Humbled to Hold The Cup
By the blood of the Lamb God's people are given salvation and comfort. We're rescued from hopelessness.
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
128: Interlude, Rumination, and Pastoral Debrief on Pandemics, Maturity, and Vocation
The show is about nothing! Gillespie and Riley read nothing in this episode. Instead, it’s pastoral care debrief about the quarantine, worship, and how to balance faith and love.
Struggling to Die and Live
Instead of remaining silent when we wonder if someone is struggling with suicidal thoughts, and rather than judging for ourselves whether or not suicide is an unforgivable sin, let's lean on God's Word.
127: Martin Luther - Self-Righteousness from Works Produces Idiots Like the Galatians
It’s very beautiful and very cold, and you’re not allowed to touch anything. Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Martin Luther's Galatians commentary. This episode, the easiest way to get rid of Jesus.
126: Martin Luther - Let’s Hear It for Self-Righteousness and Its Fifty Select Virtues Resulting from Works!
Oh, he’s very popular... they all adore him. They think he’s a righteous dude. Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Martin Luther's Galatians commentary. This episode, self-righteousness, false virtue, and human works.
Don't Be Afraid
No matter who or what chooses us as their enemy, we've received God's promise that there's nothing to fear. He will be our Light and Salvation. He will be our strength.
There's Only One Way to Be A Christian
Even though we are tempted to add our personal opinions to the meaning of Jesus' life and death, to increase the meaning of His sacrifice, there's only one thing that makes Christians "Christian." Christ crucified for us for the forgiveness of sin.
125: Martin Luther - The Papists and Anabaptists are foxes tied at the tail
Luther moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and read carefully once in a while, you could miss it. Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians (1535). This episode, Jesus, jerks, COVID-19, and foxes.
124: Martin Luther - We are justified... by relief outside of us
Luther’s Gospel Piñata! Gillespie and Riley read and discuss Martin Luther’s 1535 Galatians commentary. This episode, true wisdom, Satan, and the point of Paul’s letter to the Galatian church.
Are You Afraid?
Scott and Caleb are joined by Donavon Riley to talk about fear. Is there a Christian response to fear? Should Christians be afraid? Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.
Hurt the Hive, Hurt the Bees
God made us to live together, to live in harmony with each other, to serve and sacrifice for the health and well-being of each other. When we hurt one part, we injure the whole body. And, as the philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, wrote, “What injures the hive, injures the bee."
Suffer Not The Children…
Sin will constantly break our hearts, but God's love in Christ Jesus will give us new hearts daily, in the abundance of his forgiving grace. This is love in its purest form, and he has overcome the world.
123: Friedrich Nietzsche, A nation that still believes in itself holds fast to its own god
I’m Not Really A Joiner. Gillespie and Riley finish their reading and discussion of Friedrich Nietzsche’s “Antichrist.” This episode, state religion, Christian civil religion, and being your own god.
122: Friedrich Nietzsche, Neither morality nor religion has any point of contact with actuality
Welcome to A Church of Pure Imagination. Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Friedrich Nietzsche’s “Antichrist.” This episode, what happens when Christianity disconnects itself from what’s concrete and real, especially the incarnation of God.
Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
The whole world's sin, the crushing horror of death's power, and even hell itself were unleashed on that hill outside Jerusalem where Jesus was executed.
The Good News that We Can't Help Anyone
Only God's Word of Gospel can permanently help and heal the addicted.
121: Friedrich Nietzsche, Christianity is Called the Religion of Pity
All right, let's put a pin in this, I gotta help your pathetic faith. Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Friedrich Nietzsche's "Antichrist." How does the Christian church promote weak piety and a denial of life? How does…
120: Friedrich Nietzsche, Progress is Merely a Modern Idea
That was really traumatizing! I quit! I'm out! Gillespie and Riley read and discuss Friedrich Nietzsche's "Antichrist." This episode, we talk about how Nietzsche’s critique of Christianity can help us check our presuppositions about what Christianity is and is not…
No More Monsters
The monsters we fight against and the monsters we become are drowned in the blood of the Lamb. Jesus' death, and the power of his resurrection, restore our humanity.
119: Erasmus’s Diatribe, Old Testaments Passages Implying Free Choice
Alright. That’s it. No more Old Testament proofs for you. Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Erasmus’ diatribe on Salvation and Free Will. This episode, how to squeeze free will out of the Old Testament.
Pastors Are Sent Out For You
Pastors represent many things to many people, but their true calling is to serve as God's instrument for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ for you for the forgiveness of sin.
118: Erasmus’s Diatribe, Forgiveness of Sins Restores Freedom of Choice
Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man! Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Erasmus’ diatribe on Free Will and Salvation. How does Erasmus read the Bible and how does his interpretation continue to influence the…
How to Get God to Give Us Everything We Want
The more we demand from Christ, the more of Himself He gives to us. When we demand a glass of grace, He gives us an ocean of Gospel.
Jesus Is Love
God and love are synonymous. Any talk about love that is not talk about Jesus is, at most, a half-truth.
117: Erasmus’s Diatribe, The Obscurity of Scripture
Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man! Gillespie and Riley continue to read and discuss Erasmus’ diatribe on Free Will and Salvation. How does Erasmus read the Bible and how does his interpretation continue to influence the…
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…
Upcoming Events
Here We Still Stand 2020
An annual three day event, designed to center your faith in Christ for you, based in the Scriptural truths rediscovered in the Reformation.