Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Put yourself in Job’s place. You’ve lost everything—your family, your home, your health. Your so-called friends surround you, not with comfort, but with accusations. And worst of all, you feel like even God has turned against you. That’s where we find Job in chapter 19. He’s feeling battered, abandoned, and accused. Yet in the middle of his suffering, he delivers one of the most powerful declarations of faith in all of Scripture: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” How does Job go from despair to hope in the span of one chapter? And what does his bold confession teach us about suffering, redemption, and the God who never abandons His people?  The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 19.   Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about w

Have you ever poured out your heart to someone, only to be met with cold logic or worse—condescension? You’re searching for hope, but instead of compassion, you get a lecture. That’s exactly where we find Job in chapter 17. He’s worn down, clinging to whatever shred of hope he can find, but his so-called friends? They’re doubling down. Bildad steps up in chapter 18, and instead of offering comfort, he lashes out—painting Job’s suffering as the inevitable fate of the wicked. No grace, no mercy, just more accusations. But is Job really without hope? And why do his friends insist on seeing suffering as proof of sin?  The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 17 and 18.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s abo

Job has heard enough. Speech after speech, his so-called friends have offered their wisdom—accusing, correcting, assuming they understand his suffering better than he does. But in Job 16, he fires back with words that cut through their empty comfort:" Miserable comforters are you all." He doesn’t just reject their advice—he exposes their failure. Instead of bringing relief, they’ve only deepened his pain. And as Job turns his focus back to God, his words take on a new tone. He sees himself as crushed, attacked, even hunted by the very One he longs to trust. He speculates that God must hate him, but amid his agony, a flicker of hope remains.  The Rev. Robert Moeller, Jr., pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Britton, SD and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ferney, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 16.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s s

Job has spoken his mind. He has challenged his friends, questioned their wisdom, and even dared to press God for answers. But now, Eliphaz steps back in—and he’s had enough. The gloves come off. No more soft words, no more attempts at gentle correction. Eliphaz calls Job arrogant, accuses him of undermining true wisdom, and doubles down on the old argument: The wicked suffer, Job. So, if you’re suffering you must be wicked. It’s logical, but is Eliphaz defending God, or just defending his own faulty beliefs?    The Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sheridan, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 15.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, grappling with well-meaning but misguided advice, and ultimately finding comfort in God’s gr

There comes a point when suffering hardens into resolve. Job has reached it. He’s done entertaining the shallow wisdom of his friends, done listening to their misguided attempts to defend God at his expense. He turns to them with cutting words: “You are worthless physicians, all of you.” He doesn’t just reject their counsel—he calls them out as frauds. Then, he does something even bolder. He shifts his focus to God, he demands an audience, insisting on answers to this perceived injustice. But as the chapter unfolds, Job’s defiance gives way to something deeper—an aching reflection on the brevity of life, the certainty of death, and the nagging question with which all men must wrestle: Is there any hope beyond the grave?    The Rev. Jared Nies, Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Lapeer, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 13 and 14.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all

There’s a kind of confidence that comes easy when you’re not the one suffering. Zophar has it—bold, unwavering, and a little smug. He tells Job that God is beyond his understanding, that Job’s suffering is deserved, and that, frankly, he should be grateful it isn’t worse. But Job isn’t buying it. He fires back, dripping with sarcasm: “Oh, you guys are so wise. If you died, wisdom itself would perish from the earth.” Then, he points to creation itself—birds, beasts, and even the fish in the sea—to make his case: God’s power is absolute, but that doesn’t mean Zophar understands it any better than he does.  The Rev. Jim Daub, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Havelock, NC, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 10 and 11.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with Go

We live in a world obsessed with "fairness." We demand justice, equity, a balance scale where everyone gets what they think they deserve. But what if God actually gave us what we deserved?  What if He held us to the standard of His perfect law? Job, overwhelmed by suffering, continues to cry out in today's passage, "He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together." He knows he can't stand before a holy God and plead his case.  Could it be that our obsession with "fairness" blinds us to the reality of our own sin and the depth of God's mercy?  The Rev. Matthew Wurm, pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 9:23-10:22.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, gra

