In this fun episode, the Thinking Fellows take turns sharing some of their least-favorite phrases or platitudes that Christians use. They discuss how these platitudes can discourage fellow believers and how they often function as a way to fill silence while avoiding the real vocational needs of our neighbors.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

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• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Coming Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent Devotional

• 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

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

As we close out 2025, 1517 and the Podcast Network are asking listeners to support our mission to declare and defend the good news that you are forgiven and free on account of Christ. This Advent, we're focusing on how Christ alone brings sinners home. That's the message we proclaim week after week through podcasts, sermon helps, videos, and articles and it's the message your financial support carries into 2026 and beyond.

Help Us Reach Our Goal

The Thinking Fellows examine the Ligonier 2025 State of Theology Survey. They identify a major recurring theme: Christians are contradicting themselves. Fundamental questions about the nature of God, the authority of Scripture, and the work of Jesus are answered correctly by most respondents. However, the same individuals then give contradictory answers to adjacent questions such as the nature of the Holy Spirit, whether Christians must adhere to biblical morality, or whether the worship of false gods saves. The Fellows discuss catechesis and the impact of culture on what people say and what they believe.

Year End Giving

State of Theology Survey

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Coming Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent Devotional

• 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

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

In this episode of the Thinking Fellows, we take a closer look at the growing interest in Thomas Aquinas especially among younger evangelicals and even many Lutherans. We talk through why Aquinas is appealing to so many today, but also why the Lutheran Reformers pushed back on key parts of his theology. That includes the big questions of grace, salvation, and whether human effort plays any role in standing before God.

Show Notes:

• 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:

• Coming Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent Devotional

• 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

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regularly presents itself as a Christian church. In this episode, the Thinking Fellows examine what Mormons get wrong about Christianity and how LDS doctrine leads its followers to worship a false god. Mormonism is not Christian; it is a fabricated religion built on teachings that contradict the Gospel and the historic faith.

Show Notes:

• 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:

• Coming Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent Devotional

• 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

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

In this live episode of the Thinking Fellows, Caleb, Scott, Steve, and Adam discuss why Martin Luther's The Bondage of the Will is one of the most important yet most overlooked works of the Reformation.

They explore why Luther's debate with Erasmus still matters today and how ignoring this work can lead to confusion about human will, divine grace, and the Gospel itself. Rather than being a cold philosophical text, The Bondage of the Willreveals the comfort of knowing that salvation depends entirely on God's decision and not our effort.

Show Notes:

• 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:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

What led Martin Luther to write The Bondage of the Will? This podcast explores the historical background and central message of one of Luther's most significant works. Written as a response to Erasmus, Luther's book defends the biblical truth that salvation is not the result of human choice or effort but rests entirely on God's gracious will. The Bondage of the Will delivers a message of profound comfort. God Himself has acted to save sinners through His Son, Jesus Christ, who takes away our sins and gives us eternal life.

Show Notes:

• 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:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

Singing is one of the most recognizable parts of Christian worship. But why do Christians sing hymns? Where did hymns come from? And why should the church continue to sing them? Caleb and Scott Keith are joined by Dr. Steve Mueller from Concordia University Irvine to answer these questions.

Show Notes:

• 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:

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman