Podcasts about Martin Luther

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“Official Christianity, of late years, has been having what is known ‘as a bad press'. We are constantly assured that the churches are empty because preachers insist too much upon doctrine — dull dogma as people call it. The fact is the precise opposite. It is the neglect of dogma that makes for dullness. The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man — and the dogma is the drama…. That God should play the tyrant over man is a dismal story of unrelieved oppression; that man should play the tyrant over man is the usual dreary record of human futility; but that man should play the tyrant over God and find him a better man than himself is an astonishing drama indeed. Any journalist, hearing of it for the first time, would recognize it as news; those who did hear it for the first time actually called it news, and good news at that; though we are likely to forget that the word Gospel ever meant anything so sensational.”~Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957), novelist and playwright, in “The Greatest Drama Ever Staged” “Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich.”~Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390), 4th century church leader and theologian “Once, when Paul came to Athens, a mighty city, he found in the temple many ancient altars, and he went from one to the other and looked at them all, but he did not kick down a single one of them with his foot. Rather he stood up in the middle of the marketplace and said they were nothing but idolatrous things and begged the people to forsake them; yet he did not destroy one of them by force. When the Word took hold of their hearts, they forsook them of their own accord, and in consequence the thing fell of itself…. For the Word created heaven and earth and all things; the Word must do this thing, and not we poor sinners.”~Martin Luther, at his return to Wittenberg under an Imperial death threat (March 10, 1522) “I would propose that the subject of the ministry in this house, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshippers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, ‘It is Jesus Christ.' …Christ Jesus, who is the sum and substance of the gospel, who is in himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth, the all-glorious personal embodiment of the way, the truth, and the life.”~Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), his first words at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London “As for me, my charter is Jesus Christ, the inviolable charter is His cross and His death and resurrection, and faith through Him.”~Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35 - c. 107), student of John the Apostle “…upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”~Jesus in Matthew 16:18SERMON PASSAGEselected passages (ESV)Romans 1 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” 1 Corinthians 1 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God….  22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 2 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.1 Corinthians 15 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  Galatians 2 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Colossians 1 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.

A new MP3 sermon from Pastor Klaas Veldman is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: From Glory to Glory Speaker: Martin Luther Broadcaster: Pastor Klaas Veldman Event: Devotional Date: 9/20/2025 Bible: 2 Corinthians 3:18 Length: 5 min.

September 18, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: Daily Prayers: Asking a Blessing & Returning ThanksDaily Lectionary: Nehemiah 1:1-2:10; Haggai 1:1-2:23; 1 Timothy 1:1-20The children and members of the household shall go to the table reverently, fold their hands, and say: The eyes of all look to You, [O LORD,] and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Ps. 145: 15–16) Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer and the following: Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. All things come from God, and it is good to thank Him for them. Many Christians can relate to the experience of gathering around the dinner table with their families, folding their hands, bowing their heads, and thanking God for His gifts. But so frequently, growling stomachs and eager mouths will speed through their words of prayer to get to the meal. Martin Luther's mealtime prayers, perhaps unintentionally, can help slow things down for us. In the Scripture from Psalm 145, we are reminded that everything that we have in life, down to the last crumb, is a gift from God, intentionally given to fulfill our wants and needs. In this Scripture, we are told that we not only receive the things we need, but the things that we desire as well! God gives to us as He sees fit, without any merit or worthiness on our part, out of the goodness and mercy of His heart. People work hard to earn money to provide for themselves and their families, but this, too, comes from God Himself as a means to take care of His creatures! As we know in the explanation of the Lord's Prayer, He doesn't just give Daily Bread to the people who ask Him and thank Him for it, but to each and every person on earth, even to evil people! Even the animals and plants of this world receive their fill directly from their creator. In this mealtime prayer, we thank God for all that He has given to sustain our bodies, not as an obligation, but as grateful children of God thanking Him for the gifts he has given us. We also give thanks to God as a reminder to ourselves of the daily goodness of God that we receive through God's love and mercy alone. When we pray before our meals, we fill our bodies with thoughts honoring our Lord and the words of His promises before we fill them with the gifts He has provided for our daily lives. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Be present at our table, Lord; Be here and ev'rywhere adored; Thy creatures bless, and grant that we May feast in paradise with Thee. (LSB 775)Rev. Benjamin Heinz, pastor of Athens Lutheran Church in Athens, TN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Join author R. Reed Lessing helps with this chapter-by-chapter exploration of the Book of Numbers in Hope in the Wilderness. With helpful maps, diagrams, and connections to the rest of the Bible, you'll be able to understand the beauty of Numbers.

In this episode of No-Co Radio, Pastor Mike discusses the theological concepts of “Law and Gospel” drawing on the works of Martin Luther and other theologians. Pastor Mike explains that the "law" represents a command, something you must “do”, and serves to show unbelievers their sin and need for a Savior. In contrast, the "gospel" is the good news of what has been “done” through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He argues that understanding this distinction is key to answering core Christian questions, such as "How do you know you're a Christian?" and "What is the essence of Christianity?". He emphasizes that the answers lie not in human actions (law), but in God's completed work through Jesus (gospel).  Produced/Edited By: Marrio Escobar (Owner of D2L Productions)  Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4GClmheqTuw

Frederick the Wise shielded Martin Luther during the earliest and most uncertain years of the Reformation. Far more than a footnote in Luther's story, Frederick emerges as a skilled statesman navigating the volatile mix of church corruption, shifting feudal structures, and the rising voices of peasants and humanists. This episode explores the events of 1520 […]

Lutheran Stories: Protestant Reformation Pastor Eric Ohrtman is in the studio to give the Cliff Notes overview of The Protestant Reformation. Get your pen and notebook ready because there is a lot to cover in 13 minutes! Martin Luther…check. John Calvin…check. Henry VIII…check. Gutenburg Press…check. Formula of Concord…check. Ninety-five Theses…check. Augsburg Confession…check. But the story involves so much more and it all comes back to the doctrine of grace.

