Small Catechisms

This week, Nativity's graduating seniors reflect on John 14:15-21 and their experiences at church as the prepare for the next phase in their lives. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here. To learn more about Nativity, visit our website at nativityarden.org. 

On today's episode our host, Dr. Aaron Davis, talks with the Rev. Dr. Melody Bellefeuille-Frost about the concept and practice of pilgrimage. They talk about what the term means, where we see pilgirmages playing a role in church history, how we might benefit from participating in them today, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link St Andrews Encyclopedia of Theology, "Pilgrimage" - Link Dr. Bellefeuille-Frost's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, and John 14:1-4. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here. To learn more about Nativity, visit our website at nativityarden.org. 

In this episode our host, Dr. Aaron Davis, continues a mini-series discussing reasons why he once became an atheist and things that helped him return to the Church. Today's subject is the difficulties he had concerning various moral issues. Links Nativity's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, and John 10:1-10. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here. To learn more about Nativity, visit our website at nativityarden.org. 

On this episode Dr. Aaron Davis interviews Dr. Taylor Cyr (Samford University) about free will. They talk about the concept of free will, theological issues related to human freedom, whether God is truly free or not, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Dr. Cyr's website - Link The Free Will Show - Link How Free Are We? Conversations from the Free Will Show (OUP, 2024) - Link Questions or Suggestions?  Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, and Luke 24:13-35. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here. To learn more about Nativity, visit our website at nativityarden.org. 

On this episode, Dr. Aaron Davis talks with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about the various councils of Christianity. They talk about the different sorts of councils, why they're important, how they fit into a Lutheran understanding of the Church, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Church councils (Papal Encyclicals Online) - Link Conciliar Christology by Tim Pawl - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, and John 20:19-31. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here. To learn more about Nativity, visit our website at nativityarden.org. 

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Matthew 28:1-10. You can find the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

On this special Easter episode, Dr. Aaron Davis talks with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about the doctrine of the resurrection. They talk about why Jesus's bodily resurrection matters so much, some rival views that have tried to account for the evidence of his resurrection, what we mean by "bodily" resurrection in the first place, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Matthew 2:1-11 for Palm Sunday. You can find the reading for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

On this episode Dr. Aaron Davis talks with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about Martin Luther and antisemitism. They talk about what Luther's antisemitism consisted in, some of the historical results of it, seeking reconciliation with our Jewish neighbors as Lutherans, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

In this episode our host, Dr. Aaron Davis, begins a mini-series discussing reasons why he once became an atheist and things that helped him return to the Church. Today's subject is the difficulties he had with biblical interpretation. Links Nativity's website - Link Episode music (Means to Believe by Oh, Sleeper) - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Davis answers the following question posed in response to his sermon on March 22:  "Why do you think John makes a point to share with us that Jesus tells the people to unbind Lazarus and let him go? I understand why he might need help moving the stone, but the unbinding seems like an odd detail."

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, and John 11:1-45. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, and John 9:1-41. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

On this episode Dr. Aaron Davis talks with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about theological anthropology. They talk about what this field is, why it matters in everyday life (especially for ethical considerations), and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Theological anthropology overview (Fuller Theological Seminary) - Link Christa McKirland's God's Provision, Humanity's Need - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, and Matthew 4:1-11. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21. You can find all the readings for Ash Wednesday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, and Matthew 17:1-9. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

On this season finale episode Dr. Aaron Davis interviews Bishop Emeritus Tim Smith (NC Synod) about the ministry of bishops in the ELCA and beyond. They talk about what bishops do, how their ministries vary across traditions, why church structure matters, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link NC Synod website - Link "Smith Retires as Bishop," Salisbury Post - Link "Seriously? Women in Ministry" video (real comments made to women ministers) - Link Questions or Suggestions?  Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from Isaiah 58:1-9a, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, and Matthew 5:13-20. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

On this episode Dr. Aaron Davis talks with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about sanctification. They talk about what the term means, how we might understand it as Protestants, its relevance for everday Christian living, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Davis discusses Tom McCall, Caleb Friedeman, and Matt Friedman's 2023 book, The Doctrine of Good Works: Reclaiming a Neglected Protestant Teaching. He talks about the book's background and contents, its strengths and weaknesses, and reasons why I think it deserves a wide readership. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to [email protected]. Links Nativity's website - Link The Doctrine of Good Works (Baker Academic, 2023) - Link

On this episode Dr. Aaron Davis talks with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about justification. They talk about what the term means, its biblical roots, historical and recent developments concerning the concept, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett answers a question about John 1:29-42.  "What does it mean in this week's gospel reading when it says "You are to be called Cephas (translated as Peter)." How do you translate a name? Is one Hebrew and the other Greek, cause they don't sound remotely similar."

