By 1517 Staff

12/29/25

17mins

1517's Favorite Books from 2025

Below is a list of our favorite theological books - across all categories - from 2025. A special thanks to our contributors who submitted titles, wrote summaries and full reviews for these books and more throughout the year.

The Scandal and Splendor of the Savior’s Birth

Bradley Gray

12/26/25

The Scandal and Splendor of the Savior’s Birth

Every sinner can trace their salvation back to this moment when the Savior was born in accordance with the Word of God so that all of God’s words would be realized.

What to Preach and Not to Preach at Christmas

Steven Paulson

12/25/25

What to Preach and Not to Preach at Christmas

Christmas is not for remembering, thinking, pondering, trying to make sure you are really celebrating it properly, or for wondering whether you truly have faith.

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Wade Johnston

02/11/25

Singing with Simeon

Christians don’t need a bucket list. We’ve got the whole bucket: the Word fulfilled, life fulfilled, and life in full.

John W. Hoyum

02/10/25

Martin Luther's Three Lights

Luther’s famous treatise contains great consolation for Christians struggling with grace, suffering, and hope.

Bradley Gray

01/30/25

The Gospel for All

There is no one — not now, not ever — who cannot be included in the family of God through the efficacy of Christ’s saving power.

Jason Oakland

01/27/25

Jesus Provides

Jesus, the true Bridegroom, erases that mistake by his own compassionate, saving act. Isn’t this also a picture of the gospel?

Steven Paulson

01/23/25

Psalm 6: Wrestling with God

By the end of this prayer of wrestling, David finally has the strength to claim victory over his lying enemies.

Kelsi Klembara

01/21/25

Baptism: Return or Redo? On the 500th Anniversary of the Anabaptist Movement

There is a “re” involved with baptism, but unlike the Anabaptists, it’s not a “re-do,” but a “re-turn" or a “re-member.”

Adam Francisco

01/17/25

Thank God for Wesley Huff: Defending the Historicity of the Gospel

Huff did not stop there, though. Towards the end of the interview, he asked Rogan, "What do you think of Jesus?"

Ryan Couch

01/03/25

New Year, Same You

It's a new year, and you are still the same you: a sinner who is simultaneously perfect in every way because Christ declares it to be so.

Donavon Riley

12/25/24

Conflict and Belief at Christmastide

Belief at Christmas is neither neat nor safe. It is the path that leads to the manger and, from there, to the cross.

1517 Staff

12/13/24

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

While Christmas may or may not have pagan roots, it will certainly have a pagan future if Christians lose sight of what it is all about.

Adam Francisco

12/09/24

Jesus, Our Prophet

This is the first article in a special three-part Advent series on how Jesus is our prophet, priest, and king.

Chad Bird

12/06/24

Hannah and the Divine Upending of Grace

The Lord did for Hannah what he loves to do: he shifted everything into reverse, making the bottom the top and the top the bottom.

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