When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not
By Russ Lackey | Mark Mattes
01/20/26
19mins

When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not

American religion did not become optional because the gospel failed. It became optional because religion slowly redefined itself around usefulness.
Behold the Lamb
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
01/19/26

Behold the Lamb

The Passover wasn’t just Israel’s story; it’s ours.
Psalm 12, Part 2: The Saint Fails, The Word Purifies
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
01/16/26

Psalm 12, Part 2: The Saint Fails, The Word Purifies

God makes us pure saints by planting us back in the earth we imagined we needed to escape.

All Articles

Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
12/19/19

In Memory of Katharina von Bora, Part 2

In some measure, if Luther had any success during his last two decades, it happened because of the woman who’d insisted on him as her bridegroom.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
12/16/19

The Promises of Advent: Born in the Midst of Suffering

While we do not have an answer, we do have a promise. A promise given to us by a God whose one and only Son was himself slaughtered by those terrified of losing their power.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
12/13/19

In Memory of Katharina von Bora, Part 1

Her importance goes beyond simply managing the reformer’s household.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
12/12/19

Third Sunday in Advent: Matthew 11:2-11

The following is an excerpt from “A Year of Grace: Collected Sermons of Advent through Pentecost” written by Bo Giertz and translated by Bror Erickson (1517 Publishing, 2019).
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
12/09/19

The Promises of Advent: Son of Abraham

Abraham knew that this was a God who kept his promises.
Philip Bartelt
Philip Bartelt
12/03/19

The Promises of Advent: Born of a Virgin

God does not combat the impending armies of Satan with might and power, but with the weakness of a babe.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
12/03/19

The Promises of Advent: Will Conquer Satan

The Son of Eve disarmed Satan’s hold on humanity, not with an earthquake, atomic bomb, or brilliant essay, but with his dead body and final words, “It is finished.”
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
11/14/19

How Do You Know They Are "the One"? Part 2 of 2

“I forgive you,” must be said and it must be said often in a marriage.
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
11/06/19

I Found Jesus in the Copier Toner

As I sat there in the dark, empty church with my hands buried in the guts of a copy machine I was powerless to fix, I couldn't help feeling sorry for myself.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
10/31/19

Reformation Day: Hey Beggar, You're Free!

When we hear freedom, we have to ask about its opposite, bondage.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
10/30/19

Halloween and Christian Freedom

We have the freedom to joyfully participate in neighborhood fun with the love of our neighbor in mind.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
10/28/19

On Freedom in Christ and the Parable of the Forgiving Father

Like the younger son, we can return to our Father every time our sinful hearts rebel against him. Like the older brother, we can complain and lament to our Father without fear of being destroyed.
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.