The rest of Gretchen Ronnevik's interview with Nathan and Joy Hoff had a handful of technical difficulties, but the conversation was so rich that none of it seems to matter.  They talk about teaching young adults in their internship what it means to be hospitable, and how to serve your neighbors. She also asks them about the yearly "storm" that happens within community as the ideal fades into reality, and what happens when the commitment to reconcilation comes down to earth. They distinguish between forgiveness and reconcilation, and how the community defines that and attempts to live that out. They talk about the language of intention, and "real apology and real absolution."  They talk about "where 2 or 3 are gathered together" is in the context of dealing with sin and reconcilation. They talk about the difference between discipleship and coersion, and how to infuse freedom into community. Paying attention and discernment, spiritual direction, and supporting one another--there's so many good things we talk about. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: When You Meet Jesus | Gospel Encounters Conference (Sep 6-8 in Flower Mound, TX) Available Now: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More from our Guests: https://www.trinitysanpedro.org/internship

As Gretchen Ronnevik was with her family at Mount Carmel Bible Camp, she ran into her friends, Nathan and Joy Hoff who run an internship program in California for young adults at their church. They talk about their church, which isn't huge, and the interns who come and live in a community at the church to serve and grow. Young adults come there either driven and exhausted, and looking to learn a sustainable pace of service, or undecided and drifting, wondering what God has for them in their life next. There is a rule of life to their community, as they learn to live with one another, serve alongside each other, with a commitment to reconciliation that we start to unpack. This is 1 of 3 episodes that will cover this enriching conversation that we're still thinking about. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: When You Meet Jesus | Gospel Encounters Conference (Sep 6-8 in Flower Mound, TX) Available Now: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More about the Internship Program at Trinity San Pedro: https://www.trinitysanpedro.org/internship

Does believing in a sin nature, or that all our works have sin, lead to depression?  Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about how law and gospel aren’t always linear--it’s more circular, and it involves our whole life, as the entire Christian life is one of repentance. They joke Lutherans can sometimes come across as the “goth” of the Christian world, as we  They talk about how a right understanding of our sin nature impacts our vocation in serving others. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

We've found Katie Koplin, in the midst of moving into an old church, and working on her training to become a Christian counselor. She talks about integrating faith and therapy, and how law and gospel theology plays into therapy. We talk about asking good questions, the difference between Christian and secular counselors, and the pros and cons of each. Also, what's the difference between a pastor and a counselor? Luther claims that the reason for the reformation was soul care. It wasn't simply an intellectual, or academic debate, as much as it was a pastoral issue on the care of souls, and how theology impacts our approach to handling oppresive shame. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In part 3 of Gretchen Ronnevik's conversation with Amy Mantravadi, they discuss specifically the unusual marriage of Martin Luther and Katharaina Von Bora. There were many who did not like Katie, and didn't like the dynamic within their marriage. She was a very opinionated person, and many people did not consider her an ideal wife.  Much of what we know about their marriage are from the "Table Talks" recorded by students and scholars who ate at Martin and Katie's dinner table. Each person who recorded these table talks had differing opinions on Katie, and they must have taken great pleasure in recording the spats and one liners that they slung at each other. She held a lot of sway with Luther, which made a lot of people uncomfortable. He would endlessly tease her, and she would tease him right back. When he fell into massive spells of depression and anxiety, unable to leave bed, she would lay next to him, and speak encouragements to him until he was able to get up again.  They dealt with child death together, they had foster kids together. Their house was recorded as being chaotic, full of young boys and older widows staying with them. Luther's health and her ability to nurse the sick ended up being a huge part of their marriage as well. Amy reads one of Katie's letters after Luther's death, and we discuss the sad ending to her life and what we can consider that sadness. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In this episode Gretchen Ronnevik talks with Amy Mantravadi about the monastic life, and in particular, the nunnery of Katharina Von Bora, before she escaped and married Martin Luther. They talk about the Cistercian nuns, their cloistered life, and the situation they were in that was ripe for abuse. With a calloric intake of about 1,000 calories a day, and a sleep deprived schedule, being thin and weak was a sign of spirituality. This was a silent order, so speaking to each other was forbidden, and they had to use sign language for utilitarian purposes only. 2 monks were the only ones who held the keys and guarded who went in and out of their home. We talk about Katharina's failed engagement, her rejection of a suitor, and how on earth she ended up with Martin Luther. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More from our guest: Amy Mantravadi

While Katie finishes up some family stuff, Gretchen invites on Amy Mantravadi to talk about writing about the reformation. They talk about character studies of Luther, Erasmus, Melanchthon, and of course Katie Luther. Amy has written 2 novels about these characters, and has an obsession with church history. They talk about the bondage of the will, the broken bonds in relationships from the Reformation, and what was going on in the lives of the reformers that may have impact why they did what they did. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Katie Koplin is busy with a big family move and finishing up this year of grad school, so Gretchen Ronnevik invited on one of the young women she mentors, Gretchen Larson, to talk about what it's like to be a young, single adult in the church, what they need from the church, and how to foster intergenerational relationships. Gretchen Larson is a chef at a Bible camp, finishing up her studies on the hospitality business, and was a missionary kid in Eastern Europe. She is involved in mentoring women younger than her as well, and has some great insight to the simplicity and difficulty of loving our neighbors. We talk about the freedom given in Christ, and walking through various expectations, and goal setting that gets put on young adults, and how they long for deep connection. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: Available Now: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Pre-order: Hitchhiking with Prophets: A Ride Through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament by Chad Bird 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In the last episode, we talked about the tradwife movement. In this episode we move on to talk about what a homemaker actually is.  Citing Edith Schaefer's book on the Hidden Art of Homemaking, we talk about the vocation of reminding people of their humanity, and their need for food and rest. We talk about all the various things that make us human. CS Lewis writes about how the easiest way to sin against someone is to start thinking of them as less than human. The world is constantly trying to do this. Homemaking is the vocation of reminding people of their humanity. Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin both share some of their stories of how easily it is to be drawn into the tradwife movement, as opposed to their experience as homemakers. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

What's the difference between a stay at home mom and a Tradwife? In this episode Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin, 2 women who have been stay at home moms, talk about the Tradwife movement, and all it contains. The easiest place to begin this conversation is from the male counterpart, or the Alpha Male mindset, to see the female counterpart to the joint movement. They talk about what this movement looks like for men, where "Beta Males" are viewed as trash, and then switch to the counterpart aspects of the equally dehumanizing aspects of this for the females. What starts out looking like a "good thing" turns "hardcore" as Christian values aren't hardcore enough in this movement to really take it as far as they'd like it to go. This movement elevates good things to gods, where our hope is placed in our own strength, and where the doctrine of vocation is replaced by roleplay. We look at examples of Tradwives, how they are often not Christian, but held up as a Christian standard, and historically how this movement came about. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Co-host, Katie Koplin has curated a gospel central devotional for moms, and it's coming out this next Tuesday. We talk about how she chose the various contributors, and the themes that arose as the submissions started to come in. Learning our limitedness as mothers was one of the major themes, and how to hold hope and hard in the same room. We talk about the hard and good together, and how sometimes it feels like you get punished for doing the right thing. There's no avoiding the suffering, there's just learning to walk through it. We talk about dealing with fear as a mother, asking God for a guarentee that things will work out as we want, for a guarentee that they will be healthy and safe, and trusting God despite whatever could happen. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What’s New from 1517: 30 Minutes in the NT on Youtube Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

We have back on our dear friend, Sarah Crowder, as she talks about her contribution to the upcoming devotional "Encouragent to Motherhood." In her writing, she shares about her kids one by one, being diganosed with type 1 diabetes, and mothering in hospital rooms, where death is near. She talks about the looming of the law when health issuses are life and death. As humans, we have what she calls a "default to death," which keeps bringing her back to baptism, and what Daniel Emery Price refers to as a "wet theology." We talk about the balm of baptism as we live in light of death. Come back to the water again and again. We talk about allowing yourself grief in motherhood, and recognizing the humanity of motherhood. We don't have hope that everything will turn out ideal, but we have hope that Christ will be with us. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Remembering Rod Rosenbladt New 1517 Academy Course: The Early Church: Christ, Controversies and Characters with Bruce Hillman Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Available Now: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Here We Still Stand 2023 Videos are Available on YouTube Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

This week we are interviewing our friend, Pastor Brad Gray about his book He's one of the special Baptists who publish articles and books with 1517. We talk about preaching the gospel, free from manipulation, and the hope for those who are discouraged. We ask him big questions about his book: Finding God in the Darkness. We talk about our faith in the midst of suffering, questioning God, and what's going on in our faith in the midst of depression. He talks about why he wrote this book, and how to comfort those who are in dark places. Freely Given: Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Remembering Rod Rosenbladt New 1517 Academy Course: The Early Church: Christ, Controversies and Characters with Bruce Hillman Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Preorder: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Here We Still Stand 2023 Videos are Available on YouTube Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More from our guest: Myth Became Fact in the Face of Suffering (Brad's 1517 Here We Still Stand video) Brad's book: Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment

This month's bonus episode we discuss the book "The Spirituality of the Cross" by Gene Veith. This is a great book to read during Lent, as is looks at the centrality of the cross in our spiritual life. Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik focus their discussion on the beginning of the book, where he talks about morality based spirituality, speculative based spirituality, and mysical spirituality, and how the spirituality of the cross differs from those other 3 approaches.  While morals, intellectual speculation, and spiritual experiences are all good, centering our spirituality on them can lead to exploitive and manipulative practices. We talk about how the definition of terms in this book is strongly from a Lutheran perspective, which is important because some of the words like "Evangelical" can have a multitude of definitions. From a historic perspective, at the time of the Reformation, Lutherans weren't called Lutherans, they were called Evangelical, as opposed to the Reformed who followed the teachings of John Calvin. Veith talks about how the term "Evangelical" is also used in many churches in Europe that hold a Lutheran theology and liturgy, which can be confusing to tourists visiting. Add to that, and the American definition of Evangelical has been seeping into Europe through missionaries. We talk about how law and gospel distinctions play into our spiritual life Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Remembering Rod Rosenbladt New 1517 Academy Course: The Early Church: Christ, Controversies and Characters with Bruce Hillman Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Preorder: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Here We Still Stand 2023 Videos are Available on YouTube Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie KoplinBooks Discussed/Mentioned: Spirituality of the Cross by Gene Veith The Ten Commandments for All God's Children (FatCat Book) "Free to Be" by James Nestigan  

In this episode, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about the impact of story on our theological understanding, and the use of story in the life of Christians. Using the starting point of Psalm 107:2, we discuss how God works through story, and the baseline of him expressing himself through The Word, and ponder how deep that concept goes. The work of story connects the abstract to the concrete and this is shown through the sacraments, as God connects the spiritual through the physical.  We talk about the impact of story on our souls, how giving our testimony can impact, and the use of story in understanding theology. We talk about how stories build our identity and our history, and is a restful way--and more effective of processing deep truths. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Remembering Rod Rosenbladt New 1517 Academy Course: The Early Church: Christ, Controversies and Characters with Bruce Hillman Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Preorder: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Here We Still Stand 2023 Videos are Available on YouTube Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Jane Grizzle is one of the contributors to the upcoming devotional edited by Katie Koplin: "Encouragement for Motherhood." Jane wrote about motherhood in the context of having a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She is also currently working on her doctorate in ministry. Her contribution to the devotional talks about what it is to parent through limitedness. We talk about the reality of anxiety, making judgment calls in parenting, and parenting from a place of being limited--which we all are. This was an encouraging conversation. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Remembering Rod Rosenbladt New 1517 Academy Course: The Early Church: Christ, Controversies and Characters with Bruce Hillman Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Preorder: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Here We Still Stand 2023 Videos are Available on YouTube Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Is Valentine's Day a Hallmark Holiday? We sit down with Dr. Dan van Voorhis from "Christian History Almanac" and ask him about the history of St. Valentine's Day from a church history perspective. He shares with us 3 different historic people named "Valentine" in the 200s, when Christianity was illegal in Rome. He shares how the first valentine letter on the record was one of condolances, not romantic love, and how these stories were tied into the martyrdom of the early church. We talk about the facinating Georgian vs Julian calendar, and how that effects our perception of the season of Valentine's Day on the church calendar--as it used to be in the peak of spring, and how it started overlapping with fertility holidays. Throughout history, Christians used saints days to keep their calendar, to avoid using pagan gods' names in their calendar, and further down the line, Puritans didn't use either, and used only numbers in their calendar "15th day of the 10th month..." We go down a fun rabbit trail discussing the struggle of the historian to figure out which calendar each reformational character used in their letters, and calendars were often determined by Catholic or anti-Catholic loyalties.  So if you want to be historically accurate, you'd celebrate Valentine's Day on February 27th, and send out a bunch of condolance cards. :) Just kidding. It was a just for fun conversation full of fun facts and Dan always brings the encouragment from a historical perspective that there is nothing new under the sun, and that the rumors of grace are true, and everything will be ok. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Preorder: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Here We Still Stand 2023 Videos are Available on YouTube Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More from our guest: Dr. Dan van Voorhis

