http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7528 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:31:45 GMT 2026-04-04T12:31:45Z http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7531 Rededication: Embracing Our Lutheran Identity in Our Current Context Bortulin, John P. Rededication: Embracing Our Lutheran Identity in Our Current Context by Pastor John P. Bortulin is a reflective essay presented at the 2024 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Symposium. As Lutheran worship celebrates its 500th anniversary, this essay explores the enduring principles of Lutheran worship, focusing on the need for rededication to the core elements of Lutheran identity in modern contexts. Pastor Bortulin emphasizes the pastoral nature of Luther’s reforms, drawing attention to the evangelical, sacramental, incarnational, liturgical, vocational, and missional dimensions of Lutheran worship. He argues that Lutheran identity, rooted in the gospel and the doctrine of justification, continues to offer a powerful witness in an increasingly secular and fragmented world. The essay calls pastors and congregations to embrace their theological heritage while considering contemporary challenges and the needs of their local communities. Through this rededication, Bortulin advocates for worship that remains faithful to Lutheran confessions while being responsive to the present-day context in which the church serves. This essay reflects on Lutheran worship as it turns 500 years old, discussing the need for rededication to the principles of Lutheran identity in today's context. It explores the theological foundations of Lutheran worship, including its evangelical, incarnational, sacramental, liturgical, vocational, and missional aspects, and offers pastoral insights into how these principles can be embraced in contemporary church life. Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7531 2024-09-17T00:00:00Z http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7530 Worship Developments after the Reformation That Call for Careful Appraisal Peil, Tyler R. Worship Developments after the Reformation that Call for Careful Appraisal by Tyler R. Peil explores the liturgical shifts in Christian worship from the Reformation to the present day. This essay was presented at the 2024 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Symposium and highlights how worship practices have changed across various Christian traditions, including Lutheran, Reformed, Pietist, and Evangelical contexts. Peil argues that post-Reformation worship developments, including contemporary praise and worship, call for careful theological and historical analysis. Through a comparative study of worship traditions from the 16th century to modern times, the essay reveals how the understanding of the gospel has influenced worship forms, preaching, hymnody, and the sacraments. In particular, Peil reflects on how different theological lenses, such as those of Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and later revivalists, have shaped worship structures and practices, often creating distinct approaches that emphasize either the sacraments or preaching. The essay concludes by urging pastors and worship leaders to carefully evaluate these worship forms to ensure they align with the gospel's message and promote a healthy liturgical life in the church. This essay examines the evolution of Christian worship from the Reformation to the present day, with particular attention to Lutheran, Reformed, and Evangelical traditions. It calls for a careful appraisal of these developments, emphasizing the theological underpinnings and liturgical practices that have shaped contemporary worship. Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7530 2024-09-16T00:00:00Z http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7529 Reformation: Rediscovered Worship Principles and Practices That Call for Thanksgiving Behnken, Jacob C. Reformation Rediscovered: Worship Principles and Practices that Call for Thanksgiving by Jacob C. Behnken, delivered at the 2024 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Symposium, examines foundational principles of worship that were rediscovered during the Reformation. The essay traces Martin Luther’s theological understanding of worship as centered on the gospel, highlighting his resistance to both Roman Catholic and radical Reformer practices. Behnken explores how Luther's reforms preserved elements of historical Christian worship while removing what he viewed as unbiblical practices. The essay discusses Luther's reliance on the power of the Word and Sacraments and his emphasis on congregational participation. Through a survey of Luther’s writings, Behnken shows how Lutheran worship traditions were shaped by the doctrine of justification and the desire for God’s Word to have “free course” in worship. The essay concludes by reflecting on how these principles continue to inform Lutheran worship practices 500 years later, calling for renewed thanksgiving for God's gifts through worship. This essay, delivered at the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Symposium in 2024, explores key worship principles rediscovered during the Reformation, focusing on Martin Luther’s liturgical reforms and their theological foundations. It emphasizes the centrality of the gospel in Lutheran worship and reflects on how these principles continue to shape Lutheran worship practices today. Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://essays.wls.edu:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7529 2024-09-16T00:00:00Z