The letter to the Colossians is rich in Christology, to which all the articles of faith are intimately connected. One might even argue that Colossians possesses the most profound Christology in all the New Testament. A true, biblical Christology, centered in the cross and the empty tomb, gives life and meaning to all theology.
Colossians has much to say about the doctrine of creation. Moreover, the letter relates its teaching on creation directly to its Christology. In this way Colossians unites the presupposition of all theology (creation) with the heart and center of all theology (Christology). Colossians is also strongly eschatological. The eschatology of the letter extends beyond those verses that speak of the life to come, for its message is constantly given with an eye on eternity. The true doctrine of Christ, who is the exalted Lord over the entire creation, refutes the false christologies that were circulating in Colossae, variations of which continue to compete against the true Gospel in the world today.
For all of those reasons, Colossians is a rich source of Christian theology that contributes a number of unique insights to the church’s faith and life.
Spring '26 Required FLBC textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.
Fall '24 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Jarrod Hylden, Professor of New Testament.
Fall '22 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Jerry Moan, Professor of New Testament.
Fall '20 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Jerry Moan, Professor of New Testament.
Fall '18 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course, taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.
The Concordia Commentary series serves as a Lutheran standard for exegetic and systematic soundness. In walking through the text verse by verse, it first analyzes the syntax of the original language, followed by a Lutheran commentary on the passage. It is a relatively new commentary series and not every volume has been completed yet, but it is certainly worth starting to add to your library.
—Dr. Nathan Olson
Ephesians is a veritable compendium of St. Paul’s theology and a candidate for his most influential epistle. In it we learn of the reconciliation of the cosmos and our eternal election in Christ, as well as:
Salvation by grace through faith apart from works
The mystery of salvation also for the Gentiles
One Lord, one faith, one Baptism
The divine gift of the Holy Ministry
The Church as Christ’s bride and body
The Christological meaning of marriage
The resplendent armor of God.
We today, no less than the Ephesians recently converted from their pagan lifestyle, need to appropriate these teachings because of the spiritual peril of the environment in which we live. Dr. Winger’s commentary unfolds the mysteries of the Gospel by his meticulous analysis of the Greek text and his reverent exposition of the epistle’s proclamation of Christ and His gifts for the sake of His Church.
Spring '26 Required FLBC textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.
Fall '22 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Jerry Moan, Professor of New Testament.
Fall '20 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Jerry Moan, Professor of New Testament.
Fall '18 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course, taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.
The Concordia Commentary series serves as a Lutheran standard for exegetic and systematic soundness. In walking through the text verse by verse, it first analyzes the syntax of the original language, followed by a Lutheran commentary on the passage. It is a relatively new commentary series and not every volume has been completed yet, but it is certainly worth starting to add to your library.
—Dr. Nathan Olson
The brief and practical book of Philemon has long been a favorite of Christians. This commentary expounds Philemon in light of its theological purpose and its setting in the Greco-Roman world. It probes the specific circumstances under which Paul wrote the letter; how Philemon fit in with Paul’s missionary travels; and who Philemon and Onesimus were within the Christian community.
The apostle Paul addresses a crisis: Onesimus has robbed and fled from Philemon, whose house was the place of worship for a Christian church in Colossae. Paul’s letter has both a private and a public cast. He speaks to the relationships within a congregation through all the problems and sorrows—yet also adventures and joys—that attend faithful pastoral ministry. Christ himself serves as the pattern for how Christians relate to one another in forgiving and reconciling love.
Unique features of this commentary include its depth; its detailed consideration of ancient Greek and Latin literature that sheds light on Philemon; and its theology, which emphasizes Jesus Christ, God’s Word and Sacraments, and the doctrine of vocation, whereby each Christian is called to serve God faithfully in his or her particular role in life.
Spring '26 Required FLBC textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.
Fall '20 Recommended FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Pr. Jerry Moan, Professor of New Testament.
Fall '18 Required FLS textbook for Captivity Epistles course, taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.
The Concordia Commentary series serves as a Lutheran standard for exegetic and systematic soundness. In walking through the text verse by verse, it first analyzes the syntax of the original language, followed by a Lutheran commentary on the passage. It is a relatively new commentary series and not every volume has been completed yet, but it is certainly worth starting to add to your library.
—Dr. Nathan Olson
Each ESV Scripture Journal pairs the entirety of an individual book of the Bible with a lightly-lined blank page opposite each page of Bible text, allowing readers to take extended notes or record insights and prayers directly beside corresponding passages of Scripture. These thin, portable notebooks are great for personal Bible reading and reflection, small-group study, writing out extended portions of Scripture, or taking notes through a sermon series.
Spring '26 Required FLBC textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.
Spring '25 Required FLBC textbook for Theology of Christian Life course taught by Pr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Each ESV Scripture Journal pairs the entirety of an individual book of the Bible with a lightly-lined blank page opposite each page of Bible text, allowing readers to take extended notes or record insights and prayers directly beside corresponding passages of Scripture. These thin, portable notebooks are great for personal Bible reading and reflection, small-group study, writing out extended portions of Scripture, or taking notes through a sermon series.
Spring '26 Required FLBC textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.
Each ESV Scripture Journal pairs the entirety of an individual book of the Bible with a lightly-lined blank page opposite each page of Bible text, allowing readers to take extended notes or record insights and prayers directly beside corresponding passages of Scripture. These thin, portable notebooks are great for personal Bible reading and reflection, small-group study, writing out extended portions of Scripture, or taking notes through a sermon series.
Spring '26 Required FLBC textbook for Captivity Epistles course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.
