Thinking Fellows

The Thinking Fellows wish their listeners a Merry Christmas. They discuss the son "Mary Did You Know" and a notable trend of churches closing for Christmas. 

The Thinking Fellows discuss J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit. The Fellows outline what they liked and what they found challanging about reading and analyzing Tolkiens first fantasy novel. The Hobbit is a whimsical journey that sparked the reveival of the fantasy genre and echos of Tolkiens Roman Catcholic faith. Support the Show 1517 Podcasts The Hobbit

The Thinking Fellows prepare to read the fictional works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Caleb and Adam discuss what makes Tolkien unique and some of the challenges of analyzing his work. In particular, they focus on Tolkien as a devout Roman Catholic. Tolkien's Roman practice of the Christian faith colors his work in a way that is different from protestant authors like C.S. Lewis and helps explain why his wor...

Caleb, Scott, and Adam are joined by John Hoyum to talk about how churches across the world read and preach the Bible. John is a Junior Fellow at 1517 and the co-host of the new podcast  Preaching the Text with Steve Paulson.  The discussion revolves around the lectionary, which is assigned Bible readings that churches use during worship. How do these readings get assigned? What benefits and drawb...

The Thinking Fellows discuss and describe the things they are thankful for this year. While somewhat cliche, the fellows all explain how they have been blessed by their families and the work of 1517. Scott gives a helpful reminder that even though social times are changing and challenging, life is still very comfortable and good for many people, and we have many reasons to give thanks for God's bl...

The Thinking Fellows comment on Psalm 146. "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish." How do this and other passages affect how Christians view their political actions and vocations? Can Christians be active in the civil realm without violating this precept?  Support the Show...

The Fellows discuss the purpose and place of literary apologetics. They look at the role of narrative and imagination when doing theology and how it can help address those in need of Christ. They discuss the significance of good literature written by Christians like C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkein and how they can remind theologians that theology is not just categories but needs a narrative. Here...

In this episode, The Thinking Fellows address the idea that the Reformation is not worthy of celebration but is lamentable. The Fellows contend that the Reformation ought to be celebrated for its recovery of the Gospel. Likewise, history tells us that Luther alone did not divide the catholic church but that separation and division have always been in the history of the Church on earth.  Support th...

The Thinking Fellows are joined by Dr. Jack Kilcrease to discuss the centrality and importance of the doctrine of the Word. Jack is the author of  Justification by the Word , a new book published through Lexham Academic. In the book, Jack outlines how God uses his Word not just to describe sin and righteousness but uses the Word to make sinners righteous in Christ. Support the Show Justification b...

The Thinking Fellows recorded a live show in Sandiego, California. For this episode, they ask, "What did Luther mean when he said his conscience was captive to the Word of God?" The Fellows each give an answer and explain the significance of Luther's stand at Worms.  Support the Show HWSS 2023 HWSS Arkansas 2023

The Thinking Fellows have Bruce Hillman on the show to discuss postmodernism. Bruce has extensively studied the development of postmodernism and helps give a history of its intellectual origins. The fellows also discuss the impact and fallout that postmodernism has had on our culture and the church.  Support the Show Thinking Fellows on Apple Podcasts 1517 Podcasts  

In this episode, the Thinking Fellows discuss what it means and looks like to live in a culture of nihilists. The fellows propose that postmodernism and atheistic materialism have entered the cultural conscience and are displayed and celebrated in media and art. Support the Show Subscribe on Apple Podcasts What to Expect When No One's Expecting Conservatism a Rediscovery 

Scott and Caleb are joined by Joshua Keith to talk about the new Lord of the Rings T.V. series. Is the series a faithful adaptation of Tolkien's work? How has Lord of the Rings influenced the fantasy for movies and television? If you are a fan of Tolkien's literary work, should you watch the show? Support the Show Rings of Power The Simarilion 

Christians today need to realize that they live in a secular age. How do we navigate a world that goes on its merry way without referencing or acknowledging God? How does secularism different from materialism? Should Christians combat secularism or merely accept it?  Support the Show Our Secular Age The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self

Caleb, Scott, and Adam discuss World War I and World War II. How did these wars shape the society and culture we live in today? What philosophical and theological ideas led to the wars, and what happened to philosophy and theology after them? Ultimately, these events affected every facet of life, and the better we understand them, the better we can grasp the world we live in now. Support the Show...

Caleb, Scott, and Adam discuss the idea of challenging and complex tasks. How do we both personally and vocationally benefit from undergoing difficult situations? Does doing hard things intersect with our theology of justification?  Support the Show 1517 Podcasts Thinking Fellows on Apple Podcasts The Strange Death of Europe  12 Rules for Life

If you are excited to learn from the primary sources of the Reformation, what should you start reading and why? The Thinking Fellows discuss the prime movers of the Reformation and their essential works.  Support the Show Rate the Show on Apple Podcasts The Theology of the Cross The 1521 Loci Communes The Three Treatises  

Caleb and Adam talk about the utility and necessity of apologetics. They discuss how apologetics has changed with postmodernism but how the essential truths of Christianity have not. They also spend time distinguishing between the need to preach to people struggling with pain, sadness, and anger instead of arguing or debating with that person. While apologetics may be necessary, it must not be for...

The Thinking Fellows discuss the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. They examine why creeds are a part of the Christian tradition and how they guide the church in confessing the truth of Scripture. They look at some typical rejections of the creeds and assert that every Christian has a Creed, whether they know it or not.  Support the Show Credo 1517 Podcasts

Caleb and Adam Francisco talk about the prominence of apologetics in the early church. Why was the early church under constant assault? How can we learn to declare and defend the Gospel like early church theologians?  Support the Show 1517 Podcasts Justin Martyr  The City of God  

The Thinking Fellows are joined by Daniel Emery Price and Erick Sorenson to talk about reading the New Testament. They talk about common objections and fallacies surrounding the New Testament, including why you should read more than just the words of Jesus. How do the books of the New Testament work together, and are they reliable sources of truth? Support the Show 30 Minutes in the NT A Sort of C...

Caleb, Scott, and Adam are joined by Chad Bird to discuss why you should read the Old Testament. They look at myths and skepticism about the Old Testament and supposed inconsistencies between God in the Old Testament and New Testament. Finally, they talk about how the Old Testament contains the promises of God and is intentionally left incomplete while waiting for Christ.  Support the Show 40 minu...

Caleb is joined by two members of 1517's junior fellowship, John Hoyum and Philip Bartelt, to give a rundown of Lutheran worship. What does Lutheran worship look like, sound like, and accomplish? How does it differ from the patterns and traditions of other Christians? They answer these questions while making a case for understanding the scripture and purpose behind each part of the service. Suppor...

The Thinking Fellows address the idea that it is good to have children. They try to tackle modern social dilemmas and look and the theological command to be fruitful and multiply. In what ways are children a blessing from God? Support the Show Being Dad Thinking Fellows on Apple Podcasts

The Thinking Fellows talk about confirmation bias. Is there a benefit to regularly engaging with disagreeable ideas? Can information be neutral, or can you be honest about your preferences and alegences? Support the Show Being Dad Rate on Apple Podcasts