Going Back to Square One
We bring nothing with us that contributes to the preaching or the hearing of God’s promise to us.
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
261: Herman Melville - Moby Dick
Welcome to The Terrordome. In this episode, we read and discuss “The Sermon” from Moby Dick. What is a preacher's responsibility to his congregation in his preaching? What happens when the Gospel is talked about but never preached? What happens…
The Gospel of the Crucified Idiot
At the heart of The Idiot is Dostoevsky's confession of faith and the confession of all Christians.
260: Hawthorne - Young Goodman Brown pt. 2
Was It Only A Dream? We conclude our reading and discussion of "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathanial Hawthorne. What happens when sin, death, and Satan are unaddressed by Christians, and especially the churches? What kind of damage does hypocrisy do…
259: Hawthorne - Young Goodman Brown pt. 1
Good Christian People? In this episode, we read and discuss the parable of Young Goodman Brown, a short story by Nathanial Hawthorne. What happens when Christians don’t have a Gospel preacher? What happens when we carry our guilt and are…
258: Dostoyevsky - The Grand Inquisitor pt. 3
It’s For Your Own Good. We conclude our reading and discussion of Dostoevsky’s, The Grand Inquisitor. What are we willing to sacrifice to accept the devil’s offer of miracles, mystery, and authority? Why do we surrender to temptation, and what…
257: Dostoyevsky - The Grand Inquisitor pt. 2
Happiness in Slavery. We continue to read and discuss the parable of the Grand Inquisitor, in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s, The Brothers Karamazov. In this episode, the Grand Inquisitor details why Jesus’ rejection of Satan’s temptations in the wilderness doomed humanity…
256: Dostoyevsky - The Grand Inquisitor pt. 1
Why? Why? Why?We read and discuss Dostoevsky’s parable of the Grand Inquisitor. What happens when we discuss evil and the work of the evil one apart from God’s Word, his preacher, and Christ’s cross?
Nietzsche's Christ
The world hates Jesus because he comes to lead us to love and forgive all, including our enemies.
Demanding to Suffer Freedom
The only solution to free will is the announcement from a preacher that the Father forgives us for Christ's sake.
255: Parables of Kafka & Nietzsche
Gatekeepers & Madmen.We read and discuss two parables, by Franz Kafka and Friedrich Nietzsche. What happens when people don’t have a preacher sent by the Holy Spirit to declare forgiveness? Without the Gospel, where does the law end?
254: Kierkegaard - Parable of the Geese & the King and Maiden
Humble Kings & Flightless Geese. We read and discuss two parables by Soren Kierkegaard. In this episode, the purpose of parables, the condescension of God, and why there’s no forgiveness in Kierkegaard’s parables.
253: Nathaniel Hawthorne - The Minister's Black Veil
The God Behind The Veil. In this episode, we read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Minister’s Black Veil, and discuss the hidden God, divination, and the mirror of the law.
252: Hamann - We Hear the Blood of the Redeemer Crying Out in Our Heart
Killer-Comforter-Praying Spirit. We conclude our reading and discussion of Johan Hamman’s London Writings. In this episode, we focus particularly on the Advocate and prayer.
How God Made Mary a Theologian of the Cross
The point Luther made, again and again, was that distance between God and sinners is collapsed when the crucified Christ himself comes to sinners through a preacher.
251: Hamann - The Hostility of the Serpent's Offspring against the Blessed Offspring of the Woman
It’s What You Can’t See That Can Kill You. We continue our reading and discussion of Johann Hamann, The London Writings, focusing primarily on spiritual warfare and how it manifests in daily life and pastoral ministry.
250: Hamann - Interpreting the Sacred Scriptures
Two Books, One Condescending God. In this episode, we discuss the exegesis of Johann Hamann. What are the implications for Christians when God’s Spirit and Word translate us into the church and the world?
249: Hamann - The Most Interesting and Radical Thinker in the Ranks of Lutheran Orthodoxy
How long? Not Long.In this episode, we introduce the works of Johann Georg Hamann, specifically the London Writings: The Spiritual & Theological Journal of Johann Georg Hamann.
248: Grothe - Help for Hopeful Pilgrims
You’re Elected! As we conclude our conversation of The Justification of the Ungodly By Jonathan F. Grothe, we read the conclusion to chapter eight of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. In this episode, we talk about what God’s…
247: Grothe - How to “Save the World”
He’s Got The Whole Futile World in His Hands!We continue our series on The Justification of the Ungodly By Jonathan F. Grothe. In this episode, the old and new creation, the futility of the world, and new hope.
246: Grothe - Set Free for Life
Freedom Jackpot!We continue our reading of The Justification of the Ungodly By Jonathan F. Grothe. In this episode, freedom, life, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
245: Grothe - Effect of Law on Adamic Humanity
There’s no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in simul.We continue to read and discuss The Justification of the Ungodly By Jonathan F. Grothe. In this episode, the simul, old-world heroism, and the trouble with justification.
244: Grothe - The Death of Husband Law
Not Husbandry Law, Husband Law.We continue reading The Justification of the Ungodly By Jonathan F. Grothe. In this episode, old and new life, letter and Spirit, and what husband law is all about.
243: Grothe - The Change of Lordship in the Christian’s Experience
Hurry Up And Die so that You Can Live. We continue our reading and discussion of The Justification of the Ungodly By Jonathan F. Grothe. In this episode, what happens when God sends us a preacher, baptizes, and sets us…
The Stupid Monk at The Diet at Worms (Part 4)
Theologians of glory searched for God everywhere except the Cross of Christ.
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