God's Promise Never Runs Out
Only when we stand where God has located Himself for us do we find an imperishable promise.
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
157: John MacArthur - Christ not Caesar is the Head of the Church
Do The Doors Stay Open? John MacArthur addresses the biblical rationale for defying state mandates, and whether the state can prohibit, or put restrictions on, worship.
Jesus: Revealer of Truth
Jesus is our confidence because he reveals truth from falsehood, right from wrong, and reality from appearance, so that we may rely on him for our every need of body, soul, and mind.
156: Pastoral Debrief on Civil Disobedience and the Christian
What’s So Civil About Disobedience? A pastoral debrief that lays the foundation for a discussion about the theological implications for civil disobedience and rebellion.
God's Love Is Unchangeable
Our Creator wants to restore us to a right relationship with him and all creation. So, in his goodness and mercy, he sent his Son to for us what we couldn't do for ourselves.
Heart of Fear, Heart of Bravery
His word is what strengthens and changes our hearts. The Lord God will bring us victory.
155: Augustine - Just wars are usually defined as those that avenge injuries
Fire for Effect. In this episode, we wrap up our discussion of Augustine on just war.
God's Mercy Stands Forever
We trust God's Word because Jesus never fails us. He is our daily comfort when struggles and afflictions find us.
If Only...
In Christ Jesus, through faith, we’ve received everything we need for our bodies and lives, and life eternal.
Who's Got the Power?
The power of God's Word is nothing like human power. People exercise power through force and violence. God's Word manifests His power through humility, service, and self-sacrifice.
154: Augustine - Love for one's enemies and a benevolent severity
War, What Is It Good For? In this episode, Augustine’s theology of war is introduced.
Worldly Lies Speak Against God's Truth
Apart from God's word, we will judge the right to be wrong and evil people as good.
Is The American Church Spiritually Sick?
In our attempts to conform the Gospel of Jesus Christ to material, therapeutic, and mystical standards of religion and spirituality we've arrested, inhibited, distorted, and handicapped God's Word and gifts of salvation.
153: Law and Gospel in Practical Application
Is This The Real Life... In this double-length episode, Riley and Gillespie ask what are the consequences for not grounding our preaching, teaching, prayer, and worship in concrete reality as revealed by God’s Word of law and Gospel?
Gospel Comfortable or Gospel Comfort?
The good news of Jesus Christ guides us into godly worship, not self-worship.
Is Christianity a Civil Religion?
We must not submit ourselves to false gods and godless men. Instead, we may hold fast to Christ, because He’s holding fast to us.
Slaves to Fear or Free in Christ?
In our attempts to flee from our fears and escape death, we will become imprisoned by them.
152: Justin Holcomb - Human Trafficking in God’s World
Pure Evil Hidden in Plain Sight. Human trafficking, sexual abuse, and how the Church can engage with and fight against Satanic evil.
151: Tearing Down Statues and Cancelling History
It’s Not Like You Can Change History Just Because Your Feelings Are Hurt... Right? Riley and Gillespie discuss history, feelings, and canceling the cancelers with God’s Word, all this in preparation for part two on human trafficking.
The Remedy
If our churches are split along generational lines it's because we've turned our backs to the cross. We've shut our ears to the Good News about Jesus Christ, who judges the world with equity.
150: Martin Luther - On the Jews and their Lies (1543)
Wow, I gotta be honest... I did not see that coming! Anti-semitism, public doctrine, and when it’s necessary to tear down our idols.
149: An Apologetic Primer on Jehovah’s Witnesses
We Are Not Your Kind. Gillespie and Riley respond to a listener question: Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a part of the Christian Church?
God's Word Isn't Junk Food
God's Word reveals the truth about us. We don't much care for God's Word. We prefer the yes and no of our personal taste buds.
Which Party Are We Invited To?
We're not called to be obedient consumers. We're free in Christ to love and serve our neighbor according to his need
148: Ken Korby - Wherever the Gospel is spoken, one must also talk about moderation and suffering with joy
Riley and Gillespie continue their conversation on moderation in public dialogue, the wrath of God, our passions, and not succumbing to media propaganda.
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…