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The Lutheran History Podcast

The Lutheran History Podcast

Benjamin Phelps 81 Episodes May 1, 2026

The Lutheran History Podcast features interviews with professional and independent historians about their research, spanning over 500 years of Lutheran history. Each episode uncovers fresh stories, revisits significant figures of the faith, and explores the people, processes, and motivations behind historical events. The show aims to deepen understanding of how Lutheran history has been shaped.

Episodes

TLHP 80 "The Lutheran Hymnal" (TLH) and Americanization in the Synodical Conference with Elisabeth Urtel
TLHP 80 "The Lutheran Hymnal" (TLH) and Americanization in the Synodical Conference with Elisabeth Urtel May 1, 2026 3990 In this episode, 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 Missouri, Wisconsin, Norwegian, and Slovak synods of the Synodical Conference worked together to produce a shared English-language hymnal during a time of profound cultural chang
TLHP 79 The Reformation of Suffering with Ronald Rittgers
TLHP 79 The Reformation of Suffering with Ronald Rittgers Apr 3, 2026 2259 In this episode, we talk with Dr. Ronald Rittgers about his book The Reformation of Suffering: Pastoral Theology and Lay Piety in Late Medieval and Early Modern Germany.  Join us for a fascinating discussion of what was retained from the Late-Medieval focus on human suffering in the Reformation, and what was incompatible with the renewed focus on the biblical doctrine of salvation.Finally, we disc
TLHP 78 Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART II
TLHP 78 Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART II Mar 6, 2026 1842 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 God on Three Sides, Jonathan M. Wilson explores how German Pietist communities experienced and interpreted the American Revolution, a war that forced believers to wrestle with loyalty, violence, and obedience to God in a time of politic
TLHP 77 Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART I
TLHP 77 Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART I Feb 6, 2026 2859 Image: German and British officers with a chaplain in 1777. In God on Three Sides, Jonathan M. Wilson explores how German Pietist communities experienced and interpreted the American Revolution, a war that forced believers to wrestle with loyalty, violence, and obedience to God in a time of political upheaval. Drawing on sermons, letters, and personal writings, Wilson shows how Pietists on all sid
TLHP 76 Lutheranism and American Culture in the Civil War Era with Tim Grundmeier
TLHP 76 Lutheranism and American Culture in the Civil War Era with Tim Grundmeier Jan 16, 2026 3711 In today's episode, we welcome back Dr. Tim Grundmeier from MLC to talk about his newly published book.Lutheranism and American Culture examines the transformation of the nation’s third-largest Protestant denomination over the course of the nineteenth century. In the antebellum era, leading voices within the church believed that the best way to become American was by modifying certain histori
TLHP 75 Full Citation:Utilizing an Archival Storehouse with Nathan Ericson
TLHP 75 Full Citation:Utilizing an Archival Storehouse with Nathan Ericson Dec 12, 2025 2539 The most important WELS history resource might not sit on a shelf — it’s already in your browser.In this episode, we sit down with Professor Nathan Ericson, Library Director at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and Editor of the Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, to explore the quiet engine behind much of modern WELS scholarship: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Digital Library. We discuss how thousands of digiti
TLHP 74 Martin and Katherina's Marriage: Details Less Often Told with Nathaniel Biebert
TLHP 74 Martin and Katherina's Marriage: Details Less Often Told with Nathaniel Biebert Oct 31, 2025 3150 What was it like to witness Martin Luther’s wedding—and even his bridal chamber? In this episode, we explore Justus Jonas’s vivid letter announcing Luther’s marriage to Katharina von Bora, complete with tears, friends, and ancient wedding customs that may shock modern ears. Along the way, we’ll uncover the surprising role of the best man, the significance of Luther’s marriage for Reformation theol
TLHP 73 Who was Siegbert Becker? with John Brenner
TLHP 73 Who was Siegbert Becker? with John Brenner Oct 3, 2025 2315 In this episode 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 will be introduced to Becker’s life, teaching, and legacy, and gain a better understanding of the challenges he faced—and the convictions he held—in a time of great th
TLHP 72  Pennsylvania’s “Youthful Daughter” the Early History of the Wisconsin Synod with Tim Grundmeier
TLHP 72 Pennsylvania’s “Youthful Daughter” the Early History of the Wisconsin Synod with Tim Grundmeier Sep 5, 2025 3305 In this episode 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 Lutheran Quarterly (Spring 2025). While many are familiar with the Wisconsin Synod’s early ties to German mission societies and eventual fellowship with the Missouri Sy
TLHP 71 Who was Henry A. Koch?
TLHP 71 Who was Henry A. Koch? Aug 8, 2025 3060 In this special episode, 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 on confessional Lutheranism in both Germany and America. Phelps shares personal insights drawn from years of research, including access to Koch’s letters, diary, and
TLHP 70 The Wisconsin Synod Prints in German
TLHP 70 The Wisconsin Synod Prints in German Jun 6, 2025 2176 This is a special episode 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. Originally established in the Milwaukee area as the Die erste deutsch. evang.-luth. Synode von Wisconsin, this German immigrant ecclesiastical organization, immediately needed print
TLHP 69 Christ Through Us- WELS 175th Pictorial History with Joel Otto
TLHP 69 Christ Through Us- WELS 175th Pictorial History with Joel Otto May 2, 2025 1403 In this WELS 175th episode, we talk with Joel Otto, the anniversary committee chairman, about the pictorial history book Christ Through Us, which he co-authored with John Braun.Many thanks to my wonderful supporters!Support the showConfessional Languages ScholarshipThe Wauwatosa Diary (book)YouTube (even more behind-the-scenes videos available for Patreon members).SubstackWebsiteInterview Request

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