Podcast Overview

Author

407: Paulson - The free will is demonstrably not Jesus Christ

09/06/25

9 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley | Steven Paulson

In this episode, we begin our series commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s treatise, de Servo Arbitrio — The Bondage of the Will. We begin by reading Dr. Steven Paulson’s theological analysis of what’s at stake in Luther’s treatise, as well as its sharp-edged consequences for churches today. As it was received then, so it is now by dedicated students of this work: it cleaves those who seek Jesus plus philosophy, ideology, or personal interests from those who insist on Christ alone in all things relating to matters of salvation, faith, etc.
Monday, July 28, 2025

07/28/25

12 mins

By Dan van Voorhis

Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a question about the Virgin Mary in Church history.
- Christian History
- Reformation Doctrine
Christian Identity and Vocation in Belfast

07/25/25

9 mins

By Kelsi Klembara

In the final Summer Break episode, Kelsi chats with Caleb and Nathan from ⁠ @theologyontherise ⁠ the 2021 movie, Belfast, and what it means to be given and identity rather than create one.
Luke 10:38-42 – Pentecost 6 (C)

07/14/25

5 mins

By Steven Paulson | John W. Hoyum

On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss the story of Mary and Martha.
Housing together

06/29/25

4 mins

By Craig Donofrio | Troy Neujahr

Well, we're back to talking about submission and wives again . . . but Peter brings a decidedly new and radical twist to the Christian home.
397: Q&A Episode - Civil Disobedience

06/21/25

7 mins

By Donavon Riley | Christopher Gillespie

The Long and Winding Road. In this episode, we answer another listener's question about civil disobedience, understanding the tension for old Adam that’s inherent within the two kingdoms doctrine, and we go down a bunch of alleyways picking through conspiracies, immigration, war, colonialism, and ice cream coveting.
- Two Kingdoms
- Vocation
395: Questions Answered

06/09/25

7 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Just Answer the Question. In this episode, we answer listener questions, specifically active and passive choices, active and passive righteousness, election and the bondage of the will, addiction, the limits of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the ultimate Good we all seek, and much, much more.
392: Keller - What Is the Church?

05/16/25

11 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Come Together, Right Now… In this episode, we read from Tim Keller’s sermon, which asks, “What is the Church?” We discuss the relationship between churches and culture, what the church is and isn’t, where we locate faith, whether Christian faith changes one’s values, and much more.
Are Lutherans Evangelicals?

05/10/25

5 mins

By Scott Keith | Caleb Keith | Bruce Hillman | Adam Francisco

The Fellows continue their conversation about Lutheran identity. This time, they discuss the term "evangelical."
391: The gracious will and good pleasure of God in Christ Jesus

05/08/25

8 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Burning Down The House. In this episode, we continue our discussion of election, addressing the certainty of election, how we are chosen, the human limits of perseverance in faith, why the pope is a bad example of Christian piety, and how old Adam tries to invert election by burying it in our sacrifices and pious moralism.
A Lutheran Identity Crisis

04/22/25

5 mins

By Caleb Keith | Adam Francisco | Bruce Hillman | Scott Keith

In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, Bruce Hillman, and Scott Keith engage discuss an ongoing identity crisis within Lutheranism.
- Ministry of the Church
- Practical Theology
386: Pastoral Debrief with a bit of Flacius

04/04/25

8 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Kick Out the Jams. In this episode, we focus on the raw, real work of life in the parish—the ordinary burdens, the hidden insecurities, and the quiet faith that holds it all together. We explore the distinction between philosophy and theology and why attempts to fuse them often leave both diminished. There’s talk of reformation—its drama, its necessity, and its cost. We reflect on the pervasive victim-perpetrator dynamic that shapes so much of modern life and how the gospel when rightly preached, breaks that cycle. At the heart of it all is this: the power of Christ’s mercy to open what we’ve shut tight, to drive out the bitterness we’ve made into habit, and to speak a word stronger than shame.