The New Testament book of Romans has sometimes been referred to as “The Gospel according to St. Paul”, and in some ways that is an apt name. Consider how the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther began his 1546 (1522) “Preface” to Romans:
This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. We can never read it or ponder over it too much; for the more we deal with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes. (AE 35:365)
Yet, St. Paul’s letter to the Christians at Rome is hardly in the same category as the four accounts of the Gospel that the Holy Spirit inspired through Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Rather, in Romans, Paul describes for his hearers/readers the importance of that Gospel for them as it pertains to the righteousness of God, which they and we all need and can freely receive from God, live out and otherwise practice in our daily lives. Consider how Luther concluded that same “Preface”:
In this epistle we thus find most abundantly the things that a Christian ought to know, namely, what is law, gospel, sin, punishment, grace, faith, righteousness, Christ, God, good works, love, hope, and the cross; and also how we are to conduct ourselves toward everyone, be he righteous or sinner, strong or weak, friend or foe–and even toward our own selves. Moreover this is all ably supported with Scripture and proved by St. Paul’s own example and that of the prophets, so that one could not wish for anything more. Therefore it appears that he wanted in this one epistle to sum up briefly the whole Christian and evangelical doctrine, and to prepare an introduction to the entire Old Testament. For, without doubt, whoever has this epistle well in his heart, has with him the light and power of the Old Testament. Therefore let every Christian be familiar with it and exercise himself in it continually. To this end may God give his grace. Amen. (AE 35:380)
So, from Sunday, February 28, and through the whole Spring Quarter of Pilgrim’s 2020-2021 Sunday School Year, and beyond if necessary, Pilgrim’s Sunday Adult Bible Class is focusing on St. Paul’s Divinely-inspired letter to the Christians at Rome in a study that has been titled “Romans: The Righteousness of God”.
All are welcome to join us Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. for Refreshments and then at 9:30 a.m. for the Class, either in-person or via the telephone or Skype. As possible, handouts and video/audio are posted below before and afterwards, respectively, in order for those unable to attend in person to participate live or afterwards to stream or download and so to watch/listen at their convenience. Those participating online only by streaming or downloading are welcome to submit questions using the contact information at right, and we will attempt to address those questions during the run of the course.
Week 197 – Dec 29, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (27)
Audio Handout Video
Week 196 – Dec 22, 2024 – Luke 2:14 (off the regular topic)
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Week 195 – Dec 15, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (26)
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Week 194 – Dec 08, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (25)
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Week 193 – Dec 01, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (24)
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Week 192 – Nov 24, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (23)
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Week 191 – Nov 17, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (22)
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Week 190 – Nov 10, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (21)
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Week 189 – Nov 03, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (20)
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Week 188 – Oct 27, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (19)
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Week 187 – Oct 20, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (18)
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Week 186 – Oct 13, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (17)
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Week 185 – Oct 06, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (16)
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Week 184 – Sep 29, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (15)
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Week 183 – Sep 22, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (14)
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Week 182 – Sep 15, 2024 – “Christ in the Old Testament” (off the regular topic)
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Week 181 – Sep 08, 2024 – “Thinking Hebrew without Knowing Hebrew” (off the regular topic)
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Week 180 – Sep 01, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (13)
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Week 179 – Aug 25, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (12)
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Week 178 – Aug 18, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (11)
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Week 177 – Aug 11, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (10)
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Week 176 – Aug 04, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (9)
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Week 175 – Jul 28, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (8)
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Week 174 – Jul 21, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (7)
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Week 173 – Jul 14, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (6)
Audio Handout Video unavailable due to technical difficulties
Week 172 – Jul 07, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (5)
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Week 171 – Jun 30, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (4)
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Week 170 – Jun 23, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (3)
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Week 169 – Jun 16, 2024 – Romans 12:1-15:13 (2)
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Week 168 – Jun 09, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (46) & Romans 12:1-15:13 (1)