This is part 2 of our conversation on no-contact relationships, and looking at how various relationships of Jacob's are reconciled, and the spectrum of what that looks like. Regardless of how reconciliation happens, it never goes back to the way it used to be. A new relationship with new boundaries are formed.  We share the episode of "The Office" when Michael hits Meredith with his car, brings everyone to the hospital and while she's in pain, demands that she forgives him in front of everyone. When we injure someone, and demand instant forgiveness while they are still healing is actually reinjuring them over and over as you consistently put your needs above theirs--preventing any wound from closing. Another example is in divorce, when someone breaks the marriage contract, and there can be forgiveness for the other person, and at the same time, the marriage contract is over.  We talk about reconciliation in eternity being our hope, and how restoration doesn't always happen here on earth as we live in broken bodies with broken minds. Freely Given: Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Remembering Rod Rosenbladt Preorder: Encouragement for Motherhood Edited by Katie Koplin Preorder: Be Thou My Song by Kerri Tom Here We Still Stand 2023 Videos are Available on YouTube Last Chance: NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Is it okay for Christians to cut off contact with someone? Is it okay to cut off contact with family members? What about forgiveness? In this episode Gretchen and Katie talk about the new term "no contact" that is replacing the traditional term of estrangement, and looking at various ways healing looks, and forgiveness playing out in person to person relationships.This continues on our series on prosperity gospel in the family, which is the belief that if we just do everything right, everything will turn out right. We push back against formulas, and look to the cross, and how personally and particularly God works out healing. In this episode we take a look at the life of Jacob in Genesis, and consider various ways that relationships in his life played out. This is part 1 of 2. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Freedom Lessons Album Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition by Chad Bird Schweitzer's Psychoanalysis of Jesus Christ: & Other Essays in Christian Psychotherapy by John Warwick Montgomery NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Katie's substack on Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the life of Jacob

In this month's extra book club episode, we are discussing Brené Brown's book: "Dare to Lead." We talk about mixing secular and Biblical sources and the right and wrong way to do that. We talk about her definitions of vulnerability, and when and where it's appropriate to be vulnerable. When she presented this information in as she presented it to various armed forces, she explains how any act of courage embraces vulnerability. This book isn't about leadership as much as it's about working in group settings, working through hard things with those in your community, all of which apply to parenting, committees, teams, or wherever there are people working toward a common goal. There's some great tips in here on how to build trust with others. There's also some great information on healthy boundaries: what they are and what they aren't. It's also a logical look at feelings and what to do with them, and how to view them. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Freedom Lessons Album Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition by Chad Bird Schweitzer's Psychoanalysis of Jesus Christ: & Other Essays in Christian Psychotherapy by John Warwick Montgomery NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

We are back with author Sarah Hinlicky Wilson to talk about her kickstarter book on the Transfiguration.  We talk about the parallel of Jesus' baptism, and the transfiguration, and how God the Father speaks in both situations. We talk on the play on words with the Greek of booths/tents/tabernacle, and what Jesus was also showing them about himself during this Transfiguration. The line is drawn between the Transfiguration and the Crucifixion, and how the transfigured Jesus is different than the accounts of the resurrected Jesus. There was a kindness shown during the Transfiguration, even though they were afraid, and Jesus picks them up. This is a story reminding us that there are some stories that are about God alone. This is a story for us, but not a story about us. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Freedom Lessons Album Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition by Chad Bird Schweitzer's Psychoanalysis of Jesus Christ: & Other Essays in Christian Psychotherapy by John Warwick Montgomery NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More from our guest: Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

We are having author Sarah Hinlicky Wilson on this episode about her new book "7 Ways of Looking at the Transfiguration." She is also the author of the fiction book we read for our book club, "A-Tumblin' Down." She talks about theories of the Transfiguration, and why people think Moses and Elijah were on top of that mountain with Jesus. The talks about different accounts of the Transfiguration of Christ in the different gospel accounts.  She talks about the interesting position of the celebration of the transfiguration in the church liturgical calendar from a church history standpoint, and it's connections with the crusades, and how that changed in the Reformation, and why it now comes just before Lent in the current liturgical calendar. Moses and Elijah are the only prophets who climb Mt. Sinai (called Horab in some passages), and the significance of meeting God at a mountaintop. Though the transfiguration did not happen on Mt. Sinai, but theres a reaching from the New Testament into the Old Testament in these accounts. It's very important to look at the story progression in regard to the transfiguration (what story comes right before, and what story comes right after) to interpret this passage correctly. While we often look at these passages in segments, this story is part of a bigger story progression in the gospels. It's connection to the Feast of Booths from the Old Testament puts it in context of the Israelites "liturgical calendar" of feasts, connected to the traditional agrarian calendar, and what it meant that Jesus brought them into the Feast of Booths that comes just before the Passover, which was a hard thing to understand just after Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Christ. Sarah does such a great job of explaining the significance of the Transfiguration, and layering the various calendars of the feasts, harvest time, and Jesus showing them that the passover has to happen still, and you can't skip the sacrifice of the Lamb. to bring this event into focus. Freely Given: Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Freedom Lessons Album Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition by Chad Bird Schweitzer's Psychoanalysis of Jesus Christ: & Other Essays in Christian Psychotherapy by John Warwick Montgomery NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More on our guest: https://www.sarahhinlickywilson.com  

Gretchen and Katie are back at recording and they talk about where they've been, and what they learned. They talked about faux-grace that's really just people pleasing. They talk about learning to be graded and the return to school. They talk about grief, kids, joy, and their "word for 2024" as they look ahead. We talk about purpose and beauty of stories, the upcoming books for our book club, and best of all KATIE'S NEW BOOK coming out this spring. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Freedom Lessons Album Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition by Chad Bird Schweitzer's Psychoanalysis of Jesus Christ: & Other Essays in Christian Psychotherapy by John Warwick Montgomery NWA Conference May 3rd-4th More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

This month, we discuss the book "The Soul of Shame" by Dr. Curt Thompson. It was a really fun conversation, and Katie called it her top read of the year. Both Katie and Gretchen loved this book, mostly because it talks about a lot of guilt, shame, forgiveness, and vocation plays out through a counseling lens. While the author does have a Christian lens and brings in the Bible, he does limit his expertise and perameters of the discussion to psychology, rather than theological. However, we felt it showed the psychological impact of sin and redemption from an interesting angle. His discussion of shame being introduced in the Garden of Eden brought together so many concepts at the same time. Much like David Zahl's explanation of "low anthropology" understanding the pervasiveness of shame--and how it is everywhere and touching everything--was at first discouraging, and then illuminating and encouraging. This book gives an awareness of the presence of shame, so that we can call a thing what it is. As we call a thing what it is, we can then understand what healing looks like. It has encouraged us both to properly recognize it, and reach for grace rather than shame. This book talks about the proper function of shame (a sociopath feels no shame over anything) and the twisting of shame. It also shares how shame essentially shuts down creativity, and how it effects freedom in vocation. This book talks about the relationship between vulnerability and grace. This book is full of stories of transformation and growth, as the truth sets people free.

This is a special crossover episode with Kelsi Klembara from the podcast: "Outside Ourselves." Kelsi is also the online content manager for 1517 and mother to 3 kids. She holds an MA in Reformational Theology from Concordia University Irvine. We talk about the Advent season, and the three parts of Christ coming: coming to us in the incarnation, coming to us in word and sacrament, and coming again at the end of time. We talk about consoling one another with the gospel during this season, and focusing on the promises of God--what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. We talk about experienced waiting in this season, how theologians connect it to the end times, and living in the season of patience. We talk about the tension between preparation and waiting, and how the reformation pivoted the church's view of Advent from preparation to waiting. We talk about the connection between Advent and birth. (This episode was recorded just before Kelsi gave birth to her daugher.) We talk about the value of the Advent season, and impact that making space for these thoughts and considerations built into this church season helps us love our neighbors.   Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube Fleming Rutledge's Advent book referenced in this episode What’s New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Album Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition by Chad Bird Schweitzer's Psychoanalysis of Jesus Christ: & Other Essays in Christian Psychotherapy by John Warwick Montgomery Free 2023 Advent Resources 2024 NWA Tickets (May 3-4) More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

We are interviewing Blake Flattley and Steve Zank to talk about the new "Freedom Lessons" album that they did with Flame. They talked about the thought process behind several of the songs, and how they chose various music genres to fit various parts of the small catechism. They talk about how the battle wrap performed by Flame and Loso to show the battle between old Adam and new Adam, the use of folk music to look at the promises of God, and thinking of not just the words to fit the message, but the notes and tempo to fit the message. This is an all star album, with various artists coming together to artistically express the wrestling and honest questions encountered in Luther's Small Catechism. This project is framing the catechism, not as something that needs to be mastered, but something that trains people to understand their Christian freedom. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Album Free 2023 Advent Resources Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition 2024 NWA Tickets (May 3-4) Join the 1517 Academy More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Gretchen and Katie have a conversation with Rev. Bob Hiller about prosperity gospel, and how it sneaks into churches in a way that we start targeting the healthy people, the young families, and those who have something to offer the church. We talk about the idolatry of growth, and how idolatry works in these scenarios. What are the goals of the church, and how can you tell if a program in the church is "working?" We discuss all of that, with lots of laughter and multiple perspectives. Bob Hiller is one of our favorite repeat guests, a pastor out in California, a co-host of the White Horse Inn podcast, on the board of 1517, and author to some great resources, like "Christ in the Straw" (which is apparently not an advent devotional). Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Album Free 2023 Advent Resources Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition 2024 NWA Tickets (May 3-4) Join the 1517 Academy More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Bob Hiller's book: Christ in the Straw

We have Old Testament scholar, Chad Bird, on to discuss with us the ways we twist the book of Proverbs into a prosperity gospel, especially in regard to our ideas of family. This episode we talk about Proverbs 13:24, and what it means and doesn't mean to discipline our children. Rather than giving us a formula for discipline, we talk about the goals of discipline, and ways that our reliance or focus on methods misses the point of knowing and loving our particular children, and getting their attention in ways they will respond. We separate the ideas of discipline and punishment, and clarify which one God does with his children. We talk about our perceptions of pain, and ends up pointing to our wrestling with suffering, and how God disciplines us. In talking about pain, we talk about the desire of parents to just want their kids to be happy, and the unintentional pressure that puts on kids. We mention the priest Eli and his sons, and even the prophet Samuel, and what went wrong there. This ends up with us looking at what it means to be a theologian of the cross in our parenting, and calling a thing what it is, and allowing our kids to call things what they are, even if they are hard. Chad talks about how easy it is to slip into a "god-complex" as a parent, as we think our child's salvation is in our own hands, and how things go wrong in discipline when we think that we are God. The uses of pain, suffering, weakness, and limitations are not very pleasant things, but God seems to make use of them anyway, for our good. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Album Free 2023 Advent Resources Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition 2024 NWA Tickets (May 3-4) Join the 1517 Academy More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In this book club episode, we discuss "Art and Faith" by Makoto Fujimura. This was a book recommended to us, and we sort out the parts of this book that we appreciated, and the parts where we would disagree. Fujimura is an artist and a Christian who writes about the theology of making, and how imagination and faith interact. We talk about the Japanese influence in theology, and the struggle to translate not just words but cultural ideas. We talk about our struggle with the word "co-creator" and our love for the word "vocation." We debate our involvement with the work of God, and contemplate how Fujimura breaks down and illuminates the word author-ity. We agreed that his chapter on kintsugi is where this book shines. The taking on of someone else's shame involved in the backstory of kintsugi, and the big theme of redemption of what was broken was profound. We wrestle through this book, and process it together, and ask hard questions--which is what good art prompts us to do. Show Notes: Adam and Eve sculpture we discuss by Munehiro Ikeda. Theology and the Pain of God by Kazoah Kitamori Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Album Free 2023 Advent Resources Your God is too Glorious, 2nd Edition 2024 NWA Tickets (May 3-4) Join the 1517 Academy More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

As we discuss ways that prosperity gospel sneaks into the family, we decided to start off by looking at the book of Proverbs, as these are often the verses that are cherry picked and often used to take prosperity gospel ideas in regard to the family. We invited Old Testament scholar, Chad Bird to discuss the book of Proverbs. He talks about how it is a book of observations, not promises or commands. What does a life look like when it is designed under the order of God? He talks about what happens when we take the Proverbs to be what they are not, which is the case of Job's friends, who took general truths and applied them toward Job's pain and circumstances. We look at the verse: Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Is this a promise? Can we control our child's salvation? What does it mean to train up a child? Chad explains the Hebrew word for "train up" in regard to children, that gives a twist of what we often think. We talk about our continuous desire to control the situation, and how that's not going on here. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Free 2023 Advent Resources 2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available! Join the 1517 Academy All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2 More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

This is an episode done in front of a live audience at the 2023 "Here We Still Stand" Conference in San Diego, California. Katie and Gretchen kick off a new series talking about prosperity gospel, and the way that it sneaks into our idea of families. Do you get extra sanctified in marriage? Will getting people married off save the church and our culture? What if you do everything right and your children still walk away from the faith? What sorts of beliefs do we hold that if we do certain things the way they should be done, our life will turn out well? They seek to give assurance in Christ, and Christ alone. Freely Given: Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Free 2023 Advent Resources 2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available! Join the 1517 Academy All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2 More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