Augustine. Martin Luther. John Wesley. Karl Barth. What do these theological forefathers have in common?Their encounter with Christ through the letter to the Romans left them changed--and radically changed the world through them.Paul's letter to the church in Rome has consistently impacted lives and led to multiple revivals across the globe across the centuries. Just imagine how God may work in YOUR life as we dive into this letter to the Romans!September 13th, 2025Rev. Kelcie Exline

Dazed & Confused. In this episode, we continue our series on The Bondage of the Will (1525), by Martin Luther. We read Dr. James Nestingen's historical introduction to the treatise and delve into the ways two theologians differed in their exegesis of Scripture, their interpretation of Christian doctrine, and the early and medieval church-theological traditions that influenced Erasmus and Luther as they engaged in a back-and-forth. SHOW NOTES:  The Captivation of the Will: Luther Vs. Erasmus on Freedom and Bondage by Gerhard O. Forde https://amzn.to/4mOYuPx  Thomism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomism Luther: Right or Wrong? by Harry J. McSorley https://amzn.to/460OkFF  Mary Harrington: 'The only way out is through.' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_7cBBEbOJA  Luther's Philosophical Theses (1517) - Luther AE31 https://amzn.to/4mdlK8C    More from 1517: Support 1517 Podcast Network: https://www.1517.org/donate-podcasts 1517 Podcasts: http://www.1517.org/podcasts 1517 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1517org 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/1517-podcast-network/id6442751370 1517 Events Schedule: https://www.1517.org/events 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education: https://academy.1517.org/   What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism  Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint  The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize    More from the hosts: Donovan Riley https://www.1517.org/contributors/donavon-riley  Christopher Gillespie https://www.1517.org/contributors/christopher-gillespie   MORE LINKS: Tin Foil Haloes https://t.me/bannedpastors Warrior Priest Gym & Podcast https://thewarriorpriestpodcast.wordpress.com   St John's Lutheran Church (Webster, MN) - FB Live Bible Study Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/356667039608511  Gillespie's Sermons and Catechesis http://youtube.com/stjohnrandomlake  Donavon's Substack https://donavonlriley.substack.com Gillespie's Substack https://substack.com/@christophergillespie  Gillespie Coffee https://gillespie.coffee   Gillespie Media https://gillespie.media     CONTACT and FOLLOW: Email mailto:BannedBooks@1517.org  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BannedBooksPod/  Twitter https://twitter.com/bannedbooks1517   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@BannedBooks Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-1223313  Odysee https://odysee.com/@bannedbooks:5 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banned-books/id1370993639  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2ahA20sZMpBxg9vgiRVQba  Overcast https://overcast.fm/itunes1370993639/banned-books 

Send us a textThis week Ben and Adam get revolutionary with Martin Empson, author of The Time of the Harvest Has Come. Together, they explore the German Peasants' War of 1524–25, the largest social revolt in pre-French Revolution Europe. Along the way, they discuss one of its lesser-known leaders and Saint of the Week, Michael Gaismair.COMPETITION: Email breadandrosaries@gmail.com and tell us how you've been organising for a chance to win a copy of Martin's book!Buy Martin's book Martin's blogSupport the showEverything Bread and Rosaries does will be free for everyone forever, but it does cost money to produce so if you wish to support the show on Patreon, we'd love you forever!Music credits at this link

For anyone who has seen Michael B. Jordan's excellent new movie Sinners, it's clear that any sort of deal with the devil - what has become known as the Faustian Bargain - is still very much alive. So relevant, in fact, that cultural historian Ed Simon has a book, just out in paperback, about its enduring relevance entitled Devil's Contract. From Shakespeare and Goethe to Thomas Mann and Donald Trump, Simon argues, the Faustian Bargain is more than just a literary trope. In fact, he suggests, it is as relevant today, in our social media age of the Mephistophelian Donald Trump as it was in the German Reformation of the equally populist Martin Luther. The Art of a Deal with the Devil. And we all know how it ends. Go and see Sinners. Spoiler warning: not without the spilling of a great deal of innocent blood. 1. The Faustian Bargain is Fundamentally About Irrationality Despite knowing the terrible consequences, Faust signs the contract anyway. As Simon explains, "if you know that the devil is real and that the Devil collects souls at the end of your life, then like you'd never sign on the dotted line. And yet these characters continually do." This captures our human tendency to act against our own best interests.2. The Contract Makes It Modern What distinguishes the Faust legend from earlier devil stories is the literal paperwork. Simon argues this bureaucratic element - signing on the dotted line - transforms it into a distinctly modern tale about legal systems, capitalism, and bureaucracy. It's not just about temptation; it's about documentation.3. AI is Our Latest Faustian Bargain Simon sees artificial intelligence as having "a shockingly obvious kind of Faustian gloss" - from the magic of conjuring something from nothing to the environmental destruction of massive server farms. We're trading our future for technological convenience, knowing the costs.4. Trump is Mephistopheles, Not Faust In Simon's reading, Trump isn't the one making the deal - he's the devil others make deals with. JD Vance becomes the perfect example: fully aware of what Trump is, yet "willing to seemingly abandon whatever principles he may have had in the past... for power alone."5. Sometimes Faust Wins (But Usually Doesn't) While Goethe's Faust finds redemption and salvation, most versions end badly. The American "Yankee Faust" tries to trick the devil but still gets his house burned down. The lesson? You might think you're clever enough to beat the devil, but the house always wins.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

