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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
Justification
Lutheran Theology
Lutheran Church—missouri Synod
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!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes134Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityChristianity

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for On The Line

Latest Episodes

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Rev. Dr. John Bombaro to talk about the Blessed Virgin Mary and why Lutherans should recover a richer, more biblical understanding of her place in the Christian faith.

Check Out Our New Website: https://... more

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Zach Zehnder to talk about discipleship, Christian formation, the crisis of nominal Christianity, and what it actually looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life.

Check Out Our New Website: onth... more

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Matt Whitman to talk about denominational identity, the strengths and weaknesses of evangelicalism, the appeal of confessional Lutheranism, and the challenge of communicating the Christian faith clearly i... more

Join us at the long table as we sit down with Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison to talk about synodical leadership, the state of the LCMS, church work formation, liturgical integrity, and the opportunities standing before confessional Lutheranism right now. ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Matthew Harrison
President of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS)
LCMS
Episode: Dr. Matthew Harrison | A Future for the Lutheran Church
Noah Hahn
PhD philosophy student; researcher on God's relationship to time; author/interlocutor on Nephilim
Fordham University
Episode: Noah Hahn | The Nephilim: Giants, Demons, and the Unseen World of Scripture
Tyrel Bramwell
Pastor with Lutheran media experience; former Ferndale, California pastor, now Lovell, Wyoming resident
Truth at All Costs / Cross Defense / Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Episode: Tyrel Bramwell: The World Needs More Men With Chests
Dr. Timothy Rossow
New president of Luther Classical College
Luther Classical College
Episode: Dr. Timothy Rossow: Why Modern Culture is Starving for Beauty
Tobias Schütze
Professor at a seminary in South Africa; Lutheran theologian and PhD on ecumenism
Lutheran Theological Seminary, South Africa
Episode: Rev. Dr. Tobias Schütze: What Happened to the Lutheran Church in Germany?
Joel Biermann
Professor at a seminary with focus on Systematic Theology and ethics
Concordia Seminary (St. Louis)
Episode: Dr. Joel Biermann: What Makes Lutheranism Worth Fighting For?
Jamison Hardy
Former Bishop and current CUW president
Concordia University Wisconsin
Episode: Dr. Jamison Hardy: The LCMS is at a Turning Point
Christian Einertson
Doctoral student and theologian specializing in Lutheran confessional theology
Lutheran theology scholar
Episode: Dr. Christian Einertson: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Lutheranism (And the Truth)

Hosts

Bryan Stecker
Host of On The Line; associated with the podcast team and LCMS/On The Line affiliation
Bennett
Host of On The Line; frequent guest/discussion participant

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 351 ratings
  • Great thoughts

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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Dirks33
    United States22 days 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 Statesa month ago
  • 👹

    Stop co opting religion to cover up for pdf files.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    UGriftHardest
    United States3 months ago
  • So heavenly minded, it’s (nearly) of no earthly use.

    I’m very liturgically motivated. I love my hymnal, love Tradition etc. but in all honesty, many of the guests on this show are teetering on idolatry, often suggesting that these aren’t merely wise customs, but rather necessary rules and doctrines- and that if we only started doing Latin mass, or had more icons or started celebrating Sexigesma Sunday “the way the church fathers did” (or something) then our churches would be PACKED and all our problems would simply go away.

    There are indeed GEMS... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Fassett12
    United States5 months ago
  • My Favorite Podcast!

    Aside from the day(s) I get to go to church, the day the weekly OTL episode posts is the best day of the week 😂👌

    I have been Lutheran my whole life but am new to the LCMS; this podcast is scratching my itch both to learn more about the people who make up my church body and to regularly contemplate the Lutheran confessions and other relevant topics.

    Plus it is great to have high quality, solid, authoritative content to share with nonlutheran friends when they are wondering what I believe/why... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MakeMementoForWomen
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audiences frequently share that the show is a strong export for non-Lutherans seeking to understand confessional Lutheranism and church leadership.
Listeners appreciate the long-form, thoughtful Lutheran conversations and high production quality.
Some listeners wish for broader perspectives beyond niche traditions, with comments about theological depth and occasional overemphasis on confessional niche topics.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Brady Finnern: The Future of Lutheranism
Q: What genuinely encourages you right now for the LCMS?
There's a growing younger generation that values the theology we teach and the truth behind it, while older members recognize the depth of our doctrine; both groups welcome a future where individuals are treated as souls redeemed by Christ and where churches endure faithfully.
Rev. Dr. Tobias Schütze: What Happened to the Lutheran Church in Germany?
Q: What is the future trajectory for confessional Lutheranism in Germany and Europe?
The guests acknowledge demographic decline and ongoing debates but emphasize hope rooted in love for the church and a commitment to careful, principled dialogue, recognizing that future cohesion depends on maintaining doctrinal clarity while remaining pastoral and charitable.
Rev. Dr. Tobias Schütze: What Happened to the Lutheran Church in Germany?
Q: How has ecumenism shaped the current classroom culture among Lutherans and ELCA affiliates?
In practice, the classroom is relatively unified with occasional provocations from ELCA-affiliated students, but overall the discussions focus on shared commitments with differences acknowledged, shaping a pragmatic approach to ecumenism rather than deep-seated division.

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?

Long-form conversations centered on Lutheran theology, church leadership, and the intersection of faith with culture. Episodes typically feature high-level interviews with church leaders, theologians, and educators, exploring governance, confessional theology, church growth, and how Lutheran practice meets modern societal trends. Unique strengths include sustained, policy- and doctrine-heavy discussions, a focus on unity within the LCMS, and practical leadership guidance for pastors, educators, and lay leaders. The show tends to attract listeners who value rigorous theological conversation, principled proclamation, and thoughtful perspectives on tradition-adjacent cultural topics. Potential listeners can expect deep dives, long-form questio... 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. A Brief History of Power
3. The Gottesdienst Crowd
4. The Word of the Lord Endures Forever
5. Thinking Fellows

How many episodes of On The Line are there?

On The Line launched 3 years ago and published 134 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. Matt Whitman
2. Matthew Harrison
3. Noah Hahn
4. Tyrel Bramwell
5. Dr. Timothy Rossow
6. Tobias Schütze
7. Joel Biermann
8. Jamison Hardy

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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