ATP Archives

The following list can help you choose which columns to read or download. Use the "find" function of your browser to search for keywords. Please look through these answers before asking your question--you might find that it's already been answered. If you don't see the answer, then, of course "Ask the Pastor!"

I do not discourage sharing these columns with others, but please note that each is copyrighted and may only be disseminated intact unless given express written consent by the author.

Due to the large number of questions:

1. I cannot answer everyone. This is not only because of volume, but also because some questions, especially those comparing denominations and the like, are best answered by members of those groups. Remember, I am a Lutheran pastor and this is my perspective.
2. When I am able to answer, or find someone to help with a question, it may take almost a month for a response. However, if you believe that yours is an emergency situation or you need a rapid response for an upcoming event, please indicate that in the subject of your email and, if possible, I'll hurry an answer to you.

These archives are in ASCII (.txt) format that can be read by any computer capable of web browsing. Columns are also grouped together in bundles of 50 in PKZip (.zip) format.

Articles are listed in the order written. Numbers 0001-0203 were written in Jasper, Texas. Number 0204 and following were written in Emma, Missouri, either for the Concordian or for direct-to-net distribution. You may choose at any time to subscribe to the column or you can simply come up with your own question to Ask the Pastor.

Head on down the page if you're ready to read or download the columns.

• 0001 Introductory Notes. What Does "Pastor" Mean? Do I Need to Go to Church?
• 0002 O. J. Simpson Verdict; Murder. Sabbath and Sabaoth. Divorce and Remarriage.
• 0003 Loose Tongues and Gossip. Pastoral Care and Visits. Clergy Shirts and Collars.
• 0004 Homosexuality, Genetics, Original Sin.
• 0005 Original Sin.
• 0006 Infant Baptism, Baptismal Regeneration, and Original Sin.
• 0007 Chicken Pox. Exercise and Fitness. Psychiatry and Psychology.
• 0008 Thanksgiving Day Special Column.
• 0009 Holy Communion: Disposal of the Elements. The Season of Advent.
• 0010 Jesus: Truth or Fiction?
• 0011 Christians in Cyberspace: Internet Good, Bad, and Ugly.
• 0012 Christmas Trees in Church. Church Architecture: Sanctuary and Nave.
• 0013 Glad Tidings of Great Joy: Christmas Special Column.
• 0014 Name and Circumcision of Jesus. Lord's Supper: "Open" and "Closed" Communion.
• 0015 Pain and Suffering: Why do "Bad" Things Happen to "Good" People?
• 0016 The Joke's On Us: Humor in Preaching.
• 0017 Sensitivity to Humor and Culture.
• 0018 Fasting and Submission: The Islamic Month of Ramadan
• 0019 Old Age Issues. Pastor Snyder's Book on Doctrine in Russian and Kazak.
• 0020 The Good Book and Good Books: Finding Quality Christian Literature.
• 0021 The Holy Season of Lent: Springtime Grows from the Ashes.
• 0022 The Moving Date of Easter.
• 0023 The Name "Easter": Is it Pagan or Christian?
• 0024 "Born Again": God's Choice or Man's?
• 0025 Why Gamble? God Provides a Sure Thing.
• 0026 The "Good Old Days" of the Christian Church.
• 0027 Hosannas and Palm Branches: Palm Sunday Special Column.
• 0028 Easter Special Column: The Passover Completed.
• 0029 Prayer: Heart to Heart with God.
• 0030 Prayer: Looking for the Answer.
• 0031 How do I Pray? The Lord's Prayer and Other Models.
• 0032 Picking Fruit from the Grapevine: The Sin of Gossip.
• 0033 Small Talk and Nice News.
• 0034 Boys' and Girls' Clubs.
• 0035 How Various Churches Got Their Names.
• 0036 Trinity Sunday. More on Church, Sect, and Cult Names.
• 0037 The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Covetousness (Avarice), Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, and Sloth.
• 0038 The Seven Virtues: The Four Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, and Justice).
• 0039 The Seven Virtues: The Three Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity).
• 0040 "Train Up a Child": Parents as the First Teachers.
• 0041 God's Ways and Plans: Foreknowledge, Predestination, Sin and Salvation. Two Jokes.
• 0042 Texas District LWML Convention.
• 0043 Beer (and Other Alcohol) in the Bible and the Christian's Life.
• 0044 Life's Olympic Struggles and God's Olympic Peace.
• 0045 Requirements for Joining a Church.
• 0046 Forgive, Forget, or File Suit? Legal Action and Church Discipline.
• 0047 Getting in God's Face for Good: Coming to the Lord in Prayer.
• 0048 The Faith Speaks; our Faith Responds.
• 0049 Sermon Preparation.
• 0050 Ethical Dilemma: Are These Fingers Walking All Over the Ten Commandments?