1. This is an excerpt from the introduction of “Common Places in Christian Theology: A Curated Collection of Essays from Lutheran Quarterly,” edited by Mark Mattes (1517 Publishing, 2023).
  2. The following is an adaptation from "Law and Gospel in Action" written by Mark Mattes (1517 Publishing, 2019).
  3. God is used to working with colorful figures. One of the most colorful in the Bible is Balaam. Hailing from Mesopotamia, Balaam was what we might call a shaman or a soothsayer.
  4. The following is an excerpt from Law and Gospel in Action written by Mark Mattes (1517 Publishing, 2019).