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

Martin Luther
Martin Luther
09/25/21

Repentance In Your Name vs. Repentance In Christ's Name

To repent in his name is done thus: in those who believe in Christ God through the same faith works a change for the better, not for a moment, nor for an hour, but for their whole life.
1517 Publishing
1517 Publishing
09/24/21

In Search for the Meaning of Grace

Except for the Augsburg Confession, Melanchthon’s Loci communes of 1521 were the most important of his writings.
Donavon Riley
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.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
09/21/21

The Bible and How to Read It. Part 2: How Do I Read It?

God’s word is creative in both the imaginative sense and the constructive sense. It brings things into existence and displays new ideas, images, and concepts we did not previously perceive.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
09/20/21

The Grace of Falling Up the Stairs

The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man.
Donavon Riley
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.
Blake Flattley
Blake Flattley
09/17/21

Singing through the Book of Common Prayer: A Review of Liturgical Folk's "Matins and Vespers"

In a time of unknown, the Flanigans found comfort in the words of the prayer book and made them truly their own.
Kevin Hale
Kevin Hale
09/14/21

Paying Attention to Genre in Scripture

While all Scripture is the self-revelation of God, not all Scripture should be read in the same way.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
09/13/21

Free Indeed

Jesus’s freedom is different. It isn’t meant to indicate that the moorings which tether men and women to what is true, beautiful, and holy are unfastened, liberating them to do anything they please.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
09/10/21

Hypocrites and Work-Saints

The upright, in whom the law has exercised its work, when they feel their sickness and weakness, say: God will help me; I trust in him; I build upon him; he is my rock and hope.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
08/31/21

A Q&A for the Second Edition of "The Christian Life: Cross or Glory?

The Second Edition of “The Christian Life: Cross or Glory?” by Steven Hein is now available from 1517 Publishing.
Grant Klembara
Grant Klembara
08/27/21

Did I Blow My Chance with God?

For all mankind, the answer is terrifically simple and remains the same: God wants to turn us towards the cross and then turn us back to our neighbors.
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.org
Search
Academy
Donate

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.