Just and Sinner Podcast
A weekly discussion of theology from a Lutheran perspective. The podcast explores topics such as scripture, doctrine, and the Christian life, aiming to provide a clear and confessional Lutheran voice. Hosted by Jordan B Cooper, it offers in-depth analysis and commentary on theological issues.
Episodes
The Lord's Supper (Intro to Christian Theology)
This episode covers the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, discussing different views among Christians about its purpose, nature, and mode.
The Doctrine of Holy Baptism (Intro to Christian Theology)
This episode covers the nature, efficacy, mode, and recipients of the sacrament of Baptism.
The Sacraments (Intro to Theology)
This episode covers the nature and definition of sacraments in the continuation of the Introduction to Christian Theology series.
The Law and Gospel Distinction (Intro to Theology)
In this next part of the Introduction to Christian Theology series, we look at the distinction between the Law and the Gospel.
A Response to Jay Dyer on the Reformation
This episode is a response to some recent comments made by Eastern Orthodox apologist Jay Dyer on the Reformation from the Tucker Carlson show.
The Word as a Means of Grace (Intro to Theology)
This episode continues the Introduction to Christian Theology series. In this talk, I discuss the nature of the Word of God as a means of grace.
Philosophy and Theology: A Lutheran Perspective
This episode is a discussion with Dr. Nathan Greeley about his book Philosophy and Theology: A Lutheran Perspective
The Work of the Holy Spirit (Intro to Christian Theology)
This continuation of the Introduction to Christian Theology series covers the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
The Life and Theology of Revere Franklin Weidner
This episode is a discussion of the life and thought of American Lutheran theologian Revere Franklin Weidner.
A Discussion with Joel Biermann about Lutheran Unity, Disagreement, and Virtue
This episode is a discussion with Dr. Joel Biermann on a number of issues related to the Lutheran church today and into the future.
The Kingdom of God (Intro to Christian Theology)
This episode in the Introduction to Christian Theology series covers the Kingdom of God.
Christ as King (Intro to Christian Theology)
This continuation of the Introduction to Christian Theology series covers Christ's office as King.
The Lutheran Covenant Theology of Johann Wolfgang Jager
This episode covers the thought of Johann Wolfgang Jager who introduced Federal Theology into Lutheranism in the beginning of the eighteenth century.
The Priesthood of Christ (Intro to Christian Theology)
This continuation of the Intro to Christian Theology series covers the priesthood of Christ, including his active and passive obedience and the nature of his satisfactory death.
A Lutheran Approach to Christian Ethics: Revere Franklin Weidner as a Guide
This third talk from a recent conference on ethics discusses the thought of Revere Franklin Weidner in his work A System of Christian Ethics.
The Lutheran Doctrine of Christian Obedience
This is the second talk of three at a recent conference on Christian ethics at Hope Lutheran Church (AALC) in Williamsburg, VA. In this talk, I explain the teaching of the Lutheran confessions on sanctification, the third use of the law, and virtue.
Christ as Prophet (Intro to Christian Theology)
In this latest episode in the Intro to Christian Theology series, I discuss the threefold office of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King, focusing here on Christ's prophetic office.
Did the Church Fathers Teach "Western" Views of Atonement?
This episode addresses claims that the supposed "Western" view of the atonement, as expressed by St. Anselm, was foreign to the early church, and that the Eastern church represents the authentic tradition.
The Exaltation of Christ (Intro to Christian Theology)
This continued section of the Intro to Christian Theology series covers Christ's exaltation, including his descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension.
Christian Thomasius and the Move Away from Scholasticism
This part of the Makers of the Modern World series discusses the ideas of the Lutheran philosopher and theologian Christian Thomasius who changed the way people in Europe began to think about philosophy, law, and scholarship.
Samuel Pufendorf on Natural Law and Voluntarism
This episode is part of the ongoing "Makers of the Modern World" series. In this video, I look at an influential Lutheran philosopher and theologian named Samuel Pufendorf in the mid-seventeenth century and his contribution to the decline of traditional understandings of natural law.
An Overview of the Most Essential Lutheran Theologians
This episode is an overview of the major names and trends in Lutheran theology from the sixteenth century through the beginning of the twentieth century.
What Does it Mean to be Human? An Apologetic
This is the second of two lectures I delivered in Finland on Christian apologetics. This second part discusses how Christianity answers the fundamental questions and struggles of human life.
Christian Apologetics Amid the Meaning Crisis
This is a talk I delivered at an apologetics conference in Finland in 2025 on the meaning crisis and how Christians can and should respond.
Correcting Misrepresentations of the Reformation and Lutheran History
This episode is a response to some common misperceptions about the history of the Reformation which pervade many reenchantment narratives.
The Humiliation of Christ (Intro to Christian Theology)
This continuation of the Introduction to Christian Theology series covers Christ's humiliation.
Gabriel Biel and the End of Scholasticism (Makers of the Modern World)
This part of the Makers of the Modern World series covers the thought of the last of the medieval scholastics: Gabriel Biel.