This week, Gretchen and Katie talk about what it means to be humble, as opposed to feeling insecure in our vocations. Insecurity and pride are actually closely related, as we become consumed with people's view of us, instead of finding our security and identity in the love of God. When we are rooted and established in the love of God, we are free to serve our neighbor. But as we serve our neighbor, it's so easy to slip into wondering what our neighbors think about us, how we are being perceived, and become consumed with acheiving our goals, or consumed with our failures to reach our goals. As an example, they talk about the writing and speaking world, where those who want to write, or want to speak go through various swings between insecurity and arrogance, as the goals to climb to greatness is a rocky one. There are coaches who try to help us believe that we are great, so that we can become great. But all of it is futile, when it is about us, and not about serving our neighbor. The also use parenting as and example of how we struggle with this perception of ourselves. Humility is driven by reality, and roots us in reality, whereas insecurity and pride are rooted in what we wish is true, or what we fear is true. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup Free 2023 Advent Resources 2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available! Join the 1517 Academy All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2 More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Gretchen and Katie talk through a listener suggested topic of people pleasing. They talk about their own struggles in this area, and how people pleasing can be the opposite of vocation, or interfere with vocation. They theorize why this is a constant struggle, and walk through what vocation is, and what vocation isn't. How do you know if you are loving your neighbor, or you're just trying to be liked, or the popular person? Then there's the struggle to be good at something, and want to go all in, but needing to set boundaries for the sake of our neighbor. This episode is personal and practical, as they both share their struggle with this, and watching others struggle with it as well. Freely Given: Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup Free 2023 Advent Resources 2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available! Join the 1517 Academy All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2 More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

We are discussing the book "A Tumblin' Down" by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson. (Our September book club book.) This is a fiction book about a pastor's family. This book starts with a pastor wrestling with a passage of scripture that doesn't fit well into his theological framework, and trying to figure out how to pull a sermon from it. Each person in this family goes through seasons of struggling with their faith both from their past, and in the present. But when this family is forced to grieve publically, and their faith gets put to the test, gossip overtakes the church as to how they are grieving, and how they should have handled their grief. This gossip leads to a tension that will either drive the pastor's family out, or cause a church split. As this family starts to crumble under the pressure, an unlikely friendship with a pastor from communist East Germany enters the picture. This book had us laughing and crying. The description of church people, while a fiction book, has so much truth.  Freely Given: Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup Free 2023 Advent Resources 2024(May 3-4) NWA Tickets are Now Available! Join the 1517 Academy All Charges Dropped, Vol. 2 More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Kelsi Klembara's "Ourside Ourselves" interview with Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

We invited our friend, Mike Cosper back on to talk about his article he recently wrote for Christianity Today about Tim Keller. He quotes Tim for saying that the point of contextualization isn't to make the gospel more palatable, but but make the offense of the gospel clear. We discuss what it means that the gospel is offensive, and what it means to contextualize it. For many years, it has been assumed that the culture in America was a Christian culture, but there's a contextualization we must learn to do when we see the world around us as unaware and confused by any context for the gospel. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: 2023 Advent Resources Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup Join the 1517 Academy Faith in the Face of Tyranny More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Mike Cosper's article on Tim Keller: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/tim-keller-issue/tim-keller-church-pastor-media-suffering.html also, his article he mentions working on in the podcast about a Marxist view of history: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/september-web-only/conspiracy-theories-conspiracism-history-marx-hegel-cultura.html

We finally finish up our conversation on birth by talking about postpartum and breastfeeding vs formula. Putting it in the context of the doctrine vocation, they speak freedom into all of the guilt that women feel during this vulnerable time. We talk about pride we have in soldiering through, shame we feel in failure, shame with give to others, and the illusion of keeping up the supermom routine. We talk about respecting the humanness of individuals, and living in the grace and freedom that God freely gives. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Free 2023 Advent Resources Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup Join the 1517 Academy Faith in the Face of Tyranny More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin    

Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin discuss today the issue of pain in childbirth, and whether or not taking pain medication during childbirth effects your sanctification, or your moral standing. After overwhelming response from our last episode, there's some more things they'd like to say to encourage. They sort out the truth from the lies about sanctification itself, and what happens when we put that pressure on ourselves. We talk about God using ALL things for our good, not just painful things. They talk about expectations, birth plans, and knowing that God will be with you no matter what, not just in certain outcomes. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: 2023 Advent Resources Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup Join the 1517 Academy Faith in the Face of Tyranny More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Our next book club book for the month of September: A-Tumblin' Down by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

In this much requested episode, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about birth, and some of the pressure we put on ourselves--or on our faith--that everything goes as we think it will. They talk about shame in childbirth, and how women try to put some kind of moral superiority over how you give birth. Between the two of them, they have medicated, unmedicated, preemie birth, and even homebirth experiences that they share. In some Christian circles of women there is pressure to give birth naturally out of submission to what God said in Genesis, or even in some that claim that you won't feel pain if you have enough faith because of the redemption. Then there is shame and disappointment that some give to those who've had c-sections, and feel like the body God designed failed them in some way. They cut through all of these false claims, and talk about the freedom we have in Christ--even in birth. Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org 2023 HWSS Conference Livestream Signup Join the 1517 Academy Faith in the Face of Tyranny More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In our monthly book club episode, these 2 Lutheran women (Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin) discuss Beth Moore's memoir, "All My Knotted Up Life." This books covers heavy topics from sexual abuse, Bipolar disorder, racism, and her personal story of being a women who works in churches, and her journey out of the Southern Baptist Convention that she loved. It moves from her childhood in Arkansas to her unexpected climb to fame in Texas. In this book, you see the wrecking ball that kept going through her life, and her husband's life, and they ended up in a little Anglican church. This incredibly well written book takes you on a journey of God's faithfulness to her as her world was falling apart around her. Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Faith and Reason Exchange @ Apple Podcasts Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org Join the 1517 Academy More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Next month's book club: A-Tumblin Down by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson Link to Kelsi Klembara's interview with Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

Gretchen and Katie both saw the Barbie movie, and want to talk about it the cultural statements made in this movie. They talk about the idea of utopias, and the danger in creating utopia. This movie also talks about when our ideals hit reality. It presents reaching for perfection as a heavy burden to put on people, and how humans often process emotions and thoughts through play. They talk about patriarchy and matriarchy, tied up with this reaching for perfection and utopias, and the humanity of us all. In all this, it points to the fact that ideals without Christ end up being ideals that take into account our humanity and needs. Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Faith and Reason Exchange @ Apple Podcasts Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org Join the 1517 Academy More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

We are discussing 1 Corinthians 10:31, and what it means to do everything to the glory of God. This is where are series of Hobby Lobby verses collides with our vocation series, and we look at the context of where this verse comes from. What does it mean to do everything to the glory of God? Does it mean do our best, and make sure our works are worthy of how great God is? We talk about the debate about meat sacrificed to idols, with a modern explanation, and what "glory" actually means. "Glory of God" is cross referenced in other New Testament verses to see that Jesus is the glory of God, and the weight of what he did for us is what frees us to serve and love our neighbors. Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Faith and Reason Exchange @ Apple Podcasts Faith and Reason Exchange @ 1517.org Join the 1517 Academy More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin    

We are interviewing Courtney Burns, who is a school counselor for Faith Lutheran School in Las Vegas, NV. She talks about the intersection between theology and counseling, as well as separating mental wellness to gauging the strength of someone's faith. She talks about kids understanding authenticity, how both parents and students missed emotional milestones during the pandemic, and being present with people right where they are at. She talks about social anxieties, working through identity issues, and the purpose of stressers.  Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Join the 1517 Academy Freedom Lessons Street Team Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

This episode Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin discuss Acts 2, where we read about the early church, and how it grew. We look a the multiple ways that the Holy Spirit works through church, and even multiple ways that people are healed and saved through Christ. We talk about tradition, and prescriptions that we give ourselves to replicate what happens at this church or that church, we sometimes forget that the common denominator is the Holy Spirit. We talk about expectations for church, church hurt, and idolizations of method or people. We talk about chasing the fruit, rather than chasing the Spirit.  Freely Given: Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Network Survey Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Join the 1517 Academy Freedom Lessons Street Team Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In this episode we have on one of Gretchen's closest friends who happens to be a foster mother. Alison Olson adopted her oldest 3 kids through a private agency, but a few years ago, they started foster parenting. They've had several kids go through their home. They currently have 7 kids. 6 of them are not adopted, and 1 of them is likely soon to be adopted. We talk about what it's like to live in the tension of showing grace, but also having boundaries. Of loving not only the children, but their parents. We talk about celebrating growth, within the reality of knowing that some hurt will be chronic. So we have to learn how to live with it, and handle it. This is a great long-ish episode that you won't want to miss.  Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Join the 1517 Academy Freedom Lessons Street Team Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

This month's Book Club, we are doing a short story by Flannery O'Connor, "A Good Man is Hard to Find." This short story is set in the South, before the civil rights movement. It follows a grandmother, traveling with her family, as she gives various definitions and applications to what it means to be a "good man." Keep in mind, Flannery is trying to show that no one is good but God, and see how that plays out, as we look around, catagorizing people, catagorizing herself, and trying to constantly use the law to manipulate. The overuse or lack of use of God's law is the highlight of this story, as each character and reader tries to find a way to wiggle loose from the law of God, thinking that their definition of good is actually what it means to be good. This story is jolting, haunting, and will knock the wind out of you. Each reading will bring more to the surface. The killer in the story wrestles with the idea of Jesus, the resurrection, and trying to figure out what he ever did wrong. This is a story where ideas like nostalgia, or utopia, or various cultures runs full speed into God's perfect law, and nothing survives. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Join the 1517 Academy Freedom Lessons Street Team Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find" short story. Flannery O'Connor's book of letters "The Habit of Being" A long history of "Nobody Wants to Work Anymore" on Twitter (Paul Fairie, @paulisci)   https://twitter.com/paulisci/status/1681790405615173632

We are interviewing Austin Hanson, who teaches science to middle schoolers at West Central Public Schools. Picking up on our vocation series, we are wanting to talk with people in various vocations,(as we find them) to talk about how their faith impacts their work.  This was an amazing conversation with a very gifted teacher who talked about sometimes being the first male authority figure in a child's life, teaching kids about reaching and standard, and showing what forgiveness means. We talk about the pressures that kids deal with in this generation, as well as what it's like to be a Christian teacher in a public school, with both the limitations and opportunities that involves. He talks about the developmental age of middle schoolers wanting to figure out their identity and who they are, and what they want to do with their lives. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Join the 1517 Academy Freedom Lessons Street Team Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

We are back to our conversations of Bible passages and comparing descriptive and prescriptive interpretations. This week we are discussing the story of Ruth. Does this story teach us to go out and "find our Boaz?" Can a woman be a Christ-figure? Should Naomi have left Bethlehem in the first place? We often have strong opinions, and insert those strong opinions into these Bible stories, and miss the story of redemption put on repeat throughout the Bible. We discuss all of these things, and in the end, point to the redemption found in Christ.  

In this last episode with guest Rachel Joy Welcher, we discuss the concept of modesty, and how we talk to our children about their sexuality and their bodies if not through "purity culture" or the secular culture. We talk about the purpose of bodies, the purpose of clothing, and what it means to have grace and understanding in these things. This was such a rich conversation of 3 moms discussing what they want their sons and daughters to know, and most importantly, what happens when we take Christ out of the equation, and turn him into a footnote. Show Notes: Support 1517 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: Freedom Lessons Street Team The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Rachel Joy Welcher's book: Talking Back to Purity Culture

To continue our conversation of legalism that becomes cultish, we brought on Rachel Joy Welcher who wrote a book on the purity culture movement. Rachel is Gretchen's book editor for a current writing project. However, she's an author and poet in her own right. Her book "Talking Back to Purity Culture" looks at the history of how we got here, and steps back from a reactionary way of doing theology, and looks back to where the movement lost the message of Christ. She talks about untangling truth from lies, while not compromising on holding fast to scripture. She shares how the abstinance education went into schools, removing Christ from the conversation, as the message became God's law without any redemption. We talk about reading books in community, and having healthy conversations in families and churches, rather than handing everyone a book and hoping for the best.   Show Notes: Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More from our guest: Rachel Joy Welcher's substack Evan Welcher's substack

For our June book club bonus episode, we are discussing Robert Farrar Capon's "Supper of the Lamb." This is an unusual cookbook that is written by a theologian who shares all his thoughts on cooking lamb. He shares 8 meals for 8 people that can be cooked with lamb. During these instructions, he talks about the placeness of an onion, the excelsis of wine, and the shedding of blood. With humor, joy, silliness, and seriousness, he roots us in the reality of what cooking really is, what is for, and what is the source. It was a fun conversation to read this book--1 month almost felt too fast to read this book that must be savored. Link to book Show Notes: Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

How can we stay safe in our faith? In Part 2 of our discussion of the documentary "Shiny Happy People" we are discussing homeschooling and the umbrellas of protection. We get a bit into the history of homeschooling modern history, and then discuss homeschooling within the context of freedom or fear. We also discuss different kinds of homeschooling, and what made the Gothard brand of homeschooling unique. We then talk about the umbrella of protection image that is often shared, where under the guise of "safety" more mediation is put between Christ and children, or Christ and women. While it looks "safe" it actually adds to the gospel, placing hope in men instead of God. Show Notes: Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In this episode we talk about the documentary of "Shiny Happy People" and this part of American Church history with an explosion of legalistic ideals that lacked Christ. Both Gretchen and Katie followed the Duggar family when they were on TV, and Gretchen even went on mission trips as a teen, assoicated with the Gothard teachings.  We talk about the quiverful movement, and how that easily gets tied to faith and holiness. This ties in with the theology of the body, marriage, birth control--and most of all, how living in Christ is living in freedom. Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube What’s New from 1517: The New Quest for Paul and His Reading of the Old Testament by Timo Laato Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

Author, speaker, and poet Tanner Olson is with us for this episode to talk about the vocation of being a poet. We talk about sharing hope, the writing process, and understanding that our work is for someone. We talk about the challenges of this work, the struggle of sharing things online, and deciding what to share.  He shares about touring and collaborating with Blake Flatley, and Heidi Goehmann, as they present their evenings of hope.   Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube More from the hosts Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin More from our guest: https://www.writtentospeak.com/

