By Sam Leanza Ortiz

05/12/25

14mins

The Weathervane of the Eastern Church

On its journey from Byzantium to Constantinople to Istanbul, this special place helps us understand the broader arc of Christian history, which goes on until Christ's return.

Christian History

Church Attendance Increases in New Study—But Can We Trust It?

Bruce Hillman

05/09/25

Church Attendance Increases in New Study—But Can We Trust It?

We needn’t fear statistics and studies as palm readings into a certain future. God is God, and his Spirit is alive through his Word.

Donavon Riley

05/08/25

Because He Lives, He Goes With Us

Christ does not hide his wounds. He offers them.

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1517 Staff

02/03/20

Q&A for Faithless to Fearless

Neither the disciples nor Paul expected a resurrected Messiah, so something has to account for their dramatic transition from faithless to fearless in the days/years following Jesus’ crucifixion.

Peter Nafzger

02/03/20

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20 (Epiphany 5: Series A)

The followers of Jesus have a function to perform. When they do not perform it—that is, when they are not being themselves—the world suffers.

John Bombaro

02/03/20

Epistle: I Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) (Epiphany 5: Series A)

Paul says Christian faith means confessing Jesus is Lord, beginning at the Cross, and owning the historical fact that God raised Him from the dead.

Jeffrey Pulse

02/03/20

Old Testament: Isaiah 58:3-9a (Epiphany 5: Series A)

There are good, God-pleasing reasons to attend a Divine Service, but worship attendance can also be an action by which we try to earn or deserve the favor and love of God. This is an ongoing struggle in every worshiping community.

Gretchen Ronnevik

01/29/20

Your Bible Reading Plan Won't Save You

If I’m honest, I want that completed Bible reading plan more than I want grace.

Ryan Couch

01/28/20

You Aren’t Jesus and You Don’t Need to Be

The gospel is the good news that in Christ we have been given the very righteousness of Christ himself. This means that everything God commands of us is given to us in Christ as a gift.

Philip Bartelt

01/27/20

Pelagius and Pelagianism

Pelagius maintained an orthodox appearance while rejecting original sin and the distinction between law and gospel.

Robert Kolb

01/27/20

I’m Mortified and, If Not, I Must Get to It

God has placed preachers of His Word in the frontlines of His combat against Satan and all his minions that is fought out on the battlefields of the individual lives of believers.

Peter Nafzger

01/27/20

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 (Epiphany 4: Series A)

Our first mistake in thinking about the blessed life is we expect to experience it fully in this life.

John Bombaro

01/27/20

Epistle: Hebrews 2:14-18 (The Purification of Mary but also the Presentation of Our Lord)

This passage, above all others, speaks most fully about Jesus as the elder brother, the firstborn, of a large family; the family of God the Father, Creator of humankind.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/27/20

Old Testament: Micah 6:1-8 (Epiphany 4: Series A)

A close examination of the entire life and ministry of Jesus reflects the Exodus event, and Jesus is the New Moses/the prophet like Moses.

Chad Bird

01/21/20

Neither Bootlicking Nor Pigheadedness: Freedom of Speech Before God

Sometimes believers vigorously debate God, sometimes they nod a silent Amen. Together, their narratives paint a picture of a life of faith characterized by complexity and tension.

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