REBEL and REFORMER

In this special edition of Testimony Tuesday, we sit down with Larry—a retired history teacher, a newlywed, and a fascinating author. Larry shares the latest milestones in his life, including his recent marriage, and offers an uplifting reminder to Todd and Sean that there is always hope, no matter the season of life.We also dive into Larry’s literary world, exploring the inspiration behind his published works and getting a sneak peek at what he’s currently writing.Lessons from the Past: Reflections from Larry's years as a history teacher and how retirement has opened up new chapters.A New Beginning: Larry’s journey into marriage and the message of hope he brings to the table.The Author’s Desk: A deep dive into Presbies on the Hill and the remarkable story behind his book on the "magnificent molecule."Ecumenical Harmony: We finally provide the living proof that a Presbyterian and a couple of Lutherans can actually be friends—no formal debate required!What’s Next: A first look at Larry’s upcoming book project.Note to Listeners: Please bear with us regarding the audio quality in the middle of the episode. We weren't recording in the "Upper Room" this time, but the message is worth the listen!Featured Books:There is a River: Water, the Magnificent MoleculePresbies on the HillStay tuned for Larry’s next release!

Join hosts Todd and Sean for an in-depth conversation with Dick, a man whose life has been shaped by both the discipline of the military and a profound spiritual awakening.In this hour-long feature, we dive into Dick’s career with the U.S. Air Force, exploring the high-pressure environment of aviation and the unique challenges of service. But the heart of the episode lies in Dick's personal transformation—his journey to finding Christ and how that shift redefined his worldview both on and off the base.Inside the Episode:The Air Force Years: Dick shares stories from his professional life, reflecting on the rigor and camaraderie of military service.A New Flight Path: A candid look at the moments that led Dick to his faith and the impact of his commitment to Christ.The Intersection of Service & Faith: How his spiritual life informed his perspective on duty and leadership.Todd and Sean guide this sixty-minute exploration of a life lived with conviction, technical skill, and a deep sense of purpose.

Correction: Martin Luther had six biological children with Katharina And they also raised for orphans. In this episode of Rebel and Reformer, hosts Todd and Sean dive into the tumultuous and transformative life of Martin Luther. Over the course of 42 minutes, we trace the journey of the monk who struck a spark that set Europe ablaze, examining his life from his birth in Eisleben to his final moments in the same town.We explore the pivotal milestones of Luther’s biography: his narrow escape from a lightning storm, the spiritual agony of his years in the monastery, and the defiant act of posting the 95 Theses. The discussion follows his path through the Diet of Worms, his "kidnapping" to the Wartburg Castle, and his later years shaping a new theological landscape through his German Bible translation and his hymns.Join us as we analyze how Luther’s legacy continues to challenge and reform our understanding of faith and grace today.Episode Highlights:The Formative Years: From the copper mines of Mansfeld to the lecture halls of Erfurt.The Breakthrough: Understanding Luther’s shift from a God of judgment to a God of justification.The Confrontation: A look at the high-stakes drama of the Imperial Diet and the refusal to recant.The Later Reformer: Luther’s domestic life, his prolific writing, and his enduring influence on the church.

The tomb is empty, the pews are cleared, and we are officially running on caffeine and pure, unmerited grace. Welcome to the monthly "Redo" session—the episode that almost wasn't.In this month’s recap:Post-Easter Exhaustion: We are coming to you live from the post-Holy Week slump. We’re tired, we’re slightly incoherent, and we’ve reached that level of fatigue where everything—including our technical failures—seems spiritually significant. This is the raw, uncut energy of two guys who just survived the busiest week of the church year.The Counterfeit Scandal: Why are we recording this for the second time? Because Todd thought he found a "blessed deal" on an SD card that turned out to be a digital lie. Our original file is currently in digital purgatory, proving once again that you can’t buy your way into a reliable backup system.The EBA Draft (Season 2): It’s time to talk hoops. We’re breaking down the upcoming draft for the church basketball league's second season. We dive into the scouting reports, the potential first-rounders, and how to build a championship roster while maintaining your Lutheran humility.We managed to squeeze all the drama, the fatigue, and the league strategy into just under 29 minutes. Grab a drink and join us for the monthly indulgence.

