Where have all the Christians gone? New research reveals that this question is becoming more common as Americans abandon Christianity. Is this data helpful, and can it help guide those raising the next generation of Christians?  Thinking Fellows: Show Notes:   Support 1517 on Giving Tuesday   1517 Podcasts   The Pew Results   The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   Being Dad  What’s New from 1517:   Freedom Lessons Album   Free 2023 Advent Resources    Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition   2024 NWA Tickets (May 3-4)   Join the 1517 Academy   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Where Have Christians Gone?

Caleb and Bruce are joined by Blake Flattley and Flame to discuss their new album, Freedom Lessons. Freedom Lessons follows Luther's Small Catechism to bring the riches of God's forgiveness and freedom to audiences through a creative musical collaboration. The episode focuses on the artistic decisions necessary to make good music with a solid theological foundation and message. Show Notes:   Support 1517  Freedom Lessons Album  1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Free 2023 Advent Resources    Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition   2024 NWA Tickets (May 3-4)   Join the 1517 Academy   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Freedom Lessons

The Thinking Fellows are live from Here We Still Stand 2023. The original cast is joined by special guest Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason to discuss the lasting impact of C.S. Lewis. The conversation focuses on the ability of Lewis to communicate effectively and clearly across disciplines. Lewis stands as a model for Christians to learn how to declare and defend the good news that we are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube  Stand to Reason  Street Smarts  Tactics  Being Dad   What’s New from 1517:   Free 2023 Advent Resources   2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available!   Join the 1517 Academy    All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

The Impact of C.S. Lewis with Greg Koukl

In this episode, Caleb interviews Bruce about his new video series. Bruce is hosting a new series on X discussing gray space. Bruce defines gray space as those issues that are not solved with simple "black and white" answers.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Free 2023 Advent Resources   2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available!   Join the 1517 Academy    All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Gray Space Issues

The Thinking Fellows talk about the tension between doubt and faith. Bruce and Adam specify the difference between existential and intellectual doubts. Finally, the Fellows think about how to address the doubts and pains of other Christians. The episode concludes with how Christians can declare confident and sure promises from Christ.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube  Faith and Reason Exchange  What’s New from 1517:   2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup   Free 2023 Advent Resources   2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available!   Join the 1517 Academy    All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Dealing with Doubt

The Thinking Fellows close their series on the Solas of the Reformation with an episode on Sola Scriptura or "Scripture Alone." The Thinking Fellows are led by Adam Francisco this week to highlight the centrality of Scripture. They discuss misunderstandings about Sola Scriptura and how the Scriptures reveal Christ and his Gospel.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup   Free 2023 Advent Resources   2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available!   Join the 1517 Academy    All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Revealed by Scripture Alone

The Thinking Fellows discuss the history and importance of the phrase "Solus Christus" or Christ Alone. They cover why Christ Alone became a rallying cry of the reformation. Christ Alone excludes unbiblical ad-ons to justification and salvation like the other Solas of the Reformation. Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup   Free 2023 Advent Resources   2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available!   Join the 1517 Academy    All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

On Account of Christ Alone

Faith alone is likely the earliest sola slogan used during the Reformation. The Thinking Fellows discuss why affirming justification by faith alone is so significant. Why do some traditions accept the idea of justification by faith but drop the "alone?" The Fellows close by explaining how faith alone delivers assurance to troubled and doubting consciences.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup   Free 2023 Advent Resources   2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available!   Join the 1517 Academy    All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Justified by Faith Alone

What does it mean that we are saved by grace alone? The Thinking Fellows embarked on a new set of episodes focused on "Solas" of the Reformation. In this episode, they look at Sola Gratia or Grace Alone. They discuss the phrase's origin and use, outlining how the exclusive participle redefines and repositions the doctrine of grace within Lutheran Theology.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   2023 Advent Resources   Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org   2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup   Join the 1517 Academy    Faith in the Face of Tyranny   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Saved by Grace Alone

Dr. John Hoyum hosts an episode of the Thinking Fellows discussing virtue ethics. The Fellows first define virtue ethics and its resurgence in Christian conversations. They then ask if virtue ethics is a helpful and good way of approaching the Christian life.  Show Notes:   1517 Podcast Survey   Support 1517   After Virtue   Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics  1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org   2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup   Join the 1517 Academy    Faith in the Face of Tyranny   More from the hosts:   John Hoyum   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

