The women at the tomb were surprised by Easter. Amazed and filled with wonder at Jesus' Easter eucatastrophe. And so are we.
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.

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The following is a Question and Answer session with author and pastor Donavon Riley where we talk about his latest book, “Crucifying Religion: How Jesus is the End of Religion”.
The following is an excerpt adapted from, “Human Rights and Human Dignity,” written by John Warwick Montgomery (1517 Publishing, 2016).
The story of these faithful Christians serves to highlight the roles of both Africa and martyrdom in the early church and today.
Nothing, not pain, hurt, resentment, bitterness, or hopelessness can separate us from God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.
The following is an excerpt from “Crucifying Religion” written by Donavon Riley (1517 Publishing, 2019).
It was reported that Hus died singing, “Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me.”
We can’t all afford to travel the world, but the more we read from outside our own context, the bigger we see the world.
The following is an excerpt from “Crucifying Religion” written by Donavon Riley (1517 Publishing, 2019).
The creeds provide a means of unified confession that is biblically sound, transcending denominational lines of demarcation.
When the church has gone astray, it has been the responsible (not slavish) approach to history that has helped correct the course.
This creed is no mere squabble over words. Salvation is on the line.