We are excited to welcome the rapper, Flame, onto the podcast to share about the idea of vocation, and where our good works belong. Flame comes from a background in Christian spaces where the pressure to show yourself as spiritual, or pressure to show yourself as elect, or pressure to live out a more spiritual vocation. We talk about why he speaks so boldly about Lutheran doctrines, and how he starts conversations with others about what he believes. We talk about the relationship between freedom and vocation, and how a lack of freedom can crush a person. This was an incredible conversation, and we hope it encourages you like it encouraged us. Check out Flame's website, and keep an eye out for some exciting projects of his coming up: https://extranosacademy.com/ Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 on Youtube More from the hosts Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin  

In our series about prescriptive vs descriptive, we walk through the story of Esther. Though this book does not mention God, it refers to the promises of God to redeem. It's one of the passages in the Bible that people often try to gather prescriptive instructions for being a wife. This story is so relatable, as Esther doesn't know how it will turn out. No angels show up and tell her what's going to happen. There was fear, and there was hesitation, and wrestling with stepping out in faith, whether or not she dies. We talk about the common passages "For such a time as this" along with other quotable passages like "Be still," and "I can do all things" and how we often remove them from the context so it can be more about us. We talk about fasting, and what it is for, and when you come to the end of yourselves, the only thing left is to fix your eyes on the salvation of the Lord. Check out the other 1517 podcasts Support the work of 1517

We are excited to discuss David Zahl's book "Low Anthropology." Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin heard him speak last fall (you can watch his talk HERE.)  Though it can feel sometimes like having a low anthropology is mean or making excuses for poor behavior. In fact, it's living out the reality of not only the reality of sin, but the limitedness of human nature. We are not god. This book talks about low anthropology as being key to having a gracious view of others, and how it is in the humility and lowness where we encounter the grace of God. To have a high anthropology dismisses grace, or the need for it. Another consistent them is that low anthropology brings people together, whereas a high anthropology isolates and separates. Check out the other 1517 Network Podcasts Don't forget to support the work of 1517

As we work through some prescriptive vs descriptive passages of the Bible, especially in regard to women, we start with Tamar, and how she falls in line to Jesus' geneology. This is a strange story involving Judah being an unintentional kinsman redeemer, not by choice, but by thinking he's picking up a prostitute. Tamar was not cared for by the men who were entrusted with her care, and she fought for survival. In that, the Bible said she did what was right. Support the work of 1517 Check out all the other 1517 podcasts

We are preparing for summer, and sharing our summer book club picks, and then talking about the conference on Galatians that 1517 just had in Arkansas. We talk a bit about the circumcision debate, our tendency toward legalism, and how we even often prefer using softer language than the Bible. Gretchen shares her illustrations from her presentation on Galatians 2, on how legalism is putting creation above the creator. Book club picks this summer: Low Anthropology by David Zahl (May) Supper of the Lamb by Robert Capon (June) A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor (July) Be sure to check out 1517 Music Explore the other podcasts on the 1517 network Support the work of 1517

This is our monthly book club episode, where we discuss "Giants in the Earth" by O.E. Rölvaag. This novel was originally written in Norwegian, and translated to English in the 1920s. This is a story of Norwegian immigrants, crossing the prairie, and finding a new life in a new country. This is not the "Hallmark version" of the immigrants. Reading this book, you can see the midwest culture develop before your eyes, in a historical context. This book also talks about the immigrants struggle without a church, a minister, and how they wrestle through their theology as laypeople. Should they just baptize their children, or marry a couple without a pastor to do it? What happens to their baptism or "christening" if they change their name to an American name? The story focuses on a husband and wife: Per Hansa and Berit. Per Hansa is an eternal optimist. He believes all he sees is his kingdom, and opportunity is around every corner. He goes around the law, forces his own desired destiny, and does what he wants.  Berit is homesick for the old country, terrified of the frontier, and worries for their souls with everything changing as the liturgy changes.  They establish a new community of other Norwegian immigrants, and they all build sod houses, living surrounded by the ground. They are the giants in the earth. This is a masterful piece of literature, with the earth or nature taking on a character of its own, as the immigrents struggle to survive, and hold their relationships together. Giants in the Earth Support the work of 1517

Have you ever heard the illustration about the janitor in heaven? In this episode Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin what it means to "store up your treasures in heaven." This ties in with discussions on sanctification and vocation. What are our good works for? Are they even worth?  We talk about a lot of attitudes around work and how those attitudes effect how we see grace.  Support the work of 1517 Check out all the other podcasts on the 1517 network

Gretchen and Katie are back together to talk about how the resurrection impacts daily life. While apologetics are important, to analyze "if" the resurrection happened, this episode is the step beyond that, and asks how the resurrection changes our outlook and our daily interactions. We talk about the temptation to want to use God, either for political or personal reasons, and how the resurrection transcends our narrow goals, and permeates deeper than we ever thought possible. Check out other podcasts on the 1517 podcast network, and don't forget to support 1517, to keep providing free so many resources to the local church.

Joy isn't getting what you want when you want it. We can't produce joy, but we can  produce pleasure, but we often get those two things confused. Defining what joy is helps us understand what it is, and what it isn't. Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik talk about how it relates to suffering, and how it stands up in suffering. The Bible talks about joy and suffering together. Like all things, it comes down to Christ.  Check out the other 1517 podcasts Support the work of 1517

What is the difference of being a theology of the cross, and the theology of glory? Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about what it means to have the cross as the center of your theology. We talk about Luther's Heidelberg Disputaitons of 1518, a year after he posted the 95 thesis, and why it was so revolutionary and contrary to what the church was teaching at the time. This is the center of "calling a thing what it is" and understanding suffering, rather than glory. The cross turns everything on our head about what we think of God, and what he wants from us, and often makes us uncomfortable, but ultimately fixes our eyes on Jesus as the author and perfector of our faith. ***This episode has some technical difficulties, and the sound isn't as good as past episodes. We thought the conversation overcame the bad sound, and hope it isn't too much of a distraction. Check out other 1517 podcasts Support the work of 1517

Oftentimes we interpret our prayers through the lens of our emotions, or our passion behind the prayers we pray. When those prayers aren't answered the way we want, we examine the level of passion, or our method of prayer, to see what needs to be fixed. Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about the woman who was bleeding, as well as other stories of healing, to examine the connection between faith and prayer. We talk about prayer, and it's connection to vocation, how God sometimes answers prayers and Katie gets Gretchen to share the story of when she lost her pants. Check out the other podcasts on the 1517 podcasts Support the work of 1517

Our monthly book club has returned, and we are discussing Michelle DeRusha's book "Katharina and Martin Luther: the Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk." If you can't tell, Gretchen and Katie enjoyed this book immensely, and found this book to be a page turner.  This is a story of the rubber meeting the road, when it comes to the theology of Martin Luther. Katharina or "Katie" as he called her, was in the first group of nuns that ranaway from their cloister, because of the reformation writings he was putting out at the time--most likely his writings stating that anyone who took monastic vows under compultion are free to live their lives in the freedom of the Christian. Martin and Katharina were not in love when they got married, and neither one was the other's first choice. But love did grow in their marriage, and they had children, lost children, and took a bunch of extra children in. This author takes a lot of time to explain the cultural and historical context of Martin and Katharina's marriage, which makes this story even more radical, heartwarming, and sometimes dangerous. Go check out the other podcasts on the 1517 podcast network! Support the work of 1517.

Everyone feels awkward praying. Performance anxiety and perfectionism can paralyze us in prayer. Praying is not about us, it's about Christ for us. Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik talk about wrestling through prayer, and finding rest in Christ. They talk about how our failure is a gift, and how the Holy Spirit is interpreting and correcting our prayers. This upsidedown kingdom of God's puts his faithfulness as primary, not ours, and that is never more apparent than in prayer, when the lavishness of grace pushes us toward good works. We do fail, and it will be awkward, but because of Christ, failure is never the end. "The whole ministry of Jesus was an act of intercession for us." - Kleinig   Books referenced: Grace Upon Grace by John Kleinig Where Prayer Becomes Real by Kyle Strobel and John Coe Come check out the other podcasts on the 1517 podcast network: https://1517.org/podcasts Support the work of 1517: https://1517.org/donate  

Is Proverbs 31 inspiring or burdening to women? Is it a passage that's just for women? What do you think when you think about Proverbs 31? Where is the gospel in this passage? We have on Hebrew scholar, Chad Bird, to discuss Christ in the Old Testament--even in Proverbs 31. He shares how this church applies not only to women, but to the whole church, and how Christ is wisdom personified. This episode will stop you in your tracks and point you to freedom. It's one not to be missed. It's one to listen to again, and again, and again. Due to travel upsets and storms preventing some recording, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin are releasing for 1 more week, one of their most popular episodes. We will be back together next week, with your regularly scheduled programming. Support the work of 1517 here: https://www.1517.org/donate Also, our guest Chad Bird has a couple of podcasts on the 1517 podcast network (40 minutes in the Old Testament, Hidden Streams, etc) so check out some of the great resources on the podcast network here: https://www.1517.org/podcasts

What if you could have a conversation with someone who was theologically sound, a great communicator, and an experienced licensed therapist to talk about the emotions we struggle with, and what to do with them?  Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin were fortunate enough to get back on Heidi Goehmann to talk about her new book: "Emotions and the Gospel." She gives a ton of gospel for our emotions, and help us to see where there is grace for us, as well as grace for the emotions of others. They walk through feeling shame for feeling "too emotional," how we are made in the image of God, and getting a strong theological foundation to view emotion. She talks about restoration vs regulation, and misconceptions or "partial truths" we have about emotions. Check out other 1517 podcasts Support the work of 1517

Sometimes our resistence to forgiveness is that we are attempting to give Christ-less grace. A lot of times this shows up in "forgiving yourself" or brushing sin under the rug, and dismissing it in the name of "grace."  Does grace mean that sin doesn't matter? Is downplaying sin giving more grace or less? Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about why true grace is from Christ, and why downplaying sin isn't necessary with the power to forgive that Christ's grace gives. The grace of God does things in our lives, and sanctifies us. It cleans our sin. We talk about consequences and examples. We talk about trying to make sin "reasonable" and grace "reasonable" so that it is managable to us. When we confuse justification, sanctification, and vocation, we can easily misuse the law to think that we are getting more grace, or end up trying to manipulate situations.    You can check out other podcasts on the 1517 network: https://www.1517.org/podcasts Support the work of 1517 here: https://www.1517.org/donate

This is the first of our monthly BONUS episodes for our Freely Given book club. Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin are discussing the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis this month. This book has a lot of law in it, as fictionally one demon is coaching another demon how to trip up Christians. True to form, the accuser does a lot of accusing. We talk a lot about different ways truth can be obscured, as well as how to get humans to see others as less human. We talk about tribalism and jargon, living languages and defining terms. This was a fun, EXTRA long episode. Look for the next BONUS episode in March.   February book (fiction): Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis March book (biography): Katharina and Martin Luther (The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk) by Michelle DeRusha April book (fiction): Giants in the Earth by Ole Rolvaag 1517 podcast network Support the work of 1517 https://www.1517.org/donate

Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin continue their conversation with historian Dan vanVoorhis about the history of revivals. We cut into this conversation asking the question: is revivalism something for the young? Does it hit a certain demographic of psychological development differently? Does growing older and have different vocations mean that we are not "on fire for the Lord." We consider the notstalgia side of going through a passionate season of faith, and walking through what it means to walk through a season of faith that is absolutely ordinary. We go in depth about the "old vs young" cyclical tension that goes through church history, and what it means to pass on the faith to the next generation well. The young tend to be hopeful and optimistic, and the old tend to be guarded against things that ended up causing hurt, or clinging to things that they were taught. When has this been done well? We talk about emotion and worship, what the psalmists say about that. We talk about what it means to "on fire for the Lord" and how people define that differently, and how emotions and nostalgia can play into that. We talk about the importance of ordinary means of grace, so that we can understand the consistency of grace, and where to think of extraordinary things. Dan's podcast: Christian History Almanac The 1517 podcast network: https://www.1517.org/podcasts Support the work of 1517:https://www.1517.org/donate

We invited church historian, Dan van Voorhis, to come and talk to us about the history of revivalism. What is a revival? Are we in a revival right now? He talks about the first Great Awakening, and the second Great Awakening, and the mindsets and theology that came out of those movements. He talks about a spectrum in our definitions of revivals, from Pentecostal to Methodist, and the historical crossover that happened during the Second Great Awakening between the Methodists and Baptists. And then we talk about ordinary means of grace, and extraordinary means of grace, in the ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation on revivalism with Dan, for the purpose of having an educated, gracious, and thoughtful approach to reports of revivals happening. Dan's free online course: History of Christianity in America Dan's podcast: Christian History Almanac  (also available on any podcast streaming app) 1517 podcast network Support the podcast network here

In this episode, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin discuss some of their favorite poems, and how poetry helps us understand theological concepts that are difficult to understand through different means. The look at poetry that examines things like eternity, the idea of being wild or tame, the nature of patience, what is sacred and desecrated, and the myth of free will. They ponder several poems of Wendell Berry, and then move onto Madeline L'Engle for this fun little episode bringing some beautiful poetry into your day to ponder. Support the Show: https://www.1517.org/donate The 1517 Podcast Network https://www.1517.org/podcasts "Sabbath Poems" by Wendell Berry "The Ordering of Love" by Madeline L'Engle Prepare for our upcoming February bonus episode on a longer conversation by reading "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis

