The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down
By Bradley Gray
10/02/25
23mins

The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down

He doesn’t consume us, even though that is what we deserve. Instead, Jesus comes down to us and consumes all our sin by taking it on himself.
When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/01/25

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/30/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335

All Articles

Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/16/19

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 (Advent 4: Series A)

Unlike Luke, who provides most of the parts for the children’s program (the shepherds, the angel hosts, the innkeeper, and the animals), Matthew’s version is rated “M” for mature.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/10/19

The Good News That We Can't Save Ourselves

Most days, we're not okay. We're not good enough, strong enough, or "Christian" enough.
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
12/10/19

The God Who Won’t Repent

God will not repent. He will not repent of His promises. He will not change His mind regarding His selfless, self-sacrificing, inconceivable love for sinners.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/09/19

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-15 (Advent 3: Series A)

There he sat, awaiting his executioner. John looked around at what God and His Messiah were not doing, and even the greatest among those born of woman had his doubts. “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
12/05/19

When Brokenness isn't Enough

Our brokenness cuts deeper than just the times when we recognize it needs to be fixed.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/05/19

The Good News That We're Not Good Enough

Our actions, moral choices, appearance, definitions of family and friendship are all defined by how we see ourselves in relation to the question, "Am I good enough?"
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.
Robert Farrar Capon
Robert Farrar Capon
12/02/19

Faith Doesn't Paint Houses

I can only disbelieve you or believe you. If I disbelieve you, I go on being a miserable bore.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/02/19

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 (Advent 2: Series A)

The problem is not that we are unrepentant. The problem is our contrition is too small.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
11/26/19

We All Sink Like Peter

We are still so much closer to Peter in our flaws than his virtues, and Christ is still our rescue.
Philip Bartelt
Philip Bartelt
11/20/19

Is Absolution a Sacrament?

If someone confesses their sins into my ears, I have no options but to forgive them in the name of Christ.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
11/19/19

World's Strongest Man

God comes to fix what is broken by being broken himself. He abolishes death by dying. He subsumes sin by being made sin itself.
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.