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.

All Articles

Steven Paulson

08/02/21

That's a Good Question: Are We All Predestined to Either Heaven or Hell?

The reason the mind is endlessly troubled about God predestining everything is the vague generalization. Generalizations are cold as ice, without the warm Christ.

Scott Davis

07/31/21

The Gospel and the Boy Who Cried Wolf

It isn’t that God struggles to believe our repeated cries of “wolf.” Rather, we struggle to believe God when he repeatedly comes to us with forgiveness and mercy on his lips.

Haroldo Camacho

07/29/21

The Sixth Beatitude: Makarios in a Crucible?

We are not saved by the success of our refining process. We are saved precisely because our impurities, no matter what the percentage, ruin the whole thing.

Donavon Riley

07/28/21

Luther versus Erasmus: Bound to Be Free (Part 1)

Luther’s allies and opponents also would not allow him to put off responding to Erasmus indefinitely. They badgered him constantly to write a response.

Scott Keith

07/26/21

That's a Good Question: What Should we do When the Church Lets us Down?

The Church is where God has instituted the office of the preacher of the gospel. And if you are let-down, the gospel is what you need to hear.

John Bombaro

07/24/21

What Is the Purpose of the Church?

Ascertaining the what and how of the Church greatly factor into the very purpose of the Church, that is, they essentially answer the question why the Church?

Bradley Gray

07/21/21

A Lamp in a Dark World

Through the often abominable and lamentable and occasional commendable season, there is one who remains unmoved by it all.

Chad Bird

07/20/21

A Q&A for The Christ Key: Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament

The Christ Key: Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament by Chad Bird is now available to order

Steven A. Hein

07/19/21

That's A Good Question: Is God Responsible for Death?

We do not have to endure the pain and suffering of this fallen existence forever, just for a little while.

Chad Bird

07/16/21

Pencil Sketches: How Old Testament Individuals Outlined the Messiah's Colorful Life

When we read about Noah, we are reading backward to Adam and forward to Jesus.

Haroldo Camacho

07/15/21

The Fourth Beatitude: More than Cornucopias for the Hungry

Blessed are we, for we are filled by the cornucopia of Christ’s righteousness.

Bradley Gray

07/13/21

A Kingdom of Sheathed Swords and Severed Ears

But Jesus didn’t see it that way. He saw his arrest not as the kingdom’s program being thwarted but as it being “fulfilled.”

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 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.

Study

Resources

Churches

Events

About

My Donations

All Articles