Thinking Fellows

Thinking Fellows come into their monthly Q&A episodes with a big question about interpreting Romans chapter nine. After the break, the fellows talk about what books they are currently reading. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show. Show Notes Wittenberg vs. Geneva The Worlds of Medevil Europe The Great Lie Praying the Catechism Between Wittenberg and Geneva The Anarchists Tool Chest Be...

Today, the fellows dive back into apologetics. Talking about epistemology, we discuss the necessary link between historical data and theological knowledge. The discussion also leads to a passionate argument against the weaknesses in neo-orthodoxy and the giving up of Christianity's historical high ground. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.  Show Notes: Sensible Christianity History...

Today we dive into what is probably Luther's most influential work. The Small Catechism was a tool for pastors and families to learn the essential doctrine of the Chrisitan faith. The fellows breakdown the history and context of this little work and then briefly explain each section. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.  Show Notes: Meeting Melanchthon Small Catechsim on Amazon The B...

Ever since Christ's ascension into heaven, Christians have been arguing about who Jesus is. The Thinking Fellows talk about the Scriptural proclamation that Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. Commonly referred to as the two natures in Christ this doctrine is foundational to Christian belief and has profound implications regarding atonement and justification. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, an...

C.S. Lewis was one of the most prolific Christian authors of the 20th century. As an adult convert, he delivered a powerful apologetic to the Christian faith. On this episode, we talk about the history, theology, and impact of this great thinker. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show. Show Notes: The 4 Loves Audiobook Mere Christianity The Great Divorce The Screwtape Letters Abolition...

As we begin recording into the new year, the Thinking Fellows take time to answer two big listener questions. Over the course of 2017 over 15 listeners asked nearly the same questions. One topic weighing heavily on people at home is the concept of infant baptism. We take the first half of the show to tackle this issue of assurance and faith. Then for the second half of the show, we talk about apos...

The Thinking Fellows kick off 2018 with a final episode on defining various terms used throughout the show. Additionally, Dr. Francisco is back and helps define the characteristics of the significant time periods of the church up to the Reformation. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.  Show Notes: Thinking Fellows Bundle The Rise of Western Christendom Modern Fascism Post Modern Tim...

Today, we are spending another episode defining terms used throughout the show over the last two years. This episode is meant to be a big thank you to all of our listeners and supporters. We hope you enjoy the show and we look forward to some amazing episodes in 2018. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.  Show Notes Thinking Fellows apologetics series Thinking Fellows on the authorit...

As Christmas approaches, the Fellows take on a long time listener request to define our terms. Sometimes on the show, the hosts use words or phrases for which not every listener had context. To help out, we take on some of the most common phrases and topics we have covered and condense them into 2-3min explanations. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.    Show Notes TF on the Law TF...

After spending two episodes dealing with the apparent tension between justification and good works we dedicate another installment to the doctrine of vocation. Good works are not opposed to our justification, but it is clear from the Scriptures that they do not earn sinners status before God. The question then arises, what good or to what aim are good works? Sit back, relax, and grab a drink as we...

On this episode of the show, the Fellows tackle synergism. This error has been present in every age of Christianity and poses unique challenges to Christianity in America. Sit back, relax, grab a drink and enjoy the show. Show Notes: Here We Still Stand 2018 Heidelberg Disputation Caleb Keith on the Prodigal Son      

Drs. Keith and Rosenbladt are back on the show to talk about repentance. Also on this episode is a friend and guest, Aaron Pederson. Looking from Scripture and Luther we ask the question is repentance a gift of faith or a work towards faith? Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and join the conversation. Show Notes: 1517 Academy Being Dad Thinking Fellows on Johan Arndt Donate    

Caleb Keith and Dr. Adam Francisco are joined by a guest to talk about the liberal arts and classical education. Our guest today is Dr. C.J. Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong teaches Theology, Classical Languages, and Ancient History at Concordia University Irvine. On this episode, we talk about why classical education isn't just for academics but helps shape the worldview of people in all stations of life...