William of Ockham and Late Medieval Nominalism (Makers of the Modern World)
In this episode, we continue the Makers of the Modern World series with a discussion of William of Ockham, the most influential medieval nominalist.
Sola Gratia, Nature, Grace, and Nominalism
This episode is part of a series of discussions between me, Gavin Ortlund, and Michael Horton, on the theology and history of the Reformation in response to common critiques.
On the Two Natures in Christ (Intro to Christian Theology)
In this part of our Intro to Christian Theology series, I discuss the two natures in Christ.
A Guide to Reasoning and Debating Well
This episode covers some of the basic things everyone should know when engaging in argument or debate, including an overview of some of the most common logical fallacies.
The Doctrine of Divine Providence (Intro to Christian Theology Lesson 9)
This part of the continuing Introduction to Christian Theology series addresses the doctrine of divine providence, exploring the relation between human freedom and divine action.
John Duns Scotus and Late Medieval Scholasticism (Makers of the Modern World)
This part of the Makers of the Modern World series addresses the ideas of the medieval theologian and philosopher John Duns Scotus.
The Doctrine of Predestination (Introduction to Theology Lesson 8)
In this part of our introduction to theology series, I discuss the doctrine of predestination or election.
A Conversation with Robert George on Rights, Postliberalism, and Religious Pluralism
This is a conversation with Dr. Robert George, professor at Princeton, on his recent book Seeking Truth and Speaking Truth. We discussed several issues related to culture, academia, theology, and politics.
Leibniz and the Birth of German Rationalism (Makers of the Modern World)
This continuation of the Makers of the Modern World series covers the birth of rationalism in Germany, which eventually led to the marginalization of Lutheran orthodoxy in the academy.
Why the Council of Nicea Matters Today (Part 2)
This is the second in a series of talks delivered at the Eastern Regional Conference of the AALC on the history and theology of the Council of Nicea.
The Fall and Sin (Intro to Theology Lesson 7)
This seventh part of the Introduction to Theology series covers the Fall of Humanity and the penalty of sin.
Why the Council of Nicea Matters Today (Part 1)
This is a talk I presented to the Eastern Regional Conference of the American Association of Lutheran Churches on the history and theology of the Council of Nicea.
Infant Baptism in the Second and Third Centuries
This is the third episode in a series on infant baptism. In this program, I discuss evidence in early Christian writing outside of the time period outside of the New Testament.
The Theological Case for Baptizing Infants
This is the second episode in a series on infant Baptism. In this program, I provide the theological justification for the practice.
Why Did Christian Apologists Stop Using Classical Arguments for God's Existence?
This episode is a discussion of the loss of the classical arguments that are found in St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa for the existence of God among evangelical apologists.
The Doctrine of Human Nature (Intro to Theology Lesson 6)
This sixth part of the Introduction to Christian Theology series discusses theological anthropology. What is man?
Creation, Providence, and the Angels (Intro to Theology Lesson 5)
This fifth episode of the Introduction to Theology series addresses the doctrines of creation, divine providence, and the angels.
The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity (Intro to Theology Lesson 4)
This is the fourth program in the Introduction to Theology series. In this talk, I discuss the doctrine of the Trinity.
Sola Scriptura in a Post-Christian World
This is a talk I delivered in Finland on the topic of Sola Scriptura and current issues that people are facing in the Western world.
The Evidence for Infant Baptism in the First Century: A Response to Gavin Ortlund
This program is a discussion of the evidence for infant baptism in the first century.
How Do Truth, Goodness, and Beauty Relate to God and Meaning in Life?
This is a dialogue from my recent trip to Finland with an atheist philosopher professor on meaning in life. The event was hosted by the Veritas Forum.
Virtue in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Traditions
This is a talk I gave at a recent conference featuring Roman Catholic and Lutheran theologians speaking to the topic of virtue.
The Essence and Attributes of God (Intro to Christian Theology Lesson Three)
This is the third episode of our Introduction to Christian Theology series. In this talk, I discuss the nature of God and his attributes.
The Doctrine of Holy Scripture (Intro to Christian Theology Lesson Two)
This second episode of our series of talks on Christian theology explores the doctrine of Holy Scripture.
An Introduction to Theology (Lesson One)
This episode is the first in a series of introductory talks on the main topics of Christian theology. In this first lecture, I discuss the nature of theology as a discipline, as well as how theology relates to our lives and to other disciplines.
The Development of Virtue
This third talk on Lutheran spirituality discusses the nature of virtue and how to develop virtuous character.
How the Mystical Union Forms Us
This is the second talk in a series of three lectures on Lutheran spirituality. In this talk, I discuss the mystical union and its impact on the Christian life.
What Does Lutheranism Have to Say About Ethics?
This is the first of three talks on Lutheran spirituality. In this first lecture, I discuss ethics from a Lutheran approach.
A Lutheran Approach to Holy Orders
This episode discusses Arthur Carl Piepkorn's overview of the Confessional teaching about the Office of the Holy Ministry.
