Raising Confessors Session 1: Truth that Unites

“Truth That Unites” defines unity as a shared confession rather than niceness, avoidance, or “agreeing to disagree.” Using Ephesians 4 (“one Lord, one faith, one baptism”), it explains why truth necessarily excludes falsehood and why clarity is an act of love, not arrogance. The session also introduces Philip Melanchthon’s understanding of logic/dialectic as a servant of theology—necessary for teaching doctrine clearly and identifying errors that unsettle consciences and weaken unity.

Rev. Jason Braaten grew up in New Lenox, Illinois, a small community southwest of Chicago on I-80. He has a BA in Theological Languages and Philosophy from Concordia University Chicago, an MDiv from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, with part of his instruction taken at Westfield House, Cambridge, England, and is working toward a STM in Historical Theology from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Pastor Braaten shepherds Immanuel Lutheran Church, Tuscola, Illinois. He lives in Tuscola with his wife, Lauren, and five children, Oliver, Jonathan, Wilhelmina (Willa), Simon, and Marguerite (Maggie). In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, reading good books, and baseball.