The tomb is empty, the Law is silenced, and the Rebel and Reformer studio is officially off the rails. In this special Easter Sunday installment, Todd and Sean are leaning into the pure, chaotic joy of the Resurrection.This is the unfiltered and uncut side of the movement. As Radical Lutherans, we know that when Death loses its sting, we lose our inhibitions. This isn't a lecture or a formal liturgy—it’s an hour of raw, high-energy fellowship that captures the spirit of a movement that doesn’t take itself too seriously because it takes the Gospel very seriously.We’re putting the "festive" back in the festival. Whether you’re listening in your Sunday best or your Monday worst, tune in for an episode that’s less about the "how-to" and more about the "HE IS." It’s loud, it’s loose, and it’s exactly the kind of celebration you’d expect from two guys who know that the work is already finished."The stone is gone, the coffee is strong, and the grace is scandalous. Welcome to the Easter party."

What do we actually know about Jesus if we set the Bible aside?In Episode 5 of Rebel and Reformer, hosts Todd and Sean dive deep into the historical records, secular accounts, and ancient archeology that exist independently of scripture. While the Gospels provide the theological foundation for his life, there is a fascinating world of "extra-biblical" evidence that offers a different lens on the man from Nazareth.Join us as we explore:The Roman and Jewish Perspectives: What did historians like Josephus and Tacitus actually have to say about the movement?The Evolution of Early Beliefs: How did stories and traditions change as they moved through the ancient world?The "Historical Jesus" vs. The "Christ of Faith": Mapping the intersection where history meets tradition.Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or a history buff, this episode is about looking at the facts on the ground and seeing what remains when the "Good Book" is closed.

In this focused 39-minute episode of Testimony Tuesday, hosts Todd and Sean invite you into the workshop and the heart of a true craftsman. Les isn’t just a piano tuner by trade; he is a witness who understands that the most important instrument we carry is our own spirit.The Art of the Tune: Les shares fascinating insights from his life as a professional piano tuner. He discusses the patience and precision required to bring an instrument back into harmony—and how that mirrors God’s restorative work in our own lives.A Deep-Rooted Gospel: Moving beyond the surface, Les talks about his approach to sharing the Good News. He explores how a life lived in "perfect pitch" with the Word of God allows for a deeper, more resonant connection with everyone he meets.An Exclusive Offering: The heart of this episode is a rare, live-in-studio performance. Les moves from the mechanics of the piano to the heart of worship, playing a beautiful original composition he created specifically as a private offering to the Lord."A piano out of tune can still play, but it cannot truly sing. The same is true for the human heart until it meets the Master Tuner."Join Todd and Sean for a powerful half-hour-plus of conversation that bridges the gap between technical mastery and spiritual depth. Whether you are a lover of music or a seeker of truth, this testimony will leave you perfectly tuned for the week ahead.

In this episode, Todd and Sean dive into the controversial "Hyper-Grace" movement. While it might sound like a natural fit for those who champion a "Radical Lutheran" perspective, the reality is far more nuanced. We explore why the "Hyper-Grace" label—often used as a pejorative—actually misses the mark of the Lutheran distinction between Law and Gospel.Is there such a thing as "too much" grace? Or does the Hyper-Grace movement inadvertently turn the Gospel into a new kind of Law? We’re breaking down the theological friction points, the danger of "antinomianism" accusations, and why the Reformation's view of Simul Justus et Peccator (simultaneously saint and sinner) changes everything.Defining the Terms: What exactly is the "Hyper-Grace" movement, and who are its primary voices?The Radical Lutheran Pushback: Why we disagree with the idea that the "Old Adam" can be fully sanctified or ignored in this life.Law and Gospel: How Hyper-Grace often flattens the Bible by removing the necessary, crushing weight of the Law.The Reality of Sin: Discussing why the Christian life isn't a linear progression toward perfection, but a daily return to baptism.

