One of the most striking lessons of the past two years is that the Lutheran Church does not lack for interest in its confessional theology. What has been missing is a platform to give such theology voice. Through the podcast On The Line, we have seen the evidence firsthand. With over 1.5 million views and downloads, a YouTube audience of more than 16,000 subscribers, and recognition as the number one LCMS channel online (www.adcrucem.news)1, the data tells a story that should encourage every confessional Lutheran. The more unapologetically theological and intellectually weighty an episode is, the stronger the response. Higher click rates, longer view durations, and richer engagement follow precisely when the conversation is most deeply confessional.
This should not surprise us—it is, after all, the DNA of our Synod. The LCMS was not built on watered-down theology but on the conviction that God’s Word, taught in its fullness, forms strong congregations and faithful Christians. What On The Line has demonstrated is that this hunger is alive and well not only within our pews but also among those curious about Lutheran thought. There is a broad and eager audience for substantive, rigorous Lutheran teaching when it is presented accessibly. The task before us now is to meet that hunger on a scale that can serve congregations everywhere and reclaim a public witness for Lutheran theology. That is precisely why the Lutheran Institute of Theology exists.
Why Renewal Is Needed: Internal and External
Across the United States and abroad, the habits of intellectual formation have changed dramatically. Increasingly, adults between the ages of 18 and 60 are turning to podcasts, YouTube channels, and online courses not only for entertainment but for their deeper learning. The trend is unmistakable. Recent studies show that more than 55% of Americans age 12 and older listen to at least one podcast per month2, and that 20% of U.S. adults regularly watch religious or spiritually focused videos online.3
What this means for us as Lutherans is clear. A growing share of our members are already being formed through digital platforms. If we do not offer faithful, confessional Lutheran content in those formats, they will look elsewhere. This is already visible in the widespread adoption of RightNow Media among LCMS congregations. Many churches subscribe to it not because they necessarily prefer its Evangelical theology, but because no comparable Lutheran platform currently exists. The result is that a member may receive a 20-minute sermon on Sunday and a one-hour Bible study from their pastor, yet spend dozens of additional hours every month being taught by Evangelical leaders online. The question must be asked: if this continues over the long trajectory of their Christian life, what will their theological ethos become? It is not difficult to imagine the subtle but significant ways in which distinctly Lutheran convictions could be eroded. Our confession of the sacraments, liturgy, vocation, creation, sanctification, and other topics can easily be reshaped under a steady diet of non-Lutheran teaching.
The audience is there. The hunger is there. And if we are absent, our people will be fed by others. The internal challenge before us is to ensure that confessional Lutherans have ready access to beautifully crafted, theologically rich, and pedagogically sound resources. Not simply a lecture to watch in passing, but systematic courses that pair cinematic video with written guides, key terms, and discussion prompts—tools that help individuals and groups truly internalize the faith.
Yet the challenge does not stop with our own people. There is also an external opportunity—and here, too, our absence has consequences. Imagine a 25-year-old man living in the western suburbs of Chicago. He grew up nominally Christian, but for years he has had no real connection to the Church. Then, like millions of others, he stumbles across the lectures of Jordan Peterson. Peterson often references Scripture and, in some cases, spends hours walking through biblical texts. For the first time in years, this young man begins to wonder whether the Bible might be more relevant than he had assumed.
Where will he turn next? Quite likely, he will encounter Peterson’s public conversations with Bishop Robert Barron. Searching YouTube for related themes, he will quickly be guided toward Catholic resources such as Word on Fire, which has reached millions globally, or the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. He may encounter the beautifully filmed catechetical series from Eastern Orthodoxy, or find Orthodox voices like Fr. Josiah Trenham. Evangelicals continue to dominate podcast charts with vast teaching networks; he may listen to Evangelical teachers such as Gavin Ortlund. Each of these traditions has built a substantial digital footprint. And while we can rejoice that this man has renewed interest in Christ, it is almost certain that he will never come across confessional Lutheran resources—not unless he happens upon a local congregation or goes digging specifically into denominational differences.
To be sure, there are exceptions, and it is important to acknowledge and commend the faithful work that has been done by confessional Lutherans. Programs such as Issues, Etc. and resources from pastors like Bryan Wolfmueller and William Weedon have carved out a digital voice. But when compared to the sheer volume and visibility of Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical offerings, the Lutheran presence is still very small. For this reason, if his search becomes a genuine conversion, the odds remain overwhelmingly in favor of this young man finding a home in another tradition, often without ever realizing that confessional Lutherans exist.
This is the sobering effect of our absence in the digital public square. While there is a growing cultural appetite for Christianity—even in secular intellectual circles—the Lutheran Church has little chance of being discovered unless we invest in building a visible, compelling presence. Without popular, beautifully produced theological resources backed by a sound business plan, we remain invisible to seekers who are otherwise wide open to hearing the gospel.
The Lutheran Institute of Theology: Feeding the Hunger
The Lutheran Institute of Theology seeks to change this. By producing resources that gain traction internally and showcase the best of our teachers publicly, LIT can help bring Lutheran theology into broader conversations. Together with platforms like On The Line and A Brief History of Power, the goal is not only to edify the Church but to position confessional Lutheran voices for invitations into wider cultural and ecumenical dialogues.
