Author

  1. 417: Luther - A deep, evil corruption of nature that reason does not comprehend

    book
    11/21/25
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    How Deep Is Your Love! In this episode, we continue our reading of the Smalcald Articles, focusing our attention on sin and the law. What is sin? What does it do to us? What are its effects? And, in following, what is the relationship of the law to sin? Does the law empower us to sin less? Can the law produce good works and good fruits? What is the function of pastoral care in relation to sin and the law? All this and much, much more on this episode of the podcast.
    417: Luther - A deep, evil corruption of nature that reason does not comprehend

  2. Where Lutheranism Disagrees with Thomas Aquinas

    book
    11/18/25
    5 mins
    By Scott Keith | Caleb Keith | Adam Francisco | Bruce Hillman
    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.
    Where Lutheranism Disagrees with Thomas Aquinas

  3. The Bondage of the Will: A Simple Overview

    book
    10/14/25
    5 mins
    By Scott Keith | Caleb Keith | Steven Paulson
    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.
    The Bondage of the Will: A Simple Overview

  4. 412: Forde - The gospel, and only the gospel, spells the end of the hidden God

    book
    10/11/25
    12 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    For What It’s Worth. In this episode, we conclude our reading of Gerhard Forde’s "Captivation of the Will." We discuss the conclusion of Luther’s treatise on the bound will, arriving at Christ and election, which reveals Erasmus’s fundamental error — his argument for the human will is actually the original sin, choosing between good and evil.
    412: Forde - The gospel, and only the gospel, spells the end of the hidden God

  5. 411: Forde - Are we puppets, being jerked around against our wills by a malevolent puppeteer?

    book
    10/04/25
    9 mins
    By Donavon Riley | Christopher Gillespie
    Master of Puppets. In this episode, we continue our exploration of the Bondage of the Will, with Gerhard Forde’s book, The Captivation of the Will. We discuss the human will — what it is, what it does, what it wants — and why we are compelled to insist that we have free choice. We also talk about the two paths: one, the path of forgiveness, and the other, the way of morality. Why do we default to morality in matters of choice, and why is the preaching of God’s grace over against morality so offensive to Christians who confess that our knowledge of good and bad is a direct consequence of the original sin in the garden? We also talk about drunkenness, women’s ordination, the offense of irresistible grace, and what the Holy Spirit is up to amidst the disruption that occurs when he sends his preachers to declare an end to the illusion of free choice and reveal his death sentence to bound wills.
    411: Forde - Are we puppets, being jerked around against our wills by a malevolent puppeteer?

  6. 410: Forde - Better not to let the "common herd" in on such lofty and dangerous academic secrets

    book
    09/27/25
    8 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Have You Herd? In this episode, we continue our reading of The Captivation of Will, discussing the problem of God, the death-ride of morality, scandalous election, the dilemma of sin and freedom and more sin, and the singular calling of Christ’s preachers.
    410: Forde - Better not to let the

  7. 407: Paulson - The free will is demonstrably not Jesus Christ

    book
    09/06/25
    9 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley | Steven Paulson
    In this episode, we begin our series commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s treatise, de Servo Arbitrio — The Bondage of the Will. We begin by reading Dr. Steven Paulson’s theological analysis of what’s at stake in Luther’s treatise, as well as its sharp-edged consequences for churches today. As it was received then, so it is now by dedicated students of this work: it cleaves those who seek Jesus plus philosophy, ideology, or personal interests from those who insist on Christ alone in all things relating to matters of salvation, faith, etc.
    407: Paulson - The free will is demonstrably not Jesus Christ

  8. Monday, July 28, 2025

    book
    07/28/25
    12 mins
    By Dan van Voorhis
    Today on the Christian History Almanac, we head to the mailbag to answer a question about the Virgin Mary in Church history.
    Monday, July 28, 2025

  9. 395: Questions Answered

    book
    06/09/25
    7 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Just Answer the Question. In this episode, we answer listener questions, specifically active and passive choices, active and passive righteousness, election and the bondage of the will, addiction, the limits of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the ultimate Good we all seek, and much, much more.
    395: Questions Answered

  10. Sinner Saint: a Surprising Primer to the Christian Life

    book
    06/06/25
    5 mins
    By Gretchen Ronnevik | Katie Koplin | Luke Kjolhaug
    Our friend, Pastor Luke Kjolhaug just released a book that we are so excited about. Since we live within driving distance from him, we attended his book launch in Alexandria, MN, at Cherry Street Books, and recorded a podcast before the audience there.
    Sinner Saint: a Surprising Primer to the Christian Life

  11. Sin and the Christian Life with Luke Kjolhaug

    book
    05/20/25
    12 mins
    By Kelsi Klembara | Luke Kjolhaug
    Kelsi is joined by author and pastor, Luke Kjolhaug, to talk about his new book, ⁠Sinner Saint: A Surprising Primer to the Christian Life⁠.
    Sin and the Christian Life with Luke Kjolhaug

  12. 392: Keller - What Is the Church?

    book
    05/16/25
    11 mins
    By Christopher Gillespie | Donavon Riley
    Come Together, Right Now… In this episode, we read from Tim Keller’s sermon, which asks, “What is the Church?” We discuss the relationship between churches and culture, what the church is and isn’t, where we locate faith, whether Christian faith changes one’s values, and much more.
    392: Keller - What Is the Church?