How can you tell if you are lamenting or complaining all the time? The Bible invites us to lament, and tells us not to complain. Is this a contradiction?  In this episode Gretchen and Katie talk about "calling a thing what it is" when it comes to things that we are upset about. We look at the difference between grumbling and complaining and lamenting to God--bringing our pain straight to him. We talk about the guilt that is often put on people who are in a season of lament, the use of community in all of this, and the pressure to be happy all of the time.   Without any planning, this episode was recorded a couple of weeks before Gretchen's family experienced the painful unexpected loss of her father-in-law. We grieve, but as ones who have hope.   Check out all the other free resources on https://www.1517.org/

"An apology is a promise to never do it again." In this episode we disucss this common phrase, and the differnece between a confession and an apology. We talk about the difference between horizontal forgiveness, and vertical forgiveness.  We talk about the necessity of apology, and what it really means to forgive, the freedom to "go in peace" and how what it means when you struggle to heal.   Katie's Instagram Gretchen's Instagram Here We Still Stand Regional Event in Arkansas "What Remains" poetry book by Laura Kauffman Support the work of 1517

Gretchen and Katie talk about what happens when we focus on our pietism in ways that often hurt our neighbors. How does this happen? They talk about how freedom points to the gospel, and how uncomfortable freedom is for the pietist. In this system, your reputation is the gospel, and keeping your reputation is seen as the same as either fulfilling the law, or telling people about God. In this system, our focus is getting our neighbors to act Christian, by our definition, rather than know Christ, and the forgiveness of sins. The sad thing that happens is when you focus on yourself and your spirituality so much that you don't see your neighbor. They talk about Galatians 2, and how Paul and Peter clash over legalism--not defined by extra Biblical laws, but actual laws God has given. If you want to hear some of the 1517 crew go through the book of Galatians in Arkansas this spring, you can register here: https://www.1517.org/events/2023-regional-conference-bentonville There's still a little bit of space left for this one! Support the work of 1517 here: https://www.1517.org/donate   

Does it ever feel like you just can't be a good enough Christian, or do all the things you want to do? In this episode we define piety and Pietism, and the difference between them. We talk about the pietism and spiritual practices of monks and nuns, and what Luther wrote about it, and ask the question: "when is our obsession with 'being a good Christian' actually rob us of our rest in Christ?" Does resting in Christ make us apathetic, and what does that have to do with understanding the person of Christ? What does it mean to have a high view of the law? How do we get people to go to church, and do the things that Christians should do? Tune in to find out. Subscribe to this podcast FREE by clicking "subscribe" in your podcast app, so each episode is downloaded and ready to go. Support the work of 1517 by clicking: http://1517.org/donate

Gretchen and Katie are finally back together, and they have a lot of catching up to do. We talk about trying to find our New Year's "word of the year." We talk about looking ahead to the next year, and what God has been teaching us. Gretchen talks about people pleasing and identifying as Eustace Scrubb. We discuss navigating big family changes, and bracing for what we don't know.  There's a couple of announcements in this episode, about each of us, and about the podcast, so this is an episode you don't want to miss. Support the work of 1517 by donating here: https://www.1517.org/donate (Christian history almanac's weekend edition mentioned)

As Gretchen is (stuck) on the road, we thought it would be fun to interview her oldest daughter, Silje, about what it's like being a college kid and looking for a church. We asked for questions from Twitter followers, mostly surrounding how churches can reach out to and encourage young adults. Silje talks about the importance of being intentional, not just in regard to reaching young adults, but show the young adults that the church is intentional in all that it does, from thinking through how the sacraments are done, how the bulletin is laid out, and how the church is laid out. She talks about the need to lay down your burdens at church and hear a gospel rich sermon, because the long study and work hours just make everything too much. We talk about the importance of beauty, and fostering an environment where questions are welcome.  We have a couple of disclaimers in this post: 1)the sound quality is off, as Gretchen was away from the podcast equipment, and 2) Silje is just one kind of college student and college students and their needs and views vary just as much as any other demographic.  If you would like to support the ministry of 1517, and help to provide all of the free resources given to churches and laypeople there, head on over to http://www.1517.org/donate.  

We are continuing to discuss the philosophies from "The Good Place." In this episode, we talk about the need for our redemption to come from outside of ourselves. We talk about sink holes in our lives, and trying to pretend that we are enough. We talk about the shallowness of affirmations to redeem, and the characters each struggling through facing who they really are. We talk about the torture of being treated as a better person than you really are. Sorry for the delay in this episode, as the holidays caught up with us. We should be back on track now. If you want to support the work of our podcast, and other podcasts in the 1517 network, and all they do over there, in your year end giving, please click here. Also! If you haven't subscribed to our podcast, it's FREE, and you can do it on any podcasting app. Subscribing helps others find this podcasts, and is another way you can support what we do here. 

We are taking a quick interlude to talk about the theological themes within the show "The Good Place." This is something that Gretchen and Katie chat about often, and decided to actually record one of these conversations. This is a comedy show about the after-life, and in that, they are grappling with the problem of sin, and how to deal with it with both justice and mercy.  The characters in the show are Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason, (and of course, the "angel" Michael). The show begins when Eleanor dies, and arrives at "The Good Place." Michael greets her and shows her around, and praises all of the good things she did during her life. We soon find out that there's been a mistake. Eleanor was not the person Michael described. She's a horrible sinner who was mistakenly sent to "The Good Place" and only she knows this. Overwhelmed with guilt for being given an afterlife she did not deserve, and surrounded by people better than her, she goes through different stages to try to cover for, or atone for her sin, but she can't seem to be good, no matter how hard she tries. This guilt begins to torture her as she feels trapped and watches "The Good Place" crumble around her because of her sin. This is a lighthearted and yet deep conversation of what happenes when you try to deal with sin without a savior, and also the harm that is done to other people when we attempt to justify ourselves. Support the work of 1517 (like this show!)

We are excited to have Natasha Kennedy, illustrator for to a children's book on the Apostle's Creed, talking about communicating through illustrated theology. She is working through illustrating the whole catechism. She has a book on the creed, one on the Lord's Prayer, and has done 2 other books on Christmas and Easter. She is currently working on the artwork for the 10 commandments book. We have her on today to talk about the illustrations she did on the Apostle's Creed. We talk about the difficulty of passages like Jesus decending into hell, or even understanding what it means that Jesus will judge us. This book is packed with meaning, and it was fun to unpack it with the artist herself. You can find the Apostle's Creed "Fat Cat" book HERE. The coordinating coloring books can be found HERE. Support the work of 1517

In this fun episode, we talk about ways we celebrate Advent as a family. We go over Jesse Tree crafts, various advent devotionals. Then we talk about whether or not you should teach your child about Santa, and our mutual hatred of Elf on the Shelf. We talk about the overkill of moralism that is often taught during the Christmas season, and keeping our eyes set on remembering what is important. We talk about the pressure to do everything, and make things magical. You can also find out why the shepherd is always in a different spot in Gretchen's home's nativity lately.  Advent devotional "The Isaiah Thing" Gretchen and Katie reference Thinking Fellows episode referenced (Literary Apologetics) Support the work of 1517

We are recording in front of an audience at Tuscarora Inn and Retreat center. As we continue on the 2nd article of the Apostle's Creed, we talk about how Jesus was from eternity--from before in incarnation. Jesus is referred to as our brother, and we ponder the mystery of that, and evidence supporting that claim. We talk about the human emotions of Jesus, and what it means for us that Jesus has the whole spectrum of human emotions. We talk about the meaning of the title "Christ" and the annointing of the Holy Spirit. This topic has a lot of tension and mystery, and we wrestle with what that means, and how do we respond to these tensions and mysteries. We also talk about what it means that Jesus is a prophet, a priest, and a king. The conversation goes to redemption, and ends up talking about the tangible means of grace found in the sacraments, and the comfort they bring. Support the work of 1517  

The conversation of the 2nd article of the Apostle's Creed continues. In this episode, we discuss the virgin birth, debate over positions on the perpetual virginity of Mary, the suffering of Christ, the devil prowling around like a roaring lion, and the ultimate breaking of evil. Also, you may find out what Katie thinks is "bull-hunky." The discussion goes to the mystery of our redemption, and trying to wrap our minds around why God would do all of this. https://www.1517.org/donate

In a world where we are expected to create our own truth, finding a firm, steady place to examine truth can be a relief from the decision fatigue. With each year, Luther's Small Catechism has meant more and more to both Gretchen and Katie, so we are going through the section of the Apostle's Creed, to show the depth of truth that continues to be a comfort. We are working through the section of the small catechism dealing with the 2nd article of the Apostle's Creed. In plain English, that means that we are talking about Jesus, the 2nd person of the Trinity. This study of the creed quickly turns to a Bible study, as we go through a lot of scripture that supports the claims that are made. We are using the catechisms put out by the CLB and the LCMS, and comparing some of the questions asked, and questions answered. We dwell on the idea that Jesus was there at the beginning, and all things are made through him. We talk about how he is true God, and true man. Book referenced: Christ Key by Chad Bird Support the work of 1517

Gretchen and Katie debrief from their trip to San Diego, and look ahead to what's going on this next year.  They finally move onto the 2nd Article of the Apostle's Creed, that discusses the 2nd person of the Trinity. This is the longest article of the creed, so they discuss why that is, and what kinds of things are included in this article. Here We Still Stand Regional Event in Arkansas (Galatians) Here We Still Stand National Event in San Diego (C.S. Lewis and the Untamed God) This conference is already 70% sold out, so if you want to go, buy your tickets now. Excellent translation of Luther's Commentary on Galatians Donate to 1517 If you don't already subscribe to our podcast, it's free and easy. Click here: https://learn.1517.org/freely-given-subscribe

Our producer, Caleb Keith, introduces this podcast to the audience at the pre-conference at the Here We Still Stand Conference in San Diego. This wonderful audience then watched Katie and Gretchen attempt to have a recorded conversation with people staring at us. This conversation is about theological drifts, and how the Apostle's Creed is a stablizing tool as we go through "detangling" of our faith from theological trends or spiritual manipulation. We talk about having an unmanipulated theology, and how pragmatisim is often the precurser to theological drifts. We then get into the Apostle's Creed, continuing on in our discussion of the 1st article. If you missed coming to the Here We Still Stand conference, there is a regional conference in Bentonville Arkansas in May 2023, where the theme is the book of Galatians (Gretchen will be speaking on Galatians 2). You can register for that here: https://www.1517.org/events/2023-regional-conference-in-bentonville-arkansas   The next national Here We Still Stand Conference in San Diego is next October, and the theme of that one is "CS Lewis and the Untamed God." There, Gretchen will each be speaking at breakout sessions. You can register for that here: https://www.1517.org/events/here-we-still-stand-2023 Support the work of 1517.

Who is God? We are continuing through the 1st article of the Apostle's Creed. We discuss what it means that God created us, and sustains us. What does it mean to create? What does it mean to provide? How does this impact our faith, and our growth? We tackle these questions through the catechism, and how we've grown into these questions over the years. Donate to 1517 Subscribe to the podcast free here: https://learn.1517.org/freely-given-subscribe (Sorry this episode came out a week late.)

We interview our friend, Lore Ferguson Wilbert, to discuss her new book "Curious Faith." In this books she examines questions that God asks people in the Bible, questions people ask God in the Bible, and questions we wish someone would ask us. Living in the tension of mystery in faith, we have a discussion on the freedom God gives us to ask him questions, as well as understanding how God uses questions to grow our understanding. Lore's book Curious Faith Sign up for the FREE Livestream for Here We Still Stand Support the work of 1517

Perms, and catechism. No, Gretchen and Katie are not going through middle school again, they are walking through the Apostle's Creed in Luther's Small Catechism. They talk about returning to school, kids growing up, aging, getting perms, midlife crisis', assessing your life, and then the creed--and how the creed is a steady truth that means more and more to them each year. With catechisms in hand from both the CLB and the LCMS churches, where Gretchen and Katie each go, they compare how they are the same, and how each synod makes the catechism their own. They briefly discuss the 3 different creeds, and the focus of teaching who God is, and why we confess them. The doctrine of who God is, is so unseparable from the gospel, as these 2 teachings go hand in hand. Starting with the 1st article of the Apostle's Creed, Gretchen and Katie start with the explanation of God the Father. If you listen to this podcast, but are not yet subscribed, you can do that FREE by clicking here, (https://learn.1517.org/freely-given-subscribe) and subscribe through your favorite app. Register for the FREE livestream of Here We Still Stand Support the work of 1517.

In this episode we continue our talk with author and therapist, Heidi Goehmann, about facing our emotions. In her book "Emotions and the Gospel" there is a section about forgotten emotions, or emotions that humans experience.  We talk about the compassion of God toward us, and Jesus' own experience of emotions as shown in Scripture. **We recorded this episode before the Here We Still Stand Conference SOLD OUT. Fortunately, you can still join us on livestream. Like most things produced at 1517, this livestream is free. You can register for it at https://www.1517.org/events/hwss-2022 Support the work of 1517.

