The Lutheran History Podcast

The Lutheran History Podcast interviews professional and independent historians on their work, covering over 500 years of Lutheranism. We hear new stories, examine old heroes of faith, and dig into the who, how, what, and why of history-making.

The Lutheran History Podcast is a history podcast hosted by Benjamin Phelps, with 81 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Benjamin Phelps hosts The Lutheran History Podcast, a history show with 81 episodes published.

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  Episode #9

  TLHP 80 "The Lutheran Hymnal" (TLH) and Americanization in the Synodical Conference with Elisabeth Urtel

  May 1, 20261h 7mS6

  <p>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 change. The discussion examines how the shift from German and other immigrant languages to English shaped Lutheran identity in America, the theological and musical principles that guided the hymnal committee, and the challenges of translating and selecting hymns that would faithfully carry th...

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  Episode #8

  TLHP 79 The Reformation of Suffering with Ronald Rittgers

  Apr 3, 202638 minS6

  <p>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.  </p><p>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.</p><p>Finally, we discussed how our current age seeks to distance itself from questions and acknowledgment of suffering and its proper theological framework and pastoral applications. </p><p>Many thanks to my wonderful supporters!</p>...

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  Episode #8

  TLHP 78 Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART II

  Mar 6, 202631 minS6

  <p>Image: Mythic depiction of PETER MUHLENBERG AT WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA</p><p><b>Note: the guest wishes to clarify that he meant a $10 bill, not $100, in reference to Hamilton.</b></p><p>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 sides of the conflict—Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral—understood the war through a shared theological vocabulary of p...

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  Episode #7

  TLHP 77 Lutherans and the American Revolution: God on Three Sides with Jonathan Wilson PART I

  Feb 6, 202648 minS6

  <p>Image: German and British officers with a chaplain in 1777. </p><p>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 sides of the conflict—Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral—understood the war through a shared theological vocabulary of providence, suffering, discipline, and faithful endurance.<br/><br/>Wilson treats Pietism broadly, using the term to describe a transatlantic devot...

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  Episode #6

  TLHP 76 Lutheranism and American Culture in the Civil War Era with Tim Grundmeier

  Jan 16, 20261h 2mS6

  <p>In today's episode, we welcome back Dr. Tim Grundmeier from MLC to talk about his newly published book.</p><p>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 historic doctrines deemed too Catholic and cooperating with Anglo-evangelicals in revivalism and social reform. However, by the mid-1870s, most Lutherans had rejected this view. Though they remained proudly American, most embraced a religious identity characterized by a...

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