Josephus does not tell us that Christianity is true, and Christians do not need Josephus to tell them that Christ is risen. But Christianity makes claims about things that happened in public history under identifiable rulers, priests, and governors. For that reason, testimony from outside the church matters.
The student of Scripture should always have a map open next to their Bible as they read. If possible, they should also travel to Israel, not to make a pilgrimage, but to see the context of the land in which these stories took place. These are not fairy tales made up about fictional fantasy lands; these are stories about real people in real places interacting with a real God.
The word of assurance given to Moses at Sinai echoes through eternity on the lips of the Savior, untroubling troubled souls with the good news that there is one who walks the paths of life with you, and soon he’s coming to bring you to himself.

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The mere fact of “having faith” or saying that “you believe” is not as important as in what or in whom your faith rests.
To obtain this righteousness, you have to admit you don’t have it and could never produce it on your own because you are unrighteous.
True religion or true faith is heavenly. It understands that mankind’s only hope has to come from outside of itself.
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Your faith is not fragile glass.
This is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of Clothed with Christ written by Brian W. Thomas (1517 Publishing, 2024). Now available!
This is an excerpt from Chapter 4 of Clothed with Christ written byBrian W. Thomas (1517 Publishing, 2024). Now available for preorder.
It is the story of a God who is not distant, not indifferent, not doing anything in half-measures, but who is here, now.
As both law and gospel are proclaimed, judgment and deliverance are miraculously pronounced over the hearer.
The one who delights in the law of the Lord learns to fear his own good works and trust God outside of them.
Free speech isn't dead yet, and when it comes to the proclamation of the gospel, it never will be.
God can never really be said to be ignoring us, even if our experience with God at any given moment is that he is.
Despite the fact that this could sound strange to modern ears, Luther has an important reason for saying what he does about the Commandments.