What if you could have a conversation with someone who was theologically sound, a great communicator, and an experienced licensed therapist to talk about the emotions we struggle with, and what to do with them?  We were fortunate enough to get back on Heidi Goehmann to talk about her new book: "Emotions and the Gospel." She gives a ton of gospel for our emotions, and help us to see where there is grace for us, as well as grace for the emotions of others. We walk through feeling shame for feeling "too emotional," how we are made in the image of God, and getting a strong theological foundation to view emotion. She talks about restoration vs regulation, and misconceptions or "partial truths" we have about emotions. This was such a life giving conversation and left us with so much to think about. Check out the extra free videos Heidi has on FB and associated giveaways. Support the work (like this podcast!) of 1517

When it comes to the theology of the body, it's interesting to consider the fight against aging. There is a fine line between maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and pushing against natural aging. We talk about the role of discipleship and vocation in the various stages of age, and the need for all ages within the church. Support the work of 1517

We are discussing the fruit of the Spirit with our friend, Jessica Thompson, from the prespective of how this list describes how God loves us. Jessica tells us how her devotional on this book came about, with such tenderness. She talks about how God used this book to minister to her, showing her the depth of the goodness of God that was for her in some of the worst of times. There were a few small technical difficulties with this episode, but it's well worth a listen. Front Porch with the Fitzes podcast Jessica's book: How God Loves Us: 40 Days to Discovering the Fruit of the Spirit Support the work of 1517.

For our 101st episode, we are answering more listener questions, since we received so many. We answer a few smaller questions in the beginning and end of this episode, and then spend the bulk of time answering a very thoughtful question about fostering church unity when living in a politically diverse landscape. 40 Minutes in the Old Testament episode referenced History of Christianity in America free online course by Dr. Dan VanVoorhis Luther's Freedom of the Christian book Join us at the upcoming Here We Still Stand Conference in San Diego, California Support the work of 1517 (Like this podcast!)

We are celebrating our 100th episode by answering listener questions that were sent in. What are our favorite episodes? What have we learned? We end up chatting about deconstruction and doubts again, as well as feedback we got from listeners. We have a lot of fun and laughs in this episode, as we celebrate what we have witnessed these last 2 years. Books referenced: Limping with God by Chad Bird After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith Without Losing it by AJ Swoboda Join us for Here We Still Stand in October! Support the work of 1517

We join Rev. Bob Hiller for a discussion on praying the "right way," as well as what happens when we pray for other people.  Prayer is a place where we get to come before God, and bring him our problems, our hurts, our sin--even sin we struggle with, and the Spirit interprets and perfects our prayers.  We can bring our anger to God, our praise, our laments, and our questions.  The Gift of Prayer by Bob Hiller Come meet Gretchen, Katie, AND Bob at the Here We Still Stand Conference in San Diego this October. Support the work of 1517

We invited back our friend, Pastor Bob Hiller, to talk to us about how to pray. Bob is also a co-host and the Lutheran perspective on the "White Horse Inn" podcast. He recently published a booklet "The Gift of Prayer" on what it looks like to pray in light of the gospel. This conversation is great for those who struggle to pray perfectly, or wonder how to make their prayers effective. Join us this October in San Diego for the Here We Still Stand Conference Support the work of 1517

We continue our discussion of the book "Everything Sad is Untrue" which then morphs into a discussion of communicating theological truths either through writing, art, or music. As we discuss the book, we look from a child's perspective the question, "what is belief?" It would be tempting to paint it in a perfect light, but what honestly happens when you come to faith in Christ? How does our Christian art communicate humanity and theology honestly, or through the lens of prosperity gospel. What is the difference between good art and cheesy Christian art? How can we communicate the gospel by "calling a thing what it is" in all truthfulness? Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri Art and Faith by Makoto Fujimura Flame's music and resources Support the work of 1517

Gretchen and Katie talk about one of their summer book reads that made a huge impact on them. It's a secular published, young adult book, about a 12 year old refugee boy from Iran. Told in the style of 1,001 Arabian Nights, it weaves together myths from his Persian culture, family legends of his great-great-grandparents, his own memories from Iran, living in a refugee camp in Italy, with his current life as a refugee living in Oklahoma. All of this is told with the humor of a 12 year old boy who loves a good poop story. As this boy tries to make sense of his memories, you start to realize why they had to flee Iran: his mother became a Christian. His family's story of faith gets woven into all the other memories and his thoughts on God stopped us in our tracks and took our breath away. We strongly recommend this book for personal enjoyment or family discussion, and promise we didn't even give the best parts away. Everything Sad is Untrue: a True Story, by Daniel Nayeri Support the work of 1517

In this episode with Mike Cosper, we talk about grace and virtue. How do we "pursue virtue" and not let go of grace? We discuss the difference between self introspection by checking our own fruit, and confessing our sins. When we understand it's the grace that pushes forward any love toward the neighbors in our life, it changes the paradigm. We talk about the theology of the cross, the hiddenness of it all, and the mask that we wear. Books discusssed: Between Noon and Three by Robert Capon Ragged by Gretchen Ronnevik  On Being a Theologian of the Cross by Gerhard Forde The Shepherd's Letter by Bo Giertz Also: Join us at Here We Still Stand this October Support the work of 1517

In this episode, we have Mike Cosper on from "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill" and journalist for Christianity Today. We wanted to talk specifically on how law and gospel distinctions have an impact on the culture of a church, in regard to how we treat each other, and how we perceive our pastors. If we hold to the doctrine that we are "simultaneously saints and sinners" it should be assumed that sin is something we will have to work through in church relationships. This should not surprise us, and we can take comfort in the fact that God has a plan for that. This is the 1st of 2 episodes with Mike. Next week, we will talk about "Grace and Virtue." Support the work of 1517. Join us for Here We Still Stand Conference.

What does it mean to be steadfast? How does vocation relate to location? In this episode, Gretchen and Katie discuss the theology of place, as it relates to the ongoing conversation of patience and hope. What does it mean to stay, and stay in freedom without compulsion? When is it time to cut ties in a situation and leave? Using farming as an example, they talk about the influence of nostalgia on our perceptions of things, but also the work of serving the area where God has placed you--weeds and all. This conversation has many rabbit trails and ends up in the book of James. Some mentions: Wendell Berry's poems, Hannah Coulter, Jayber Crow Join us at Here We Still Stand this year! Registration

We have special guest Sarah Crowder to talk with us about interacting with the teens in our lives--whether our own, in our churches, or neighborhoods--in a way that helps them understand the gospel. Sarah teaches theology classes to high school freshman at a Lutheran high school in Las Vegas, many of whom are unchurched. She talks about building relationships through transparency, and not presenting ourselves as perfect. We talk about the dynamic of teaching both law and gospel to teens, and where vocation and excellence plays into all of that. She finishes up by sharing how she shows the kids where in our theology of the cross they can safely grieve, especially after a tough couple of years that the teens have lived through. Some videos she made for her student that she uses often: Sarah's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeYW5I82llwDkkHlpzD9vA A video she did on her dad and what church means: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17lIHCkByS0 Her lesson on death and dying featuring the sermon at her dad's funeral:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72SDVz_2hOA Some of the audio was a bit crackly in the first 4 minutes, and hopefully we got it a little fixed after that. Hang in there, it gets better. Want to join all of us at Here We Still Stand in San Diego this fall? Registration is here: https://www.1517.org/events/hwss-2022 Support the work of 1517: https://www.1517.org/donate 

We continue our conversation with Nancy Guthrie and how life changing it can be to find Christ in the Old Testament--and not just in the prophecies. It's transformative, and as she would say, there's nothing more practical.  We also talk about the book of Revelation, and how where we often assume fear, confusion, and a puzzle to figure out, she shares about the peace and blessings found in Christ throughout the whole book. Support the podcast network at http://1517.org/donate     

We are excited to have Nancy Guthrie on to talk about her journey into Biblical theology. For many years she read and studied the Bible, but once she learned the Christ-centered approach to interpreting all of scripture, everything opened up. She talks with us about the practical nature of theology, and how understanding the centrality of Christ has been a comfort to her through many of the heavy things of life. To support the work of 1517, head on over to http://www.1517.org/donate 

In this episode, we talk about the grace given to process emotions. Very often, we struggle with anger, envy, sadness, that are mixed in with sin, trauma, and just normal human emotions. In this complexity of mental health and spiritual health, it's easy to put blanket shame over emotions that we are walking through. Gretchen and Katie talk about how they process through emotions that they sometimes struggle with, and that they hate, and learning how grace brings you through to the other side.    *There was an editing glitch in this episode, and you'll miss the first couple of seconds including the intro, and Katie quickly chatting about seeing the new Top Gun movie.   If you want to be one of the 100 new podcast listeners that become donors, come visit: http://www.1517.org/celebrate Also, it's not too early to think about registering for the Here We Still Stand Conference in San Diego. Details HERE.

Just like there is pressure to have Instagram-worthy devotions everyday, there can be a pressure to have family devotions--with your husband leading. Gretchen and Katie both affirm male headship in the home, but how can that be twisted to put huge expectations on husbands to do certain things, a certain way? They talk about the common hesitation for women to teach their children, or even step forward in other areas of church life, because they're afraid they will be somehow getting ahead of their husbands, spiritually speaking. Many women even feel either guilt or superiority if they study their Bibles more than their husbands. This can lead to them trying to figure out ways to manipulate or pressure their husbands to stay one step ahead of them, to somehow maintain his leadership. These invented expectations and pressures we put on our marriages can be so harmful. This conversation comes down to the doctrine of vocation, and serving one another as co-laborers for the gospel. It's not a competition, and it's not a comparison. We are in this mission together. We are looking for 100 new donors for the 1517 podcast network. If you'd like to support this ministry, in any amount, please visit here: http://www.1517.org/celebrate  

In this episode, we bring on Dr. Dan van Voorhis, professor in the "History of Christianity in America" 1517 academy course, to talk to him about how our history affects our theology. We talk about migration patterns in America, as different people groups emmigrate here throughout the centuries, and how different denominations affect each other regionally. The circumstances of history often push the church to ask questions it wouldn't ask with such intensity otherwise: such as during Covid, when the church started asking the question: what is church, and why do we need it? This facinating discussion is not long enough, but fortunately, his whole course on it is free, and available on the 1517 academy page. https://1517-academy.thinkific.com/courses/christianity-in-america Dan also does a short, daily podcast on Church history, "The Christian History Almanac." https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac The promo video for this course: "Is America a Christian Nation?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lMZZWfGIZQ&t=14s Support the work of 1517

If we are saved by faith, not by works...then do our works matter? In this episode Gretchen interviews Mike Berg, author of "Vocation: the Setting for Human Flourishing" and teacher of the free academy course, "Masks of God: The Lutheran Doctrine of Vocation." We discuss how when we have the doctrine of justification established, we are reoriented--not to try to use our works to earn God's favor, but turned outward toward loving our neighbor.  We talk about various areas of vocation, from family, job, civic, and church, as well as how vocation extends to understanding the craft of a job--a job well done.  The doctrine of vocation even ties into human dignity, and how we treat others, and treat their work. The next few weeks, we will continue to interview a few of the teachers of our free academy courses. These courses are great for individual, or even small group use. 1517 puts out such a variety of quality produced, free resources that we just wanted to make you aware of more of them. If you would like to donate to 1517, and partner with us that way, you can do that here: https://www.1517.org/donate Also, we would love to see you at our national conference in San Diego this fall. Registration for that event is here: https://www.1517.org/events/hwss-2022

We recently had the chance to meet in person with our podcast producer: Caleb Keith, and so we took the opportunity to have a conversation with him about catechizing children. In other words: what do you want your kids to know about God before they grow up and leave the home? Caleb is a young dad with 3 kids, and as catechism was important in his home growing up, it's something that's important as he's raising his kids. He talks about Luther's Small Catechism, as well as just having regular conversations with your kids about God as a part of your family culture. These conversations and theological pegs serve as a foundation for preparing children for life. Caleb is a regular at the "Thinking Fellows" podcast, as well as "Outlaw God"--both part of the 1517 network. If you'd like to support 1517, and all the free content they produce for individuals and churches, you can do that here: https://www.1517.org/donate 

We interviewed Kelsi Klembara after she spoke at the recent "Here We Still Stand" Regional Conference in Bentonville, Arkansas. She spoke about the embodiment of our redemption, and how our theology of the body can effect how we view eating disorders, chronic health issues, various health improvement programs and even the body positivity movement. She points to the story of the bleeding woman who touches Jesus' cloak, and brings it all back to Christ. This episode was recorded during the tear-down and hang out time after the conference, and there's a bit more background noise than usual, but the voices come through just fine. It was too good of a conversation to not share. Book referenced: "Wonderfully Made: A Protestant Theology of the Body" By John Kleinig. Kelsi's article on 1517: "Can Body Positivity Overcome Our Bodies of Death?" Want to come to the big national Here We Still Stand Conference in San Diego this fall? Register at https://www.1517.org/events/hwss-2022 Support 1517

As Gretchen and Katie are traveling to the Here We Still Stand regional conference today, they prepared a special podcast for today, talking about upcoming things, both professionally and personally. They talk about retreats, substitute teaching, working with teenagers, the farm seasons, and more. Most of all, this episode is just for fun--to pull up a coffee with the 2 of us and come sit with us as we talk about life. Support the ministry of 1517 at http://www.1517.org/donate  

It might say "spring" on the calendar, but it doesn't say it yet when you look outside the window. In this episode, Gretchen and Katie talk about anticipating seasons in our lives, as well as looking back with nostalgia--for good or for bad.  They talk about the modern expectations in different seasons, the pressure to enjoy every season you are in to the fullest. Join us for the Here We Still Stand Conference in San Diego (if you can't come to Arkansas next week!) Support the ministry of 1517.  

This episode we have Michelle Diercks to talk about her new book "Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence." This is an 8 week study on the names of God that can be done individually or with a small group. These names of God lead us to a place of peace and rest, especially in times of hardship and anxiety. You can find more about Michelle at her website: https://michellediercks.com You can find all of the 1517 podcasts HERE. Support the ministry of 1517.

