Biola students Jackson Wright and Amelia Pearson share how 1517 has helped them grow in clear, Christ-centered theology. Through podcasts, books, reels, and articles, they’ve found a trusted resource for understanding church history, the creeds, Scripture, and the message of Christ for you.
Jackson Wright and Amelia Pearson are both political science students at Biola University. Jackson grew up in La Mirada, California. Amelia has lived in Orange County her whole life. Together, they represent a generation of young Christians asking serious questions about theology, history, and what it means to confess Christ faithfully in the world today.
For Jackson and Amelia, 1517 has become a trusted place to find clear, Christ-centered teaching.
“I listened to a lot of podcasts since I was younger,” Amelia said. “I really like Dr. Rosenblatt’s podcast. I love that one. And I really like Thinking Fellows.”
As a student at Biola, Amelia receives a lot of theological instruction in the classroom. But 1517 has helped deepen and strengthen that learning, giving her a framework for seeing Christ at the center of Scripture.
“It gives me a good backbone,” she said.
That foundation has been especially helpful in her Old Testament classes.
“We read a lot of Old Testament books in our classes,” Amelia said, “so it’s helpful when I can come in and I’ve listened to a Chad Bird podcast on it, and I can be like, ‘Well, actually, I think it’s more Christ-centered in this way.’”
For Jackson, 1517 has played an important role in his transition into Lutheran theology.
“I’m newly Lutheran,” he said. “And so the 1517 material is really introducing me to a more historic, very liturgical, deeply theology-based type of content that I’m not used to as an old evangelical non-denom.”
That shift has not just been intellectual. It has given him language, confidence, and rootedness. Jackson sees many Christians his age who love Jesus but have never been deeply formed by church history, the creeds, or the theological foundations of the faith.
“A lot of the kids that are our friends aren’t used to knowledge about church history,” he said, “and really getting in touch with the creeds that form who we are as Christians.”
For Jackson and Amelia, 1517 is helping many people move from a vague belief to a more durable confession of faith. For them, 1517 content has been catechesis, encouragement, and theological grounding for real life.
“I think 1517 does a really good job proclaiming Christ for you,” Amelia said. “Specifically with Chad Bird’s material in The Christ Key and those books, I’ve always really appreciated the Christ-centered focus.”
That message ("Christ for you") is what keeps drawing them back. Through podcasts, reels, articles, and books, they have found a place where their questions are taken seriously and answered with clarity.
“I would encourage anyone our age to look at 1517,” Amelia said, “because I think it’s a gold mine of material, and really well-thought-out material of good theology.”
She described 1517 as a place where young Christians can bring their questions, search the website, listen to podcasts, and find real theological help.
“People my age usually have a lot of questions regarding theology,” she said. “They’re struggling in different areas of life. I’ve experienced that. And then I look at 1517, I look at their podcasts, and there’s really clear encouragement and clear theology that you can learn from that has always helped me stand strong in what I believe.”
Jackson sees the same need. In a world full of confusing questions, competing voices, and shifting cultural pressures, young Christians need more than vague inspiration. They need a foundation.
“As Christians, we’re going to be beat about by the winds of time,” Jackson said. “You really have to have a strong foundation of what you believe. As far as your theology goes, you’ve got to know your stuff.”
That's where 1517 has been able to help Jackson in conversations with others.
“I think 1517 is a great resource,” Jackson said, “to really be able to speak fluently with people that don’t believe the same things as you.”
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