On this episode Dr. Aaron Davis interviews Prof. Jonathan Rutledge (Asbury University) about his book, Forgiveness and Atonement: Christ's Restorative Sacrifice. They talk about concepts like atonement, forgiveness, and sacrifice, where we see them in Scripture, what makes his view novel, and more. Links Nativity's website - Link Forgiveness and Atonement (Routledge, 2022) - Link Jonathan's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Dr. Aaron Davis answers this question: "You talked about the value of remembering one's baptism. What are some of the upsides of being baptized as an infant, even before it will be remembered by the one being baptized?"

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, and Matthew 3:13-17. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, and John 1:10-18. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

In our End of Year Roundup episode, Dr. Aaron Davis and the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett discuss the podcast's shape over this past year, what's next, and lingering questions each has for the other. Links Nativity's website - Link Eleonore Stump's Atonement - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett answers the question, "You mentioned that the magi are translated as wise men in our English bibles. Why are they called kings in so many hymns?"

In our End of Year Roundup episode, Dr. Aaron Davis and the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett discuss the podcast's shape over this past year, what's next, and lingering questions each has for the other. Links Nativity's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

In this Christmas Special Dr. Aaron Davis and the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett discuss Christmas memories, traditions, and more!  Links Nativity's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, and Matthew 1:18-25. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

On this episode Dr. Aaron Davis interviews Prof. Kevin Hector (University of Chicago) about his book, Christianity as a Way of Life: A Systeamtic Theology. They talk about what systematic theology is, the role of sin and redemption in Christian theology, how homemaking practices are important to Christian living, and much more. Links Nativity's website - Link Christianity as a Way of Life (Yale University Press, 2023) - Link Kevin's website - Link Questions or Suggestions? Contact Dr. Davis with your input: [email protected].

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis hosts a conversation with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about theology and extraterrestrial life. They talk about some of their favorite sci-fi depictions of aliens, whether aliens have ever been discussed in theological history, how the existence of extraterrestrial life could relate to various Christian doctrines, and more. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to [email protected]. Links Nativity's website - Link

On today's episode, Dr. Aaron Davis answers several questions inspired by his Nov. 23 sermon.

Carolyn Anderson preaches from Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, and Matthew 24:36-44. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

In this episode, Dr. Aaron Davis discusses C.S. Lewis's book The Great Divorce. He talks about the use it can have for contemporary Christians, reads some excerpts and comments on their contents, and more. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to [email protected]. Links Nativity's website - Link

In this episode Dr. Aaron Davis hosts a conversation with Nativity's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sean Barrett, about how different Christian denominations understand Holy Communion/the Lord's Supper/the Eucharist/the Mass. They discuss things like what what the major streams of thought are about Communion, how these play out in different traditions, similarities and differences churches have between one another, and much more. Questions or comments about the episode? Send a message to [email protected]. Links Nativity's website - Link

Dr. Aaron Davis preaches from Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, and Luke 23:33-43. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

On today's episode, Dr. Aaron Davis answers the following question: "You said something about repenting and seeking forgiveness as individuals and as a nation. What does it look like for the United states to repent and seek God's forgiveness? The prophets certainly made it clear that the nation of Israel often needs to repent and seek God's forgiveness. But we as a nation are not in a covenant relationship with God. We are not the new Israel. In fact, we are a secular republic. The U.S. constitution isn't a covenant with God; the name of God doesn't appear. In short, we're not the biblical Israel. Can we still apply to the U.S. the language of repentance that comes out of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel?" Links Nativity's website - Link

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Malachi 4:1-2a and Luke 21:5-19. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett answers a question from Luke 21:5-19, "Could you say more about the temple construction mentioned in the text?"

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Job 19:23-27a, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 13-17, and Luke 20:27-38. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, and Luke 6:20-31. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.

Pastor Sean Barrett preaches from Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36. You can find all the readings for this Sunday here.  To learn more about Lutheran Church of the Nativity, visit our website at NativityArden.org.