John 9:1-12As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” [I chose this morning's Gospel, not because I'm going to spend a lot of time unpacking it, directly, in response to today's question. I chose it – with the notion of Science and Scripture in mind – to simply show the gulf that exists between the life and times of Jesus in the First Century, and our own day and age. And how differently we are invited to understand Scripture because of that.The short of the long – and the obvious expression of this – is to see how the people around Jesus believed that that man's blindness was the result of divine judgment for his sins – or for the sins of his parents – and how he was cast-out and ostracized because of it. We know so much more than that now – and so did Jesus, it seems. Which is why his healing – and the point of the story – wasn't about a health problem or a physical defect.Just like those First Century onlookers, we want to pretend this story is about sickness or science, when really it's all about the forgiveness of sins and showing how wide and merciful God's love and forgiveness was, is, and can be, when we share it.]Anyway, shifting gears somewhat to today's question, which came through in a variety of ways from a variety of sources: Grace Notes, some conversations, the Men's Bible Study crew, and even a second-hand text from one of our college kids by way of his mother.I had tried to address it when we kicked off our last sermon series – the one from July, about Genesis, and the primeval mythology of its first 12 chapters. I threw out the phrase “LITERAL v. LITERATE,” and throughout that series Pastor Cogan and I tried to unpack the way those stories in Genesis (Creation, The Flood, The Fall, The Tower of Babel) speak to larger, universal, cosmic Truths, even if we aren't required to receive them as historically or scientifically accurate accounts.So, here is a list of the several questions we tried to summarize and roll up into today's single query:One was a series of non-sequiturs, asking about Creation in 7 days versus Evolution and the Big Bang Theory, dinosaurs, and how people add up the life-lengths and say that is the age of the earth, …etc.There was a reference to “Talking snakes,” the Nephilim, and the plural use of God in Genesis 3:22 – where God was apparently concerned that Adam and Eve would become like “one of us.”Did God actually walk in The Garden with Adam and Eve?How do you reconcile “time” in the Bible, including the ages of people? (Like how did Abraham live to be 175 years? Or Moses 120? Or Adam 930? Or Methuselah 969?)I don't want to be too simplistic, or to dismiss the thoughtfulness and concern over these kinds of questions. But I have to say that faithful people – especially rationally-thinking, scientifically-minded faithful people – have been making more of this than is necessary for far too long. It can be fun to do, don't get me wrong. And there may even be meaning to be found in some of it.But all of the math, numerology, guess-work and mental gymnastics it takes to “make sense of” what are often nothing more than literary devices or culturally particular context clues or plain-old hyperbole reminds me of the way Swifties dissect Taylor Swift's liner notes, album covers, wardrobe changes, or even the tchotchkes on the wall behind her during that interview with the Kelce brothers a couple of weeks ago. Again, it can be fun. And every once in a while you might find an Easter egg. But you don't have to go into those weeds in order to enjoy or find meaning in the music's big picture.The short of the long – where the Bible is concerned, is – we don't need to get into those weeds, do all of that math, or believe that Moses lived to be 120. Or that Methusela died at the ripe old age of 969. Or that Noah built a boat big enough to hold two of every creature on the planet, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Or that God jumped off of a cloud to walk with Adam and Eve.(For the record, even though I don't believe God left actual footprints in Eden, I did have a moment once at the cemetery in Lindsay, Ohio, where my maternal grandparents are buried, to the degree that I think I know what Genesis means when it says they heard the sound of God “walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze.”)Nonetheless, we don't always have to connect all of those confusing, confounding impossible dots, either.To put it plainly, the Bible is not a science book – and it doesn't pretend or need to be. Every part of it isn't a history book, either – and it doesn't pretend or need to be. The Bible is a book of books – oral history, letters, poems, songs, stories, prophecies, and more, that never intended to be collected, assembled, and bound into a single tome. Humans did that. Male humans – with power and privilege – did that. And we should be wary of what male humans with power and privilege can do with things like science, history, and the stories of people. (That may be another sermon or another day.)But in spite of that … still … by the grace of God, the Bible is beautiful and points us toward God's love and plan for creation at every turn – or it should. And that is how I hope we are inclined and inspired to read, receive, and report what we find in God's word through the pages of Scripture.Now, bear with me, but another way I have explained this, is to tell the story of my dad's Caesar Salad. My dad makes a mean Caesar Salad. It's been a while since I've had it, but growing up it was a staple, whenever we had family or friends over for a nice dinner. The dressing is made with, among other things, a raw egg, Worcestershire sauce, a ton of garlic, lemon juice, and anchovy paste. And even though I can picture him whipping up this concoction a million times while I was growing up, I never really realized or thought about what I was eating, until I asked for the recipe, the first time I tried to impress Christa for a Valentine's Day dinner when we were just dating, 500 years ago, back in the 1900's.(See what I did there? That's the kind of hyperbole that makes a point, without needing to be historically accurate. Bible writers did that too.)Anyway, the problem was, my dad never used a recipe when he made his Caesar Salad, so his instructions, delivered by e-mail and then over the phone, were more than a little vague. There were no measuring cups or Table spoons involved. It was, “Use one egg or two depending how much lettuce you have.” It was, “Use a lot of garlic. You can't really use too much garlic.” It was, “Throw in a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce.” And it was, “Squeeze a line of anchovy paste into it, about the length of a couple of knuckles.”Actually, the clearest – and most meaningful – instruction I received that first time around, after giving him grief for how impossibly unclear he was, was when he said, “Mark, you know what it's supposed to look and taste like when it's finished. Just make it like that.”All of this is to say – again – in answer to the question about if and how we are able to square Science with Scripture – is that we don't have to.Martin Luther described the Bible as a cradle that merely, but meaningfully, bears the Christ child. And it is a liberating relief for me to say that we don't worship the words in a book, we worship the Word made flesh, in Jesus.We worship Jesus – and the unmitigated, radical, counter-cultural, uncomfortable love and grace he shares. The love of God in Jesus is to be the heart and soul and goal of whatever we're reading into and pulling out of Holy Scripture. We are reading the Bible faithfully – we square science and scripture (or we liberate ourselves from checking our brains at the door or from trying to cram square pegs into round holes) – when and only when, the crucified and risen Jesus, the loving and living God, is what we receive and share through our best interpretations and our most humble understandings of what we find in its pages.My dad suggested that I'd know it when I saw it, tasted it, presented it, and shared his version of a Caesar Salad with Christa. Throughout Holy Scripture we are invited to see a whole picture of God's love and grace, in Jesus. Some stories seem harsh and unforgiving. Some are packed with immeasurable grace. So many ancient tales just can't be reconciled with our modern understanding of how the world works.But when we toss them all together and when we turn them over in our minds with hearts set on God's larger story and finished product of love, mercy, forgiveness, and hope, these stories tell a story of grace for the whole wide world that can't be measured or made sense of, no matter how hard we try to do the math or crunch the numbers. It all only makes sense and measures up by grace, through faith – not because of the words in a book, but because of in the Word of love, made flesh, in Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Lutheran Stories: Martin Luther So, who exactly was Martin Luther? On this episode of the Full of Joy podcast, Pastor Eric Ohrtman gives an overview of the life of the man, the myth, the legend. Luther's story is much more than just ninety-five theses nailed to a door, as we discuss his background, the importance of his wife, Katharina, and his unavoidable flaws.

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. SHOW NOTES:  The Captivation of the Will: Luther Vs. Erasmus on Freedom and Bondage by Gerhard O. Forde https://amzn.to/4mOYuPx  The Field (1990) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099566/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_26 Donavon Riley: Screwtape, Temptation & Aslan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLapivFF_3g Jiro Dreams of Sushi https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772925/   More from 1517: Support 1517 Podcast Network: https://www.1517.org/donate-podcasts 1517 Podcasts: http://www.1517.org/podcasts 1517 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1517org 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/1517-podcast-network/id6442751370 1517 Events Schedule: https://www.1517.org/events 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education: https://academy.1517.org/   What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Prayers-Devotions-Christ-Psalms/dp/1964419263 Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales https://shop.1517.org/collections/new-releases/products/9781964419039-remembering-your-baptism  Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug https://shop.1517.org/products/9781964419152-sinner-saint  The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize    More from the hosts: Donovan Riley https://www.1517.org/contributors/donavon-riley  Christopher Gillespie https://www.1517.org/contributors/christopher-gillespie   MORE LINKS: Tin Foil Haloes https://t.me/bannedpastors Warrior Priest Gym & Podcast https://thewarriorpriestpodcast.wordpress.com   St John's Lutheran Church (Webster, MN) - FB Live Bible Study Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/356667039608511  Gillespie's Sermons and Catechesis http://youtube.com/stjohnrandomlake  Donavon's Substack https://donavonlriley.substack.com Gillespie's Substack https://substack.com/@christophergillespie  Gillespie Coffee https://gillespie.coffee   Gillespie Media https://gillespie.media     CONTACT and FOLLOW: Email mailto:BannedBooks@1517.org  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BannedBooksPod/  Twitter https://twitter.com/bannedbooks1517   SUBSCRIBE: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@BannedBooks Rumble https://rumble.com/c/c-1223313  Odysee https://odysee.com/@bannedbooks:5 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banned-books/id1370993639  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2ahA20sZMpBxg9vgiRVQba  Overcast https://overcast.fm/itunes1370993639/banned-books 

Dr. Cameron MacKenzie of Concordia Theological Seminary-Ft. Wayne, IN The Reformation The post Martin Luther's “Disputation Against Scholastic Theology” – Dr. Cameron MacKenzie, 9/5/25 (2481) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

In this episode of the Outlaw God, Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith look at Martin Luther's interpretation of Psalm 18 and connects it back to Acts 17. They explore Luther's transition from mystical and allegorical readings to a focus on proclamation and the distinction between law and gospel. The discussion highlights how Luther's understanding of God's promises, as opposed to the law's accusations, marked a significant shift in his theological approach. 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: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Steven Paulson  

Martin Luther's first mass revealed his deep reverence and fear before God's holiness, yet he later learned salvation comes not through the mass, but through faith in Christ's blood alone.

