One Body: Why We Should Apply Theology and Care About Distinctions

Lesson 03 in our series (series began September 7, 2025)

⁠Click here to view the lesson slides⁠

Lesson Summary:

This week we emphasize that good theology is applied theology. We introduce a vital set of theological distinctions—beginning with the Creator–creature distinction—and show how they clarify identity, sin, freedom, vocation, and the Incarnation. We also explore why pastors preach to a people in a place, how motives shape pastoral care (“Why do you want to know?”), and how doctrine guides real-world decisions (e.g., COVID questions about gathering and the Lord’s Supper).

Key takeaways:

• Applied theology: sound doctrine must be pastorally applied to motives, relationships, and future implications.

• Creator–creature: meaning, purpose, and identity come from God; sin is rebellion against the Creator’s good order.

• Freedom in Christ: gospel freedom isn’t autonomy; it’s release from sin’s bondage to live within God’s design.

• Theological method: ask “Why do you want to know?” to discern whether to apply Law (warning) or Gospel (comfort).

• Real-world case study: pandemic-era decisions revealed what we truly believed about Word & Sacrament, courage, prudence, and care.

Resources mentioned (levels):

• Intro: Robert Kolb, The Christian Faith.

• Intermediate: Called to Believe, Teach, and Confess

• Advanced: Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics (3 vols); J.T. Müller, Christian Dogmatics (condensed).

• Confessional base: Book of Concord (Concordia: Reader’s Edition).

This class is taught by: Rev. Matt Doebler, pastor of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Norfolk, VA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (LCMS)⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TLCnorfolk.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our mission is to make disciples and make them stronger through Word and Sacrament. (Mt. 28: 18-20)