Wade Johnston, Life Under the Cross: A Biography of the Reformer Matthias Flacius Illyricus, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis: MO, 2025.
This ancient “tale of two mothers” concerns far more than theological semantics—it is the difference between a God who sends and a God who comes.
This story points us from our unlikely heroes to the even more unlikely, and joyous, good news that Jesus’ birth for us was just as unlikely and unexpected.

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What (if anything) makes a sermon distinctive?
How’s your ticker?
The Jews were living the script for a Western movie when Jesus showed up. The enemies of God were running the town
Yes, Christmas brings joy, but no less danger
Paul has zero patience for the gospel of God to be called into question, especially when the ones questioning it are the ones who should’ve known better.
We still think we can sort own own problems with more money, more education, more resources, more techniques, more, more, more.
Rick Ritchie gives a brief summary on the importance of Plato’s thought in Christianity
C.S. Lewis, Grief, and the Holiday Season
There is no justification by the works of the law
The following poem was written by Tanner Olson to accompany 1517’s 2023 Advent Resources, The Clothing of the King. Advent begins this Sunday.
Scent plays an important role in our memories and the story of Scripture
Any message other than "Christ for you" is not good news.