Audio Handout Video
Week 167 – Jun 06, 2024 – The Visitation (off the regular topic)
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Week 166 – May 26, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (45)
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Week 165 – May 19, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (44)
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Week 164 – May 12, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (43)
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Week 163 – May 05, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (42)
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Week 162 – Apr 28, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (41)
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Week 161 – Apr 21, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (40)
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Week 160 – Apr 14, 2024 – Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today (14): The Church (off the regular topic)
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Week 159 – Apr 07, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (39)
Audio Handout Video
Week 158 – Mar 31, 2024 – “Crucifixion and Resurrection Calendar Matters” (off the usual topic)
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Week 157 – Mar 24, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (38)
Audio Handout Video 1, Video 2, Video 3
Week 156 – Mar 17, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (37)
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Week 155 – Mar 10, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (36)
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Week 154 – Mar 03, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (35)
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Week 153 – Feb 25, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (34)
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Week 152 – Feb 18, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (33)
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Week 151 – Feb 11, 2024 – Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today (13): Good Works (off the usual topic)
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Week 150 – Feb 04, 2024 – “Questions and Answers” (off the usual topic)
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Week 149 – Jan 28, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (32)
Audio Handout Video
Week 148 – Jan 21, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (31)
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Week 147 – Jan 14, 2024 – “Today’s Readings” (off the usual topic)
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Week 146 – Jan 07, 2024 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (30)
Audio Handout Video
Week 145 – Dec 31, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (29)
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Week 144 – Dec 24, 2023 – “Joy to the World” (off the usual topic)
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Week 143 – Dec 17, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (29)
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Week 142 – Dec 10, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (28)
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Week 141 – Dec 03, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (27)
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Week 140 – Nov 26, 2023 – Biblical Stewardship (off the usual topic)
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Week 139 – Nov 19, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (26)
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Week 138 – Nov 12, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (25)
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Week 137 – Nov 5, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (24)
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Week 136 – Oct 29, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (23)
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Week 135 – Oct 22, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (22)
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Week 134 – Oct 15, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (21)
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Week 133 – Oct 08, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (20)
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Week 132 – Oct 01, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (19)
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Week 131 – Sep 24, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (18)
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Week 130 – Sep 17, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (17)
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Week 129 – Sep 10, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (16)
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Week 128 – Sep 03, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (15)
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Week 127 – Aug 27, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (14)
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Week 126 – Aug 20, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (13)
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Week 125 – Aug 13, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (12)
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Week 124 – Aug 06, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (11)
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Week 123 – Jul 30, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (10)
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Week 122 – Jul 23, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (9)
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Week 121 – Jul 16, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (8)
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Week 120 – Jul 09, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (7)
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Week 119 – Jul 02, 2023 – Commentary & Explanation of the LSB Divine Service Settings: Part 2″ (off the usual topic)
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Week 118 – Jun 25, 2023 – Commentary & Explanation of the LSB Divine Service Settings: Part 1″ (off the usual topic)
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Adult Bible Class was not held June 18, 2023, due to the city-wide power outage.
