Oct 15, 2026 · 51 min · 12 segments
The guys discuss worship using the worship of faith and law latreia (divine service) from Article IV of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.
We hope our listeners are enjoying that and we are hoping to be regular again on schedule with episodes as we settle into the semester um today we're going to be talking about something i'd like to introduce with just a passage from bo geertz hammer of god if you have not read bo geertz Hammer of God, you should read Bogert's Hammer of God.
Our freshmen read it in Theology 110, Intro to Theology.
And it is several novellas in one big book about new pastors interacting with their parishioners and older pastors in Sweden.
And this is from the novella that involves Pastor Fritfeldt, and he is talking with his rector, Fritfeldt is a young pastor, And kind of in each novella, there's a different challenge, rationalism, pietism, et cetera.
And Fritfeldt comes in, and he is on fire for Jesus, right? He is excited to be serving.
And he kind of thinks maybe the rector's not on fire for Jesus enough, and they have these interesting interactions.
early on in their time together.
And so here Fritfeld's going to be talking to the rector, and the rector kind of perplexes him a bit.
And so this is, if you have the Fortress Press, this edition, this is page 122 on to page 123.
And the rector says to Fritfeld, "'So you are a believer.
I'm glad to hear that.
What do you believe in?' "'Fritfeld stared dumbfounded at his superior.
"'Was he jesting with him? "'But, sir, I am simply saying that I am a believer.
"'Yes, I hear that, my boy, but what is it that you believe in?' "'Fritfeld was almost speechless.
"'But don't you know, sir, what it means to be a believer?' "'That is a word which can stand for things that differ greatly, my boy.
"'I ask only what it is that you believe in.' "'In Jesus, of course,' answered Fritfeld, raising his voice.
"'I mean, I have given him my heart.' "'The older man's face became suddenly as solemn as the grave.
"'Do you consider that something to give him?' "'By this time, Fritfeld was almost in tears.
You see, my boy, he continued reassuringly as he continued to look at the young pastor's face in which uncertainty and resentment were shown in a struggle for the upper hand.
It is one thing to choose Jesus as one's Lord and Savior, to give him one's heart and commit oneself to him.
And that is how he accepts one into his little flock.
It is a very different thing, though, to believe in him as a redeemer of sinners, of whom one is chief.
One does not choose a redeemer for oneself, you understand, nor give one's heart to him.
The heart is a rusty old can on a junk heap, a fine birthday gift indeed.
We hope our listeners are enjoying that and we are hoping to be regular again on schedule with episodes as we settle into the semester um today we're going to be talking about something i'd like to introduce with just a passage from bo geertz hammer of god if you have not read bo geertz Hammer of God, you should read Bogert's Hammer of God.
Our freshmen read it in Theology 110, Intro to Theology.
And it is several novellas in one big book about new pastors interacting with their parishioners and older pastors in Sweden.
And this is from the novella that involves Pastor Fritfeldt, and he is talking with his rector, Fritfeldt is a young pastor, And kind of in each novella, there's a different challenge, rationalism, pietism, et cetera.
And Fritfeldt comes in, and he is on fire for Jesus, right? He is excited to be serving.
And he kind of thinks maybe the rector's not on fire for Jesus enough, and they have these interesting interactions.
early on in their time together.
And so here Fritfeld's going to be talking to the rector, and the rector kind of perplexes him a bit.
And so this is, if you have the Fortress Press, this edition, this is page 122 on to page 123.
And the rector says to Fritfeld, "'So you are a believer.
I'm glad to hear that.
What do you believe in?' "'Fritfeld stared dumbfounded at his superior.
"'Was he jesting with him? "'But, sir, I am simply saying that I am a believer.
"'Yes, I hear that, my boy, but what is it that you believe in?' "'Fritfeld was almost speechless.
"'But don't you know, sir, what it means to be a believer?' "'That is a word which can stand for things that differ greatly, my boy.
"'I ask only what it is that you believe in.' "'In Jesus, of course,' answered Fritfeld, raising his voice.
"'I mean, I have given him my heart.' "'The older man's face became suddenly as solemn as the grave.
"'Do you consider that something to give him?' "'By this time, Fritfeld was almost in tears.
You see, my boy, he continued reassuringly as he continued to look at the young pastor's face in which uncertainty and resentment were shown in a struggle for the upper hand.
It is one thing to choose Jesus as one's Lord and Savior, to give him one's heart and commit oneself to him.
And that is how he accepts one into his little flock.
It is a very different thing, though, to believe in him as a redeemer of sinners, of whom one is chief.
One does not choose a redeemer for oneself, you understand, nor give one's heart to him.
The heart is a rusty old can on a junk heap, a fine birthday gift indeed.
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