What was the significance of the women at the tomb? Did they just happen to be in the right place at the right time, or did Jesus intentionally seek them out first? The reason this is important doesn't have as much to do with women exactly, but it goes back to the Garden of Eden and points to the purpose of the resurrection, and what it means for Jesus to break the curse of sin.  Don't forget to rate and review our podcast if you have not yet! Both Gretchen and Katie will be hanging out at the "Here We Still Stand" Arkansas Conference. Come hang out with us! Support the ministry of 1517

We are sitting down to talk about Bruno, and the other characters in the movie "Encanto." There's several spoilers in this episode, but we wanted to dig into some of the redemptive themes of this movie, as it can be a great starting point to have conversations (even with little ones!) about faith. We talk about how the miracle starts when a life is laid down to save the family. The miracle gifts the family with supernatural gifts for the purpose of blessing the community. But there is trauma involved, and the family feels like they have to keep the miracle strong, and it starts to warp their identity, and their understanding of the free gift. The striving for perfection for the family comes from a place of trauma and fear, and blinds them from understanding the concept of a free gift. Sound familiar? We thought so too. This month we are asking all of our listeners to rate and review our podcast on Apple podcasts, if you have not already. It helps so much. We'd also like to invite you to the Here We Still Stand Regional Conference in Arkansas coming in April. Register HERE! Here is the article Gretchen wrote on Encanto. Support the ministry of 1517.

We asked Chad Bird about what it means to wrestle with God. Later this summer, he's coming out with his book on Jacob: "Limping with God." Our discussion went from Jacob being renamed to "Israel" which means "wrestles with God" and how wrestling with God was a keyhole to the crucifixion. We pivot a bit to the Psalms, where God actually puts bold words in our mouths that we are allowed to say to him, and then move onto Job, who asked God the hard questions, and what God has to say about that. Join us in Arkansas for the Regional Here We Still Stand Conference Chad Bird's books can be found HERE. You can also find him in the podcasts: 40 Minutes in the Old Testament Hidden Streams, devotions on the Psalms. Chad's academy course on "Christ in the Old Testament" (free) Support 1517.

We invited Old Testament and Hebrew scholar, Chad Bird, to talk to us about Proverbs 31. This passage talking about a wife of noble character is often discussed in women's Bible studies or events. It's used to inspire, accuse, exhaust, or at least show us some kind of standard that we feel we can never reach. Chad explains how we can look at this text--and other texts, asking the question "what is Christ doing in this passage?" He shares that looking at the Bible through a "moralistic ego-centric" lens leads to legalism, and leads us to ask the wrong questions. He explains how the book of Proverbs points to Christ as "wisdom" and when we see that, it's a key to looking at the whole book. He shares 3 layers or tiers to look at Proverbs 31: it's about Christ, it's about the church (his body), and finally it's about wives. Where is Christ in Proverbs 31? Listen into to this mind blowing episode. You'll never be able to look at Proverbs 31 the same again. Come hear Chad at the Here We Still Stand Regional Conference in Arkansas this April! To hear more about Christ in the Old Testament, we recommend his book "The Christ Key." Support the work of 1517.

We get to hear about the parable of the sower in this episode, as we continue to talk to Daniel Emery Price and Erick Sorensen about their book "Scandalous Stories: a Sort of Commentary on the Parables." In this parable we talk about the way that things grow, the gardener, the seed, and how all of this applies to us (not just some of it.)  As Katie is married to an agronomist, and Gretchen is married to a farmer, they give their opinion on the value of dirt, and how God sees its potential. Dan and Erick's podcast: 30 Minutes in the New Testament Come see Dan, Erick, and Gretchen and many others at the 1517 regional conference in Arkansas coming up soon! Register HERE. Support the ministry of 1517.

We are talking about the abundance of forgiveness today, with special guests, Daniel Emery Price, and Erick Sorensen from the "30 Minutes in the New Testament" podcast. We are talking about how Jesus tells parables, and what we can learn about confession, forgiveness, and repentence from all of this. This relates a lot on our spiritual friendships, what it is to be accountable to one another, and what are we actually accountable to say? It all comes down to spreading the message of Jesus coming to forgive sinners, and the power that is behind that message to change everything. Dan and Erick's book: "Scandalous Stories: a Sort of Commentary on Parables" Support the ministry of 1517.

Gretchen and Katie talk about love and forgiveness, particularly when it comes to marriage. They talk about what forgiveness does and doesn't do, and how forgivness enables us to be our honest selves with our spouse. Forgiveness is something that does not come from inside us, but from God himself. Forgiving is not saying what happened is ok--quite the opposite. It means when we forgive, we are pointing the other person to the work of Christ that is done on their behalf. Sources cited: Seculosity by David Zahl "Grace for When You Can't Forgive" by Gretchen Ronnevik Support the ministry of 1517

In this episode, Gretchen and Katie discuss their recent interview with Aimee Byrd, and talk about how some of the issue is the "growth mindset" that can sometimes get us targeting certain demographics in order to get your church to grow. It's thinking that if we can get this specific demographic in our church, and pour into them, we will grow. One of the prime symptoms that this is happening to the women in your church is that no one wants to teach the women's Bible study, and no one feels qualified to teach or mentor other women. We talk about ways we can support women teaching other women, and investing in them for the edification of the whole church. If you haven't signed up yet, register for the "Here We Still Stand Regional Conference" in Arkansas this April.  If you would like to support the ministry of 1517, you can do so HERE.  

This is the end of our conversation with Aimee Byrd to discuss the discipleship of women. We discuss the mixed messages often given to women, that they are a part of the great commission, and yet they should remain quiet. Then there's the different messages in "men's devotional Bibles" and "women's devotional Bibles" that take several passages that refer to both men and women, and make it about just men, or just women, essentially interpreting passages that aren't about manhood or womanhood gender exclusive. Then we discuss the common practice of outsourcing the discipleship of women to parachurch organizations (even outside the denomination) to put a "safety barrier" between the pastor and the women of the church.  In the end, it's not about promoting women to leadership positions, or trying to appear inclusive, but it's about making sure the women are getting the same gospel--and the same access to discipleship that the men are getting, so that the whole church- the united co-laborers for the gospel moving in the same direction in the great commission. If you would love to support the ministry of 1517, you can partner with us at www.1517.org/donate Also, Gretchen will be at the Here We Still Stand Regional Event in Arkansas, not speaking, but just there to hang out! If you would like to come hang out, and listen to some amazing speakers on the topic of sinners/saints, you can register here: https://www.1517.org/events/hwss-regional-event-in-bentonville-arkansas

We have special guest, Aimee Byrd, on today to talk about her journey in being a woman who studies theology. She shares the purpose on each of her books and how they build off of one another, leading up to her most recent book that we are discussing today on Biblical manhood and womanhood. Aimee wanted to be a godly wife, and a godly mother, and read everything that was available to equip herself in that endeavor. When red flags started coming up, and terms were being defined by cultural instead of the Bible, she dismissed them for awhile in an effort to be the "most godly" wife and mother. It wasn't until she started studying theology that she looks back on those resources and realized there are some large errors we fall into when we fix women's eyes on their ability to uphold their gender's stereotypes to the upmost, instead of fixing their eyes on Christ. In the end, she talks about how Jesus had theological conversations with women, and what she learned from that.

In one more episode before our interview, we wanted to go over Titus 2, which is often the prooftext given for the false idea that men and women are sanctified differently. This episode could fit both in our discussion of womanhood in the Bible, as well as verses frequently taken out of context. The misunderstanding in this passage comes when we start reading only when it references women. We must go back further, where the context is teaching sound doctrine. This episode dips into Gretchen's online course on "Gospel Mentoring" which looks at this passage within the context of law and gospel distinctions, and the gets to the heart of sharing the gospel with the next generation. Link to Gospel mentoring: www.gospelmentoring.com Support the ministry and podcast network of 1517

In this episode we introduce the topic of gender in regard to justification and sanctification. In other words, women aren't saved any differently than men. It was revolutionary back in New Testament times and in some circumstances, it's still revolutionary today.  Gretchen and Katie talk who both love and work in women's ministry, talk about the confusion that comes when that theology is tweaked so slightly so that sanctification is no longer defined as being conformed to the image of God, but men are conformed to act more masculine, and women are conformed to act more feminine. In this tweaked theology, men can comfortably be conformed to the image of Christ--another man. Women are conformed to...some Biblical heroine perhaps. Male and female are both very good. But sanctification, like justification, isn't a gendered issue. There is not a male version of justification, and a female version of justification, and the same goes for sanctification. Mankind--both male and female, are conformed to the image of God. While God has laws that are particular to both men and women, God's gospel is not directed at a specific gender. What this discussion essentially boils down to is the practice and difficulties of discipleship of women within the church. This tender episode introduces the heart of the issue--are women in churches getting the meat of the gospel, and is this simply a women's issue? 

In our out of context verses, we got a couple of requests for Matthew 7, specifically the verses that talk about people crying out "Lord, Lord" and claiming to have prophesies in his name, but God turning his back, and saying that he never knew you. In the context of Matthew 7, these verses are actually about assessing false prophets, not for the purpose of you wondering if God knows you. Gretchen and Katie talk about the beginning passage about our difficulty with judging people, all the way to the end of the chapter, through the section talking about the narrow road (which is Christ), then to the requested section on false prophets, and finishing with building our foundation on the rock (which is Christ) which is a sure foundation. False prophets will tell us many things that may be from the Bible, but with a twist, and that twist is to take our eyes off the narrow way of Christ, and off the firm foundation of Christ, and twist the words to either limit or remove Christ from the conversation. They also talk about our preoccupation with inspecting fruit, and when we should and shouldn't do this. Support the ministry of 1517

In this episode, Gretchen and Katie talk about all the projects they have in the works. From speaking engagements, a book on patience, a book on motherhood, and perhaps a children's book? They talk about processing through preparing content, and trying to keep the gospel central to the message, and writing and speaking honestly. Support 1517 Reserve your ticket to the 1517 Here We Still Stand

During this special Christmas episode, Gretchen and Katie talk about making preparations, handling Christmas stress, the joy of anticipation, and most importantly, celebrating the God who keeps his promises.   The article: Dawning of a New Light Support 1517

We are excited to have one of Gretchen's pastors, Rev. Dale Hexum, on this episode to talk more about sermons. We ask him about the preaching philosophy he works within, and what to look for in a sermon. We discuss the differences between online church, and sitting under the preaching of your specific pastor. Of course, we bring up law and gospel, and why they have a place in his sermons, as well as the difference between "practical preaching," and "proclamation preaching." Support the ministry of 1517

We kept Rev. Tim Koch on for one more episode, as we expand the conversation from "what makes a sermon" from last week, to some of the struggles with both pastors and parishioners. What makes a church feel like "home" and what happens when a pastor you love takes a call someplace else? What happens when you move away, and have to find a new church, and struggle with finding a church as good as your last one? We talk a bit about the constant struggle with the cult of personalities, the non-spiritual gifts of pastors, and even when either pastors or parishioners move on or pass away, it's easy to get stuck in the pitfall we all fall into of nostalgia. Nostalgia can be different than remembrance, because remembrance of how God has been faithful should be played over and over again in the church. But nostalgia is longing for what used to be. This conversation is important because when we go to church for the wrong reasons, when that reason is no longer there, we lose our bearings.  Understanding our purpose in gathering around Christ, and our purpose in mission can help us find clarity as we try again that patient process of church becoming family.   Support the ministry of 1517

In a world where sermons can be downloaded from any church at the touch of a button, it's easy to follow "celebrity pastors" pastors who are outside your denomination, pastors who don't even know you. There are books and journals dedicated to theories of what makes a good sermon. What makes a sermon difference than a "Ted Talk" or motivational speaker?  Katie and Gretchen decided to interview 2 different pastors on how they think about sermons, and this is the first interview with Rev. Tim Koch. Tim talks about thinking about sermons like food, and assessing what kinds of food we are taking in. Support the ministry of 1517

As we are continuing our "verses taken out of context" episodes, we are honored to have Rev. Bob Hiller, author of "Christ in the Straw" to help us understand James 2:26.  This was a fun conversation, full of laughter, and giving a "rat's patoot" about our neighbor. Is faith without works dead? Who are our works for? If this passage has ever haunted you, or if you've struggled to reconcile the words of Paul, and the words of James, this episode is for you. Bob Hiller's book on James "Christ in the Straw" Support 1517

We are discussing "I can do all things through Christ" in context of the rest of the passage, and then we discuss the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac (rather... not sacrificing him) and whether or not Christians are called to sacrifice. Is that what this passage is talking about?  Both these passages talk about faith, the purpose of faith, the testing of faith, and most importantly, the object of our faith. These commonly out of context passages, actually point to Christ. Support 1517

Gretchen and Katie start to tackle out of context verses. These verses are commonly quoted, whether they are from signs, devotionals, motivational talks, or conversation, but without the context that makes sense of them. This episode includes Psalm 46:10 (Be still and know that I am God) as well as Revelation 3:16 (So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.) Ever wonder how to be still, or not be a lukewarm Christian? We look at the context of these verses to shed some light, and point to Christ. Be Still Article Lukewarm Article by Philip Bartelt

There has been a lot of calls to fear lately in our world. As alarming things happen in every news cycle, and fear feels like the responsible thing to do, Katie and Gretchen talk about how the opposite of fear isn't apathy, it's hope.  They talk about how the world often uses fear as a common motivator, and yet fear can often cause us to freeze, or feel overwhelmed by a problem that is too big for us. Our hope is in Christ. Our vocation is often small, and is full of hope. We  Katie's article on grief and hope Chad Bird's Chicken Little FB Post Support 1517  

Gretchen and Katie have been on the road, in the midst of harvest, and have collected the best highlights of the recent 1517 conference in Las Vegas. In this episode, they talk about the conference on assurance that they recently attended, and what impacted them the most. Highlights from speakers like Steve Paulson, Chad Bird, Flame, Michael Berg, and Scott Keith, as well as music that just sinks down deep into your soul. 1517 Music on Spotify  Micheal Berg's book on Vocation Scott Keith's books 2022 HWSS San Diego Conference Support 1517

In a culture that talks about making everything bigger, better, stronger, and more streamlined, it's easy for the church to get sucked into that discussion. As we think about that discussion, we wanted to give a down home look at what is the purpose or function of the church? In our quest for growth, it's essential that we don't lose sight of our purpose. Is church for believers or unbelievers? Is it a community center and  social club? Keeping the gospel central in ministry gives us a lot of freedom, but also a lot to think about. Support the ministry of 1517.