Martin Luther's first mass revealed his deep reverence and fear before God's holiness, yet he later learned salvation comes not through the mass, but through faith in Christ's blood alone.

Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, author, “The Fabricated Luther” The Fabricated Luther: Refuting Nazi Connections and Other Modern Myths, Third Edition The post Martin Luther and National Socialism – Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, 9/2/25 (2455, Encore) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, Scott Keith, and Bruce Hillman delve into Martin Luther's, 'The Freedom of a Christian.' They explore the historical context of the Reformation, particularly the year 1520, and discuss the significance of Luther's teachings on justification by faith, the authority of scripture (Sola Scriptura), and the relationship between faith and good works.  Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network  The Freedom of the Christian 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman  

In this lecture, the speaker delves into Ephesians chapter 5, verses 25 through 32, emphasizing the profound relationship between marriage and the love of Christ for the church. The lesson begins with an examination of the call for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, illustrating that this sacrificial love is intertwined with theological and existential reflections on hypocrisy within the church. The speaker raises poignant questions about how individuals confront the reality that some who profess faith fail to live by its tenets. He challenges the audience to consider whether such disillusionment should lead to abandoning faith or should ignite a deeper passion for Christ.Exploring the historical context of Martin Luther, the speaker draws parallels between Luther's experiences with church hypocrisy in the 16th century and contemporary struggles within the church. Luther's discomfort with the institutional practices of his day, particularly the selling of indulgences, reflects a larger struggle with authenticity in religious faith. The lecture examines how Luther's responses, influenced by his own experiences of celibacy and the resulting turmoil, led him to advocate for a redefined understanding of marriage. Through Luther's perspective, the lecture advances the notion that marriage can serve as a sacred space for holy transformation, contrary to the historical view that elevated celibacy above married life as the ultimate Christian vocation.The discussion transitions to the theme of living courageously and creatively amid societal pressures that shape contemporary understandings of family, singleness, and sexuality. The lecture invites the audience to consider how each generation must respond innovatively to cultural expectations while staying rooted in biblical truths. It draws on a rich historical context of how past Christians navigated similar challenges, positing that through examining Martin Luther's life, modern believers can glean insights on fostering healthy marriages and families that reflect God's love.The speaker also emphasizes the role of the home as a critical environment for spiritual formation, advocating for parents to take charge in actively cultivating their children's faith. This shift marks a movement away from traditional church-based education to a family-centered approach, as illustrated by Luther and his family. By sharing candid anecdotes from his own family's practices, the speaker demystifies what it looks like to engage in meaningful spiritual discussions at home. He stresses that consistent, small acts of faith—like family Bible readings and discussions—can nurture a child's spiritual growth far more effectively than sporadic, grand gestures.Furthermore, the lecture highlights the potential for the family unit to serve as a missional force in the wider community. Drawn from historical accounts, such as that of John Wesley and the Moravians, the speaker illustrates how family groups can embody the gospel in their relationships and actions. The portrayal of families as integral to missional work challenges the contemporary notion that missionary activity is a solitary endeavor. Instead, the lecture reinforces the idea that families, through their everyday interactions and shared faith, can significantly impact those around them.As the lecture comes to a close, the speaker reminds the audience that the church's inconsistencies must not be a reason to abandon their faith. Instead, he encourages listeners to focus on Christ's unblemished love and to strive for deeper relationships and community engagement that reflect that love. The call to action is clear: families must embrace their roles as beacons of hope and love, fostering meaningful relationships that invite others into a life-changing experience with Jesus. This vision of community redefines what it means to live out one's faith, urging all individuals, regardless of their marital status or age, to partake in the collective mission of nurturing the next generation of believers.

Part 3. The Reformation. Martin Luther and The Reformers An intensive look at the Christian Church down the ages, providing powerful messages for our own times.  Many church members know little or nothing about the story of Christianity between the New Testament period and today.  They therefore may not realise how much they have been influenced by traditions developed during that time. These can have both a negative and positive benefit. Negative, because ‘those who forget history are condemned to relive it'. Most of the mistakes we make and errors we fall into have happened before and we can learn from our forefathers to avoid them. Positive, because we have such a rich heritage it would be folly to ignore. We can draw inspiration and examples from the spiritual giants who went before us and, after all, we can look forward to meeting them personally in glory.

Times have become turbulent it appears once again in our nation. With a recent school shooting in Minneapolis, some politicians and pundits once again hurled anger at those who pray for people in deep distress after tragedy in our country. This is an unhealthy and unhelpful response from leaders, who really should consider that this nation has been driven to prayer in times of national emergency throughout its history from the Pilgrims, the Colonies,  times of war throughout our history, to present. On this episode of 2Days Denarius, Ron Thomas gives some response to those who dismiss God and those who call out to Him in times of distress. He also provides a prayer for the nation, along with encouraging words from a well-known politician with a much more positive and correct approach as to why people reach out to an Almighty God in disaster and/or distress. It concludes with a small presentation of a couple of verses from Martin Luther's famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."Theme Song "Holy Is the Lord" is used by permission of song writer/performing artist, Pastor Steve Hereford, of the Changed By Grace Church in Jacksonville, FL. His inspirational Scripture songs may be found on Spotify and many other streaming apps. Search “Steve Hereford.”Your comments are welcome! Send a text my way!2Days Denarius is a Bible believing teaching ministry devoted to the inerrancy, infallibility, and authority of Scripture as our only rule of faith and practice. It also holds to the doctrinal tenets of the London Baptist confession of 1689. This ministry may be reached at 2daysdenarius@gmail.com Material used in this podcast are provided under the educational and commentary provisions of Section 207 of the Fair Use Act of 1976.

August 31, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 14:1-14Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.It has been said that pride was the cause of the devil's fall from a good angel into an evil one. This view was held by some early Christians, and also by Martin Luther. About pride, Luther also said, “Whoever trusts and boasts that he possesses great skill, prudence, power, favor, friendship, and honor has also a god, but not this true and only God." (LC I:1.10). Pride is defined as the love of one's own excellence. But where one loves himself and his excellence above all things, he turns himself into his own false god.  Jesus, God's Son made man, knows pride is dangerous. So He teaches the wedding feast parable. Those taking the highest place at a wedding reception will be humbled and forced to sit lower. There is no higher place at a wedding reception than the seats where the bride and groom sit. Imagine the audacity of a guest kicking the groom out of his place of honor! But that's what pride does. Pride kicks Christ, the Bridegroom of the Church, out of His central place of honor.What is the lowest place at a wedding reception? Perhaps the lowest place I can think of is if the wedding is in the middle of winter, and they have valets parking the cars. A shivering valet sits, waiting for the next car, but is not welcome to eat or drink. This would definitely be the lowest place at a winter wedding. So it will be for those who upstage Christ. They will be taken from the banquet, forced to do uncomfortable labor, and unwelcome to eat at the heavenly feast.But those who take the lowest place will be raised. These are repentant Christians who look in faith to Jesus for their salvation. So you who tremble because of your sins and rejoice in the Gospel that frees you, will be raised to honor on the Last Day. Christ, who died and rose, is the bridegroom. The Church is His Bride. So the sinner who trusts this Gospel for his salvation is raised to the highest place, the place of the Bride, along with all believing Christians. A bride rejoices in the love of her bridegroom and the new union they have together. So it is for the Church who believes in the Gospel of Jesus' love, rejoices to hear it again, and is united even deeper in love and faithfulness together at the very end.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O Lord of grace and mercy, teach us by Your Holy Spirit to follow the example of Your Son in true humility, that we may withstand the temptations of the devil and with pure hearts and minds avoid ungodly pride; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.Rev. Robert Mayes, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion St. John Lutheran Church, Beemer and Wisner, NE.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Study the early Church Fathers, Scripture, and Christian history alongside FLAME's conversational voice to see for yourself why their teachings from Scripture are important to study, and live out, today.

This episode is a conversation about the life and influence of Augustine of Hippo. The Fellows cover Augustine's historical context, his theological contributions, particularly regarding original sin and the nature of love, and his lasting impact on both Protestant and Catholic traditions. The Fellows also delve into the relationship between Augustine and Martin Luther, examining how Augustine's ideas shaped the Reformation and continue to influence modern theology, particularly in the understanding of grace. 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: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman  

Galatians is a critical Bible book that shows how the gospel of grace is easily corrupted by the intrusion of works. Its emphasis on the grace of the gospel is one reason why Martin Luther called this book his "Katherine," who was his wife. In chapter 1, the Apostle Paul expresses his surprise and concern at how the readers had so soon been corrupted from his gospel to a different gospel. He argues that he received his gospel from Jesus Christ Himself. He did not change his message to win the approval of others. This message is needed today because the gospel of grace is still in danger of corruption by those who teach works or the law is a necessary component of salvation. #Galatians #SimplybyGrace #GraceLifeMinistries

Discover the art of influence and the power of knowing your audience with Sparks to Freedom. Join in today's quick episode as we explore how understanding who you're speaking to—whether a child, peer, or emperor—can amplify your message and inspire change. Through stories like Martin Luther's bold stand for truth and his mastery of communication, we uncover timeless lessons for preserving liberty and leading with love. Tune in for uplifting insights, practical tips, and a call to champion freedom in today's world.

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Vicar Wendy Farone share what makes Lutheranism distinctive! Discussions of these distinctions include a brief history, Luther's perspective that we are saved by grace through faith alone, and why we are called to "Sin Boldly" because we trust in God's grace, as well as other related topics. Bonus: A behind-the-scenes clip of our prerecording banter! Resources:Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton            The Reformation: A History by Diarmaid MacCulloch

Martin Luther vertrat eine starke Lehre von der Sünde. Mit „ich armer, elender, sündiger Mensch“ beginnt ein Beichtgebet, das mit seinem Namen verbunden ist. Das klingt auf den ersten Blick nach einem ausgesprochen negativen Menschenbild. Deshalb betrachten wir in dieser Folge die lutherische Antropologie – die Lehre vom Menschen.

A lesson on the importance of prayer as a means of receiving the sustaining, nourishing grace that we need for the Christian life. The sermon emphasizes the centrality of prayer in the Christian life, drawing from the Sermon on the Mount and the teachings of historical figures like Martin Luther and Thomas Watson. It highlights the importance of approaching God with confidence, recognizing His sovereignty and willingness to provide grace, not as a means of manipulating outcomes, but as a pathway to aligning with His will and growing in Christ-likeness. The message underscores that persistent prayer, rooted in a humble understanding of human dependence and God's boundless generosity, ultimately leads to a life of love and service to others, reflecting the divine character revealed in Jesus.

The word of God is a refining fire—think of it like the church kitchen stove: it can boil things over if you're not paying attention, but it mostly just gets the casserole to the perfect “golden and bubbly” stage. Jesus is the big turning point in human history—like the moment someone finally brought lutefisk to the potluck and no one ever forgot. He calls for our undivided attention, which in church terms means putting down the bulletin doodles and really tasting the grace. Today in worship, we're surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses,” which is basically a heavenly potluck crowd—Aunt Mabel, Martin Luther, and maybe even a few apostles making sure there's enough lefse for everyone. In the word and in holy communion, we're invited once again to look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith—the one who not only started this feast but is also staying to do the dishes.Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Psalm 103; Luke 13:10-17

How can Christians deal with depression? Today, Michael Reeves looks to the lives of Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon to help us understand how the Lord uses suffering to shape us into Christ's likeness. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ask-ligonier/how-should-a-christian-deal-with-depression/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ Submit a biblical or theological question of your own by calling 1-800-607-9386 or by emailing an audio recording of your question to askligoniervm@ligonier.org. You can also receive real-time answers through our online chat service at https://ask.ligonier.org/. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Miroslav Volf explores agapic love, creation's goodness, and God's grief—an alternative to despair, power, and world rejection.“When a wanted child is born, the immense joy of many parents often renders them mute, but their radiant faces speak of surprised delight: ‘Just look at you! It is so very good that you are here!' This delight precedes any judgment about the beauty, functionality, or moral rectitude of the child. The child's sheer existence, the mere fact of it, is ‘very good.' That's what I propose God, too, exclaimed, looking at the new-born world. And that unconditional love grounds creation's existence.”In this fourth Gifford Lecture, Miroslav Volf contrasts the selective and self-centered love of Ivan Karamazov with the radically inclusive, unconditional love of Father Zosima. Drawing deeply from Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, Genesis's creation and flood narratives, and Hannah Arendt's concept of amor mundi, Volf explores a theology of agapic love: unearned, universal, and enduring. This is the love by which God sees creation as “very good”—not because it is perfect, but because it exists. It's the love that grieves corruption without destroying it, that sees responsibility as mutual, and that offers the only hope for life in a deeply flawed world. With references to Luther, Nietzsche, and modern visions of power and desire, Volf challenges us to ask what kind of love makes a world, sustains it, and might one day save it. “Love the world,” he insists, “or lose your soul.”Episode Highlights“The world will either be loved with unconditional love, or it'll not be loved at all.”“Unconditional love abides. If the object of love is in a state that can be celebrated, love rejoices. If it is not, love mourns and takes time to help bring it back to itself.”“Each is responsible for all. Each is guilty for all. Each needs forgiveness from all. Each must forgive all.”“Creation is not primarily sacramental or iconic. It is an object of delight both for humans and for God.”“Agapic love demands nothing from the beloved, though it cares and hopes much for them and for the shared world with them.”Show NotesSchopenhauer and Nietzsche's visions of happiness: pleasure and power as substitutes for love“Love as hunger”: the devouring nature of epithemic desireIvan Karamazov's tragic love for life—selective, gut-level, and self-focused“There is still… this wild and perhaps indecent thirst for life in me”Father Zosima's universal love for “every leaf and every ray of God's light”“Love man also in his sin… Love all God's creation”Sonya and Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment: love as restoration“She loved him and stayed with him—not although he murdered, but because he murdered”God's declaration in Genesis: “And look—it was very good”Hannah Arendt's amor mundi—“I want you to be” as pure affirmationCreation as gift: “Each is itself by being more than itself”Martin Luther on marriage, sex, and delight as godly pleasuresThe flood as hypothetical: divine grief replaces divine destruction“It grieved God to his heart”—grief as a form of agapic love“Each is responsible for all. Each is guilty for all.”Agape over erotic love: not reward and punishment, but faithful presence and care“Agapic love demands nothing… It is free, sovereign to love, humble.”Closing invitation: to live the life of love, under whatever circumstancesProduction NotesThis podcast featured Miroslav VolfEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Taylor Craig and Macie BridgeA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/giveSpecial thanks to Dr. Paul Nimmo, Paula Duncan, and the media team at the University of Aberdeen. Thanks also to the Templeton Religion Trust for their support of the University of Aberdeen's 2025 Gifford Lectures and to the McDonald Agape Foundation for supporting Miroslav's research towards the lectureship.

