By Adam Francisco

09/15/26

15mins

Josephus on Jesus

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.

Political Polarization and Cultural Christianity

John W. Hoyum

09/18/26

Political Polarization and Cultural Christianity

Today, the longing for cultural Christianity on both the left and the right hearkens back to an older version of Christendom that was a mixed blessing for the church in the western world. The cultural mediation of Christian views on created order has certainly benefitted the civilization we’ve inherited. But the gospel itself isn’t something that can be reduced to cultural mediation either. Instead, the gospel as a message stands apart from all human accomplishments and achievements, no matter how beneficial they might be.

Geography: How the “Where” Impacts the “Why” of the Biblical Story

Mark Duerr

09/16/26

Geography: How the “Where” Impacts the “Why” of the Biblical Story

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.

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Donavon Riley

01/28/26

Why Christian Tradition? Why Absolution and Mercy

This is the third in a series meant to let the Christian tradition speak for itself, the way it has carried Christians through long winters, confusion, and joy for centuries.

Heather Schulz

01/22/26

Is Faith Enough?

We can bring our troubles, griefs, sorrows, and sins to Jesus, who meets us smack dab in the middle of our messy mob.

Steven Paulson

01/15/26

Psalm 12, Part 1: Set in Salvation

Salvation is not merely to be put in “safety” but to be put into Christ.

Bradley Gray

01/01/26

The Doctrine of God at Christmas

Christmas is not only about a cradle in Bethlehem, it’s also about a cross outside Jerusalem where salvation was won for us.

Ryan Tinetti

12/09/25

Was Jesus Ambitious?

Was Jesus ambitious or unambitious? We have to say that the answer is…yes.

1517 Staff

12/01/25

An Excerpt from Coming Home for Christmas: Advent in Isaiah Devotional

This is an excerpt from this year’s 1517 Advent Devotional.

Matthew L. Rubinstein

11/12/25

I Forgive You, Adam

Forgiveness is not ours to manufacture. It is ours to proclaim.

Luke Kjolhaug

11/11/25

Seamless Fig Leaves

When we fail, our first impulse is the same as that of our spiritual ancestors: to sprint headlong into the bushes.

Donavon Riley

11/07/25

You are not weak. You are at war.

Resurrection does not start in sunlight. It begins in the dark.

John W. Hoyum

11/06/25

Reformation Christians and the Current Catholic Moment

Something Reformation Christians ought to do is familiarize themselves with Roman Catholic theology.

Matthew L. Rubinstein

11/04/25

Grace in the Gap

The acrostic psalms do not hold because of their perfect structure. Nor do our lives.

Brian W. Thomas

10/31/25

The Reformation for the Rest of Us

The Reformation isn’t just a chapter in church history. It’s a reminder that the gospel remains forever good news.

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