Caleb Keith and Dr. Adam Francisco talk about the political history of the Reformation. Dr. Francisco takes the conversation back all the way to the fall of Rome to help render a clear picture of what political system Luther faced and worked within. While not a secular reformer, Luther's political impact is impossible to ignore. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show. Show notes The Res...

Caleb Keith interviews Dr. Montgomery about his background and beginning in apologetics. For Dr. Montgomery, apologetics starts by asking questions about truth and the pursuit of knowledge. This conversation leads up to talk about the approach to learning apologetics and how to handle tough issues in the midst of evangelism. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.  Show Notes:  History,...

On this episode of the Thinking Fellows, Dr. Keith talks to David Zahl about Mockingbird Ministries. Zahl is the director of Mockingbird, and author, and podcast host. This episode highlights the annual Mockingbird conference in NYC and many of the other resources that they produce. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show. Show Notes: About Mockingbird Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinn...

Chad Bird joined the Thinking Fellows at the Here We Still Stand conference in San Diego to talk about his new book. Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul. This book wrestles with sin and grace in the midst of turmoil. The entire book points to the redemptive work of Christ and the extra nos gift of life and salvation. On this episode, Chad gives a sneak peek at a handful of the chapters. Sit...

As one of the last episodes in our latest series about the great ideas of the Reformation, we talk about the relationship between faith and reason. The Fellows discuss Luther's famous quotes about reason and then delve into issues facing our post-modern culture. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.    Show Notes: The Ressurection Fact Martin Luther: The Problem with Faith and Reason...

The Reformation was not an isolated event; it had an impact not only in Germany but throughout the world. The Reformation was also impacted by forces outside the Church including the impending threat of Islam. For the Lutheran reformers knowing about Islam was essential for the preservation of Christians who might be captured in war or invasion. Sit back, relax, grab a drink and enjoy the show. Th...

The Heidelberg Disputation represents the first time that Reformational theology emerges as a whole. In this work, Dr. Luther highlights 28 fundamental truths of the Christian faith. Almost every major issue of the Reformation is covered in bite-sized sentences. The Fellows outline the context, history, and impact of the disputation as a lead up the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Sit back,...

The Thinking Fellows are together with Dr. Wade Johnston to discuss Matthias Flacius. This episode serves as a crossover between our series on great thinkers of the Christian faith and our current Reformation topics. Flacius was a significant figure in the later Lutheran Reformation and had a large impact on the topics within the Formula of Concord. Sit back, relax, grab a drink and enjoy the show...

After a long summer of traveling guest episodes, the Fellows are back in Southern California recording together. The Thinking Fellows are joined by Dr. Wade Johnston to discuss his two books, A Path Strewn With Sinners and An Uncompromising Gospel . The fire of the Reformation was fueled by lay education. To that end, both books are meant for study at the lay level, no Ph. D. or formal training ne...

On this episode, the fellows are once again joined by Dr. Nestingen and Prof. Pless. This time, we tackle listener questions about doctrine and the differences between Norwegian and German Lutheranism. As a bonus, we recorded this episode in Bergen Norway, and some of our Norwegian hosts join us in the second half of the show. Sit back relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.  Show Notes: Here We...

The Thinking Fellows are joined by Dr. Jim Nestingen and Rev. John Pless to talk about their new book titled  The Necessary Distinction.  On this episode, we cover basic questions concerning Law and Gospel and the important difference between distinguishing and separating these two vital doctrines. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.  Show Notes: The Necessary Distinction Here We St...

"What Drove Luther's Hammer" is a look behind the curtain of Martin Luther's reasons for reform. Dr. Rosenbladt reanimates his classic lecture as a conversation between two old friends. So, sit back, grab a drink, light your pipe, and join us in the fun. Show Notes: Here We Still Stand Three Treatises Bainton Kittleson Rupp