripture, and early Christian teaching, Dr. Koskenniemi explains what made Christians stand out in the Roman Empire—and what the Church can learn today as we increasingly live as a minority culture. About the Guest Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi is a Finnish theologian, pastor, and educator with 40 years of teaching experience in classical studies and theology. Author of Love, Marriage and Family: Learning from the Early Christians. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why modern Western culture increasingly resembles ancient Rome and GreeceWhat early Christians inherited from Jewish family ethicsHow infanticide and child exposure shaped ancient family lifeWhat set Christian marriage and sexual ethics apart in the Roman EmpireWhy clear teaching and strong Christian community are essential todayHow Christian parents can help young people navigate secular cultureWhat gives Dr. Koskenniemi hope for the Church todayResources Mentioned Love, Marriage and Family: Learning from the Early Christians by Dr. Erkki KoskenniemiConcordia Publishing House – Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social media: @concordiapub   LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long‑term funding to support ministries: 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast  Listen & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Concordia Publishing House Podcast and leave a review—it helps others discover the show!

    28 min
  8. Exploring Hosea with Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden

    Jan 31

    Exploring Hosea with Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden

    Dr. Kevin Golden joins host Elizabeth Pittman to unpack the Old Testament prophet Hosea and his newly released Hosea volume in the Concordia Commentary series. Discover the historical context of eighth-century Israel, the shocking symbolism of Hosea's marriage to Gomer, and the profound meaning behind their children's names. Dr. Golden unpacks how law and gospel intertwine throughout Hosea's prophecy, revealing God's relentless pursuit of His people despite their unfaithfulness. Learn practical applications for marriage, reconciliation, and preaching that resonate today. In This Episode: 3:17 - Dr. Golden's Background How Dr. Golden became fascinated with the Book of Hosea 7:57 - Historical Context The eighth-century BC setting and Israel's spiritual decline 15:01 - Marriage to Gomer Understanding Hosea's shocking call to marry an adulterous woman 23:52 - The Children's Names Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi—names that speak judgment and grace 31:18 - Lessons for Marriage Practical applications for reconciliation in Christian relationships 35:13 - Preaching Like Hosea How pastors can learn from Hosea's use of law, gospel, and metaphor 37:44 - Using the Commentary Advice for pastors, students, and laypeople on getting the most from the Hosea commentary Learn more about Hosea—Concordia Commentary About the Guest Rev. Dr. Kevin S. Golden is director of resident field education, associate professor of exegetical theology, and dean of theological research and publication at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.  Concordia Publishing House – Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long‑term funding to support ministries: 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

    40 min
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4.8
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Welcome to The Concordia Publishing House Podcast where we consider everything in the light of Jesus Christ who is the same today, yesterday, and forever. Hosted by Elizabeth Pittman. 

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