By Brian W. Thomas

09/05/25

14mins

Sacraments for the Rest of Us

The reason Christians argue so much about the sacraments is because, deep down, they matter.

A Review of 'Single Ever After: A Biblical Vision for the Significance of Singleness'

Amy Mantravadi

09/04/25

A Review of 'Single Ever After: A Biblical Vision for the Significance of Singleness'" by Danielle Treweek

Treweek points us to the happy ending to come in eternity, when the entire church will be married to her Redeemer.

1517 Staff

09/03/25

From Christ-Adjacent to Christ-Abiding

I realized I had long and drastically underestimated the depth and vitality of the Christian intellectual tradition.

All Articles

Donavon Riley

03/18/22

The Stupid Monk at The Diet at Worms (Part 4)

Theologians of glory searched for God everywhere except the Cross of Christ.

Donavon Riley

03/11/22

The Stupid Monk at The Diet at Worms (Part 3)

For Luther, those who refuse Christ as a curse want their sin removed not in Christ but in themselves.

Donavon Riley

03/01/22

The Stupid Monk at The Diet at Worms: Part 2

Christ powerless on the Cross is where the false definitions of glory theologies are exposed and everything is turned upside down.

Donavon Riley

02/22/22

The Stupid Monk at The Diet at Worms: Part One

Luther’s confessions and writings during that time demonstrated the diagnosis of the problem he faced had always been the same.

Donavon Riley

01/26/22

God's Mercy Never Dries Up

Our hope is God's mercy. It's like a well that never dries up. His mercies were there before he created us. They are present for us today.

Donavon Riley

01/20/22

How Awesome Are Your Deeds!

God's power and works are awesome and cannot be stifled. His grace and mercy will be heard above the growls and howls of those who deny Christ Jesus is God and Savior

Donavon Riley

11/22/21

Offering the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

That's how true faith talks. It doesn't talk about itself. It says "Thank you!" to the one who gives healing and salvation.

Donavon Riley

10/27/21

Erasmus versus Luther: Bound to Be Free (Part 8)

Erasmus sought to find meaning behind the words of Scripture in order to make an ultimate claim. Luther, on the other hand, found the Gospel to be meaningless outside of Christ and his Cross.

Donavon Riley

10/14/21

Erasmus versus Luther - Bound to Be Free, Part 7

Luther understood when the Word of God came it did not offer sinners a choice.

Donavon Riley

09/22/21

Luther versus Erasmus: Bound to Be Free (Part 6)

For Luther, Erasmus’ Christ-less, Spirit-less theological conclusions demonstrated that behind his supposed humanistic optimism lay a profound despair and pessimism.

Donavon Riley

09/18/21

Luther versus Erasmus: Bound to Be Free (Part 5)

For Erasmus, it would be better for people in general to bear the disease of moralism and choice than to be cured of it by the preaching and teaching of God’s unconditional election of sinners in Christ.

Donavon Riley

08/21/21

Luther versus Erasmus: Bound to be Free (Part 4)

When explaining that sinners were saved by grace alone Erasmus would not go so far as to say that the reception of God’s grace erased human responsibility.

1517 is a Christian non-profit (501(c)3) multi-media organization. Our mission is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus alone.

1517 grants permission for our free online resources to be printed, photocopied, and otherwise used freely for private and church use. We require that authorship and source (1517.org) are referenced and maintained. These resources may not be sold or included in any publications for sale.

Articles

Podcasts

Scripture

Books

Events

Music

Videos

Courses

All Articles