What can a 19th-century history of a 16th-century Lutheran school teach us about education today? More than you might expect.

Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Jr. joins us to discuss a new translation from Concordia Publishing House — The History of the Gymnasium and Educational Institutions of Wittenberg, written in 1830 by Franz Spitzner. The Wittenberg Latin School was one of the first distinctly Lutheran classical schools, born out of the Reformation. Dr. Veith wrote the preface to this volume, and today he helps us understand not only the school's fascinating history, but why it's essential reading for anyone who cares about classical Christian education in our own time.

0:00 — Introduction & Welcome to the Concordia Publishing House Podcast. Sponsored by the LCMS Foundation.

1:42 The History of the Old Latin School, as told in the History of the Gymnasium and Educational Institutions of Wittenberg, written in 1830 by Franz Spitzner.

2:42 —Dr. Veith sets the scene: how Luther and Melanchthon built the first classical Lutheran school in Wittenberg — bringing literacy and education to ordinary people for the first time.

8:08 — Why Classical Education Matters Today. The philosophical crisis driving today's educational decline: postmodernism's rejection of objective truth, and how classical Christian education offers a grounded alternative.

11:06 — Education for All: Luther's Vision Luther's radical idea that every child deserved a full "liberal" education. A baptized child of God is worthy of the best.

15:35 — Vocation, Freedom, and Social Mobility. How education enabled social mobility and the development of vocation — not just as a job, but as service to God and neighbor in every area of life.

17:25 — The Prussian Reforms and the Decline of Classical Education. How Frederick William III's authoritarian reforms dismantled classical Christian education, invented the modern research university, and set education on a path away from truth.

24:50 — Why Parents Must Be Invested in Their Children's Education. Preparing children not just for work, but for citizenship, faith, and the next generation. Why parents — not schools alone — are the key to passing on what is precious.

Learn more about The History of the Gymnasium and Educational Institutions of Wittenberg.

About the Guest

Gene Edward Veith Jr. is a retired English professor and college administrator, most recently at Patrick Henry College and Concordia University Wisconsin. He is the author of twenty-seven books, including Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Authentic Christianity: How Lutheran Theology Speaks to a Postmodern World; Christianity in an Age of Terrorism, and God at Work. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and currently lives in St. Louis with his wife, Jackquelyn. He has three grown children and twelve grandchildren.

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How did our modern culture get here—especially when it comes to sex, marriage, and family life? In this episode, Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi, a Finnish Lutheran pastor and scholar, to explore how closely today’s world mirrors the ancient Greco-Roman world. Drawing from history, Scripture, and early Christian teaching, Dr. Koskenniemi explains what made Christians stand out in the Roman Empire—and what the Church can learn today as we increasingly live as a minority culture.

About the Guest

Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi is a Finnish theologian, pastor, and educator with 40 years of teaching experience in classical studies and theology. Author of Love, Marriage and Family: Learning from the Early Christians.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why modern Western culture increasingly resembles ancient Rome and Greece
• What early Christians inherited from Jewish family ethics
• How infanticide and child exposure shaped ancient family life
• What set Christian marriage and sexual ethics apart in the Roman Empire
• Why clear teaching and strong Christian community are essential today
• How Christian parents can help young people navigate secular culture
• What gives Dr. Koskenniemi hope for the Church today

Resources Mentioned

• Love, Marriage and Family: Learning from the Early Christians by Dr. Erkki Koskenniemi

Concordia Publishing House – Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org

Follow CPH on social media: @concordiapub

LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long‑term funding to support ministries:
👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

Listen & Subscribe
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Dr. Kevin Golden joins host Elizabeth Pittman to unpack the Old Testament prophet Hosea and his newly released Hosea volume in the Concordia Commentary series. Discover the historical context of eighth-century Israel, the shocking symbolism of Hosea's marriage to Gomer, and the profound meaning behind their children's names. Dr. Golden unpacks how law and gospel intertwine throughout Hosea's prophecy, revealing God's relentless pursuit of His people despite their unfaithfulness. Learn practical applications for marriage, reconciliation, and preaching that resonate today.

In This Episode:

3:17 - Dr. Golden's Background
How Dr. Golden became fascinated with Hosea and the significance of the "Golden Volume"

7:57 - Historical Context
The eighth-century BC setting and Israel's spiritual decline

15:01 - Marriage to Gomer
Understanding Hosea's shocking call to marry an adulterous woman

23:52 - The Children's Names
Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi—names that speak judgment and grace

31:18 - Lessons for Marriage
Practical applications for reconciliation in Christian relationships

35:13 - Preaching Like Hosea
How pastors can learn from Hosea's use of law, gospel, and metaphor

37:44 - Using the Commentary
Advice for pastors, students, and laypeople on getting the most from the Hosea commentary

Learn more about Hosea—Concordia Commentary

About the Guest

Rev. Dr. Kevin S. Golden is director of resident field education, associate professor of exegetical theology, and dean of theological research and publication at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.

Concordia Publishing House – Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org

Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub

LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long‑term funding to support ministries:
👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast