An Everlasting Love
The kind of love we crave, that we will go to any lengths to find, is already present for us here and now. The Lord's love for us reaches into our hearts and soul.
Contributors
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author, and contributing writer for 1517, Christ Hold Fast, and LOGIA. He is also a co-host of Banned Books and Warrior Priest podcasts. He is the author of the book, "Crucifying Religion." He is also a contributing author to "The Sinner/Saint Devotional: 60 Days in the Psalms" and "Theology of the Cross".
Banned Books
Most Recent
Turning from American Secular Religion to Christ
We vote because we are citizens, and it is our duty. We serve our neighbors in love because it is our Christian calling.
167: C.S. Lewis - Under the aegis of His Church, learning and the arts flourish
We continue our conversation with C.S. Lewis, as he addresses the distinction between dying and living for one's nation, party, and class. How do we distinguish between the demands of Caesar and God?
His Cup Never Runs Out
No matter how great our thirst is, God's abundance not only meets it but quenches it. When we are poor and in need, the Lord is always there to give us grace and mercy without end.
166: C.S. Lewis - If you don't read good books you will read bad ones
Gentlemen, You Can't Fight in Here, This is The War Room. C.S. Lewis addresses the distinction between dying and living for one's nation, party, and class. How do we distinguish between the demands of Caesar and God?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
"Whom shall we fear?" We fear no one. We're not afraid of anything. Instead, we wait for the Lord with good courage. He will strengthen our hearts, as the psalmist writes (Ps 27:1).
Godly Fear and God's Wisdom
The wisdom of God became man, lived, died, and was raised for the justification of sinners, great and small.
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
This is an excerpt from “Crucifying Religion” written by Donavon Riley (1517 Publishing, 2019).
The Most Beautiful Days of Our Lives
One day at a time, God provides us with a heart of wisdom, and in this way, our Lord teaches us to number our days.
165: Timothy Keller - Postmodernism: Only powerlessness and oppression brings moral high ground and true knowledge
Now You're Playing with Power. In this episode, we discuss what happens when a society subverts the power of dominant groups in favor of the oppressed.
Abnormally Normal in Christ
Everything normal for the Church of Christ is abnormal for those who reject Jesus as Savior. We worship a God who creates new life... and who gives His blessing, declaring, "I am pleased with you."
164: Timothy Keller - Lots of foolish and cruel things can make us happy
This Hurts You More Than It Hurts Me. Further discussion and analysis of utilitarianism... What happens when we drill down into the harm principle and uncover the truth about human nature? And we jump into post-modernism.
163: Timothy Keller - If you believe in human rights, you are probably not a utilitarian
You Gotta Pump Those Numbers, Those Are Rookie Numbers. We continue our examination of Tim Keller's Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory. In this episode, can a society maximize the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people…
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What greater friend could we have than Jesus?
162: Timothy Keller - Liberals’ insistence that religious views stay out of public discourse is hypocritical
You Gotta Serve Somebody, part 3. We continue our reading of Tim Keller’s critique of modern political ideologies and their possible effects on our churches.
161: Timothy Keller - There is no need in liberal society for any consensus on moral values
You Gotta Serve Somebody, part 2. We continue to examine Tim Keller’s critique of modern political ideologies, and whether they study up to a biblical and theological critique of their core principles.
The End of Existentialism with Guest Donovan Riley
Jesus is a real person talking to you and feeding you, which is beyond intellectual Christianity!
160: Timothy Keller - Biblical justice differs in significant ways from all the secular alternatives
You Gotta Serve Somebody. Tim Keller breaks down various political ideologies and asks, “What does God’s Word have to say about this?”
Do Angels Really Protect Us?
Our Lord's love for us is so great that He not only sent His Son to redeem us from sin, death, and hell, but He sends His holy angels to protect us no matter which direction our lives go.
What Does It Take to Be a Christian?
What does it take to be a Christian? Christ.
159: Zempel - Churches Aren’t Avoiding Death By Keeping Their Doors Closed. They’re Ensuring It
This Little Light of Mine... When we allow feelings of fear and insecurity about our health and well-being dominate discussions about churches opening their doors, are we thereby complicit in the spiritual death of our churches?
Yearning for the Lord in Distress
The unbeliever will search for relief from temptations in worldly prescriptions and pleasures. The believer searches for answers in the promises of the One who can bring true lasting peace in mind, body, and soul.
The Help We Need for Down Days
Even as children of God, we have down days. That’s just a fact of being sinful and living in an evil world.
158: John MacArthur - God has not granted civic rulers authority over the doctrine, practice, or polity of the church
In this part two, Pastors Riley and Gillespie continue our reading of this contemporary article on the relationship of the Church and State from John MacArthur.
God's Promise Never Runs Out
Only when we stand where God has located Himself for us do we find an imperishable promise.
Featured Resources
Banned Books
Welcome to Banned Books, where we read and converse with the rebel children, the holy mischief-makers of God, who fight against the kind of useless religious, spiritual, and moral methods of life improvement that seek to smother the glory of…
Crucifying Religion
Jesus is the end of all religion. He did not come to tweak Judaism or create a new religion. When the nails were driven into his hands and feet, when the spear pierced his side, when he said, “It is…