Why Christian Tradition? Why the Liturgy
By Donavon Riley
01/09/26
12mins

Why Christian Tradition? Why the Liturgy

This is the first in a series meant to let the Christian tradition speak for itself, the way it has carried Christians through long winters, confusion, and joy for centuries.
The Future of Lutheranism Belongs to Builders
Russ Lackey
Russ Lackey |
Mark Mattes
Mark Mattes
01/08/26

The Future of Lutheranism Belongs to Builders

The crisis is not merely that people are leaving. The crisis is that we have relinquished what is uniquely Lutheran and deeply needed.
A Psalm for the Desperate
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
01/07/26

A Psalm for the Desperate

The ethos of the church’s worship is found in poor, needy, and desperate sinners finding solace and relief in the God of their salvation.

All Articles

Russ Lackey
Russ Lackey
01/05/26

Wake Up Dead Man: A Word Worth Saving for Lent

Wake Up Dead Man is not ultimately a story about mystery, exposure, or even justice. It is a story about what happens when mercy speaks to death—and death listens.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
12/25/25

What to Preach and Not to Preach at Christmas

Christmas is not for remembering, thinking, pondering, trying to make sure you are really celebrating it properly, or for wondering whether you truly have faith.
Russ Lackey
Russ Lackey
11/17/25

The Word That Will Not Shut Down

Every age has its emergencies, and the church must never ignore them. Yet, our response cannot be one of panic or propaganda.
Matthew L. Rubinstein
Matthew L. Rubinstein
11/12/25

I Forgive You, Adam

Forgiveness is not ours to manufacture. It is ours to proclaim.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
10/16/25

An Introduction to The Bondage of the Will: The Preached and Unpreached God

This is the fifth installment in our article series, “An Introduction to the Bondage of the Will,” written to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Bondage of the Will.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/08/25

When Churches Are Abused by Their Pastors

When a congregation is abused by its pastor, it loses more than a shepherd. It loses its threshold place; that fragile seam between earth and heaven.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
09/18/25

Spiritual But Not Useless

Christian spirituality is not a flight from the world, but a deep dive into its brokenness.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/07/25

Gen-X, The Church Needs Your Scars

We don’t need another brand. We need a people who remember who they are. And that’s us, Gen-X.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
07/23/25

Bold Preaching, Imperfect Vessels: Remembering John MacArthur

MacArthur’s courage to speak Scripture’s truth, no matter the audience, should be commended.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
07/04/25

Freedom Beyond Strength and Wisdom

Wisdom and strength require bootstrap-pulling and the placing of noses to grindstones.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
06/16/25

What Makes a Saint: A Saint is Justified

This is the first installment in the 1517 articles series, “What Makes a Saint?”
Michael Gibney
Michael Gibney
06/10/25

Why I Needed a Church That Gives Jesus: On Rooted Faith and Real Absolution

What I was missing—what so many are missing—is a Church that doesn’t just speak about Christ, but delivers him.
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