Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner continue a conversation about “On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church,” which was written by Dr. Martin Luther in 1520. This treatise by Luther challenged the medieval church’s sacramental system. This episode looks at how Luther seeks to find the definition and purpose of Sacraments through the lens of Scripture and grace.

Grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and join in the discussion that unpacks the profound implications of Luther’s arguments against withholding the cup, the doctrine of transubstantiation, and the concept of the mass as a sacrifice.

NA Beer is a metaphor for beer. Does it have the substance of beer or only the appearances? We feature Samuel Adams’ Just the Haze IPA, an award winning beer.

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner begin a multi-part review of Dr. Martin Luther’s treatise The Babylonian Captivity. 1520 was the year that Luther published three major treatises (Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and On the Freedom of a Christian). This second of three treatises accuses the Catholic Church of keeping the people captive through the abuse of the sacramental system.

Kasteel Rouge Cherry Brew NA by VanHonsebrouck. A ruby red specialty beer with a rich head and strong flavor of fruit.

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley finish their conversation on Dr. Martin Luther’s Bondage of the Will. This episode includes a discussion on free choice – the will and the reason cannot strive after God without God. Whenever the will and reason are described as us moving to God, this should be condemned because this is the opposite of faith. The only path to faith is our brokenness and trust in God’s revelation of promise in Christ Jesus.

FLVR! Chocalte Dark Brew – “All the rich chocolatey goodness of your favorite stout, now without the alcohol! Loads of dark malt and cacao nibs give this dark brew the smooth bitterness and luxurious body befitting a decadent liquid dessert!”

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley discuss how our identity is found in our relationship with God instead of our works. When our relationship is secured in the righteousness of Christ, then our will is free to share life with God and with other people. Without Christ, our lives are lived in bondage to our transactions.

You can learn more by reading Dr. Martin Luther’s Bondage of the Will.

This episode features a beer from a Wisconsin brewery, Stubborn Brothers Brewery. Mike and his wife went for a ride in their camper around Lake Michigan. He had a great Reuben there and enjoyed the beer. American Wheat. Shawano has to be a great city because this is where this beer is from, but also because this is where Evan was born.

Sweet Peel American Wheat.

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley continue their conversation about Martin Luther’s response to Erasmus about the condition of the human will. This episode focuses on why Martin Luther thinks this conversation is important. Righteousness according to moral efforts will always fall short, and God desires that we find our righteousness by having faith in Him. This sort of righteousness must be revealed by God Himself and is not found by our own vain quests for holiness.

Griffin Claw’s Macchiato.

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner review De Servo Arbitrio, which means Bondage of the Will, by Martin Luther. It was published in 1525 in response to Erasmus’ work from 1524 on humanity in De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio or On Free Will. The first part of this book by Luther is a recounting of the arguments made by Erasmus. This podcast picks up with Luther’s position. Luther walks through key passages of Scripture to show that the work of God is necessary for salvation.

This episode is the beginning of a multi-part examination of this fundamental work by Martin Luther.

Spotted Cow by New Glarus Brewing Company. This beer is only available for purchase in Wisconsin but has become well known throughout the midwest.

In Episode 91 of Grace on Tap, Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley dive into the turbulent years following Luther’s stay at the Wartburg Castle—when the Reformation teetered on the edge of chaos. While Luther hid under Frederick’s protection, self-proclaimed prophets like Nikolaus Storch and Thomas Müntzer began to claim direct revelations from God, turning reform into fanaticism. Müntzer’s dark preaching of divine revolution and peasant uprising sent shockwaves through Germany, forcing Luther to return to Wittenberg and deliver his famous Invocavit Sermons to restore order and direction. But even as Luther reestablished calm, the emperor, the pope, and Frederick’s own relatives pressed hard for him to hand over the troublesome reformer.

This episode traces how Frederick the Wise navigated the storm with remarkable restraint and political cunning. Through papal pressure, imperial mandates, and internal dissent, Frederick maintained a careful appearance of neutrality while quietly protecting Luther’s cause. His steady leadership, even amid the radicalism of Müntzer and the violence of the Peasants’ War, preserved the fragile early Reformation. Join us as we explore how God worked through Frederick’s wisdom, patience, and faith during one of the most volatile chapters of church history—and how his legacy continues to shape our understanding of godly leadership today.

We utilized throughout this eight-part series the book, Frederick the Wise: Seena nd Unseen Lives of Martin Luther’s Protector. This book is a biography written by Sam Wellman and published by CPH.

We review the Rural Bavaria Hefeweizen from Cadillac Straits Brewing Company in Madison Heights. We found it sweet, with notes of banana and cloves. Hefeweizens are the original hazy beers from Germany.

The 90th episode of Grace on Tap traces Frederick’s efforts to secure a fair hearing for Luther in the face of papal pressure, culminating in the dramatic events at Worms. Listeners for how Frederick’s chancellor, Bruck, tirelessly negotiated with imperial and papal representatives, how Glampion tried to limit Luther’s protection, and how Frederick worked behind the scenes to keep Luther on the agenda when others sought to silence him. His ability to balance loyalty to the empire with his growing support for reform made him one of the most pivotal figures of the early Reformation.

Finally, Mike and Evan follow the story beyond Worms, as Frederick arranged Luther’s “kidnapping” to Wartburg Castle, navigated disagreements with Luther over publications, and quietly began dismantling his relic business in response to the gospel. It’s a story of faith, strategy, and quiet courage. Don’t miss this deep dive into the life and leadership of Frederick the Wise, a prince whose prudence shaped the course of history.

Garage Beer

“Garage Beer” is a light lager co-owned and operated by NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce since mid-2024, who are using their celebrity status to grow the brand which was spun off from Braxton Brewing Co.. The beer is a crisp, 4% ABV light lager with two varieties, Classic and Lime, and has experienced significant growth, expanding to all 50 states. The Kelces are involved in the beer’s marketing and operations, highlighting the brand’s casual, community-driven image.