Donavon Riley

  1. 323: Korby - Prayer: Pre-Reformation to the Present

    book
    10/01/23
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Saddle Up! In this episode, we discuss prayer and spiritual warfare while reading Dr. Ken Korby’s essay, Prayer: Pre-Reformation to the Present. We converse about the purpose and goal of prayer, what Jesus is doing when we pray, and how the Holy Spirit acts in and through prayer.
    323: Korby - Prayer: Pre-Reformation to the Present

  2. 322: An Early Lutheran Ordination

    book
    09/23/23
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Baptized, Confirmed, and Ordained. In this episode, we discuss the early Lutheran formulation of calling and ordination of pastors and preachers. What is ordination, when does it happen, are their rules and rites that must be followed, and much, much more!
    322: An Early Lutheran Ordination

  3. 321: Luther - The Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers

    book
    09/16/23
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    You can call me any day or night. Call me! In this episode, we read Martin Luther’s verbosely titled treatise, “That a Christian Assembly or Congregation has the Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers, Established and Proven by Scripture." We discuss ordination, church authority, the doctrine of the pastoral call, and much more.
    321: Luther - The Right and Power to Judge all Teaching and to Call, Appoint, and Dismiss Teachers

  4. 320: Whitford - Tyranny and Resistance

    book
    09/09/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Resistance to Tyranny is Obedience to God. In this episode, we discuss tyranny and resistance while reading a book of the same title by Reformation scholar David Mark Whitford. What is tyranny? When are Christians called to resist tyranny, and what does that entail? Are there any standards by which a Christian may judge whether a government serves God or the devil?
    320: Whitford - Tyranny and Resistance

  5. 319: Graff - Baalism in the Life of the Church

    book
    09/02/23
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    We Need to Get Ba’aled Out. In this episode, we read Warren Graff’s article, "Baalism in the Life of the Church," and discuss the roots of Baal worship in Israel and its consequences for Israel and churches today.
    319: Graff - Baalism in the Life of the Church

  6. 318: Nestigen - Luther on Marriage, Vocation, and the Cross

    book
    08/17/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    All In The Family. In this episode, we discuss marriage, vocation, and cute theology of the cross. How can Luther’s teaching and preaching on marriage and vocation help Christians at present waist the temptations of the world and Satan, which pervert and disrupt God’s will for marriage? What does baptism have to do with marriage? How does Luther’s formulation of marriage and family help Christians comprehend their relation to society and the state?
    318: Nestigen - Luther on Marriage, Vocation, and the Cross

  7. 317: Löhe - Pastoral Care of the Sick

    book
    08/08/23
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Spiritual War, What Is It Good For? In this episode, we discuss pastoral care to the healthy and sick and spiritual warfare while reading Wilhelm Loehe’s book, The Pastor.
    317: Löhe - Pastoral Care of the Sick

  8. 316: Luther - Letters of Spiritual Counsel to the Anxious and Despondent

    book
    07/21/23
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Shout At The Devil! In this episode, we discuss various questions regarding spiritual warfare while reading Martin Luther’s letter to his friend and pupil, Jerome Weller.
    316: Luther - Letters of Spiritual Counsel to the Anxious and Despondent

  9. 315: Girard - The End of Scapegoating

    book
    07/15/23
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Hey Man, Nice Shot. In this episode, we discuss Rene Girard’s argument for why Jesus’ death as a scapegoat is unique to all other sacrifices in human history. What is violence for? What is a scapegoat, and why is one necessary for peace and good order? How does Jesus break the law machinery that demands a victim?
    315: Girard - The End of Scapegoating

  10. 314: Girard - I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightning

    book
    07/03/23
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Satan Drives Out Satan? In this episode, we dig deep into Jesus’ question, Can Satan drive out Satan? With the help of Rene Gerard’s book, I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightening. This episode goes into some extremely deep waters regarding the mimetic tradition, the nature of sacrifice, scapegoating, Satan’s power, and Jesus’ crucifixion.
    314: Girard - I Saw Satan Fall Like Lightning

  11. 313: Two Sermons on the Bound Will

    book
    06/24/23
    10 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Sermonator 2: Judgment Day. In this episode, we read two sermons from Gerhard Forde and Steven Paulson, then discuss preaching to bound wills, the consequences for Christians when free will sermons are preached, and what’s to be done about bad preaching.
    313: Two Sermons on the Bound Will

  12. 312: Paulson - Preaching Categorically to Bound Wills

    book
    06/16/23
    7 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    A Total Eclipse of The Heart. In this episode, we discuss preaching to bound wills, and the consequences for both preachers and listeners, as we read Steven Paulson’s essay, Preaching Categorically to Bound Wills.
    312: Paulson - Preaching Categorically to Bound Wills