Bu, Bitcoin ve İslam serimizdeki dört bölümlük tarih serisinin ikinci bölümüdür.Bu bölümde, tefeciliğin sinsi tarihine ve zamanla kabul edilebilir bir finansal uygulama haline nasıl geldiğine odaklanıyoruz. Antik Mezopotamya (MÖ 2000'ler) ve Roma'da (MÖ 450) faiz oranları yasalarla sınırlandırılırken, Yunanistan'da düzenleme eksikliği yüksek ve yıkıcı faiz oranlarına yol açtı. Aristoteles, paranın para üretmemesi gerektiğini savunarak bu uygulamayı eleştirdi.İbrahimi dinlerin tefeciliğe bakış açısı farklıydı. Yahudilik, Yahudiler arası borçta faizi yasaklarken, Yahudi olmayanlara faizi serbest bıraktı ve teşvik etti. Bu durum, Orta Çağ'da birçok Yahudi'nin para ödünç vermeyi ana meslek edinmesine yol açtı. Hristiyanlık ise başlangıçta tefeciliği şiddetle kınadı, Kilise Babaları bunu günah ve ahlaksızlık olarak gördüler, tefecileri sert ifadelerle tasvir ettiler.Orta Çağ'da ticari büyüme ile birlikte, Skolastikler tefecilik yasağını felsefi açıdan gerekçelendirmeye çalıştı. Thomas Aquinas, faizi "hiçbir şey için bir şey kazanmak" olarak görerek değiş tokuş adaletini ihlal ettiğini savundu. Duns Scotus mülkiyetin devri, William of Auxerre ise zamanın fiyatlandırılması üzerine eleştiriler getirdi. Bu tartışmalar, "harici unvanlar" ve "üçlü sözleşme" (contractum trinius) gibi boşlukların doğmasına neden oldu. Bu boşluklar, ayrı ayrı yasal olan ancak birleştiğinde faizli kredi oluşturan işlemlerle faiz uygulamasını gizledi.Reformasyon, tefecilik görüşünde köklü bir değişim yarattı. Martin Luther, belirli durumlarda makul faize izin verdi. John Calvin ise, faizin adil ve sömürücü olmadığı sürece meşru bir kar kaynağı olabileceğini savunarak geleneksel görüşten koptu. Calvin'in bu yorumu, faizin günah olmadığı fikrini yaygınlaştırdı ve faiz ile aşırı faiz (usury) arasında bir ayrım yapılmasının önünü açtı. Bu teolojik değişimler, 16. ve 17. yüzyıllarda Avrupa'da faiz oranlarının yasal olarak düzenlenmesine ve nihayetinde tam kabulüne yol açtı.Özetle, bir zamanlar büyük bir günah sayılan tefecilik, zamanla ekonomik yaşamın ayrılmaz bir parçası haline geldi. Bu dönüşüm, küresel bankacılık sisteminin gelişimi için temel bir ön koşuldu. Bir sonraki bölümde, bankacılığın kısa tarihini inceleyeceğiz.Kaynak

We are blessed to have our very own Vince Staiger step up to the pulpit as we continue our "Summer in the Scriptures Series.  Romans 8 has often been called “the greatest chapter in the greatest book,” and for good reason. In this message, we'll explore why this chapter stands apart among the treasures of Scripture. Moving from Paul's raw struggle with sin in Romans 7 to the life-giving declaration of “no condemnation in Christ,” Romans 8 unveils the ultimate hope, identity, and glory promised to God's people. Along the way, we'll hear insights from theologians such as John Piper and Martin Luther, while reflecting on the Spirit's work of freedom, adoption, and eternal assurance. If you have ever wrestled with sin, longed for peace, or needed renewed confidence in God's promises, Romans 8 offers the assurance and hope that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring.August 17th 2025

