What if Christmas wasn’t just heartwarming—but necessary?

In this episode of Anchored in Christ, Pastor Curt Hoover and Doug Hannah explore the staggering necessity of the Incarnation. Why did Jesus have to come in the flesh, in such a lowly way? Why the manger? Why the cross? And why is it essential for our joy today to understand how lost we were—and how loved we are?

You’ll hear a bold reframing of the Christmas story that goes beyond sentimentality and speaks directly to the gravity of our condition and the glory of the rescue. As Pastor Curt says: this wasn’t a divine suggestion—it was a rescue mission. And Christmas is not over on December 26th.

• Visit our church: faithlutheran-tn.org

• Get Advent devotions from the LCMS: Advent Devotions 2025

• Help us continue this work: Consider donating to support the podcast at anchoredpod.org

Most Christians know about Advent… kind of. But few really observe it—and fewer still understand what it means for our spiritual lives. In this episode of Anchored in Christ, Pastor Curt Hoover and Doug Hannah unpack what Advent actually is, how it’s been part of the Church’s life for over 1,600 years, and why it’s more than just a warm-up act for Christmas.

They explore the deep theological richness of this season—its roots in the Old Testament, its future-looking hope, and its quiet call to repentance and reflection. If you’ve ever wondered whether Advent was “just a Catholic thing,” this conversation will reframe everything.

You’ll also hear:

• Why Advent isn’t technically part of the Christmas season

• How waiting shapes the Christian life

• What it means that Jesus comes to us in three ways

• How the devil spent 4,000 years watching and waiting

• Simple, practical ways to observe Advent at home or with your church

• Why skipping Advent might actually rob you of joy

📖 Recommended Resource:

https://resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/advent-devotions-2025/

For more about Pastor Curt’s church, visit faithlutheran-tn.org.

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Is Mary just a footnote in the Christmas story? Maybe there is more we’ve missed?

In this episode, Pastor Curt and Doug take a closer look at Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a way that avoids both extremes: over-elevating her or downplaying her entirely. What does Scripture actually say? Why does it matter that she was chosen to bear the Son of God? What can her story teach us about how Christ dwells in us today?

We also talk about the early church’s view of Mary, her unique blessing, and what her story has to say to a culture that’s often dismissive of mystery, incarnation, and embodied faith.

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In this second Advent episode of Anchored in Christ, Pastor Curt Hoover and Doug Hannah take a closer look at one of the Bible’s most overlooked characters—Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.

What was going through Joseph’s mind when he learned Mary was pregnant? Why didn’t he walk away? And what does his quiet obedience teach us about trust, vocation, and supernatural faith?

This is not just a Christmas story—it’s a radical picture of God calling someone to act in faith before all the answers are clear. Curt and Doug talk about how we often respond to God’s Word with doubt or rationalization—and how Joseph did neither. Even when the situation looked scandalous, shameful, and impossible, he obeyed.

The conversation also unpacks:

• The cultural weight of betrothal in Joseph’s day

• The relevance of C.S. Lewis’ Miracles in our “enlightened” modern age

• The unseen spiritual forces shaping our world—and why we need to be more open to them

• The dangers of interpreting Scripture through the lens of our logic instead of taking it at face value

And yes, there’s a moment when Curt suggests Joseph himself may have told young Jesus: “You are the Son of God.”

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In this special Thanksgiving episode, Doug Hannah and Pastor Curt Hoover reflect on what it means to live with gratitude—not just once a year, but every day. They explore how thankfulness shapes the Christian life, why apathy is a bigger danger than we realize, and how even our greatest regrets and irritations can become reasons to give thanks. From Luther’s teaching on daily bread to a surprising insight into the word Eucharist, this conversation will shift how you think about blessings—especially the ones you don’t notice.

💡 Topics include:

• Why Romans 1 lists ingratitude as the first sign of rebellion

• What Pastor Curt thinks is the #1 sin in our culture today

• Why the Lord’s Supper is the ultimate act of thanksgiving

• How to practice gratitude even when you don’t feel it

• What it means that “we don’t own anything” as Christians

If this podcast encourages you, would you consider supporting us at anchoredpod.org? Your gift—big or small—helps us keep creating thoughtful, gospel-centered content. Thank you.

What does the Bible actually say about Judgment Day? Will Christians be judged for their sins? What does it mean that Jesus is both just and the justifier? Pastor Curt and Doug unpack common misconceptions about the end times, the terror and comfort of standing before God, and the danger of despising the gifts of salvation. They also discuss the comfort of baptism, the reality of apostasy, and why we struggle so deeply to accept grace.

This is a sobering episode—but one full of hope for those in Christ.

Mentioned in this episode:

– The parable of the rich man and Lazarus

– Romans 8:1

– “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)

– “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16)

– “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21–23)

– C.S. Lewis’s quote about the doors of hell being locked from the inside

– Rod Rosenbladt on losing your salvation: “It ain’t easy”

💬 If you’ve ever struggled with assurance—or taken it for granted—this one is for you.

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Is it unloving to offend someone? Are Christians supposed to be “unoffendable”? What do we do when the Gospel itself becomes offensive in our culture?

In this episode of Anchored in Christ, Pastor Curt Hoover and Doug Hannah get into the cultural obsession with feelings, the pitfalls of silence in the name of tolerance, and why God’s Word is supposed to unsettle us. They unpack the different ways we get offended—relationally, socially, spiritually—and why some discomfort is actually good for the soul.

You’ll hear why church isn’t a weekly pep rally—it’s more like a visit to the doctor. You’re there because you’re sick. And when you hear something that stings, it just might be the Holy Spirit doing heart surgery.

This one might offend you… and that’s kind of the point.

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🎧 Catch up on past episodes and send us your topic suggestions. We’d love to hear from you!

This is the conclusion of our two-part conversation with Pastor Andrew Abraham, a former Roman Catholic now serving as a Lutheran pastor in Tennessee. Together with Pastor Curt Hoover and host Doug Hannah, we dig deep into some of the most misunderstood and misrepresented aspects of historic Christian belief.

• What is the apostolic tradition — and who really preserved it?

• Why the Reformation wasn’t a start-from-scratch protest movement

• Why so many believers today are rediscovering liturgy, sacrament, and theological depth

• And what to say to those curious about Catholicism but unsure what they’re getting into.

This episode will challenge assumptions, shine light on forgotten truths, and offer assurance in the promises of Christ. We talk real presence, infant baptism, the canon of Scripture, and how Lutheranism can feel like seeing the gospel in full color.

Mentioned in this episode:

📘 Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (2017 Edition) – CPH

📘 The Theology of Martin Luther by Paul Althaus – Amazon

📘 Has American Christianity Failed? by Bryan Wolfmueller – Amazon

📗 Interested in Pastor Abraham’s full story? Reach out to us through anchoredpod.org.

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