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.
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.
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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This is a Q&A for 1517 Publishing’s newest release, “How Melanchthon Helped Luther Discover the Gospel,” by Lowell C. Green. This release also marks the launch of our new Melanchthon Library.
A little or a lot, great is the joy of the child of God for the meaning of life is not defined by stuff, but rather by the cross.
Honor would be shown to the least. Power would be shown by its opposite. The way of glory was marked with humility.
No work need be done to enter this Sabbath rest, for Christ has done all that is necessary.
The homiletical task of diminishing and debilitating mistrust begins, at every part of preaching, with the preacher.
The Son of God is still God the Son in the Incarnation.
Martha’s pain is not met by a to-do list. Jesus’ reply is not that she should try harder or change her behavior
Bo Giertz attained infamy in Sweden for a humble adherence to unpopular, orthodox practice and doctrine.
Our Lord is not only the King of creation but the King of creativity.
God will establish justice and righteousness even in the midst of the most uncertain and evil times. This we know because of the hope based upon the promise.
Jesus saves us from the love of money which sent the rich young man away sad.
Whereas Moses faithfully rescued God’s people from slavery in Egypt and led them to the Promised Land of Canaan, Jesus has rescued us from the slavery of sin and the tyranny of the Devil to lead us to eternal life.