Love Defines What It Means to Be Human (Divine Love Part 4)
This is the fourth part of our series on Ernst Sartorius's The Doctrine of Divine Love.
The Early Church and Baptism
This is a continuation of the recent interaction that happened between Stuart Knechtle and an Ethiopian Orthodox deacon.
A Defense of the Real Presence of Christ
In this video, I provide thoughts on the recent conversation between an Ethopian Orthodox Christian from Harvard and Evangelical apologist Stuart Knechtle.
How the Modern World Misunderstands Freedom: A Conversation with Brad Littlejohn
This episode is a discussion with Brad Littlejohn about his book Called to Freedom.
Christian Nationalism: A Lutheran Evaluation
This is a talk that I gave at the 2024 AALC Pastor's Conference on the subject of Christian Nationalism. I talked about what this movement is, and then explored Luther's view of the state and its relationship to the church.
The Eternal Relations Between Father, Son, and Spirit as Giving and Receiving Love (Divine Love 3)
This program is a discussion of eternal generation and procession as giving and receiving love between Father, Son, and Spirit. It is the third in a series on Ernst Sartorius's book The Doctrine of Divine Love.
How the Church Can Help Men In Crisis
This third talk on the issues faced by men in the modern world presents some of the ways that the church can help to address this crisis.
A Christian Examination of the Manosphere
This is the second of three talks I presented at a men's conference on Long Island on the crisis of men in the contemporary world. In this one, I discuss the manosphere and what Christians should think about it.
The Beatific Vision with Sam Parkison
This episode is an interview with Dr. Sam Parkison on the subject of the beatific vision. We discuss it's place in medieval and classical Protestant theology.
The Trinity as Eternal Love (Doctrine of Divine Love Part 2)
This second part of the discussion of Ernst Sartorius's Doctrine of Divine Love begins an exploration of Trinitarian love.
Why Are We So Disconnected?
This is a talk I presented to the Cornell Political Union on the nature of human connection, and why it is that people today feel so disconnected and lonely.
Why Remain Lutheran
This is the second talk in a series I presented on Lutheranism in Wilmington, NC. In this talk, I give reasons to remain Lutheran, as I explain the benefits of the Lutheran approach to the Christian life.
Why Be Lutheran
This is the first talk I gave at a conference in Wilmington, NC on the subject: Why Be Lutheran.
A Guide to Godliness from Johann Gerhard
This episode overviews some advice on godly living from Johann Gerhard's Schola Pietatis. I discuss prayer, proper preparation for the sacrament, and meditation.
Lutherans and Roman Catholics in Dialogue
This episode overviews the Lutheran and Roman Catholic dialogues that followed Vatican II in the 1960s. I introduce the talks about the Office of the Holy Ministry and the Eucharist.
Thomas Hobbes on the State (Makers of the Modern World)
This episode is a continuation of the Makers of the Modern World series. In this program, I discuss the influential political philosopher Thomas Hobbes and his view of the commonwealth and the magistrate.
David Hume (Makers of the Modern World)
This video covers David Hume's skeptical philosophy and its influence on the way people think in the modern world.
Lutheran Christology Defended From Scripture (A Second Response to Gavin Ortlund)
This episode is a defense from the Lutheran perspective on the communication of attributes from Christ's divine to his human nature in Scripture. This is a continuation of the last program which addressed common misconceptions about the Lutheran view.
Why Poetry Matters: A Discussion with Lisa Cooper
This episode is a discussion I had with my wife, Lisa Cooper, about poetry and her new book Hasty Corporeal Ink.
A Response to Gavin Ortlund on Christology
This episode is the first in a series reviewing Gavin Ortlund's recent critique of Lutheran Christology. I discuss the nature of attributions regarding the two natures, the relationship between the natures, and what Lutherans actually mean when we talk about the omnipresence of Christ's human nature.
A Response to a Roman Catholic Critique on Luther's View of Vocation
This program is a response to a recent video from the Roman Catholic YouTuber Brian Holdsworth who gave a critique of the idea of the "Protestant work ethic" centered on Luther's approach to work and vocation more broadly.
The Doctrine of Divine Love, or How Theology Relates to Ethics (Sartorius's Divine Love Part 1)
This is the first episode that overviews the masterful work of theology and ethics, The Doctrine of Divine Love by Ernst Sartorius. This is connected to the broader deep dive into the unio mystica that we have been doing this year.
An Introduction to Luther's Catechisms
In our continued effort to overview the entirety of the Book of Concord, this episode marks the beginning of our look at Luther's Catechisms.
John Henry Newman on Papal Infallibility
This episode is the third in a series on Vatican I and the dogma of Papal infallibility. In this part, I discuss John Henry Newman's development hypothesis.
Recommended
紐約鳥｜New York Aperture
The Swerve Podcast: Obscure Topics | Conspiracy Theories
The Bread and Banter Podcast
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Busted Open
Deadline: White House
Crickets Corner
History of the Earthquake and Fire in San Francisco
Fox news
K-Drama Obsessed Mamas | Beyond “Just One More Episode!”
True Crime Classics
The Healer Revolution