Week 117 – Jun 11, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (6)
Audio Handout Video
Week 116 – Jun 04, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (5)
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Week 115 – May 28, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (4)
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Week 114 – May 21, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (3)
Audio Handout Video
Week 113 – May 14, 2023 – Rite & Ceremony in Lutheran Worship (off the usual topic)
Audio Handout Video
Week 112 – May 07, 2023 – Romans 9:1-11:36 (2)
Audio Handout Video1 Video2
Week 111 – Apr 30, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (45) & Romans 9:1-11:36 (1)
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Week 110 – Apr 23, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (44)
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Week 109 – Apr 16, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (43)
Audio Handout Video
Week 108 – Apr 09, 2023 – A “perfect” 10 discussion points about Easter (off the usual topic)
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Week 107– Apr 02, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (43)
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Week 106– Mar 26, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (42)
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Week 105– Mar 19, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (41)
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Week 104– Mar 12, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (40)
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Week 103– Mar 05, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (39)
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Week 102– Feb 26, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (38)
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Week 101– Feb 19, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (37)
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Week 100– Feb 12, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (36)
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Week 99– Feb 05, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (35)
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Week 98– Jan 29, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (34)
Audio Handout Video-1 Video-2
Week 97– Jan 22, 2023 – Follow-up to Last Week (off the usual topic)
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Week 96– Jan 15, 2023 – Today’s Readings (Second Sunday after the Epiphany) (off the usual topic)
Audio No Handout Video (first 13min of audio missing)
Week 95– Jan 08, 2023 – The Visit of the Magi (off the usual topic)
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Week 94– Jan 01, 2023 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (33)
Audio Handout Video
Week 93– Dec 25, 2022 – The Nativity of Our Lord (off the usual topic)
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Week 92– Dec 18, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (32)
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Week 91– Dec 11, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (31)
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Week 90– Dec 04, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (30)
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Week 89 – Nov 27, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (29)
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Week 88 – Nov 20, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (28)
Audio Handout Video (audio kicks in at 7:50)
Week 87 – Nov 13, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (27)
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Week 86 – Nov 06, 2022 – Today’s Readings (All Saints’ Day, observed) (off the regular topic)
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Week 85 – Oct 30, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (26)
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Week 84 – Oct 23, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (25)
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Week 83 – Oct 16, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (24)
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Week 82 – Oct 09, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (23)
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Week 81 – Oct 02, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (22)
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Week 80 – Sep 25, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (21)
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Week 79 – Sep 18, 2022 – Today’s Readings (Proper 20 C) (off the regular topic)
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Week 78 – Sep 11, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (20)
Audio Handout Video
Week 77 – Sep 04, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (19)
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Week 76 – Aug 28, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (18)
Audio Handout Video1 Video2
Week 75 – Aug 21, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (17)
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Week 74 – Aug 14, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (16)
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Week 73 – Aug 07, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (15)
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Week 72 – July 31, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (14)
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Week 71 – July 24, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (13)
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Week 70 – July 17, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (12)
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Week 69 – July 10, 2022 – Response to Dobbs v. Jackson Ruling (3) (off the regular topic)
Audio Handout Video
Week 68 – Jul 03, 2022 – Response to Dobbs v. Jackson Ruling (2) (off the regular topic)
Audio Handout Video available on Skype for 30 days
You can find LCMS President Harrison’s response to the Dobbs ruling here.
The LCMS’s joint letter to the U.S. Attorney General regarding violence against the pro-life is here.
The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations 1971 abortion document is here.
And, the CTCR’s 1984 abortion document is here.
Week 67 – Jun 26, 2022 – Response to Dobbs v. Jackson Ruling (off the regular topic)
Audio Handout Video
Week 66 – Jun 19, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (11)
Audio Handout Video
Week 65 – Jun 12, 2022 – The Forgotten Doctrine (off the regular topic)
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Week 64 – Jun 05, 2022 – What is a “Spirit-filled” Church? (off the regular topic)
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Week 63 – May 29, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (10)
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Week 62 – May 22, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (9)
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Week 61 – May 15, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (8)
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Week 60 – May 08, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (7)
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Week 59 – May 01, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (6)
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Week 58 – Apr 24, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (5)
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Week 57 – Apr 17, 2022 – The Comfort of the Resurrection (off the regular topic)
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Week 56 – Apr 10, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (4)
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Week 55 – Apr 03, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (3)
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Week 54 – Mar 27, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (2)
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Week 53 – Mar 20, 2022 – Romans 6:1-8:39 (1)
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Week 52 – Mar 13, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (23)
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Week 51 – Mar 06, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (22)
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Week 50 – Feb 27, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (21)
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Week 49 – Feb 20, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (20)
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Week 48 – Feb 13, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (19)
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Week 47 – Feb 06, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (18)
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Week 46 – Jan 30, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (17)
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Week 45 – Jan 23, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (16)
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Jan 16, 2022 – Class was not held
Week 44 – Jan 09, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (15)
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Week 43 – Jan 02, 2022 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (14)
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Week 42 – Dec 26, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (13)
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Week 41 – Dec 19, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (12)
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Week 40 – Dec 12, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (11)
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Week 39 – Dec 05, 2021 – Further discussion of the Lord’s Supper from previous week (off the regular topic)
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Week 38 – Nov 28, 2021 – Lutheran Doctrine & Practice Today (11): The Lord’s Supper (off the regular topic)
Audio Handout Video
Week 37 – Nov 21, 2021 – Lutheran Doctrine & Practice Today (10): Baptism (off the regular topic)
Audio Handout No Video
Week 36 – Nov 14, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (10)
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Week 35 – Nov 07, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (9)
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Week 34 – Oct 31, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (8)
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Week 33 – Oct 24, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (7)
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Week 32 – Oct 17, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (6)
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Week 31 – Oct 10, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (5)
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Week 30 – Oct 03, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (4)
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Week 29 – Sep 26, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (3)
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Sept 19, 2021 – No students for class.