Some people speak with such certainty that it’s almost intimidating. How can anyone be so sure, so confident, and so…wrong. That’s Bildad. He’s convinced he knows how God works: “If you’re suffering, it must be your fault. Repent, and everything will go back to normal.” It’s a tempting way to think—simple, neat, and entirely misguided. But Job pushes back. He doesn’t deny God’s justice, but he questions how anyone—especially someone so broken—can stand before a holy and powerful God.    The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 8 and 9. Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, grappling with well-meaning but misguided advice, and ultimately finding comfort in God’s grace rather tha

Job poetically expresses his deep despair and frustration as he compares his life to a forced labor sentence and his days to a long, agonizing night. He feels abandoned by God and questions why he must endure such relentless suffering. Will Job find any solace? Or will his pleas for relief go unanswered?  The Rev. Dennis McFadden, assistant pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. David Boisclair, guest host, to study Job 7.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, grappling with well-meaning but misguided advice, and ultimately finding comfort in God’s grace rather than human understanding. As Job’s friends offer simplistic answers, Job demands the truth, and God’s response reminds us of His infinite wisdom and mercy. Through it

There’s a weight to suffering that words can’t always lift. When the pain runs deep, advice—no matter how well-intentioned—can feel empty. That’s where we find Job in chapter 6. He’s had enough of Eliphaz’s wisdom, enough of empty platitudes, and enough of trying to make sense of his suffering with neat little answers. Instead of giving in, Job speaks from the depths of his anguish, longing for real understanding, and maybe, just maybe, a little compassion.  The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 6.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, grappling with well-meaning but misguided advice, and ultimately finding comfort in God’s grace rather than human understanding. As Job’s fri

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to hand out advice when you're not the one suffering? It's one thing to talk about God's justice from the comfort of your own life, but it's another when you're the one in the ashes. Eliphaz continues his advice that began in the previous chapter. He thinks he's offering Job wisdom—trust God's discipline, endure hardship, and everything will work out. But is he really seeing the whole picture? Or is he just repeating what sounds good?  The Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 5.  Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, grappling with well-meaning but misguided advice, and ultimately finding comfort in God’s grace rather than human understanding. As Job

Ever had a friend who, with the best intentions, just completely missed the mark? You’re pouring out your heart, and they hit you with, “well, everything happens for a reason”—yeah, thanks for that. When we face suffering, well-meaning friends often try to offer wisdom—sometimes helpful, sometimes not so much. In Job 4, Eliphaz steps forward with what he believes is sound advice, drawing from his own experience and understanding of God's justice. But does his counsel bring clarity, or does it miss the deeper reality of Job’s suffering?  The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 4.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in th

In one of Scripture's most emotionally raw passages, we witness the moment when Job's legendary patience transforms into profound lament. His words don't just express grief; they paint a poetic masterpiece of suffering, where darkness battles light, where the peace of death seems sweeter than the torment of life, and where the fundamental question of human existence hangs heavy in the air: Why was I born to suffer?  The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 3.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Job is a book that grapples with some of life's most profound questions. It explores the nature of suffering, the limits of human understanding, and the character of God in the face of seemingly senseless tragedy. In the opening chapters, we encounter a righteous man whose world is turned upside down. With God’s permission, Satan strikes Job with catastrophic losses: marauding raiders stole his flocks and herds, fire consumed what remained, and a mighty wind collapsed the home where all his children were gathered. In a matter of hours, Job lost nearly everything he held dear, yet he fell to the ground in worship, refusing to curse God or abandon his faith.  The Rev. Jesse Baker, pastor of Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Houlton Wisconsin, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Job 1-2.   Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming lig

