Donavon Riley

  1. 327: Karl Barth - How to Preach to Prisoners

    book
    11/08/23
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    In this episode, we discuss preaching to those in prison, the consequences of sin, and the power of the gospel. We read excerpts from Karl Barth’s prison sermons and converse about preaching, pastoral care to the vulnerable, where Jesus locates himself for the preaching of the Gospel, and how we can all “set the captives free” through the power of the Gospel proclaimed for the forgiveness of sin. 
    327: Karl Barth - How to Preach to Prisoners

  2. 326: Forde - Loser Takes All, the victory of Christ

    book
    10/21/23
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    I’m A Loser, Baby, So Why Don’t You Resurrect Me? In this episode, we discuss the difference between our ideas of Jesus as a “winner” who gives us big wins in life versus Jesus, who wins by losing to sin, death, and the devil. We read Gerhard Forde’s article “Loser Takes All” and consider how we bend Jesus to our ideas of satisfaction, safety, and success.
    326: Forde - Loser Takes All, the victory of Christ

  3. 325: Ristau - The Word and Armor of God

    book
    10/15/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    One More Movie Reference Ought to Do It. In this episode, we discuss God’s Word and Armor. We return to Harold Ristau’s book, Spiritual Warfare: For the Care of Souls, to converse about God’s Word, ministry, being a soldier in the army of Christ, and angelic backup, and we make many movie references as we go!
    325: Ristau - The Word and Armor of God

  4. 324: Ristau - Demonic Games and Mental Health

    book
    10/09/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    In this episode, we discuss spiritual warfare and its effects on clergy and laity alike. We read Harold Roseau’s book to discuss the realities of spiritual warfare, what’s at stake, and what happens when we take seriously what the Bible teaches us about the unseen and seen war raging around us.
    324: Ristau - Demonic Games and Mental Health

  5. 323: Korby - Prayer: Pre-Reformation to the Present

    book
    10/01/23
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Saddle Up! In this episode, we discuss prayer and spiritual warfare while reading Dr. Ken Korby’s essay, Prayer: Pre-Reformation to the Present. We converse about the purpose and goal of prayer, what Jesus is doing when we pray, and how the Holy Spirit acts in and through prayer.
    323: Korby - Prayer: Pre-Reformation to the Present

  6. 322: An Early Lutheran Ordination

    book
    09/23/23
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Baptized, Confirmed, and Ordained. In this episode, we discuss the early Lutheran formulation of calling and ordination of pastors and preachers. What is ordination, when does it happen, are their rules and rites that must be followed, and much, much more!
    322: An Early Lutheran Ordination

  7. 321: Luther - The Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers

    book
    09/16/23
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    You can call me any day or night. Call me! In this episode, we read Martin Luther’s verbosely titled treatise, “That a Christian Assembly or Congregation has the Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers, Established and Proven by Scripture." We discuss ordination, church authority, the doctrine of the pastoral call, and much more.
    321: Luther - The Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers

  8. 320: Whitford - Tyranny and Resistance

    book
    09/09/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Resistance to Tyranny is Obedience to God. In this episode, we discuss tyranny and resistance while reading a book of the same title by Reformation scholar David Mark Whitford. What is tyranny? When are Christians called to resist tyranny, and what does that entail? Are there any standards by which a Christian may judge whether a government serves God or the devil?
    320: Whitford - Tyranny and Resistance

  9. 319: Graff - Baalism in the Life of the Church

    book
    09/02/23
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    We Need to Get Ba’aled Out. In this episode, we read Warren Graff’s article, "Baalism in the Life of the Church," and discuss the roots of Baal worship in Israel and its consequences for Israel and churches today.
    319: Graff - Baalism in the Life of the Church

  10. 318: Nestigen - Luther on Marriage, Vocation, and the Cross

    book
    08/17/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    All In The Family. In this episode, we discuss marriage, vocation, and cute theology of the cross. How can Luther’s teaching and preaching on marriage and vocation help Christians at present waist the temptations of the world and Satan, which pervert and disrupt God’s will for marriage? What does baptism have to do with marriage? How does Luther’s formulation of marriage and family help Christians comprehend their relation to society and the state?
    318: Nestigen - Luther on Marriage, Vocation, and the Cross

  11. 317: Löhe - Pastoral Care of the Sick

    book
    08/08/23
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Spiritual War, What Is It Good For? In this episode, we discuss pastoral care to the healthy and sick and spiritual warfare while reading Wilhelm Loehe’s book, The Pastor.
    317: Löhe - Pastoral Care of the Sick

  12. 316: Luther - Letters of Spiritual Counsel to the Anxious and Despondent

    book
    07/21/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Shout At The Devil! In this episode, we discuss various questions regarding spiritual warfare while reading Martin Luther’s letter to his friend and pupil, Jerome Weller.
    316: Luther - Letters of Spiritual Counsel to the Anxious and Despondent