This page lists all of the Fish Hooks published to date, arranged under four main categories: The Bible, Christianity, Lutheranism, and Discipleship with sub-categories of topics under each. Be advised that many Fish Hooks don’t fit neatly into a single (or perhaps any) category, so the assignments are sometimes rather arbitrary! Within the sub-categories, it will sometimes be the case that the older pieces (further down in the list) will provide useful background for the material dealt with in more recent pieces.

(Click here for an archive of all Fish Hooks listed by date of publication.)

The Bible

The Bible is the ‘source book’ for all Christians. This category focuses on the book itself, as a body of literature, whereas all the other categories reference it as God’s Word of salvation for humanity.

Facts About the Bible

A Little Knowledge … – March 10, 2019 – Understanding the truth about the Bible
Choosing the Books – February 11, 2018 – How did the early church do it?
The LXX Bridge – November 12, 2017 – The ancient translation that connects the Testaments
The LXX – October 1, 2017 – The ‘Bible’ that the earliest Christians read
What’s With All the Greek? – August 27, 2017 – Readers wonder about this!
Big Guns? – June 4, 2017 – Let’s talk about canon
Do Jews Read the Same Bible as Christians? – May 14, 2017 – Are they the same?
Ten Things the Bible Doesn’t Say – December 18, 2016 – Common non-Biblical ideas
The Languages of the Bible – December 4, 2016 – Hebrew , Greek & more
Old Testament/New Testament – November 6, 2016 – Sorting out those terms
What’s An Epistle ? – June 12, 2016 – Take the quiz!
Two Hymn Books – May 15, 2016 – The Bible’s ancient hymnal
How the Bible got ‘Versified’ – April 10, 2016 – How chapters and verses came to be

People, Places, and Things in the Bible

Sadducees and Pharisees and Scribes (Oh my!) – July 7, 2019 – Who were these guys?
Covenant vs. Contract – October 28, 2018 – Not the same thing!
Was Jesus Born in a Stable? – December 10, 2017 – Rethinking the traditional story
Is Hell a Real Place? – December 3, 2017 – Confronting an awful reality for some
Mobile Homes – February 19, 2017 – One of God’s favorite inventions
All About ‘Beth’ – July 31, 2016 – Deciphering some common place names
How Do You Raise an Ebenezer? – April 3, 2016 – How indeed!
The Bible’s ‘Backstories’ – March 27, 2016 – Things we’d love to know!
Judas – February 21, 2016 – So you think you know Judas? Take the quiz!
A Saint for the Sometimes Somnolent – January 10, 2016 – Just like us?

Bible Events and History

God’s M.O. – May 27, 2018 – God’s distinctive way of accomplishing His ends
At the Right Time – April 29, 2018 – When God’s plan came together
Those Herods – May 28, 2017 – The notorious dynasty spanning the New Testament
God’s Plan to Save the World in Five Minutes – April 30, 2017 – A bit compressed!

Foreshadowing & Fulfillment (Prophecy, Precedents, Symbolism, etc.)

Paschal – July 15, 2018 – An unusual word with great significance
Agony and Victory – November 26, 2017 – A cry of despair or fulfillment?
Connecting the Dots – August 28, 2016 – Seeing the Messiah in OT prophecy
Elijah’s Return – August 7, 2016 – Why were people expecting Elijah to come back?
The Third Day – July 24, 2016 – An assertion of Jesus that’s perplexed many
Melchizedek – July 3, 2016 – An obscure OT figure with a big NT significance
God’s Rhymes – October 11, 2015 – Seeing God’s patterns

Specific Bible Words, Texts, and Passages

Selah – January 5, 2020 – What does this obscure word mean?
The Bible’s Longest Chapter – September 8, 2019 – A remarkable composition
Gospel – April 7, 2019 – A familiar word that replaced the real meaning
Lead Us Not – July 29, 2018 – Why did Jesus teach us to pray those words?
The Same Ten Commandments? – July 17, 2016 – Same content, different numbering
The Lord’s Prayer – September 27, 2015 – Why our Catholic brethren say it differently

Reading and Understanding the Bible

Was Jesus Mistaken? – September 11, 2016 – People have wondered about this
Top Knot Come Down ! – June 26, 2016 – How to read (and NOT read) the Bible
‘Word’ vs. ‘words’ – May 8, 2016 – An important distinction about the Bible

Christianity

These Fish Hooks deal with topics that are common aspects of traditional Christian faith and practice including (but not limited to) Lutherans. Not every Christian will (of course) agree with every detail, but the treatment is intended to be “mainstream.”

What Christians Believe

Forgiveness – August 11, 2019 – A good one-word answer
Why is Jesus ‘the’ Christ? – June 23, 2019 – The only one who can bear the title
‘Dispensations’? – July 9, 2019 – A Bible theory popular among fundamentalists
Turn Around ! – May 19, 2019 – What God commands (and enables) us to do
Why Believe? – May 5, 2019 – What our own hearts tell us
The Trinity – May 13, 2018 – The perplexing mystery of God’s nature
The Divine ‘And’ – March 25, 2018 – When ‘either/or’ isn’t the answer
Earning a Pass? – March 18, 2018 – A misplaced sense of confidence
Emptyhanded – January 21, 2018 – How we approach God’s salvation
The ‘Christian Litmus Test’ – November 19, 2017 – A basic test of ‘Christian’ belief
Broken – October 22, 2017 – The painful reality of the human condition
Vacuuming? – October 8, 2017 – Preparing for Jesus to visit?
Mystery of the Trinity – May 21, 2017 – How did this belief come to be?
Did Jesus Really Rise From The Dead ? – April 16, 2017 – The historical challenge
Tradition! – April 2, 2017 – Apostolic tradition is different from the ordinary kind
Out of Tune – March 26, 2017 – The fatal discordance of the human condition
Do God’s Laws Ever Become Obsolete? – March 19, 2017 – Some have wondered
Regret vs. Repentance – January 29, 2017 – Being “sorry” isn’t enough
Incarnate – January 1, 2017 – Perhaps Christianity’s most shocking belief
A Father’s Love – October 23, 2016 – Why does God give us the option of failing?
I-dolatry – October 16, 2016 – Fabricating a false god
“The Devil Made Me Do It” – October 2, 2016 – Not a joking matter
What was Jesus’ Last Name ? – June 5, 2016 – Hint: it isn’t ‘Christ’
That Damn(ing) Virus – March 20, 2016 – It makes you want to swear!
‘The Church’ vs. ‘a church’ – February 28, 2016 – Not the same thing!
Are Lutherans catholic ? – February 7, 2016 – A ‘capital’ distinction
Do I Have the Holy Spirit? – November 8, 2015 – If you’re concerned , it’s Yes!

Things Found in Churches (Architecture, Furnishings, Symbols, etc.)

Churchy’ Words – July 1, 2018 – Some obscure terminology that your pastor may use
Monograms of Jesus – September 10, 2017 – Some logos explained
The Altar – February 5, 2017 – Why do some object to the presence of an altar?
Holy Cow! (Again) – January 22, 2017 – More About the Four Evangelist’s Symbols
Holy Cow! – June 19, 2016 – Why would a church hang an ox over the altar?
Sanctuary – April 24, 2016 – How this word got its modern meaning
In the Boat – November 29, 2015 – Sailing together in the nave
Monkeys in the Minster – October 4, 2015 – Critters in church

Christian Worship (Traditional Practices)

Why ‘Eucharist’? – March 24, 2019 – An odd name that describes perfectly!
Many Names – One Meal – July 30, 2017 – It’s what God makes it, not what we call it
The Offertory – July 23, 2017 – A small ritual that tells a rich story
Gift Wrap – June 11, 2017 – Wrapping and unwrapping God’s good gifts
The Priest’s Underpants – May 7, 2017 – Precedent for propriety in worship
The Readings – September 25, 2016 – There’s a plan!
Liturgy – September 4, 2016 – Thinking about ‘the work of the people’
The Benediction – August 21, 2016 – The most ancient part of our worship service

Christianity Through the Ages

The Filioque – February 10, 2019 – An obscure clause in the Nicene Creed
The Big Split – July 22, 2018 – The one 500 years before the Reformation
Changing the Wor(l)d – August 13, 2017 – How Christianity influenced writing
What’s in a Name? – July 16, 2017 – ‘Christian’ wasn’t the first choice
Apostolic – July 2, 2017 – What does this term in the Creeds mean?
The Date of Easter – April 9, 2017 – Why does it move so oddly on our calendar?
How Did Jesus Descend Into Hell ? – November 1, 2015 – Puzzling phrase in the Creed