This will not happen overnight. Building digital influence takes time. But the effort has already begun, and the vision is clear: when Lutheranism enters the public square, it must be represented not by clickbait or watered-down teaching, but by theology that is unapologetically confessional and faithful to the ethos of our Synod.
If On The Line has shown us that there is a deep hunger for confessional theology, the Lutheran Institute of Theology represents our first concrete steps toward meeting that hunger. What we are building now is only the beginning. In this section, I want to describe what LIT looks like today—our current courses, structures, and resources. In the next section, we will turn toward the medium- and long-term goals that will grow this work further, both internally for our own members and externally for the wider world.
Course Format and Resources
From the beginning, we knew our courses had to be both professional and accessible. The backbone of every course is cinematic video, carefully produced to match the quality standards people now expect when they learn online. Each course runs six to eight sessions, with an average lecture length of about 30 minutes. These lectures deliver the core theological content in a way that is engaging and digestible.
But the video alone is not enough. Each course is accompanied by a polished, 30–40 page PDF workbook that supports and extends the learning. These workbooks include:
- Key terms and definitions to anchor understanding.
- Key takeaways to reinforce the most important points.
- Quizzes to help learners test whether they have internalized the content.
- Six discussion questions that can be used by families around the dinner table, by small groups in congregations, by classrooms, or even by boards of elders.
This combination of video and written materials draws on proven educational models from other sectors, but it is tailored here for theological formation. The goal is not simply that viewers watch a video, but that they are able to process, discuss, and truly integrate the material into their lives.
Five Pathways of Learning
To structure this growing library of courses, we have organized everything into five pathways that together cover the breadth of Lutheran theology. These are modeled on the divisions used in seminary education, with one important addition.
Scripture and Interpretation – The starting point of all theology. This pathway guides learners into a faithful, confessional approach to the Word, ensuring that formation begins with the source of truth itself.
Church History and Lutheran Heritage – Here we are grounded in the story of the Church. From the early centuries to the Reformation and beyond, we are taught by the giants who came before us and shown how Scripture has been faithfully interpreted with continuity and cohesion.
Doctrines of the Faith – This pathway teaches the core confessions of the Lutheran tradition, rooting learners in right doctrine and clear confession.
Theology in Story and Culture – The new addition, which mirrors the recovery of classical education in our time. This pathway explores the role of myth, literature, and imagination. Here we read Dante, Augustine, Lewis, Tolkien, and even Homer, seeing how story shapes culture and how the Christian imagination provides a truer and more beautiful vision.
Christian Life and Vocation – Finally, theology must be lived. This pathway applies all that has been learned to discipleship, work, community, and the vocations into which God calls his people.
Together, these five pathways offer a holistic picture of Christian formation. They do not reinvent the wheel, but lean on the structures and wisdom that have served the Church for centuries.
Example Courses
At launch, several courses are already available, taught by some of the LCMS’s most respected teachers:
Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz – The Art of Biblical Reading, a clear and accessible introduction to reading the Bible with confessional eyes.
Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann – Ethics and the Christian Life, exploring how theology informs daily conduct and vocation.
Rev. Dr. Christian Preus – Myths and Biblical Truth, showing both the beauty of classic literature and the stark contrast between pagan creation stories and the Christian confession.
Rev. Jacob Benson – The Story of the Saints, reawakening our imagination through the lives of faithful Christians who have gone before us.
These courses are not meant to replace the congregation’s weekly Bible study but to expand what is possible. They explore themes that many parishes would not have time to address on Sunday morning, yet which are vital for the formation of thoughtful, confident Lutherans.
Accessibility and Affordability
From the start, affordability has been a guiding principle. Individual subscriptions are set at $95 per year, while congregational subscriptions scale to about $10 per average attendee. This ensures that entire churches—large or small—can bring these resources into their life together.
At the same time, we have built LIT with an eye toward sustainability. Beautiful, cinematic production is not cheap, and it would be poor stewardship to cut corners. That is why the pricing model is coupled with donor support. Those who are passionate about this mission have already made it possible to launch, and ongoing generosity will allow us to scale. The goal is to keep costs affordable for churches while continuing to raise the standard of excellence in theological media.
Distinctives of LIT
Several distinctives set LIT apart from other efforts. (1) It is unapologetically confessional, designed to strengthen Lutheran identity rather than dilute it. (2) It is committed to professional production, recognizing that beauty and clarity honor the subject matter. (3) It is built to support pastors, not replace them, providing tools they can use in their ministry.
In short, LIT is the systematic way we will feed the hunger that On The Line uncovered. These are our first steps—courses, pathways, and resources designed to form the Church internally. But as we will see in the next section, they also lay the groundwork for the bigger goals ahead: initiatives that will broaden our external witness and make Lutheran theology more visible to the world.