The Summary of Sean’s JourneyIn this segment, Sean opens up about the pivotal turning points in his life that led him to where he is today. He shares the raw reality of his past—from being raised in a Christian home to the years spent falling away from those roots—and the deep emotional toll of losing family members, which eventually led to a profound moment of clarity.The summary of his journey includes:The Season of Wandering: An honest look at the years spent away from his upbringing and the search for identity outside of his original faith.The Crucible of Loss: How the passing of family members stripped away his self-reliance and became the catalyst for a radical change in perspective.A Rediscovered Way: The moment he moved beyond a "childhood religion" to a deeply personal trust in Christ, finding a foundation that could withstand life’s hardest hits.The Mission Today: How these experiences of grief and restoration now shape his voice, offering a bridge for others who are navigating their own path back to the Way.

In this segment, Todd opens up about the pivotal turning points in his life that led him to where he is today. He shares the raw reality of his past struggles and the toll it took, eventually leading to a profound moment of clarity.The summary of his journey includes:The Return to Tacoma: Why moving back to his roots was a necessary step for his recovery and a fresh start.A Foundation of Faith: The moment he moved away from self-reliance and placed his trust in Christ, finding the strength to overcome his past.The Power of Reform: How these experiences shaped his perspective as a co-host and his commitment to the "Rebel and Reformer" mission.

If the Reformation was a revolution, the Five Solas were the manifesto. In this episode, Todd and Sean strip away the religious "clutter" to get back to the core of what it means to be a Radical Lutheran.We aren't just reciting Latin; we’re talking about the five "Alones" that liberated the world from the soul-crushing weight of religious performance:Sola Gratia (SOH-lah GRAHT-see-ah) — Grace Alone: Exploring the radical idea that God doesn't need your help, your "spiritual growth," or your "best life" to save you.Sola Fide (SOH-lah FEE-day) — Faith Alone: How trust—not effort—is the only thing that connects us to the promise.Sola Scriptura (SOH-lah skrip-TOO-rah) — Scripture Alone: Why the Word is the only authority that matters when everyone else is trying to sell you their "truth."Solus Christus (SOH-loos KRIS-toos) — Christ Alone: Why Jesus isn't a "co-pilot" or a moral example, but the sole mediator who did it all.Soli Deo Gloria (SOH-lee DAY-oh GLOH-ree-ah) — Glory to God Alone: The final "mic drop" that ensures we don't turn our faith into a self-help project.Join us as we discuss why these five pillars are still the most "rebel" ideas in the modern church. It’s not about doing more; it’s about realizing it’s already been done.

For many, this story feels like a slap in the face to "fairness" and the traditional work ethic. But through a Radical Lutheran lens, Todd and Sean strip away the moralizing layers to reveal a God who is obsessed with grace rather than merit. We explore what happens when our human obsession with "who deserves what" crashes headlong into a Divine economy that operates on a logic of pure, scandalous gift.

Religion is almost always a ladder—a grueling climb of moral improvement, spiritual disciplines, and "doing your best" to stay in God's good graces. But what happens when you run out of rungs?In the premiere episode of Rebel and Reformer, Todd and Sean dive into the most "unqualified" person in the New Testament: the Thief on the Cross. This man had no time to change, no ability to make amends, and his hands were literally nailed down so he couldn't perform a single good work. Yet, he is the only person to whom Jesus gives a personal, iron-clad guarantee of Paradise.We explore why the Thief is the ultimate "Radical Lutheran" and how his story deconstructs everything we think we know about fairness, effort, and the scandalous nature of God’s grace.

The Reformation didn’t end in 1517—it was just the beginning.Join hosts Todd and Sean as they dig into the gritty, beautiful, and often scandalous heart of the Lutheran tradition. This isn’t your typical Sunday School lesson. We explore the "radical" in the roots: a theology that is relentless in its grace, honest about its brokenness, and built on the "Protest" in Protestant.Inspired by the "Outlaw of the Holy Spirit," Martin Luther, we tackle the raw paradoxes of faith:Simul Justus et Peccator: How we are 100% saint and 100% sinner at the exact same time.The Bound Will: Why our "freedom" isn't what we think it is.Vocation: Finding sacred meaning in ordinary, messy lives.Grace Alone: Why "doing better" is a terrible plan for salvation, but a great byproduct of being loved.Whether you’re a lifelong Lutheran, a church misfit, or just looking for a faith that can handle the reality of the world, you’ve found a home.Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join the protest. The Reformation continues.