1517 Podcasts

Demons, waterless places, and the sign of Jonah.

On this day, we remember St. Julian the Hospitaller and Cotton Mather, b. 1663. The reading is "Eternal God, How They’ve Increased" by Mather.

Welcome to Christianity on Trial, where the claims of Christianity are examined and judged by the rules of evidence as used in the court of law. Your host, Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, is a lawyer, a theologian, an author, and an accomplished defender of biblical Christianity. He is no stranger to the rules of evidence or the courtroom. So with our skeptical world for the prosecution and Dr. John Warwick Montgomery for the defense, stay with us as we listen in on Christianity on Trial.

On this episode of the Thinking Fellows, Scott, Adam, and Caleb talk about objections to Christ’s divinity and how they deal with the empty tomb.

On this day, we remember Hugh of St. Victor and William Carstares. The reading is “Christians, come, in sweetest measures” by Adam of St. Victor.

The Only Wrong Choice Is to Not Make a Choice... Where does the belief in free will originate? Is free will a biblical doctrine? How does Justin’s teaching on free will and salvation still influence the church and western culture today?

In this chapter's "bonus" episode, both Debi and Producer Dan talk with a guest from Chapter One of this Season, R. J. Grunewald. R.J. is writing a book about those who have left the church for one reason or another, and are, as he puts it, "left for dead." We discuss R.J.'s research and how we might talk about the faith and the church for those who think they've had enough.

In this episode, you hear one of the more dramatic and exciting stories we found. Michael is someone who has indeed left the church, but only for a season, and now is the pastor of a church in Louisiana that is especially sensitive to the plight of those who think they have nowhere left to go. Despite a ministry and church that is flourishing, sometimes Michael feels as if the message might be "too good to be true" and other times feels the loneliness of one trying to stand up for the lost.

In this episode, Debi talks to Jason in New Jersey—a man who grew up with some kind of faith, seemed to lose whatever he had, and now has questions as to whether any of it is with it at all. After talking to Jason, Debi talks with Pastor Bruce Hillman, also from New Jersey, about Jason's plight. Pastor Hillman is an exceptionally well-read and fun conversation, and he and Debi discuss reasons for leaving, for doubting, but ultimately resting in Christ Alone.

In this episode, Debi talks to Brian, a young man who has had experiences with megachurches and a celebrity pastor- he had a conversion experience and seemed to be doing everything right, and then the wheels fall off. After listening to this interview, Debi discusses Brian's situation (and those many who have similar stories) with the Reverend Bob Hiller of 1517's own the "Craft of Preaching" and "You Are Forgiven."

On this day, we remember St. Scholastica, d. 543, and Dominique Pire, b. 1910. The reading is a quote from "The Foolishness of Preaching" by Robert Farrar Capon.

A song is sung by Deborah to cement what God has done in the history of Israel. Why does this song and others have an address to enemies? Why is God’s interaction with creation so personal?