Episodes

1527 Martin Luther writes to Breslau after they requested guidance on the responsibilities people have to stay in a city that experiences a deadly plague. Luther’s open letter “Whether one may flee from a deadly plague” provides a theological response to the common tension we will face between self-preservation and care for another person that is need. The letter is found in volume 43 of the American Edition of Luther’s Works. Some other resources include: Gene Veith at Patheos has written an ...

In this episode we conclude our discussion of the Ten Commandments and Luther’s exposition in the Large Catechism. The audio is not as good because we recorded in a different room than usual.

We begin our discussion of Martin Luther’s Explanation to the 8th Commandment, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” The Beer Break features Kickstand Brewing Co.’s CENTER STAGE AMBER ABV – 5.9% IBU – 29. Toasty malt character, medium body with a dry finish. Always a crowd pleaser. Swearing an oath with fingers crossed behind back concept for dishonesty or business fraud

Discussion of Martin Luther’s explanation of the seventh commandment, “You shall not steal,” in the Large Catechism. Beer Break features Enigma by Tapistry Brewing in Bridgeman, MI.

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley have a conversation about Dr. Martin Luther’s Large Catechism explanation of the sixth commandment, “You shall not commit adultery.” Beer Break From Jackie O’s Brewery in Athens Georgia we feature during our beer break Jackie O’s Lost Marbles.

You shall not murder. In this episode Mike and Evan discuss how Martin Luther explains the fifth commandment in the Large Catechism. Beer Break This episode features Tsingtao Beer. It is the most popular exported beer from China but it was recently overtaken in the domestic market by Snow Beer. The Tsingtao Beer we drank in this episode was donated by a listener. Thank you Aaron.

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner finish the discussion of how the Large Catechism explains the Fourth Commandment. Anonymous, Witenburg, watercolor, 1537, from Das Reisealbum des Pfalzgrafen Ottheinrich Beer Break Salted Caramel Porter from Pigeon Hill Brewing Company What starts as a traditional porter takes a turn once caramel and salt are added to this brew. The use of chocolate malt even gives it flavors of chocolate that reminds you of a piece of candy. Pigeon Hill was located on Muskegon L...

Second episode focusing on the 4th Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” Our discussion circles around the issue of authority, trust, and spheres of influence in our lives. When we place ourselves under the authority of another person, we humble ourselves and trust in God’s ordering of society. Beer Break Oberon by Bell’s Brewery in Comstock, Michigan 4 Ingredients for this American Wheat Ale Water Wheat Hops Yeast

We begin our discussion of the fourth commandment explanation by Martin Luther in the Large Catechism. Beer Break Griffin Claw Brewing Company on Eton Road in Birmingham, Michigan. El Rojo Red Ale ABV: 6.5 IBU: 25 A bronze medal winning El Rojo Red Ale has a malty, roasted flavor profile. Entered in competition as an English brown, the El Rojo is more of an American Red – bigger than Scottish Reds with a beautiful ruby red color and a rich, roasty, caramel body. The Griffin Claw is not near...

Mike and Evan have a discussion about the 3rd Commandment and Martin Luther’s explanations in the Large Catechism. In Christ we find our holy rest, so it is in receiving Christ the day is holy. Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. Beer Break This episode features the Petoskey Brewing Company and their beer the Horny Monk. This is a deep reddish Belgium style ale that is fairly sweet.

Discussion of the Second Commandment in the Large Catechism. Beer Break – Breakfast Stout from Founder’s Brewery.

This episode includes the end of our discussion on the preface and our conversation about Martin Luther’s Large Catechism First Commandment. Beer Break Bell’s Official A year-round offering of a sumptuous hazy ipa from this great Kalamazoo, Michigan, brewery. This beer is great for those who love hops and prefer a wheat beer.

In this episode we finish our examination of Martin Luther’s preface (the long one and the short one) to the Large Catechism. Beer Break Grand Rabbits from Black Rock Brewery in Marquette, Michigan, is our featured beer. This cream ale is a delicious beer that sparkles with the waters of Lake Superior. Check out the About Us section of their website. Some good humor that grabbed Mike’s attention.