Issues in Contemporary Christianity

The Invisibility Paradox – February 16, 2020 – Why doesn’t God make Himself obvious?
Plausible Deniability? – August 25, 2019 – The paradox of God’s deniability
Deism/Theism/Meism – January 27, 2019 – Three (plus) philosophies about god
Why Do They Rage? – January 13, 2019 – This cannot end well!
Wait for the Lord! – December 23, 2018 – The true spirit of Advent
Gourmet Jesus ? – August 26, 2018 – Sticking to the ‘original recipe
Data – Theory – Application – June 17, 2018 – The danger in trusting our theories
Just a Speck? – June 3, 2018 – The incredible improbability of God’s interest in us!
A Woman’s Place? – May 6, 2018 – The role of women in the Church
What About Cremation? – March 4, 2018 – What is the position of the church?
Flaming Letters in the Sky – December 31, 2017 – The tragedy of hardened hearts
He Got This One Right! – December 17, 2017 – A notorious atheist hits it on the head!
The Multiverse? – October 15, 2017 – Why some want to believe in this idea
Christmas vs. Culture – November 27, 2016 – Not a new clash of values
To ‘Cap’ or Not to ‘Cap’ – October 9, 2016 – It really doesn’t matter
Does God Have a Gender? – March 13, 2016 – Pronouns aren’t arbitrary
Modern Martyrs – November 22, 2015 – The sobering fact of Christian persecution

Lutheranism

Here we explore the beliefs, practices, and emphases that are traditionally identified with Lutheran Christians.

Lutheran History (and the Reformation)

Concordia – September 22, 2019 – A very important book/name for Lutherans
Two and a Half Martyrs – April 8, 2018 – A burning commitment to God’s Word
The Ninety-five Theses – October 29, 2017 – The list that changed history
Smalcald – May 29, 2016 – A strange word with an interesting place in Lutheran lore
Why Do Lutherans ‘Apologize’ ? – January 31, 2016 – Perhaps we should ‘confess’?
A Diet of Worms ? – October 25, 2015 – Not as gross as it sounds
Confession Confusion – October 18, 2015 – Same word but two meanings

Lutheran Doctrine (what Lutherans traditionally emphasize)

Can a Believer Fall Away? – November 24, 2019 – A point of disagreement between Christians
Baptism: Why we DO it – August 4, 2019 – It’s a simple answer with deep impact
Can Babies Believe? – December 9, 2018 – Why do we baptize infants?
WANTED DEAD AND ALIVE – November 18, 2018 – Death and life through Baptism
Predestined ?? (!!) – November 11, 2018 – Embracing the paradox
Chosen! – September 30, 2018 – How we experience the truth of God’s commitment
Word AND Sacrament – June 10, 2018 – Why we emphasize both Means of Grace
Saints AND Sinners – April 15, 2018 – The true state of things for Christians
More ‘Birds in the Hair’ – March 11, 2018 – When we are sources of temptation
Tipsy in the Saddle? – August 20, 2017 – The problem with human reason
Birds in the Hair – August 6, 2017 – Living with all those pesky temptations
Sola – June 25, 2017 – Luther’s legacy expressed in one word
Adiaphora – June 18, 2017 – An unusual word with important application
Law and Gospel – March 12, 2017 – One of Luther’s most distinctive teachings
Are You Born Again? – February 12, 2017 – A question sometimes asked
Sand in the Gas Tank – January 15, 2017 – When a little is too much
Salt and Light – December 11, 2016 – Living “in” the world, but not “of ” it
The Left and the Right – November 20, 2016 – God’s Two Kingdoms
The Meaning of ‘Means’ – November 13, 2016 – How we receive God’s grace
Should Only the Baptized Commune? – October 30, 2016 – Is this a good rule?
Holy Things – July 10, 2016 – Do Lutherans believe in “holy objects”?
No Rules? – May 1, 2016 – How Lutherans traditionally understand God’s Law
How Wet do You Have to Be? – April 17, 2016 – It’s not how we do it
Bread & Wine or Body & Blood? – March 6, 2016 – Discerning Christ’s real presence
The Elementary of Elements – December 13, 2015 – What makes it communion?

