How do the words “The righteous shall live by his faith” go from a context of hope in hopelessness to the cornerstone declaration of the chief doctrine of the Christian faith?
As soon as people understand what crucifixion means, the cross becomes offensive.
This is the third installment in the 1517 articles series, “What Makes a Saint?”

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This article is part of Stephen Paulson’s series on the Psalms.
The mere fact of “having faith” or saying that “you believe” is not as important as in what or in whom your faith rests.
True religion or true faith is heavenly. It understands that mankind’s only hope has to come from outside of itself.
The central message of Christianity is not a worldview, a way of life, or a program for personal or societal change; it is a person and the message of the cross.
This article is part of Stephen Paulson’s series on the Psalms.
Despite the best efforts of that council to silence Jesus of Nazareth and his message, it wasn't enough. Jesus was alive.
What a small thing in the big picture to give his head for the Head of the Church who would give his life for John and all sinners.
Nature ends in stinging judgment from its Creator.
As both law and gospel are proclaimed, judgment and deliverance are miraculously pronounced over the hearer.
It is Jesus himself who is the ladder by which sinners get to God, not by them climbing up but by God climbing down.
A miracle happened right before our very eyes.
In our catastrophes - whatever they may be, however large or small they are - we cry out for rescue, deliverance, and salvation.