Author

  1. 436: Schuldheisz - Luther and the Lion

    book
    04/17/26
    12 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley | Sam P. Schuldheisz
    The Lutherans, the Lion, and the gifts of Narnia. In this episode, we talk with Pastor Sam Schuldheisz about his forthcoming book, Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism. We discuss how Lewis (and other Inklings) can help us catechize children and adults, how stories lead us deeper into the biblical narratives, and vice versa. How can great myths and stories be employed in Christian apologetics when seen through Christian liturgy and sacraments? Now is the best time to reintroduce great Christian authors, great myths, and great stories, and the best of all stories — the gospel of Jesus Christ — can carry us out of our churches into a world that’s wounded and can’t find true healing that only Christ can give.
    436: Schuldheisz - Luther and the Lion

  2. 433: Von Schenk - The Crucifixion

    book
    03/19/26
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    What’s Love Got to do With It? In this episode, we read Berthold von Schenk’s The Presence, discussing sacrifice, sacrament, human will, anthropology, the cross, Lent, Easter, Love, and the consequences of the crucifixion for worship, faith, and Christian living. Why does our focus determine how we view these things? What is the “telos” of the Lord’s Supper, and where does it lead us? How does it change us?
    433: Von Schenk - The Crucifixion

  3. 428: Postman - A great narrative... has sufficient credibility, complexity, and symbolic power to enable one to organize one's life around it

    book
    02/14/26
    12 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    We Don’t Need No Education. In this episode, we read The End of Education by Neal Postman, discussing the mechanisms of public education, religious catechesis, the influence of the Enlightenment and psychoanalysis on contemporary learning, and what happens when fiction replaces truth as the basis of meaning. This and much, much more on today’s show!
    428: Postman - A great narrative... has sufficient credibility, complexity, and symbolic power to enable one to organize one's life around it

  4. How Education Problems Affect Handing Down the Faith

    book
    12/30/25
    4 mins
    By Caleb Keith | Scott Keith | Adam Francisco | Bruce Hillman
    Reading and education outcomes in the United States have been declining for decades. In this episode, the Thinking Fellows examine how these trends have impacted Christian education and what Christians can contribute to America’s education crisis.
    How Education Problems Affect Handing Down the Faith

  5. When Christians Contradict Themselves

    book
    12/01/25
    6 mins
    By Caleb Keith | Bruce Hillman | Adam Francisco | Scott Keith
    The Thinking Fellows examine the Ligonier 2025 State of Theology Survey. They identify a major recurring theme: Christians are contradicting themselves.
    When Christians Contradict Themselves

  6. 415: Luther - The Mass is a dangerous thing, fabricated and invented without God’s Word and will

    book
    11/07/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Mass Effect. In this episode, we continue our reading of The Smalcald Articles, focusing on Luther’s critique of the Roman Mass and all its consequences for the churches and Christian life. We discuss mimetic desire, sacrificial religion, the exclusive work of Jesus.
    415: Luther - The Mass is a dangerous thing, fabricated and invented without God’s Word and will

  7. Monday, August 25, 2025

    book
    08/25/25
    14 mins
    By Daniel van Voorhis
    Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a question about practices surrounding Holy Communion.
    Monday, August 25, 2025

  8. Matthew 26:26-30 (Episode 393)

    book
    05/02/25
    3 mins
    By Daniel Emery Price | Erick Sorensen
    Matthew 26:26-30 (Episode 393)

  9. 388: Luther - Maundy Thursday

    book
    04/19/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Sunday Bloody Sunday In this episode, we read Martin Luther’s sermon for Maundy Thursday (1534), discussing the Lord’s Supper, polity, sacramental piety, fellowship, election and all the rabbit trails we follow…
    388: Luther - Maundy Thursday

  10. Gregory of Nyssa

    book
    11/26/24
    5 mins
    By Caleb Keith | Adam Francisco | Bruce Hillman
    The Fellows discuss St. Gregory of Nyssa's Catechetical Discourse, a series of objections and answers to confessions of the Christian faith.
    Gregory of Nyssa

  11. 365: Schwarz - Christ's Last Will and Testament

    book
    09/13/24
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Reign in Blood. In this episode of Banned Books, we discuss the Lord’s Supper while reading The Last Supper: The Testament of Jesus by Reinhard Schwarz. We discuss why the distinction between a covenant and a testament is of utmost importance for exegesis, sacramental theology, and Christian life, why promise and gift are central to Luther’s understanding of the sacrament, and how rejecting the sacrament leads to a denial of Christ.
    365: Schwarz - Christ's Last Will and Testament

  12. John 6:35-51 – Pentecost 12 (B)

    book
    08/08/24
    4 mins
    By Steven Paulson | John W. Hoyum
    On this episode of Preaching the Text, John Hoyum and Steve Paulson discuss Christ's sermon on the bread of life. Unlike the manna given to the Israelites, Christ himself is the bread which endures to eternal life.
    John 6:35-51 – Pentecost 12 (B)