Discover Articles - 1517
Articles - 1517

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The nineteenth century’s revival of Reformation theology is known for 
stimulating renewed interest in the Lutheran Confessions (set forth in the 
1580 Book of Concord), the Gospel witness of Martin Luther, and the 
historic liturgy of the Church.
The following is an excerpt from “Crucifying Religion” written by Donavon 
Riley (1517 Publishing, 2019).
You have heard the expression, forgive and forget. This has been a popular 
prescription for how Christians should respond to those who trespass 
against us. Indeed, what is often explained as the evidence that we have 
truly forgiven those who have done us wrong is that we have put their 
transgressions out of mind.
On this, his 510th birthday, I would like to walk through the basic 
questions surrounding the life and thought of John Calvin with a few 
bibliographic references, as well as suggest a historical approach to this 
confessional figure without the sectarian pitfalls.
Fatherhood is, according to Jesus, the way God wants to relate to us. God 
as Father speaks, and by his word, molds every life and all that exists. 
Why? Fatherly goodness and mercy. Celebrities, athletes, and life coaches 
compete for our time, money, and attention.
Lady Tremaine stands motionless on the stairs, looking towards but not 
truly seeing her step-daughter. She utters no apology, no excuse for her 
horrible treatment of her late husband’s only child. She expresses regret 
only for herself and out of fear of her impending punishment.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, there were not one, not two, but three 
popes, all claiming to be the “Vicar of Christ” on earth. How did this 
happen, you may ask, and what does it have to do with the burning of Jan 
Hus? Below, are both stories, in brief.
The celebration of the Fourth of July marks the founding of the United 
States and brings with it the year’s most vital displays of American 
patriotism. Usually, the various elements of the political spectrum put 
down their proverbial weapons for this particular occasion.
This is the second part of a series on the importance for Christians to 
think historically and read broadly. You can catch Dan’s daily historical 
podcast, the Christian History Almanac, wherever you download your 
podcasts.
We're all born hostile: hostile toward God and hostile toward each other. 
In theology, it's the consequence of what we call "original sin." Original 
sin produces violent fruit. We fight battles every day. A baby battles to 
walk upright.
Anyone who lives in a metropolitan area of the United States can have 
almost any kind of food delivered to their doorstep within minutes and can 
post about it immediately on social media for the world to see and 
critique. Food is no longer just about sustenance, but a qualitative means 
by which we gain (or lose) righteousness in this life.
The following is an excerpt from “Crucifying Religion,” written by Donavon 
Riley (1517 Publishing, 2019).
So what is the Apostles’ Creed and why is it important? In the late fourth 
century, a little known figure in church history, St. Vincent of Lerins, is 
famous for a single sentence: "Hold fast that faith which has been believed 
everywhere, always and by all."
As a history professor, I spend an excessive amount of time trying to 
justify my discipline and trying to convince students to sign up for the 
major or at least a few elective courses.
We can't heal past wounds. The pain may ease, but the wounds are still 
open. They still bleed. We can bandage our wounds with food, alcohol, work, 
drugs, sex, cigarettes, gambling, and whatever feels good. But, the wounds 
still bleed.
Church history has left us with three ecumenical creeds recited by the 
communion of saints throughout the centuries. While most are familiar with 
the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed, the Athanasian Creed often 
remains shrouded in obscurity.
I’d like to offer a short reflection on the theme of “worldliness” as it 
appears in his later work and how that’s connected to an item of his 
Lutheran heritage: the theology of the cross.
In his great love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, St. Paul tells us that love is 
the greatest. “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the 
greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).
It was on this day, June 19th in 1623, that Blaise Pascal was born in 
France, south of Paris in Clermont-Auvergne. A mathematician, philosopher, 
and general man of letters, he is best known for his last work, published 
posthumously as the Pensees (French for “Thoughts”) mostly in aphoristic 
form.
Jesus has taken away sin and death, and through the cross, God's furious 
anger is taken away. God's Word of Law hurled God's furious anger at us, 
but the Gospel frees us to believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes 
away the sin of the world.







