The Manna Podcast The Manna Podcast

“What is asked of me as a citizen is not contingent on what party is in power or whether I feel my government is deserving of my gospel-driven, Christian vocation as citizen. God calls us to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ I’m going to continue to be a neighbor even if my neighbor is my legitimate enemy.”

In this episode of The Manna Podcast, Jacob Lewis and Pastor Sam continue their conversation on the Bible as it pertains to the Christians vocation as citizen of the local state.

Over the next few episodes, Jacob Lewis and Pastor Sam will be wading through Article XVI of the Augsburg Confession, pertaining to civil government and what "love your neighbor" looks like through the lens of the vocation of Christian citizenship.

In Part 1, Jacob Lewis and Pastor Sam tackle the following questions:


What's my response to those who tell me to "leave my faith at the door" before I enter a voting booth?
Can Christians serve in our government in good conscience?
What does the Bible have to say about paying taxes?
What does being "salt and light" look like in a politically-driven climate?

Traditions are inevitable. And while some traditions are good, history has shown that not every tradition is - including traditions in Christian churches.

In this episode of The Manna Podcast, Jacob Lewis and Pastor Sam jump into Article XV of the Augsburg Confession and seek to answer the following questions:


What is the relationship between human traditions and the Bible? 
What role should traditions serve in the ministry of the Christian Church?
How do I determine if a tradition is or isn't good in my church?

“If we view Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as nothing more than marks of professions of faith of people, we’re missing a far greater dimension to this – namely, that these are signs and testimonies of God’s will toward us. There is covenant language that is brought up with Baptism and the Lord’s Supper…there is something that is being signified but also being sealed…these aren’t just a confession of faith, but a reception of faith, too.”

In this episode of The Manna Podcast, Jacob Lewis and Sam Jeske tackle Article XIII & XIV of the Augsburg Confession, respectively pertaining to ‘The Use of the Sacraments’ and ‘Ecclesiastical Order’.

“Turn me, and I will be turned”

That’s what the Hebrew of Jeremiah 31:18 literally says. Or, put another way, “Repent me, and I will be repented.” 

Point being? It is God – not me – who works repentance in my heart.

Well, how does he do that?

A better question to ask first: how exactly does the Bible define repentance?

“Now properly speaking, true repentance is nothing else than to have contrition and sorrow, or terror about sin, and yet at the same time to believe in the gospel and absolution that sin is forgiven and grace is obtained through Christ. Such faith, in turn, comforts the heart and puts it at peace” (The Book of Concord, p. 44).

In this episode of The Manna Podcast, Jacob Lewis and Pastor Sam jump into Article XII of the Augsburg Confession, pertaining to Repentance.

“Why private confession? Why do you need a middleman to tell you that your sins are forgiven?”

In a world where faith is privatized and being “spiritual, but not religious” sounds incredibly liberating, we’re tempted to bristle at any possible benefit of confessing our sins – be it to a pastor or a fellow Christian.

But this isn’t progressive spiritual thinking; it’s regressive.

There isn’t a guarantee that “Christ for you” is going to be heard at your job, your school, within your family, or even within your own heart.

What you’re more likely to consistently hear is:

· You’re a screw up.

· You’re not good enough

· You’ve burned too many bridges.

· You’re worthless.

· You’re a nobody.

· You’re an irredeemable, unsalvageable mess.

· You’re unforgiveable.

It doesn't take much living to discover such privatization of our spiritual lives isn’t comforting: it actually robs people of joy and comfort the good news of Jesus gives – because we’ve anchored the promises of God in how we’re doing or how we feel.

Thankfully, who you are in the sight of God on account of Christ isn’t contingent on how you feel – and God works through his Church to assure you of that tangibly.