Looking Ahead: Future Initiatives
Building off our initial launch, the courses already in production will remain the backbone of LIT. They will always be the steady rhythm of our work. But if we are to meet the hunger for confessional theology, we must also scale. That means moving toward larger, more ambitious projects—initiatives that blend rigorous theology with the beauty of cinematic media. With business success and donor support, these projects could reshape how Lutherans are formed internally and how Lutheran theology is perceived externally. Imagine how they could shape your family, strengthen your congregation, and place our confession in the wider cultural conversation.
A Cinematic Introduction to Lutheranism
One of the flagship initiatives we envision is a twelve-part cinematic series introducing Lutheranism through the Six Chief Parts of the Catechism. Each part would be covered across two full sessions, weaving careful teaching together with documentary-style storytelling filmed at historic Lutheran sites, both in America and abroad. Imagine learning about baptism while having it cinematically woven into on-site recordings of the church where Luther was baptized, or reflecting on confession while walking the cobblestone streets of Wittenberg.
This kind of project would provide something both intellectually engaging and visually compelling. Internally, it could serve as a resource to assist new members, encourage lifelong Lutherans revisiting the Catechism, or equip families who want to pass the faith to their children. Externally, it would present a polished and approachable introduction to Lutheran theology. Catholics have already shown through Bishop Barron’s Catholicism series how this kind of production can carry weight far beyond church walls. Done with excellence, a Lutheran counterpart could serve the same purpose—accessible enough to hand to a friend or colleague, yet deep enough to faithfully teach the heart of our confession.
Roundtable Series
Another major project is the creation of a roundtable discussion series. Modeled after the highly successful Gospels and Exodus projects hosted by Jordan Peterson and the Daily Wire, this would feature seven Lutheran scholars gathered around a table for extended conversations on major texts. Each series could span 12 sessions, with discussions running about two hours each, producing over 24 hours of theological dialogue.
These would not be simple talking-head lectures. The format would be filmed with professional quality and an eye for beauty—inviting, aesthetically pleasing, and deeply engaging. Imagine a panel of confessional theologians working through Genesis, John, or Acts, their conversation drawing out nuances in the text, sharpening one another, and showing how Scripture comes alive through Lutheran theology. Beyond the Bible, roundtables could also tackle the Lutheran Confessions or classic works of Christian thought.
The result would be an engaging resource for the Church: something pastors could use in study, students could benefit from in the classroom, and laypeople could enjoy in their homes. And because this format has already proven popular in broader cultural spaces, it could give Lutheran voices a much greater visibility outside our own circles.
Lutheran Apologetics Initiative
A third long-term goal is the creation of a dedicated Lutheran apologetics initiative. Catholics have the Catholic Answers website—a team producing content that addresses questions both from within their church and from the culture at large. Lutherans need something like this.
This initiative would not attempt to stand in the place of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) or offer new doctrinal statements. Instead, its focus would be at the lay level, helping ordinary Christians explain the faith clearly and confidently. How do you talk about the Lord’s Supper to a friend shaped by Evangelical theology? How do you answer cultural questions about gender, marriage, or morality in ways that are faithful to our confession? How do you explain why Lutheran theology matters in a crowded Christian marketplace? The goal is not to create new doctrine but to translate our confessional teaching into explanations and resources that ordinary people can use in conversation.
Internally, this would give members greater confidence in answering tough questions. Externally, it would show that Lutherans do not shrink from addressing challenges but are able to respond with clarity, depth, and conviction. Over time, this initiative could establish the LCMS as a clear confessional voice in an often confused religious landscape.
The Larger Purpose
All of these initiatives share the same purpose: to serve the Church with resources that deepen formation and to raise the visibility of Lutheran theology in the wider world. Internally, they provide faithful, beautifully produced tools for learning and discipleship. Externally, they ensure that when people go searching for serious Christianity, they find Lutheran clarity and not just the louder voices of other traditions. The hunger for confessional teaching is real. The people are ready for more. The question is whether we will meet them with excellence, courage, and faithfulness.
Conclusion
The lesson of the past few years has been unmistakable: there is a deep and living hunger for confessional theology. Our people want more than quick answers or shallow inspiration. They want to be rooted in God’s Word, confident in the Lutheran confession, and equipped to live faithfully in a world that often pushes in the opposite direction.
The Lutheran Institute of Theology exists to meet that hunger with clarity, beauty, and conviction. From our initial courses to the larger projects on the horizon, the goal is the same: to strengthen congregations internally and to extend Lutheran theology into the wider conversation where it is desperately needed.
The opportunity before us is great. Catholics, Orthodox, and Evangelicals have already shown what is possible when theological depth is paired with professional excellence. Lutherans are called to do no less. By God’s grace, we are uniquely positioned to speak into this moment—not with vague spirituality or cultural accommodation, but with the truth of Christ rooted in the ongoing beauty of the Lutheran Church.
Our task now is simple but urgent: to build, to teach, and to share. The hunger is real. The people are ready. May God grant us the courage and faithfulness to meet this moment for the sake of his Church and for the witness of His Gospel in the world.
Endnotes
1 https://www.adcrucem.news/p/update-ranking-the-lutheran-youtubers
2 backlinko.com/podcast-stats
3 www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/06/02/use-of-apps-and-websites-in-religious-life
