The Lutheran History Podcast
The Lutheran History Podcast interviews professional and independent historians on their work, covering over 500 years of Lutheranism. We hear new stories, examine old heroes of faith, and dig into the who, how, what, and why of history-making.
Episodes
82 episodes
Celebrating 500 Years of Luther's Deutsche Messe with Daniel Baker
Return to Wittenberg ConferenceIn this episode (TLHP 82), we are joined by Daniel G. Baker to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Luther's "German Mass." We discuss Baker's article, “The F...
"Warning!" The Case of Ludwig Nietmann
Image: Ludwig NietmannThis episode (TLHP 81) welcomes returning guest, Pastor Justin Dauck, to examine the complex and often overlooked figure of Ludwig Nietmann, a 19th-century Lutheran pastor whose life and ministry intersect with ...
"The Lutheran Hymnal" (TLH) and Americanization in the Synodical Conference with Elisabeth Urtel
In this episode (TLHP 80), we explore the story behind The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) and the remarkable collaboration that brought it into existence. Drawing on Elisabeth J. Urtel’s recent dissertation, the conversation traces how the Mis...
The Reformation of Suffering with Ronald Rittgers
In this episode (TLHP 79), we talk with Dr. Ronald Rittgers about his book The Reformation of Suffering: Pastoral Theology and Lay Piety in La...
Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART II
Image: Mythic depiction of PETER MUHLENBERG AT WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIANote: the guest wishes to clarify that he meant a $10 bill, not $100, in reference to Hamilton.In
Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART I
Image: German and British officers with a chaplain in 1777. In God on Three Sides, Jonathan M. Wilson explores how German Pietist communitie...
Lutheranism and American Culture in the Civil War Era with Tim Grundmeier
In this episode (TLHP 76), we welcome back Dr. Tim Grundmeier from MLC to talk about his newly published book.Lutheranism and America...
Full Citation:Utilizing an Archival Storehouse with Nathan Ericson
The most important WELS history resource might not sit on a shelf — it’s already in your browser.In this episode (TLHP 75), we sit down with Professor Nathan Ericson, Library Director at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and Editor of t...
Martin and Katherina's Marriage: Details Less Often Told with Nathaniel Biebert
What was it like to witness Martin Luther’s wedding—and even his bridal chamber? In this episode (TLHP 74), we explore Justus Jonas’s vivid letter announcing Luther’s marriage to Katharina von Bora, complete with tears, friends, and ancient wed...
Who was Siegbert Becker? with John Brenner
In this episode (TLHP 73) of The Lutheran History Podcast, Dr. John M. Brenner joins to share insights from his recent article on Professor Siegbert W. Becker, a major voice in confessional Lutheran theology during the 20th century. Listeners w...
Pennsylvania’s “Youthful Daughter” the Early History of the Wisconsin Synod with Tim Grundmeier
In this episode (TLHP 72) of The Lutheran History Podcast, we talk with Dr. Timothy D. Grundmeier about his recent article, “Pennsylvania’s ‘Youthful Daughter’: Reexamining the Early History of the Wisconsin Synod,” featured in the Wisconsin Lu...
Who was Henry A. Koch?
In this special episode (TLHP 71), guest host Tim Grundmeier interviews historian and author Benjamin T. Phelps about his recent Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly article on Dr. Henry A. Koch—a pastor, professor, and editor who left a profound mark ...
The Wisconsin Synod Prints in German
This is a special episode (TLHP 70) of a presentation I prepared for the Society of German American Studies symposium in April in Milwaukee.--The year 2025 marks the 175th anniversary of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. O...
Christ Through Us- WELS 175th Pictorial History with Joel Otto
In this WELS 175th episode (TLHP 69), we talk with Joel Otto, the anniversary committee chairman, about the pictorial history book
175 Years of Change in WELS Worship with Joel Otto
In this WELS 175th episode (TLHP 68), we talk with Joel Otto, the anniversary committee chairman, about what WELS worship has looked like in the past and how it has changed.
Who was Adolf Hoenecke? with James Danell
image: Adolph Hoenecke from the host's family photo collection.In this WELS 175th episode (TLHP 67), we talk with Prof. James Danell who teaches German at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, about Adolph Hoenecke, who taught for many ...
The Importance of Learning German for Lutheran History with James Danell
This is part of a longer conversation I had with Prof. James Danell about the imperative need for scholars who know German to do Lutheran history.You can support the
Brand Luther with Jared Natsis and Phil Moldenhauer
This is a cross-over episode (TLHP 65) with The Shepherd's Study Podcast, where I was a guest of Jared Natsis and Phil Moldenhauer. We talked about the content and merits of the bo...
The Election Controversy Revisited with Peter Prange
In this episode (TLHP 64), we talk with Peter Prange about the third volume in his series, Wielding the Sword of the Spirit, in which he gets into the details and nuances of the Election Controversy that rocked the Synodical Conference...
Who was Johannes Muehlhaeuser? with Tim Grundmeier
In this WELS 175th episode (TLHP 63), Tim Grundmeier and I talk about who Johannes Muehlhaeuser was, Christmas trees, and the founding of the Wisconsin Synod.
Historic Diary Found in Grandpa's Basement!
Image: JP Koehler at Wauwatosa Seminary, candid photo taken by a student.While going through some old boxes in my grandfather's basement, I stumbled upon something truly remarkable: my great-grandfather’s diary. He was a st...
Achtliederbuch-The First Lutheran Hymnal: Details Less Often Told with Nathaniel Biebert
Link to the service and hymns: https://trinitylutheransd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Reformation-Hymn-Festival-2024.pdf The fir...
The Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Forum and Its Role in Founding the CELC with Timothy Plichta
Timothy Plichta is a WELS homeschooled high school student living in Germantown, WI. He loves Lutheran history in general and is especially enthralled with anything related to the CELC.Episode TLHP 61.
Wyneken in Baltimore: Contesting Lutheran Identity 1845-1850
This episode is a fuller version of my presentation given at the 2024 Lutheran Historical Conference in Baltimore. Link to the full video of this episode.One church historian observed that “ It...
Johannes Bugenhagen and Poor Relief with Jason Oakland
Image: Johannes BugenhagenDuring the Reformation Martin Luther restored many Christian teachings to its proper biblical understanding. One of the men who worked with Luther in communicating those teachings was Johannes Bugenhagen. This ...