Miroslav Volf critiques Nietzsche's vision of power, love, and suffering—and offers Jesus's unconditional love as a more excellent way.The idea that competitive and goalless striving to increase one's power is the final Good, does very important work in Nietzsche's philosophy. For Nietzsche, striving is good. Happiness does not rest in feeling that one's power is growing. In the modern world, individuals are, as Nietzsche puts it, ‘crossed everywhere with infinity.' …And therefore condemn to ceaseless striving … The will to power aims at surpassing the level reached at any given time. And that goal can never be reached. You're always equally behind.Striving for superiority so as to enhance power does not just elevate some, the stronger ones. If the difference in power between parties increases, the weak become weaker in socially significant sense, even if their power has objectively increased. Successful striving for superiority inferiorizes.”In this third installment of his Gifford Lectures, Miroslav Volf offers a trenchant critique of Friedrich Nietzsche's moral philosophy—especially his exaltation of the will to power, his affirmation of eternal suffering, and his agonistic conception of love. Nietzsche, Volf argues, fails to cultivate a love that can endure possession, withstand unworthiness, or affirm the sheer existence of the other. Instead, Nietzsche's love quickly dissolves into contempt. Drawing from Christian theology, and particularly Jesus's teaching that God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good alike, Volf explores a different kind of love—agapic, unconditional, and presuppositionless. He offers a vision of divine love that is not driven by need or achievement but that affirms existence itself, regardless of success, strength, or status. In the face of suffering, Nietzsche's amor fati falters—but Jesus's embrace endures.Episode Highlights"The sun, in fact, has no need to bestow its gift of light and warmth. It gains nothing from imparting its gifts.""Love that is neither motivated by need nor based on worthiness—that is the kind of love Nietzsche thought prevented Jesus from loving humanity and earth.""Nietzsche aspires to transfiguration of all things through value-bestowing life, but he cannot overcome nausea over humans.""God's love for creatures is unconditional. It is agapic love for the states in which they find themselves.""Love can only flicker. It moves from place to place because it can live only between places. If it took an abode, it would die."Show NotesMiroslav Volf's engagement with Nietzsche's workFriedrich Nietzsche's critique of Christianity as life-denying and his vision of the will to powerSchopenhauer's hedonism vs. Nietzsche's anti-hedonism: “What is good? Everything that heightens the feeling of power.”The will to power as Nietzsche's supreme value and “hyper-good”“The will to power is not a philosophy of life—it's a philosophy of vitality.”Nietzsche's agonism: the noble contest for superiority among equally powerful opponents“Every GOAT is a GOAT only for a time.”Amor fati: Nietzsche's love of fate and affirmation of all existenceNietzsche's ideal of desire without satisfaction: “desiring to desire”Dangers of epithumic (need-based, consuming) love“Love cannot abide. Its shelf life is shorter than a two-year-old's toy... If it took an abode, it would die.”Nietzsche's nausea at the weakness and smallness of humanity: “Nausea, nausea... alas, man recurs eternally.”Zarathustra's conditional love: based on worthiness, wisdom, and power“Joy in tearing down has fully supplanted love's delight in what is.”Nietzsche's failure to love the unworthy: “His love fails to encompass the great majority of actually living human beings.”Volf's theological critique of striving, superiority, and contempt“Nietzsche affirms vitality at the expense of concrete human beings.”The biblical God's love: “He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good.”“Even the poorest fisherman rows with golden oars.”Jesus's unconditional love versus Nietzsche's agonistic, conditional loveKierkegaard and Luther on the distinction between person and workHannah Arendt's political anthropology and enduring love in the face of unworthinessVolf's proposal for a theology of loving the present world in its broken form“We can actually long also for what we have.”“Love that cannot take an abode will die.”A vision of divine, presuppositionless love that neither requires need nor merit

Today Professor Kozlowski takes on the political philosophy of the Medieval (and early modern) Christian world, as a cross-section of ideas and interpretations made by Christian political philosophers. Our readings for today hail from:City of God by Augustine of HippoSumma Theologica by Thomas Aquinas"Temporal Authority: To What Extent it Should be Obeyed" by Martin Luther (requires a free Internet Archives account to borrow)Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin (Chapter XIX: par. 15 and Chapter XX: On Civil Government, par. I, II, III, and XXIX)Along the way we'll encounter a wide variety of different interpretations of Biblical theology, and an even wider variety of applications for Christians trying to figure out how to live their lives in secular society. And we might even find some surprise cameos by ideas thought to originate in later, less Christian times.Additional readings this week mostly surround historical events, but I recommend Dante's De Monarchia and, for my gamers, Crusader Kings II (I haven't played III yet, but it's probably also good...)If you're interested in Professor Kozlowski's other online projects, check out his website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠professorkozlowski.wordpress.com

When we truly encounter God, we can't leave the same!  ABOUT THE MESSAGEIn Part 2 of the Encounter series, Pastor Mark Stermer helps us see that throughout Scripture and history, (Moses in the wilderness, Saul on the road, Martin Luther in prayer) life-changing moments happen when people meet with Him. These encounters can be subtle or supernatural, expected or completely surprising, but they always leave a mark. Whether in a church service or in the quiet moments of daily life, God promises to be found when we seek Him with all our hearts (Jer. 29:13). This message calls us to draw near, ask, seek, knock, and experience the life-transforming presence of Elohim—because when He meets us, everything changes.ABOUT JESUSIf you want to learn more about who Jesus is and what it means to have a relationship with Him, we would love to help you on that journey: https://www.thechurch.fm/jesus For a deeper dive into The Word of God on a daily basis check out our Free Ancient Paths Daily Devotional: https://www.thechurch.fm/ancient-pathsWHO WE AREWe believe that the goal of every Christian is To Be Conformed Into the Image of Jesus Christ, and a relationship with Jesus as well as being involved in a healthy church community are both important to achieving that goal. Find out more about who we are and all that we do at httos://www.thechurch.fm/aboutWe would love to meet you in person! Find our locations and service times here https://www.thechurch.fm/campuses and download our smartphone app here https://pushpay.com/get?handle=saintamantcampus&source=external to access video content, daily devotionals. updates on what is doing on at he church. and so much moreTo get connected here at The Church International simply visit us here https://www.thechurch.fm/connect-track and we will walk you through all of the life giving opportunities that we have to connect with you and your family.We want to give a special thanks to everyone who donates to what God is doing through this ministry. If you would like to partner with us through generosity and giving you can do so at https://www. thechurch.fm/give-online.SOCIAL MEDIAThe Church International:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechurchinter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechurchinternational/Website: https://www.TheChurch.FMPastor Mark:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkAStermerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_stermerPastor Cindy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.stermer.9Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy_ste

1518-1519 was a critical turning point in the politics of the Reformation. Join Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner as they follow Frederick the Wise as he navigates the turbulent waters between Pope Leo, Emperor Maximilian, and the rising voice of Martin Luther. From the tense Reichstag in Augsburg back-channel negotiations that kept Luther out of […]

In this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb takes listeners on a deep theological journey into the distinction between law and gospel. Drawing from Martin Luther's theological insights, Jesse explores how these two words from God—the law and the gospel—reveal His righteousness and intersect with Christian living. He reflects on the ways the law exposes sin and reveals the justice of God, while the gospel offers the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. This timely discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how God's law and gospel work in harmony to declare His glory and transform lives. Jesse unpacks the theology of the cross versus the theology of glory, highlighting how the gospel is scandalously counterintuitive, displaying God's power through weakness and Christ's ultimate act of obedience—His death on the cross. Through thought-provoking metaphors and personal reflections, he illustrates how the law's demands drive us to despair but ultimately point us to the gospel, where we find redemption and freedom in Christ. The episode also delves into the transformative power of the gospel, contrasting it with the law's inability to save. Jesse encourages listeners to consider how the gospel empowers obedience, not as a means of earning righteousness, but as a response to the righteousness imputed to us by Christ. This episode is rich in theological depth and practical application, providing a framework for understanding God's justice, mercy, and love.

The Thinking Fellows are joined by Todd Hains to discuss the concept of the Rule of Faith as articulated by Martin Luther. Todd explains the significance of the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer in shaping Christian doctrine and practice. The discussion delves into how these elements serve as a catechetical foundation for both preaching and personal faith, emphasizing their role in guiding believers in their interpretation of Scripture and their relationship with 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: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman  

Gary plays a recent clip of Piers Morgan who claims that Jesus never talked about abortion. He challenges people to "read the red letters" of the New Testament to see if Jesus ever mentioned the topic of abortion. There are many topics that are big in our modern cultural political climate that Jesus didn't mention. Gary brings the truth and the biblical understanding to the topic.

