In this episode of Outlaw God, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson discuss Luther's famous and often misunderstood phrase, "faith creates God," from his lectures on Psalm 51. They trace how Ludwig Feuerbach turned that phrase into a theory that shaped modern theology, psychology, and atheism, while showing why Luther meant something very different. The conversation ultimately points listeners back to the heart of the Reformation: faith is not a human achievement or projection, but the gift created by God's powerful Gospel.

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New Books from 1517 Publishing:

• The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco

• Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz

• By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

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• Scott Keith

• Daniel Emery Price

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In this episode of Outlaw God, Dr. Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith continue their conversation on Luther's lectures on Psalm 51, showing how true repentance is rooted not in human effort or love for God, but in God's mercy alone. They unpack Luther's "conjunction of the incompatible" to explain how the holy God joins Himself to sinful people through Christ, shaping the Reformation's teaching on justification, the sacraments, and the Christian life. The discusssion challenges common misunderstandings about faith, emphasizing that salvation comes through God's Word creating faith—not through our works, decisions, or acts of love.

More from 1517:

• Support the work at 1517

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

New Books from 1517 Publishing:

• The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco

• Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz

• By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Steven Paulson

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In this episode of Outlaw God, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson explore what it means to "pray against yourself" through Psalm 51, showing how David learns that true repentance begins with God's law exposing the depth of sin rather than human effort or moral improvement. The conversation explains that faith is not something we produce or preserve but a gift created by the Holy Spirit through the preached promise of the forgiveness of sins. David's confidence ultimately rests not in his own worth, sacrifice, or works, but in God's Word of absolution, which unites sinners to Christ by grace alone.

More from 1517:

• Support the 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

New Books from 1517 Publishing:

• By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco

• Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

New Books from 1517 Publishing:

• By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco

• Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

More from the hosts:

• Scott Keith

• Daniel Emery Price

Follow 1517:

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Facebook