The Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther
The following papers discuss five of the most important and controversial topics in modern Christendom: law and Gospel, church and ministry, the atoning work of Christ, the relationship of suffering to success ("theology of the cross" versus "theology of glory"), and Scripture and tradition. The second paper ("Non Sequitur") is a revision and expansion of the first ("The Permission Of Righteousness").
The Permission Of Righteousness: The Hidden Component Of The Christian Gospel (1998)
Non Sequitur: How Modern Lutherans Lost the Reformation Gospel (2007)
Habeas Corpus: The Key to Interpreting the Great Commission (2006)
Secundum Christum: The Death of Jesus according to Jesus (2009)
Theologia Infirmitatis Dei: On Being a Theologian of the Right Kind of Glory (2015)
What Do You Mean by "For"?: Correcting a False Definition of the Gospel (2025)
Secondary Norms, Secondary Texts: Reforming Christianity's Formal Principle (2025)
The following hymns are either in the public domain or my own. They are available for use in any congregation, provided that they are reproduced without alteration.
* = my translations
** = my texts
# = my tunes
Archaic language has generally been retained in traditional texts, except where a word or phrase is truly obsolete or has a different meaning in modern English. Pronouns referring to divine persons are capitalized, but words at the beginning of each musical system are not.
A simple yet profound summary of Christianity, employing a previously untranslated text by Philipp Melanchthon and a rarely used tune by Joseph Haydn
A familiar Epiphany text with a less familiar yet more majestic tune, with the star of the Magi correctly located on their western horizon
A traditional celebration of great Christians of the past, with new stanzas honoring
St. Laurence the Deacon **
St. Mary the Magdalene **
St. John the Apostle **
For Epiphany or its season
Prelude
An "aviation version" of the Navy hymn "Eternal Father, Strong To Save," whose second stanza was featured in the motion picture "The Right Stuff"
A new translation of the complete (six stanza) version of the hymn also known as "Beautiful Savior," set to its original tune
A hymn by Martin Luther appropriate for the beginning or close of service
A new translation of a post-Reformation era celebration of Christian initiation
A new translation of Luther's paraphrase of Simeon's canticle, to a new and more easily sung tune
As much a reference to the second advent as to the first, this famous carol is set to an underused American melody
Another "aviation version" of a nautical text, by the Rev. Robert R. Roberts, who occasionally was my earthly pilot
The traditional translation of Luther's affirmation of the church's true mission, set to a new and more easily sung tune
Arpeggio Arrangement
An inversion of Dante's epithet of hell (originally written for a congregational anniversary), for the final weeks of the church year
A new translation of Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 130, set to his minor key tune as arranged by J. S. Bach
The same text as the preceding, set to a major key tune composed a year after Luther's
A Paul Gerhardt text with its original tune, neither previously available in English hymnals
This prayer for the church was the original text associated with the tune of "At The Lamb's High Feast We Sing"
A new translation of a classic Reformation Day anthem
A baptismal prayer employing imagery from Noah's flood
An affirmation of the divine nature of 2 Peter 1:4, to the tune of "Come, Follow Me, Said Christ The Lord"
An affirmation of the communion of saints (originally written for a denominational anniversary), with a tune harmonized by J. S. Bach
A revision of the "traditional" text, to the tune of "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring"