This podcast episode continues a new format for Grace on Tap. We provide a running commentary of the Large Catechism as we read it together. This episode nearly concludes our discussion of the preface. You can download the version we are using and follow along with our commentary: Large CatechismDownload 1531 Edition of the Large Catechism in German The Large Catechism was written by Martin Luther with material from sermons he preached as a part fo the catechism series he did in Wittenberg. Th...

This podcast episode begins a new format for Grace on Tap. In this episode and the next several we will provide a running commentary of the Large Catechism as we read it together. You can download the version we are using and follow along with our commentary: Large CatechismDownload 1531 Edition of the Large Catechism in German In this episode we get through the first 12 paragraphs of the preface. The Large Catechism was written by Martin Luther with material from sermons he preached as a par...

When Luther and the other Reformers visited the common peasants in Electoral Saxony, they were shocked and deeply dismayed. Their problems were numerable, running from administrative issues to serious theological gaps. Most concerning, the majority of the common people had no idea of the most basic principles of the faith. Luther’s visits to Electoral Saxony marked a turning point in the Reformation, leading to some of his most cherished teachings to this day. Taken from: König, Gustav Ferdin...

After the death of Pope Adrian IV, the young kings of Spain, France and England seemed to be less interested in manipulating the election of the next pope. Perhaps because they realized that they could not predict the behavior of a pope. The disinterest of the kings allowed the cardinals to maneuver amongst themselves for the position of pope, leaving Leo X cousin, Giulio de Medici with a distinct advantage. Background The papal elections are a really good window into 16th century politics. ...

The sudden death of Pope Leo X sparked one of the most openly political papal conclaves in history. Each of the three major political powers of the 16th century made clear who they wanted to replace Leo, and they didn’t want. The most competent man for the job, Leo’s cousin Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici, was strongly opposed by King Francis I of France. King Henry VIII of England advocated for his right hand man, Cardinal Wolsey, and struck a deal with Emperor Charles V of Spain to support him. Wol...

As the cardinals gathered in Rome in early 1522 to elect a new pope after the unexpected death of Pope Leo X in December 1521, they all recognized that the world had changed dramatically since Leo’s election in 1513. Not only did Martin Luther challenge the authority of the church and the pope, the Turks were traveling up the Danube River, threatening the eastern regions of Europe, there were three new young kings making dangerous threats against each other and, most urgently, the church was de...

After the princes had brutally put down the peasants revolt of 1525, Luther was subjected to increasing pressure to explain his position of support for the princes. In his book, “Against the murderous hordes”, Luther made some memorable comments that encouraged the killing of the peasantry. How could Luther possibly defend himself? Several months after the end of the revolt, Luther answered his critics. Although his answer won’t satisfy everyone, it is an important and necessary clarification ...

Thomas Müntzer’s traveled a circuitous route to becoming arguably the most radical of all the reformers of the 16thcentury. Starting out in Wittenberg as a student, he was thrown out of town after town, as the leadership learned who he was and what he was teaching. Still, it would be a mistake to characterize Müntzer as unsuccessful. Wherever he went, he would find himself in high demand, with crowds gathering from miles around to hear him preach. Everything came to a head between the fall of ...

Martin Luther had very little understanding of the realities of the revolution when he waded into commenting on the Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants. He knew the princes were abusing the peasants, but he had only heard vague rumors of the atrocities of the peasantry. That all changed when he took a trip to Thuringia to open a new Christian school. He was confronted by hecklers who openly mocked his calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. There’s also evidence that he heard more ...

A Rebellious Spirit When Thomas Müntzer was installed as the Evangelical preacher at the Lutheran church in the small town of Allstedt, nobody could have predicted how things would progress over the next two years. By the time everything was settled, thousands would be dead and wounded in one of the most violent uprisings in Europe. Müntzer wasn’t alone. Many people were ready for revolution. There were revolutionaries in the Black Forest, Bavaria, Thuringia, and Swabia. There were even nobles...

The arrival of the plague in the mid 1300’s radically changed medieval Germany. The peasants, who were the foundation of the social system, were decimated between the arrival of the plague and the start of the reformation over 170 years later. Ironically, the plague opened up incredible opportunity for many of the surviving peasantry with salable skills. But as large groups of peasants moved to the cities to become bankers, traders and other merchants, the peasantry that remained in the old feu...