Week 28 – Sep 12, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (2)
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Week 27 – Sep 05, 2021 – Romans 3:21-5:21 (1)
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Week 26 – Aug 29, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (19)
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Week 25 – Aug 22, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (18)
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Week 24 – Aug 15, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (17)
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Week 23 – Aug 08, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (16)
Audio Handout Video
Week 22 – Aug 01, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (15)
Audio Handout Video
Week 21 – Jul 25, 2021 – Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today (9): Marriage (off the regular topic)
Audio Handout Video
Week 20 – Jul 18, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (14)
Audio Handout Video
Week 19 – Jul 11, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (13)
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Week 18 – Jul 04, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (12)
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Week 17 – Jun 27, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (11)
Audio Handout Video1 Video2
- Reading List for Continued Education Class Faith And Reason 2021
- Mattes – A Contemporary View of Faith and Reason in Luther
- Theo Dieter Luther and Reason
Week 16 – Jun 20, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (10)
Audio Handout Video
Week 15 – Jun 13, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (9)
Audio Handout Video
The Lutheran Satire Churchy Fruits video referred to can be viewed here.
Week 14 – May 30, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (8)
Audio Handout Video
Week 13 – May 23, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (7)
Audio Handout Video
Week 12 – May 16, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (6)
Audio Handout Video available on Skype for 30 days
Week 11 – May 09, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (5)
Audio Handout Partial video available on Skype for 30 days
Week 10 – May 02, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (4)
Audio Handout Video available on Skype for 30 days
Week 9 – Apr 25, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (3)
Audio Handout Video available on Skype for 30 days
Week 8 – Apr 18, 2021 – Romans 1:18-3:20 (2)
Audio Handout Video
Week 7 – Apr 11, 2021 – Romans 1:1-17 (5) and Romans 1:18-3:20 (1)
Audio Handout Video
Week 6 – Apr 04, 2021 – Jesus’s and our resurrections (off the usual topic)
Audio Handout Video
You can find the 2012 “Easter Enigma” Sunday Adult Bible Class here.
The more-recent Midweek Bible Study of the Resurrection accounts is here (weeks #209-#216).
The Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray’s later devotion regarding Zombies and the Resurrection is here.
Week 5 – Mar 28, 2021 – Romans 1:1-17 (4)
Audio Handout Video
Week 4 – Mar 21, 2021 – Romans 1:1-17 (3)
Audio Handout Video
Week 3 – Mar 14, 2021 – Romans 1:1-17 (2)
Audio Handout Video
Week 2 – Mar 07, 2021 – Romans 1:1-17 (1)
Audio Handout Video
Week 1 – Feb 28, 2021 – Introduction
Audio Handout Video
You can find Pilgrim’s other Bible Studies here and read more about Pilgrim’s classes and groups here.
The banner graphic at the top of this page and the corresponding slider graphic on the front page were adapted from the uncredited image found here.