Virtue Ethics

The Thinking Fellows revisit the topic of friendship. Who are your friends, and why do you need them? Can your spouse fulfill the entirety of your need for friends? Is there a distinction between Christian and non-Christian friends? The fellows explore these questions and more.  Show Notes:   1517 Podcast Survey   Support 1517  Being Dad Where Two or Three Are Gathered  1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org   2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup   Join the 1517 Academy    Faith in the Face of Tyranny   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francisco   Bruce Hilman    

The Importance of Friendship

Are accountability groups a good idea? The Thinking Fellows discuss the potential use of accountability groups in the church. They suggest some ways in which carving out space for strong male friendships is valued in the church while being cautious about issues surrounding discipline and sanctification.  Show Notes:   1517 Podcast Network Survey   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:    Faith and Reason Exchange @ Apple Podcasts   Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org   Join the 1517 Academy   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

Accountability

The Thinking Fellows discuss movies they enjoy watching. The conversation revolves around the presence of theological and moral meaning in film. How should we interpret movies, and are they valuable or edifying for Christians to analyze and use in analogy?  Show Notes:   1517 Podcast Network Survey   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Join the 1517 Academy   Freedom Lessons Street Team    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

Movies with Meaning

Bruce, Adam, and Caleb discuss the textual and narrative differences between the four gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry. Should the differences worry Christians? How should Christians respond when confronted with supposed contradictions and errors in Scripture? Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Join the 1517 Academy   Freedom Lessons Street Team    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

Do The Four Gospels Contradict?

Is your happiness an indicator of God's relationship with you? Are emotions a good indicator of divine revelation? The Thinking Fellows consider the purpose and place of happiness in the Christian life. In doing so, they discuss why it's essential to re-center our definition of happiness and preach the happiness of the Gospel while not relying upon emotions for divine revelation. Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Join the 1517 Academy   Freedom Lessons Street Team    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

Does God Want You To Be Happy?

The Thinking Fellows discuss the history and position of the Apocrypha for Lutherans. They present critical reasons for rejecting the Apocrypha from the biblical canon. Similarly, they discuss why the "removal" of the apocryphal books is not a strong polemic against Lutherans regarding Sola Scripture. However, they also discuss ways in which reading apocryphal books can be helpful.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Join the 1517 Academy   Freedom Lessons Street Team    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman         

The Apocrypha

Adiaphora is a theological term that means "indifference." It typically refers to practices that are neither commanded nor forbidden by God in Scripture. The Lutheran churches have historically used adiaphora as a method for explaining and allowing reasonable liturgical and personal piety differences between churches to exist while remaining unified around the core confessions of the church. The fellows discuss why understanding adiaphora is important and how it can benefit the church. Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Freedom Lessons Street Team    The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

The Place and Function of Adiaphora

The Thinking Fellows weigh on one of the most tense issues that affect Churches. What are parents to do when their children's extracurricular activities get scheduled on Sunday? The Fellows discuss ways to increase parental and particularly paternal commitment to church attendance.  Show Notes:   Support 1517   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:   Freedom Lessons Street Team    The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

The Struggle Between Church and Sports

The Fellows give some books and other recommendations. In the early years of Thinking Fellows, book recommendation episodes were a frequent fan favorite. The Fellows return with recommendations, both new and old. Show Notes:   Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:    The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   Book List:  The Small and Large Catechism  The Freedom of the Christian  The 1521 Loci Communes  Miroslav Volf  Kelsi Podcast Philip Carey  Philip Carey Books  Barth in Conversation  Lewis Markos   Narritive Apologetics  Iustitia Dei  G.K. Chesterton Orthodoxy   Steve Paulson  Robert Kolb  Paul Maier   Vocation The Setting of Human Flourishing   Structure of Lutheranism   Wingren Luther on Vocation  More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

Reading Recommendations

In this episode, the Thinking Fellows discuss the centrality and importance of Christians' doctrinal content and confessions. They ask how this doctrinal core differs from other world religions. The end of the episode focuses on the place and purpose of Christian practices and how they are shaped and impact doctrine. Show Notes   Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser   1517 Podcasts    The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts   1517 on Youtube   What’s New from 1517:    The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato    Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray   More from the hosts:   Caleb Keith   Scott Keith   Adam Francsisco   Bruce Hilman    

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