This is an excerpt from Chapter 6 in Sinner Saint: A Surprising Primer to the Christian Life (1517 Publishing, 2025). Sinner Saint is available today from 1517 Publishing.
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.
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.

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For almost three years, I have produced a weekly video in the series “Reading the Gospels through Hebrew Eyes.” Here is an index of all the Gospel readings covered so far, with links to their YouTube videos.
The whole Old Testament leans with this unanswered and open-ended question at the end: Is he here yet?
Why is it important for us to confess and remember the virgin birth? It is important because of its place within the total story of redemption.
He is given His name so you could call on it. He is called Jesus, so you can call on Jesus and be saved.
Regardless of why they happen, sermon flops do happen to all of us. So, what should you do next?
To trust in the Lord, the Messiah, the Deliverer, is our salvation and our only hope. Yet he does not trust us to have this “trust” on our own or of our own will.
A.I. can’t make the proclamatory move that delivers God’s word in a way that is specifically for me.
The beauty of this season ought to draw preachers into the Scriptures own poetry, rich imagery, and paradoxical language to present the holy mystery of Christ’s incarnation.
The eternal Word of God became a mortal human being, but not in some far-off heavenly realm. No, He took up residence among us.
Christmas is a season of irony and song that helps us to know the sacred past and the truth of the Gospel of our salvation.
Christmas wrecks all attempts to penetrate God’s hiddenness and seek Him out in Heaven. He comes to us clothed in our humanity.
The lesson of Malachi reveals God’s love for his people. When the people ask for proof of God’s love, he reminds them of their election.