Jesus with a box of dynamite
Jesus ruthlessly hammers us with a Law that we cannot escape so that He might give us a Gospel that will never abandon us.
Contributors
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio is the Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Cleveland, OH. He began his ministry after graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1998 with an M.Div. Craig has served congregations from New London, CT to Pasadena, CA. After serving as a missionary based out of the Czech Republic, he moved to Cleveland to serve as the Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church where he co-hosts the 1517 podcast, “For You Radio." Craig has been a personality in radio and podcasting since 1993.
For You
Most Recent
The Salty Jesus
You ARE salt and light. By our new nature in Christ, we do salty and light things. But how is God glorified in the things that we do?https://bookofconcord.org/sources-and-context/heidelberg-disputation/
B-Attitudes, the B-side
Mercy, peace, and pureness of heart are not something we find in ourselves, but we find them in Christ, and in Christ we are found to be all those things.
What's a B-Attitude?
The Beatitudes aren't veiled Law, but pure gracious Gospel. Jesus tells us we are blessed when we are found in Him.
Called to Jesus University
At the outset of His ministry, Jesus' authority is on full display. Authority over sickness, authority over demons, and the authority to call you to follow Him
Bonusode: Pecking on Christ
Craig and Troy tackle the issue that has caused so many first-year seminarians untold sleepless nights: When Jesus was tempted, could He actually have sinned?
"That's not how this works!"
Satan had so much success in deceiving the first Adam he figures he can do the same with the Second Adam. But Jesus won't play Satan's game according to Satan's rules.
The Cancel Culture of Grace
When God cancels you, it is an occasion for all of the canceled who are in heaven and earth to rejoice in that one more is added to our number.
To serve Man
Does God come that we might serve Him, or that He might serve man? Craig and Troy revisit the end of Matthew 3 to bring out the implications of what it means for Jesus to serve us by fulfilling all righteousness.
Jesus gets down and dirty
God doesn't demand that you wash yourself and come up to Him in holiness, but instead He comes all the way down to you in the filth of your sin.
A Carpenter, a Young Girl, and God walk into Egypt . . .
. . . but the joke's on Herod. Joseph takes Mary and baby Jesus to refuge in Egypt, and all that happens in Matthew 2 is done in order to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament.
When Herod Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy
King Herod's rule is threatened when the Magi come to worship the one born King of the Jews. But did they spill the beans?
Daydream believer
"Joseph, being a just man, was unwilling to put her to shame." The young woman Mary turns up pregnant before the wedding, and what is a fiancé to do?
Ancestry.Christ
Matthew tells us how Jesus came from a proud and glorious lineage of . . . well, of prostitutes, thieves, and murderers as well as kings and prophets, all of whom happen to be God's people. Jesus reaches all the…
Ruth: Endgame
So what happens when you come to the lowest moment of your life and doubt that anything good can come out of it? God meets you there in His Redeemer. Craig and Troy finish up the book of Ruth.
Ruth: We're out of Star Wars references
Ruth is given six measures of joy and rest. Boaz does everything he can to protect her integrity and her reputation. God's blessings will fall on them both, and all people will be blessed through Him.
Ruth: Solo-no more
Ruth chapter three is either sweet or sensuous, but either way God's plan for the Redeemer shines through in the end.
Ruth: Rise of the Kinsman Redeemer
Meanwhile our heroine, mild-mannered Ruth, gathers the gleanings to provide for her mother-in-law. But who is this mysterious God-sent stranger?
Ruth: Grace Awakens
Ruth shows grace to Naomi. Boaz shows grace to Ruth and Naomi. And God is behind the scenes, working grace to all.
You won't believe this weird thing that Luther did
Humanism, Scholasticism, ad fontes . . . how did we get to the 95 Theses and what does this mean? You can read what Luther never intended you to see in the 95 Theses.
Reasons to Rejoice in 2020
This earth is not the place where your promise is to be found. Rejoice because the kingdom of God comes to you!
Ruth: Bitterness Strikes Back
Like the Israelites of old, Naomi enters into the Promised Land, but she does so grumbling with bitterness. Is she wrong to blame God? What is God doing?
Ruth: A New Hope
Four stars! The story of Ruth is the rom-com of the year! But actually, it's even so much better than that. Craig and Troy open up the book of Ruth and start to see how God unfolds His long game…
The pendulum swings . . .
Don't glue boards together and don't drink the Kool-Aid. Craig and Troy describe why both of those make for bad Christological heresies. We trust in the true Christ who is fully God and fully man, given for us.
Bad Jesus Words, part 2
God the Father, God the Space Ghost, and God the Holy Ghost? That doesn't seem right. How about, God the Father, God the Created Son, and . . . no, that's not right either. Craig and Troy look at some…