Grace and the Illusion of Control
By Ryan Couch
06/22/26
17mins

Grace and the Illusion of Control

The life we are trying to manage, improve, and secure is not something to be mastered. It is something to be surrendered. And this is where everything changes. Because in Christ, the approval we are seeking has already been spoken.
The Turk at the Door: Luther, Islam, and the Fate of Christendom in the 16th Century
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
06/19/26

The Turk at the Door: Luther, Islam, and the Fate of Christendom in the 16th Century

It is within this charged atmosphere that Luther’s writings take on their full significance. His responses to the Turkish threat were not merely reactions to military events; they were rooted in a deep theological reflection on the nature of God’s rule over the world, the responsibilities of Christian rulers, and the role of the Church in times of crisis.
AI Can't Save You
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
06/17/26

AI Can't Save You

Your God is not artificially intelligent, but the source of all intelligence (including yours).

All Articles

Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
11/03/25

All Saints’ Day: A Holy Band of Brothers and Sisters in Christ

All Saints’ Day is a war story. And in Christ crucified and risen, it’s also a victory story.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
10/29/25

The Reformation Explosion

The Protestant milieu was pervaded with the announcement that God and God alone is the active agent in the salvation of sinners.
Debi Winrich
Debi Winrich |
Uwe Siemon-Netto
Uwe Siemon-Netto
09/09/25

Urchin at Rest

We rejoice that this urchin is now at rest in the arms of his known God who binds up the broken hearted and sets the captives free.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
08/08/25

The Last Great Gnesio: Remembering Oliver K. Olson

Oliver was a friend, chaplain, professor, author, and loyal church reformer. This Gnesio-Lutheran giant will be missed.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
08/04/25

When our Childhood Heroes Die

Why reflect on these three men — MacArthur, Ozzy, and Hulk Hogan — in the same breath?
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.
Seth Moorman
Seth Moorman
06/30/25

What Makes A Saint: A Saint Suffers

This is the third installment in the 1517 articles series, “What Makes a Saint?”
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
06/26/25

Dignity is not Enough: Thinking Biblically About Assisted Dying

I always imagined dying a faithful death for Christ would mean burning at the stake. Now, I suspect it will mean dying in my bed of natural causes.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
04/22/25

What does Pope Francis’ Death Mean to Protestants?

While I disagree with many things Francis did and believed, I think he deserves credit for this: Francis showed us what Christian leadership can look like.
Steve Kruschel
Steve Kruschel
03/06/25

Through the Tombs of the Kings: Asa - Laid In the Tomb He Made

This is the first installment in our Lenten series, Through the Tombs of the Kings, where Steve Kruschel explores God’s faithfulness to Judah’s kings—and to us—through life, death, and the burial of his Son.
Seth Moorman
Seth Moorman
03/04/25

Just Another Forty Days?

Repentance is not limited to a season.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
10/16/24

Essential Reading for Lutheran Theology: The Thinking Fellows List

Below is the Thinking Fellows Essential Reading List with contributions from each of the Thinking Fellows hosts.
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