Thinking Fellows

A spirited conversation about why gathering matters for receiving baptism, preaching, and sacraments. They wrestle with legalistic attendance pressure versus occasional, understandable absences. Cultural trends like youth sports and livestreaming get examined for their impact on worship. Practical advice covers encouraging attendance with grace while protecting communal life.

A lively dive into whether Jesus claimed divinity, tracing why that question resurfaces today. Speakers compare Gospel portrayals and explain John’s distinctive high Christology. They unpack key scenes like the Mark trial, miracles that imply authority, early Christian testimony, and scholarly claims about late-developing beliefs.

Magnus Persson, a Swedish pastor and leader in the EFS movement, reflects on Lutheran renewal and confessional identity. He explores the role of the Book of Concord, why confessions guard unity, and how being both evangelical and catholic shapes church life. The conversation also covers renewal efforts inside the Church of Sweden and resisting cultural conformity.

They discuss projects and books aimed at proclaiming the Gospel in a post-Christian culture. Conversation covers adapting apologetics for spiritual-but-not-religious and expressive individualist audiences. They explore passing faith within families, cultural Christianity, and practical evangelism strategies that start by listening to people's worldviews.

They outline reasons to embrace Lutheran distinctives in 2026. Topics include a Christ-centered theology, worship shaped by Scripture, and maintaining biblical tensions with humility. They highlight the doctrine of vocation and how everyday work is worship. They explore family life, treating children as full members and nurturing faith through corporate worship.

Four thinkers discuss a new apologetics book and why it matters for Christian-Muslim conversation. They define positive apologetics and debate objections to it. The group examines the empty tomb as a historical question and how the resurrection can ground trust in Scripture. They trace influences from Antony Flew to N.T. Wright and argue apologetics strengthens confidence for teaching and witness.

They wrestle with what 'Antichrist' means in Scripture and why it often appears as recurring figures rather than a single end-times villain. They trace historical and theological readings from Nero and the papacy to modern movements. They critique sensational end-times speculation and urge identifying opposition to Jesus by its aims, not by symbols.

Christians should be prepared to give clear and faithful answers to hard questions about what they believe. When it comes to abortion, many Christians hold strong biblical convictions, yet find themselves stumbling when those convictions are challenged or pressed in conversation. In this episode, the Thinking Fellows address serious and common questions surrounding abortion questions about law, life, conscience, and forgiveness. Show Notes: Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco

Chad Bird, Old Testament scholar and 1517.org resident who co-hosts 40 Minutes in the Old Testament, critiques claims of hidden codes in Scripture. He explores why people pursue secret meanings and how that can distort faith. The conversation favors historical context, literary awareness, original languages, and a Christ-centered approach to reading the Old Testament.

The hosts tackle the complex ethics of self-defense through a Christian lens, debating if deadly force can be morally justified. They explore the distinction between instinctive responses and thoughtful ethical decisions during life-threatening situations. Biblical ambiguity on violence raises tough questions about scriptural interpretation and societal duties. Personal stories, like an active-shooter incident, illustrate real-world implications. Ultimately, they emphasize Christ's forgiveness amidst moral dilemmas, grounding their discussions in faith and vocation.