Podcast Overview

Author

424: Kleinig - The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Divine Service

01/16/26

8 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

In this episode, we learn about the Holy Spirit and the Divine Service from Dr. John Kleinig. In particular, we discuss how Christ gives the Spirit to the church through his word, how Christ institutes the divine service and empowers it with God’s Spirit, and how the church receives the Holy Spirit by faith in God’s word as it is proclaimed and enacted in the divine service. The conversation revolves around the central question: How then can we be sure that the Spirit is at work in our worship?
- Holy Spirit
- Liturgy
- Worship
- Faith
423: Graff - Rationalism's war on everything "magical."

01/09/26

8 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Who Made Who. In this episode, Gillespie takes the wheel and steers us into tradition, liturgy, worship styles, and the various “-isms” that have sprung up within the churches over the centuries. What’s the purpose of the Divine Service? What is the fundamental meaning of Christian meaning? Have we jettisoned mystery for sensible explanations that find no seat pulled out for them in God’s house? Is Christian worship, polity, and piety about what we know, experience, feel, or conformity to specific doctrines? Why is the old magic not welcome amongst sensible worshippers? What’s the place of hymns, prayers, preaching, and Scripture in Christian worship? Is liturgy a delivery mechanism or a tool?
419: C.S. Lewis - All that Christianity adds to Paganism is the cure

12/05/25

9 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Pagan Neart, Christian Soul. In this episode, we read C.S. Lewis’ “A Christmas Sermon for Pagans.” Why does the post-Christian person need to become pagan again to be prepared to hear the gospel? How has a mechanistic view of nature led us to kill each other? Why do we reject the good news that Jesus ended the need for guilt-offerings, sin-sacrifices, and fear about the afterlife? What happened as a consequence of moderns pushing heavenly truth out of the material world? What is the message of Christmas that offers a cure for all that ails us?
Why Do Christians Sing Hymns? | Dr. Steve Mueller, Concordia University Irvine

10/02/25

5 mins

By Scott Keith | Caleb Keith

Singing is one of the most recognizable parts of Christian worship. But why do Christians sing hymns?
- Hymns
- God's Word
- Liturgy
- Worship
The CHA Weekend Edition Presents: “Why Do We Do That”? A Liturgical Mailbag

08/23/25

6 mins

By Dan van Voorhis

Weekend Edition for August 23-24, 2025
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."
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
A Theology of Addiction with Donavon Riley

02/25/25

11 mins

By Kelsi Klembara | Donavon Riley

Kelsi chats with pastor and author, Donavon Riley, about his forthcoming book, ⁠The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction⁠.
Did Martin Luther Start a New Religion?

02/17/25

6 mins

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

In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, the Fellows answer, "Did Martin Luther invent a new religion?"
- Reformation History
- Practical Theology
Worship and Idolatry

10/04/24

5 mins

By Caleb Keith | Steven Paulson

In this episode, Dr. Paulson talks about the worship produced out of men's hearts when God remains silent. This worship is nothing short of idolatry.
- Worship
- Idolatry
363: Olson - Liturgy as "Action"

08/30/24

10 mins

By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley

Runnin’ Down A Dream. In this episode, we dig deeper into liturgy and “action”—who’s doing what and why in Christian worship? How did the ancient pagans worship their gods, and why? What did the 16th-century Reformers teach about worship? Why should we moderns care? Mimesis, anamnesis, liturgical action, ritual, myth, sacrifices, and sacraments—we’ve got it all this week.
Uncomfortable Work of the Law

08/05/24

6 mins

By Katie Koplin | Gretchen Ronnevik

What does mental health have to do with the 95 thesis and the Heidelberg Disputations? Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin.