Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley discuss how our identity is found in our relationship with God instead of our works. When our relationship is secured in the righteousness of Christ, then our will is free to share life with God and with other people. Without Christ, our lives are lived in bondage to our transactions.

You can learn more by reading Dr. Martin Luther’s Bondage of the Will.

This episode features a beer from a Wisconsin brewery, Stubborn Brothers Brewery. Mike and his wife went for a ride in their camper around Lake Michigan. He had a great Reuben there and enjoyed the beer. American Wheat. Shawano has to be a great city because this is where this beer is from, but also because this is where Evan was born.

Sweet Peel American Wheat.

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley continue their conversation about Martin Luther’s response to Erasmus about the condition of the human will. This episode focuses on why Martin Luther thinks this conversation is important. Righteousness according to moral efforts will always fall short, and God desires that we find our righteousness by having faith in Him. This sort of righteousness must be revealed by God Himself and is not found by our own vain quests for holiness.

Griffin Claw’s Macchiato.

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner review De Servo Arbitrio, which means Bondage of the Will, by Martin Luther. It was published in 1525 in response to Erasmus’ work from 1524 on humanity in De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio or On Free Will. The first part of this book by Luther is a recounting of the arguments made by Erasmus. This podcast picks up with Luther’s position. Luther walks through key passages of Scripture to show that the work of God is necessary for salvation.

This episode is the beginning of a multi-part examination of this fundamental work by Martin Luther.

Spotted Cow by New Glarus Brewing Company. This beer is only available for purchase in Wisconsin but has become well known throughout the midwest.