Lutheran Culture

O Sacred Head … – April 14, 2019 – A favorite hymn with a unique back-story
Cotton Candy – July 8, 2018 – There’s no substitute for real nourishment
Pastors or Priests? – February 18, 2018 – Does the name matter?
“Sin Boldly” – February 4, 2018 – Did Luther REALLY Say this?
Where in the World are the Lutherans? – January 28, 2018 – By the numbers
Conversation and Consolation – August 14, 2016 – Building each other up in faith
The Pastor and ‘Ewe’ – January 24, 2016 – It’s all about tending the flock
Are Lutherans ‘Organic’ ? – September 20, 2015 – Yes, we do love our organ music!

Discipleship

Here we look at the personal lifestyle — the disciplines, rewards, and challenges — of a follower of Christ. Most of these Fish Hooks take the form of ‘meditations.’

Relationships in the Body of Christ

You Did It To Me – June 16, 2019 – The unmistakable mark of the true disciple
Fatal Distraction – January 20, 2019 – When we forget what’s important
No Wiggle Room – December 2, 2018 – The reality that may make us squirm
Body Parts – October 14, 2018 – Membership in His Body matters!
Playing Church ? – October 7, 2018 – It’s not ‘cute’ when grownups do it
Only Sinners Need Apply – September 16, 2018 – The truth about church members
Participation Optional? – September 9, 2018 – Examining church membership
Adversity and Glory – February 25, 2018 – Bearing the ‘cross’ of others
Fighting for Jesus? – January 8, 2017 – Christianity’s sorriest spectacle
Refuge – September 18, 2016 – Should Christians try to escape from the world?
Hanging Out with Jesus – December 27, 2015 – Not what many folks expect
The Gift of Appreciation – December 6. 2015 – Perhaps the finest gift of all
The Importance of ‘U’ – November 15, 2015 – What your chrch needs

Prayer

The Can’t-Miss Prayer – February 24, 2019 – It’s what God always wants to give you!
Prayer Partners (#2) – March 5, 2017 – A second aspect of effective prayer
Prayer Partners (#1) – February 26, 2017 – An important aspect of praying
Starting the Day Right – January 3, 2016 – The Breakfast of Christians

Generosity and Witness

What We Can Do – October 27, 2019 – When the sky seems to be falling!
Mercy and Grace – May 20, 2018 – The two sides of God’s gift of salvation
Pay It Forward – September 17, 2017 – God’s own practice of generosity
Fishing With Pickles – February 14, 2016 – It’s not as crazy as it sounds
The Mighty Mite and the Trusting Bite – December 20, 2015 – The joy of stewardship

The Daily Walk

Stairway to Heaven – January 19, 2020 – The universal longing to rise above it all
Numinous & Ineffable – October 20, 2019 – A pair of unusual but useful words
A Window of Grace – April 28, 2019 – When God redeems our tragedies
Moderately Christian? – February 17, 2019 – The danger of complacency
Amazing! – September 23,2018 – The relentless pursuit of our loving God
When Morning Dawns – June 24, 2018 – The wonderful assurance of God’s new day
Eyes Fixed on the Way – April 22, 2018 – The recipe for avoiding disaster
Trust or Sink! – April 1, 2018 – Floating on God’s grace
Illumination – January 14, 2018 – The light that gives confidence and meaning
Righteous! – January 7, 2018 – When it all comes together!
Did Jesus Go To Church? – December 24, 2017 – Countering a mistaken impression
Tale of Two Consciences – September 24, 2017 – Very different paths taken
The Right Fuel – September 3, 2017 – What goes into your tank matters!
Two Wolves? – July 9, 2017 – The battle that rages within
Responsivle Living – April 23, 2017 – Being a true disciple of Jesus
Comfort and Affliction – December 25, 2016 – Keeping us on course
Building it Right – May 22, 2016 – How you build it dictates how it lasts
REJECTED – January 17, 2016 – The pain and the promise
The Cornerstone – September 13, 2015 – The only sure foundation