Some books leave a mark that never fades.In this episode of Sound Reads, Pastor Rick Holland of Mission Road Bible Church shares the books that have shaped his relationship with Christ, especially in seasons of trial, growth, and renewal. These resources inspire deeper love, obedience, and faithfulness.Resources mentioned in this episode: https://bit.ly/swp-books-on-sanctification 00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast01:19 Books That Impact our Walk With Christ04:47 How God's Character Changes the Christian07:03 Transforming Themes09:24 "Books Don't Change Your Life, Paragraphs Do"12:04 "Trusting God" During Difficult Times14:44 Books that Anchor the Soul18:36 Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians20:00 How Rick Holland Reads

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony dive deep into Martin Luther's contrasting theological concepts: the Theology of Glory and the Theology of the Cross. Beginning with a reflection on how the Theology of Glory prioritizes human strength, reason, and achievement, they explore how this perspective can mislead Christians into seeking God through displays of power and visible success. Instead, they emphasize that Luther's Theology of the Cross reveals God's power most profoundly in weakness, suffering, and humility. The conversation highlights how the Theology of Glory often leads to arrogance, misplaced priorities, and a misunderstanding of God's nature and work in the world. Drawing from Scripture, the hosts demonstrate how the Gospel flips the world's values upside down, showing that true Christian power lies in self-sacrifice, service, and dependence on Christ. They also discuss contemporary examples of how the Theology of Glory manifests in modern Christian movements, including megachurch culture, prosperity theology, and even personal pride within small church leadership. Jesse and Tony challenge listeners to examine their own lives and ministries in light of the Theology of the Cross. They encourage believers to adopt an attitude of humility, servanthood, and dependence on God's grace, rather than striving for worldly success or recognition. This episode is a timely reminder that the Christian life is not about glory as the world defines it, but about finding strength in weakness and victory in the cross of Christ. Key Points: Theology of Glory vs. Theology of the Cross: Luther's framework contrasts human-centered religion, which seeks God in power and success, with the Gospel's revelation of God through weakness and suffering. Modern Examples of the Theology of Glory: Prosperity theology, megachurch culture, and some expressions of Christian nationalism illustrate how this mindset persists today. The Power of Humility and Weakness: The Theology of the Cross calls Christians to embrace servanthood and suffering as reflections of Christ's work on the cross. Scriptural Foundations: The hosts reference key Scriptures, such as Philippians 2 and Luke 10, to show how God's kingdom operates differently from human expectations. Practical Applications: Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-reliance, instead embracing a Christ-centered approach to faith and ministry. Questions for Reflection: How does the Theology of Glory manifest in your own life or church context? In what ways does the Theology of the Cross challenge your understanding of power and success? How can you cultivate humility and servanthood in your daily walk with Christ? Are there areas in your life where you tend to rely on human wisdom or strength instead of God's grace? How does understanding God's power in weakness bring comfort and transformation to your faith? Citations: John Calvin, Commentary on the Gospel According to John, trans. William Pringle, vol. 1 (Bellingham: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 1:329–330.

Martin Luther described our sinful condition as being “incurvatus in se,” turned in on itself. Today, Sinclair Ferguson identifies the damaging effects of living for ourselves and the transformative way that Christ reshapes us. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/turned-in-on-ourselves/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

We all have the ability to make choices according to our desires. But where do our desires come from? Today, R.C. Sproul interacts with Jonathan Edwards' classic teaching on the freedom of the human will. Request Ligonier's special 500th-anniversary of The Bondage of the Will book by Martin Luther with your donation of any amount. We'll include lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's teaching series Willing to Believe and the companion study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4167/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? With your donation, get the ebook edition of The Bondage of the Will and lifetime digital access to the Willing to Believe teaching series and study guide: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Save when you register today for Ligonier's 2026 National Conference, Crucial Questions: https://www.ligonier.org/2026   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What is the classical Arminian view of human freedom and divine grace? Today, R.C. Sproul examines the teaching of Jacob Arminius and his followers to identify how these views differ from Reformed theology. Request Ligonier's special 500th-anniversary of The Bondage of the Will book by Martin Luther with your donation of any amount. We'll include lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's teaching series Willing to Believe and the companion study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4167/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? With your donation, get the ebook edition of The Bondage of the Will and lifetime digital access to the Willing to Believe teaching series and study guide: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

No one, left to themselves, would ever respond positively to the gospel. Today, R.C. Sproul exposes our dependence upon God's regenerating grace for our liberation from bondage to sin. Request Ligonier's special 500th-anniversary of The Bondage of the Will book by Martin Luther with your donation of any amount. We'll include lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's teaching series Willing to Believe and the companion study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4167/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? With your donation, get the ebook edition of The Bondage of the Will and lifetime digital access to the Willing to Believe teaching series and study guide: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Bring your teen to Always Ready: New England on August 2. This youth conference in Portland, Maine, aims to give clarity to students about their identity in Christ: https://www.ligonier.org/alwaysreadynewengland   Gather with Christians around God's Word at another one of Ligonier's upcoming events: https://www.ligonier.org/events Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Dr. Jordan Cooper of Just and Sinner Did Luther Really Remove Books from the Bible? Did Martin Luther Think that Anyone Could Just Start Their Own Church? The Doctrine of God Just and Sinner Dr. Cooper's Website The post Did Martin Luther Remove Books from the Bible? Did Luther Want to Start His Own Church? – Dr. Jordan Cooper, 7/23/25 (2043) first appeared on Issues, Etc..

We are doomed in our slavery to sin unless the sovereign God changes our hearts and sets our wills free. Today, R.C. Sproul examines the issue of free will as it appears in discussions throughout church history. Request Ligonier's special 500th-anniversary of The Bondage of the Will book by Martin Luther with your donation of any amount. We'll include lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's teaching series Willing to Believe and the companion study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4167/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? With your donation, get the ebook edition of The Bondage of the Will and lifetime digital access to the Willing to Believe teaching series and study guide: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Is salvation the work of God alone? Or can we earn forgiveness by partnering with His grace? Today, Stephen Nichols joins Nathan W. Bingham to discuss Martin Luther's thunderous defense of the gospel in his classic book The Bondage of the Will. Request Ligonier's special 500th-anniversary of The Bondage of the Will book by Martin Luther with your donation of any amount. We'll include lifetime digital access to R.C. Sproul's teaching series Willing to Believe and the companion study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4167/donate   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? With your donation, get the ebook edition of The Bondage of the Will and lifetime digital access to the Willing to Believe teaching series and study guide: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   Stephen Nichols is president of Reformation Bible College, chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries, and a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow. He is host of the podcasts 5 Minutes in Church History and Open Book.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts