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Artwork for On The Line

On The Line

Bryan Stecker
Christianity
Lutheran Church
Theology
Lutheranism
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Sacraments
Martin Luther
Liturgy
Secularism
Lutheran Church—missouri Synod
Justification
Lutheran Theology
Islam
Christian Faith
Augsburg Confession
Spiritual Warfare
Evangelization
Mormonism
Mental Health
Apologetics

OTL is the Lutheran, Long-Form podcast that engages Theology and Culture. New Episodes Every Monday!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes146Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for On The Line

Latest Episodes

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Pastor John Henry to talk about Beowulf, Tolkien, pagan courage, and Christian storytelling. Pastor Henry explains why old myths still matter, how Beowulf brings the pagan past into a Christian frame, and... more

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Rev. Dr. Richard Stuckwisch to talk about adiaphora, the Lutheran liturgy, the Divine Service, and why what the Church does teaches and confesses. Dr. Stuckwisch explains why Christian freedom should be u... more

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Dr. John Bombaro to talk about marriage, holy matrimony, and why the Church needs a deeper sacramental understanding of the union between husband and wife. Dr. Bombaro argues that holy matrimony is not me... more

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Peter Bloedel to talk about creativity, storytelling, theater, magic, Christian education, and the arts.

Check Out Our New Website: ontheline.net/

Support the Launch of LIT: institute.ont... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Richard Stuckwisch
District President, Indiana District
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)
Episode: Dr. Richard Stuckwisch | What Makes The Lutheran Liturgy Lutheran?
John Bombaro
pastor and theologian
Grace Lutheran Church, San Diego
Episode: Dr. John Bombaro | The Biblical Vision of Marriage We’ve Forgotten
Peter Bloedel
Theater professor and creative leader at Bethany Lutheran College; focuses on creativity, education, and Christian art
Bethany Lutheran College
Episode: Peter Bloedel | Why Creativity Needs Tradition
Dr. Joshua Miller
Pastor, VP of Minnesota South District, adjunct professor
Luther Seminary; Jehovah Lutheran Church (St. Paul)
Episode: Dr. Josh Miller | The Church Cannot Become a Political Tool
Dr. Donna Harrison
CEO of American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), OB-GYN
American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG)
Episode: Dr. Donna Harrison | The Pill, Abortion, IVF—and the War on Human Life
Alfonso Espinosa
Dr. of Theology and LCMS pastor-theologian
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church Irvine; Concordia Publishing House author
Episode: Dr. Alfonso Espinosa | The Rapture, Israel, & End Times: Is Dispensationalism Biblical?
Benjamin Mayes
PhD, author of Divorce and Remarriage, Ecclesiastical Discernment and Pastoral Care
Fort Wayne Seminary / Concordia Theological Seminary
Episode: Dr. Benjamin Mayes | What Does Christianity Actually Teach About Marriage and Divorce?
Javier Perdomo
Speaker with a background in Baptist evangelicalism who became Lutheran
Self-described former Baptist, now Lutheran
Episode: Javier Perdomo | Why I Left the Baptist Church (and Why I Didn't Become Catholic)
Matt Whitman
Guest, author and theologian who discusses denominations and Eucharistic theology
Theological commentator and author
Episode: An Outsider Explains Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans & Evangelicals | Matt Whitman

Hosts

Bennett
Host of On The Line with frequent appearance across episodes; associated with On The Line
Bryan Stecker
Co-host with multiple episode appearances; key figure on the show

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 404 ratings
  • Great resource!

    It’s a great resource!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Podcasting Christian
    United States2 months ago
  • Wonderful

    Exploring Lutheranism and this podcast is a fantastic resource

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rdettmer13
    United States2 months ago
  • Great thoughts

    I really enjoyed the interviews with Matt and Noah. Great topics. Thanks Bryan

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Dirks33
    United States3 months ago
  • Helped Me To Understand What It Means to Be LCMS

    I’m a lifelong Lutheran who has never fully understood what we believe surrounding communion (true body and blood, but not transubstantiation, huh??), baptism, and a million more things. Basically I guess I’ve always held Baptist/Evangelical beliefs my whole life while attending an LCMS church. This podcast has deepened my understanding of what it means to be both Christian and Lutheran by not only answering all of my questions about what we say we believe, but has also pushed me to get into my ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CLeighPayne
    United States4 months ago
  • 👹

    Stop co opting religion to cover up for pdf files.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    UGriftHardest
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the deep-dive format and theological depth.
Positive sentiment about leadership discussions and educational value.
Fans appreciate authoritative guests and clear doctrinal framing.
Some reviews note the show's strong confessional Lutheran perspective may feel esoteric to newcomers.
Critiques center on perceived niche focus and occasional long-form pacing.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dr. John Bombaro | The Biblical Vision of Marriage We’ve Forgotten
Q: What should Lutherans do to align more closely with this sacramental understanding in contemporary practice?
Reconsider Holy Matrimony as a sacramental standing rather than a mere contractual ceremony, involve the priest's pastoral authority, and integrate the Eucharist into the wedding rite to anchor the couple's life together in Christ and the church.
Dr. John Bombaro | The Biblical Vision of Marriage We’ve Forgotten
Q: Can you describe what you mean by sacramental matrimony and how it differs across traditions?
A sacramental view treats holy matrimony as a divinely instituted, grace-empowered bond aimed at sanctification and healing of the sexes, rooted in creation, intensified by the Incarnation, and experienced through the church's rites—distinguishing it from civil or purely emotional unions.
Dr. Donna Harrison | The Pill, Abortion, IVF—and the War on Human Life
Q: How do you define the moment life begins for purposes of contraception and IVF?
Life begins at the moment of sperm-egg membrane fusion, creating an embryo with its own DNA and trajectory, and IVF often involves decisions about which embryos to transfer, which raises ethical concerns about the treatment of embryos as potential persons.
Brady Finnern: The Future of Lutheranism
Q: How do you balance theological leadership with executive duties?
By ensuring all decisions are rooted in Scripture and the confessions, starting meetings with prayer and litany, and carefully aligning administrative actions with doctrinal integrity rather than rushing to quick fixes.
Brady Finnern: The Future of Lutheranism
Q: What are your first goals if you were elected Synod President?
Primary goals would be thorough visitation of congregations and institutions, a renewed focus onScripture and the confessions, and uniting the church in doctrine and practice while navigating practical governance in a thoughtful, step-by-step way.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About On The Line

What is On The Line about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features long-form conversations centered on confessional Lutheran theology, church leadership, education, and the intersection of faith with culture. Episodes frequently explore historical and doctrinal themes (Formula of Concord, Book of Concord, confessional Lutheranism) alongside practical ministry topics (leadership, parish life, church planting, and education). Guests range from seminary professors and denominational leaders to educators and pastors, offering rigorous analysis, pastoral insight, and reflections on how tradition can inform contemporary faith life. Notable strengths include thoughtful, in-depth interviews with credentialed experts and leaders, a clear emphasis on doctrinal clarity, and a willingness to engage ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to On The Line?

These podcasts share a similar audience with On The Line:

1. Issues, Etc.
2. The Gottesdienst Crowd
3. The Word of the Lord Endures Forever
4. A Brief History of Power
5. Theology Q&A

How many episodes of On The Line are there?

On The Line launched 3 years ago and published 146 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on On The Line?

Recent guests on On The Line include:

1. Richard Stuckwisch
2. John Bombaro
3. Peter Bloedel
4. Dr. Joshua Miller
5. Dr. Donna Harrison
6. Alfonso Espinosa
7. Benjamin Mayes
8. Javier Perdomo

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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