Why do the righteous suffer? That’s the burning question at the heart of the book of Job—one of the most profound and challenging books in all of Scripture. From a Lutheran perspective, Job’s story isn’t just about a man enduring unimaginable hardship; it’s about wrestling with God’s will, grappling with well-meaning but misguided advice, and ultimately finding comfort in God’s grace rather than human understanding. As Job’s friends offer simplistic answers, Job demands the truth, and God’s response reminds us of His infinite wisdom and mercy. Through it all, we see glimpses of Christ—the truly innocent sufferer—who redeems our pain and points us to the cross, where suffering meets salvation. Join us as we journey through Job, confronting tough questions about faith, suffering, and God's mysterious ways with hope grounded in Christ alone.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Wor

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." These words, penned by the apostle John, echo through the centuries, reminding us of the profound connection between truth and joy in the Christian life. This letter is addressed to a Christian leader named Gaius, whom John commends for his hospitality and faithfulness to the truth. However, another—Diotrephes—is criticized for his pride and rejection of church authority.  The Rev. David Boisclair, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 3 John.  In these epistles, John defends the truth of Jesus Christ against false teachings, calling believers to remain steadfast in their faith and grounded in the apostolic witness. He emphasizes the essential connection between truth, love, and fellowship, urging Christians to walk in the light, love one another, and reject anything that denies the person and work of Jesus.  Through 1 John, we explore the assurance of salvation, the battle be

Love and truth - two words that seem simple enough. But what happens when false teachers twist these concepts, using Christian hospitality as a weapon against the faithful? The shortest book in the Bible tackles this dangerous situation head-on. In just 13 verses, the Apostle John provides crucial guidance on how to balance Christian love with doctrinal vigilance. This powerful letter that reminds us how love and truth must work together, and why sometimes the most loving thing we can do is close our doors to those who would lead us astray.  The Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 John.  In these epistles, John defends the truth of Jesus Christ against false teachings, calling believers to remain steadfast in their faith and grounded in the apostolic witness. He emphasizes the essential connection between truth, love, and fellowship, urging Christians to walk in the light, love one another, and reject anything that denies the

Love and truth - two words that seem simple enough. But what happens when false teachers twist these concepts, using Christian hospitality as a weapon against the faithful? The shortest book in the Bible tackles this dangerous situation head-on. In just 13 verses, the Apostle John provides crucial guidance on how to balance Christian love with doctrinal vigilance. This powerful letter that reminds us how love and truth must work together, and why sometimes the most loving thing we can do is close our doors to those who would lead us astray.  The Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 John.  In these epistles, John defends the truth of Jesus Christ against false teachings, calling believers to remain steadfast in their faith and grounded in the apostolic witness. He emphasizes the essential connection between truth, love, and fellowship, urging Christians to walk in the light, love one another, and reject anything that denies the

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” These ancient words from Scripture carry a startling urgency. The apostle John wraps up his letter by confronting us with an audacious claim: everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. This isn't just theological theory - it's a provocative declaration that challenges our very understanding of faith, love, and what it means to be children of God.  The Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Mission Advocate for KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 John 5:1-21. In these epistles, John defends the truth of Jesus Christ against false teachings, calling believers to remain steadfast in their faith and grounded in the apostolic witness. He emphasizes the essential connection between truth, love, and fellowship, urging Christians to walk in the light, love one another, and reject anything that denies the person and work of Jesus.  Through 1 John, we explore the assurance of salvation, the battle between light and darkness, and

John tackles a crucial question that plagued the early church and still challenges us today: How do we know who truly speaks for God? He provides a surprisingly simple test - the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ coming in the flesh - but then expands into one of Scripture's most profound revelations about God's nature as love itself. Through this dual focus on discernment and divine love, John shows how spiritual truth-testing is important for those who are of God but love itself seeks the good of others—even those who are caught up in false teachings.  The Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 John 4:1-21. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics.  In these epistles, John defends the truth of Jesus Christ against false teachings, calling believers to remain steadfast in their faith and grounded in the apostolic witness. He emphasizes the essential connection between truth, love, and fellowship, urging Chris