Thinking Fellows

Show Notes: Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023; the bloody conflict leaves some Christians asking theological questions about the modern state of Israel. Is the current state of Israel or even contemporary Judaism the particular object of promises from God? Do Christians have an obligation to Israel and its political interests? The Thinking Fellows discuss the creation of Israel, asserting...

Where have all the Christians gone? New research reveals that this question is becoming more common as Americans abandon Christianity. Is this data helpful, and can it help guide those raising the next generation of Christians?  Thinking Fellows: Show Notes: Support 1517 on Giving Tuesday 1517 Podcasts The Pew Results The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube Being Dad What's New...

Caleb and Bruce are joined by Blake Flattley and Flame to discuss their new album, Freedom Lessons. Freedom Lessons follows Luther's Small Catechism to bring the riches of God's forgiveness and freedom to audiences through a creative musical collaboration. The episode focuses on the artistic decisions necessary to make good music with a solid theological foundation and message. Show Notes: Support...

The Thinking Fellows are live from Here We Still Stand 2023. The original cast is joined by special guest Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason to discuss the lasting impact of C.S. Lewis. The conversation focuses on the ability of Lewis to communicate effectively and clearly across disciplines. Lewis stands as a model for Christians to learn how to declare and defend the good news that we are forgiven an...

In this episode, Caleb interviews Bruce about his new video series. Bruce is hosting a new series on X discussing gray space. Bruce defines gray space as those issues that are not solved with simple "black and white" answers.  Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What's New from 1517: Free 2023 Advent Resources 2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets...

The Thinking Fellows talk about the tension between doubt and faith. Bruce and Adam specify the difference between existential and intellectual doubts. Finally, the Fellows think about how to address the doubts and pains of other Christians. The episode concludes with how Christians can declare confident and sure promises from Christ.  Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Networ...

The Thinking Fellows close their series on the Solas of the Reformation with an episode on Sola Scriptura or "Scripture Alone." The Thinking Fellows are led by Adam Francisco this week to highlight the centrality of Scripture. They discuss misunderstandings about Sola Scriptura and how the Scriptures reveal Christ and his Gospel.  Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on...

The Thinking Fellows discuss the history and importance of the phrase "Solus Christus" or Christ Alone. They cover why Christ Alone became a rallying cry of the reformation. Christ Alone excludes unbiblical ad-ons to justification and salvation like the other Solas of the Reformation. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What's New from...

Faith alone is likely the earliest sola slogan used during the Reformation. The Thinking Fellows discuss why affirming justification by faith alone is so significant. Why do some traditions accept the idea of justification by faith but drop the "alone?" The Fellows close by explaining how faith alone delivers assurance to troubled and doubting consciences.  Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts T...

What does it mean that we are saved by grace alone? The Thinking Fellows embarked on a new set of episodes focused on "Solas" of the Reformation. In this episode, they look at Sola Gratia or Grace Alone. They discuss the phrase's origin and use, outlining how the exclusive participle redefines and repositions the doctrine of grace within Lutheran Theology.  Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts T...

Dr. John Hoyum hosts an episode of the Thinking Fellows discussing virtue ethics. The Fellows first define virtue ethics and its resurgence in Christian conversations. They then ask if virtue ethics is a helpful and good way of approaching the Christian life.  Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Survey Support 1517 After Virtue  Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple P...

The Thinking Fellows revisit the topic of friendship. Who are your friends, and why do you need them? Can your spouse fulfill the entirety of your need for friends? Is there a distinction between Christian and non-Christian friends? The fellows explore these questions and more.  Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Survey Support 1517 Being Dad Where Two or Three Are Gathered 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Ne...

Are accountability groups a good idea? The Thinking Fellows discuss the potential use of accountability groups in the church. They suggest some ways in which carving out space for strong male friendships is valued in the church while being cautious about issues surrounding discipline and sanctification.  Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on...

The Thinking Fellows discuss movies they enjoy watching. The conversation revolves around the presence of theological and moral meaning in film. How should we interpret movies, and are they valuable or edifying for Christians to analyze and use in analogy?  Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What's New from...

Bruce, Adam, and Caleb discuss the textual and narrative differences between the four gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry. Should the differences worry Christians? How should Christians respond when confronted with supposed contradictions and errors in Scripture? Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What's New from 1517: Join the...

Is your happiness an indicator of God's relationship with you? Are emotions a good indicator of divine revelation? The Thinking Fellows consider the purpose and place of happiness in the Christian life. In doing so, they discuss why it's essential to re-center our definition of happiness and preach the happiness of the Gospel while not relying upon emotions for divine revelation. Show Notes: Suppo...

The Thinking Fellows discuss the history and position of the Apocrypha for Lutherans. They present critical reasons for rejecting the Apocrypha from the biblical canon. Similarly, they discuss why the "removal" of the apocryphal books is not a strong polemic against Lutherans regarding Sola Scripture. However, they also discuss ways in which reading apocryphal books can be helpful.  Show Notes: Su...

Adiaphora is a theological term that means "indifference." It typically refers to practices that are neither commanded nor forbidden by God in Scripture. The Lutheran churches have historically used adiaphora as a method for explaining and allowing reasonable liturgical and personal piety differences between churches to exist while remaining unified around the core confessions of the church. The f...

The Thinking Fellows weigh on one of the most tense issues that affect Churches. What are parents to do when their children's extracurricular activities get scheduled on Sunday? The Fellows discuss ways to increase parental and particularly paternal commitment to church attendance.  Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What's New from 15...

The Fellows give some books and other recommendations. In the early years of Thinking Fellows, book recommendation episodes were a frequent fan favorite. The Fellows return with recommendations, both new and old. Show Notes: Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What's New from 1517: The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of...

In this episode, the Thinking Fellows discuss the centrality and importance of Christians' doctrinal content and confessions. They ask how this doctrinal core differs from other world religions. The end of the episode focuses on the place and purpose of Christian practices and how they are shaped and impact doctrine. Show Notes Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast...

In this episode, the Thinking Fellows ask, what are sacred spaces, and do we need them? Bruce Hillman helps define what a holy space is while the fellows discuss the societal and religious functions that they serve. They conclude with examples of how Christianity uses sacred spaces such as churches but is uniquely authorized to do God's work in word and sacrament apart from a "temple" when necessa...

In this episode, the Thinking Fellows discuss the idea of orthodoxy. What does it mean to be orthodox or to have an orthodox faith? They look at the utility of identifying orthodoxy and also at the importance of distinguishing between denominational differences and heresy.  Show Notes Support the Show 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube More from the hosts Cale...

This week, Caleb and Scott are joined by Dan Price to introduce the latest 1517 Podcast, "Tough Texts." On Tough Texts, Dan and Scott address classically tricky passages of Scripture and meet these texts with a plain reading. In this episode, Caleb asks Dan and Scott what it means for Scripture to be clear and how clarity and difficulty can be present in a text.    Show Notes Support the Show 1517...

Caleb, Scott, Adam, and Bruce discuss J. Gresham Machen's work  Christianity and Liberalism.  This first episode of a two-part podcast delivers an introduction to Machen and the context of American Protestantism during the early twentieth century. The Fellows praise Machen's book as prophetic while noting that it is refreshingly plain and easy to approach. Check back next week for their commentary...