We had 2 different listeners ask us: what does mortification of sin, also known as mortification of the flesh look like? In this episode, we talk about where this term came from, and what it means. More importantly, we talk about the difference between mortification of sin, and self-discipline, as they belong in 2 different theological categories. One is part of our justification/sanctification, and one is part of our vocation. Why does it matter what categories we put these things in? We circle back to our theology and mental health discussion, and how putting these things in the incorrect theological categories can cause us to live out our faith in "fight or flight mode," always wondering if we are doing "enough" to please God, and questioning if what he did was enough without our help. Sound theology is a means for peace. Notes: Thinking Fellows Episode, where at the end, they talk about the conversation we had off air on mortification of sin. Vocation by Michael Berg Here We Still Stand Conference in Las Vegas (coming up soon!) Support 1517.

It's easy to look at our faith through an emotional lens. Are you on an emotional high, or an emotional low? Are you on a mountaintop, or are things silent in the valley? What happens to your faith when you aren't "feeling it."  Gretchen and Katie talk a little bit about the new and fresh love someone feels about their spouse, compared to the depth one sees in the low parts, when you realize they will stick with you no matter what.  On the other side, what happens when we look at our faith through a logical lens, defining it by how much we are able to understand or articulate? Do the academics have more faith than a child? What it comes down to is, are we looking outside of us, to see the value and health of our faith, or are we looking within, to ourselves, to determine the value and health of our faith. Emotions and logic are both good, and give us helpful information, but they aren't the determining factors, because our faith comes from Christ--not us. We look to him for our salvation, and our growth, not ourselves. Join us to talk about assurance at the Here We Still Stand conference in Las Vegas. Support the ministry of 1517. Any questions? Send us an email freelygiven @ 1517.org

In this episode Gretchen and Katie get to as Kelsi Klembara about the practical implications of giving assurance. To put it another way, what is the fruit of giving assurance?  Part of the beauty of pointing people to the sufficiency of Christ in this way is the lack of manipulation. It offers freedom to the listener. They also talk about the particulars of assurance. It's not for the general or vague "everyone" but there is a "for-you-ness" they explain. It directed personally. They talk about the tangible means, earthy means God uses to point to our assurance outside of us. God uses means to comfort us, not just these abstract ideas, but sensory means. God is not surprised by doubt, and has anticipated the need to assure us with means outside of us. This is such a comfort! Kelsi also talks about the use of the law in assurance, and how our assurance affects our relationship with others. To get tickets on our whole conference on assurance, there's still time! Visit the Here We Still Stand Regional Conference webpage to register. Support the ministry of 1517

In this episode, we interview one of our favorite people: Kelsi Klembara, editor of the 1517 website. Kelsi has done a lot of research on the topic of assurance of our salvation from both a theological and historical point of view, and we had some questions for her. This fascinating conversation talks about our resistance to giving or receiving assurance, and how we often assume that crisis of assurance of faith looks like doubts, when sometimes it manifests itself through pride. We also talk about how in seasons of church history, we swing between wanting to find assurance through emotional connection to God, or through logical/rational connections. We also talk about how we often try to itemize our assurance into categories of justification-assurance and sanctification-assurance, not understanding the full range of assurance we are freely given. We've been wanting to have Kelsi on since pretty much the beginning of this podcast. We are thrilled to have her with us in this episode. Come join us for a whole 1517 CONFERENCE on the topic of assurance in Las Vegas next month. Register HERE. Support the ministry of 1517.

We finish up our conversation with Heidi Goehmann on the relationship between mental health and theology. Our discussion touches upon shame, where it comes from, and how we deal with it. She also brings up how our attachment issues can have an effect on our hermeneutics (how we study the Bible) as we can unconsciously be reading into passages through the lens of our attachments or lack thereof. You can find more resources from Heidi on her website: www.heidigoehmann.com Please also support the ministry of 1517, as they produce podcasts like ours, as well as online courses, articles, and books, as resources for churches to use.  

It has been 1 year since Katie and Gretchen started the Freely Given podcast. They take some time to reflect on the year. They back up and talk about how they met, their friendship and how it grew, their favorite episodes, and some of the feedback they've had. Lots of the feedback they've had has to do with theology and its impact on personal relationships, so they talk about that a bit, and of course, a short tangent on the harm of legalism. This was a very fun episode. Support the ministry of 1517

We are thrilled to have Heidi Goehmann, author, deaconess, and mental health provider talk about the intersection of theology and mental health. We have a great conversation about how we view our mental health, "modern gnostics," understanding the practical side of theology, and how theological words can sometimes have baggage. Support 1517 here!  

In this episode we talk about who does what in repentance. It can be easy to put ourselves in the driver's seat of someone else's repentance. But every time we do that, we don't produce repentance, we produce manipulation. So how do we get people to repent, or at least change their behavior? In this episode Gretchen and Katie talk about how sin is a stress on relationships, and in our effort to relieve that stress and pain, we often take on the role of the Holy Spirit in unhealthy ways. So how does the Holy Spirit work, and what is our role? Listen in to today's episode. Support 1517 Join us for Here We Still Stand in Las Vegas

What is repentance, and how do we get it, or do it? In this episode, Gretchen and Katie talk about some common questions about repentance. How do you know if someone has repented enough? How do you know if you have repented enough? Where do we get repentance? What it comes down to is: what comes first, repentance or grace? They talk about how this doctrine deeply impacts how we evangelize and interact with non-Christians, as we can easily think, if they can just turn away from their bad deeds, it will be so much easier for them to become Christians--when in fact, that is not salvation by grace, that is salvation by works. This episode in repentance gets down to the practical/logistical questions that impact our daily relationships with others. Come join us at Here We Still Stand regional conference in Las Vegas! Support 1517

Christian community is often described as the activity and programs going on at the church. Many people will join a church for the sake of having a tight knit community. But what does Christian community mean? Katie and Gretchen discuss the book "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, about the what it means to be a Christian community. What does it mean to be a group of diverse individuals who come together under the banner of grace? Bonhoeffer has a lot of great things to say about that.

As they end their conversation on baptism, Gretchen and Katie talk about how it connects with assurance. They talk about fears people have in emphasizing the assurance we have in Christ.  Can you emphasize grace too much? Is the chance of being legalistic a necessary evil of holiness? How does assurance change us, free us, and how does that change how we live? They talk about Jesus' story of the 2 brothers, how it's easy for people doing all the right things, and living moral lives to feel that if grace is given lavishly, then they somehow "missed out." They talk about forgiveness for the sin of self-righteousness and self-justification, and how exactly we remember our baptism daily. Support 1517 Join Gretchen and Katie in Las Vegas this October

Continuing on our baptism discussion, and the power of God's Word, through physical means, Katie and Gretchen walk through their catechisms and think about the common struggles with the doctrine of baptism. They discuss the consistent theme of washing throughout the Old and New Testament, and the beautiful picture of grace given to the helpless that is seen at every baptism. Support 1517

In this episode, Gretchen and Katie tackle a question from a listener about baptism. What do we believe? What does it mean? What does it do? So, they each brought out their catechisms, and are going to walk through some basic points. In this episode, they talk about their personal history with baptism, (and maybe even wrestling with it?) They also compare and contrast their denominations editions of Luther's Small Catechisms, and sprinkling vs immersion. This is the beginning of a fun conversation, full of laughter, clarification, and lots of grace. Katie's article cited: Girl, When You Wash Your Face, Remember Your Baptism Support 1517

In this episode, Katie and Gretchen attempt to define 2 separate terms: Christian freedom and American freedom. While the term "freedom" is often used interchangeably between the 2 kingdoms, they have different roles. There are many similarities and even trying to define religious freedom and Christian freedom is often difficult as many people use the terms interchangeably.  The main question that it comes down to is: do Christians living under persecution in their country still have freedom in Christ, even though they don't have religious freedom? Freedom in Christ is something that no government or outside source can touch, and that is the difference.  They also talk a bit about how we honor "heroes" whether military heroes, or Christian heroes. But as they attempt to define all of these terms, they wrestle through how both types of freedoms are both good--just different. It's when we start seeing them as the same when trouble starts. Support the ministry of 1517

It's Gretchen's turn to talk about books that have been influential on her life. This puts Gretchen and Katie on a couple of tangents about reading outside of your denominational tradition, and interacting with ideas that you disagree with in order to shape and develop your thinking. This episode also reveals Katie's role in Gretchen's life to prevent her writing from getting "too Ann Voskamp-y." From catechisms, church history, to Lutheran spirituality, studies on the Holy Spirit and of course GRACE, this episode covers a range of topics.

We are talking about books that have shaped our faith, and we come back to again, and again, and again. Time to load up your summer reading plan, because we have some good ones. Katie is going first in this episode to share her book stack of faith-shaping books. From the catechism, to books on vocation, and theology of the cross, you're in for some rich discussions.   Support the ministry of 1517

We are answering some more listener questions this week, and both questions we answer today revolve around discontent with the church. The first question is: do I have to go to a "real" church, or can I get together with just my family, or just a small group of my friends? What if I want to stay with online church? Gretchen and Katie talk about meeting together, the importance of diversity, and how cults start. The second question is: at what point should I leave a church and find a new church? This question centered around the problem of not getting anything out of the preaching. We break this question down a couple of different ways, and talk about when to leave, and when to stay.   Support 1517 with your donation today

In this episode we are answering a question sent into us, about when it's ok to say "no" to being pulled into serving in a ministry. We talk about how we don't always "feel like" being involved, and also manipulation, and the "savior complex" we slip into so easily. We talk about the need rest, training in the next generation, and how our theology impacts how we approach some of the more practical aspects of ministry. The longer we are involved in ministry, the more we realize the Holy Spirit can actually be trusted to do what he says he will do. The earlier episode we referenced on classical education in the Church: Truth, Connection, and Growth with Bible Studies Help support the 1517 podcast network

In this extra special episode, we get to sit down and talk with Dr. Scott Keith, executive director of 1517, and author of "Being Dad: Father of a Picture of God's Grace." This was a great conversation about the purpose of the law in parenting, and the purpose of the gospel when it comes to raising kids. We talked about the newer term of grace-based parenting, how having no law means that everything is law, having big fences, and how seeing the personhood of children changes our approach. Also, this week is the 3rd anniversary of the 1517 podcast network and we are celebrating the ministry the various podcasts in the 1517 podcast network  by launching a brand new podcast: A Field Guide to the Bible. This series will provide a broad overview of the entire Bible, especially designed for those who are brand new to the Bible or those who want to review the grand narrative of redemption. We would like to invite you to celebrate with us, by making a donation to this network that brings the message of Christ to so many. You can make a donation of any amount here: www.1517.org/celebrate

After talking about Bible studies, and various ministries, and even our rural churches, Gretchen and Katie get down to the root question underlying all of those episodes: what are we here for? What is the purpose of the church? What message are we to be teaching to the world and to those around us? It may seem obvious: we are here to proclaim that Christ has been crucified for the forgiveness of sins. That is the gospel. But we easily get distracted from this message, and they unpack the root of those distractions. They also quote Rod Rosenbladt to the extent that they end the podcast in tears. Listen to the end. Support the ministry of 1517  

Oftentimes when we are serving in ministry, we brainstorm  outreach and growth. But what does growth look like when you live in a rural setting? What does growth look like when things remain small? This conversation goes deeper than just location of ministry, and is an opportunity to step back and consider: what are we, as the church, here for, and what is that supposed to look like? Gretchen's Book "Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted" is now available. 1517 event in Fergus Falls Support 1517  

What is it mean to be blessed? What does it mean to bless others? In this episode, we talk about the power of words, and the power of the gospel given through words. The term "blessed" can take on many meanings in our culture, but the Bible uses that term to remind us of the works of God. Katie references: Pastoring by Blessing by John Kleinig Gretchen's book comes out in a few days! Order here: "Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted" Join us in Minnesota for the "Life Lived in Christ" one day event. Support the ministry of 1517.

We all pray for love. We all desire peace. We all want to have joy. It's that patience that looks suspicious.  We all know the joke about how praying for patience is dangerous, because God answers that prayer with lots of opportunities to develop it. Is that what the Bible says about patience, though?  In this episode Gretchen and Katie go deep as they talk about how hope and patience are linked together, how we are given patience, and how the 3 persons of the Trinity fit into all of this. What if patience was not about working our muscles, and more about God? Register for the 1517 event in Minnesota Support 1517 podcasts

How does one share the gospel on social media? Is there a way to communicate the love of God in a medium that thrives on uproar and misinformation? In this episode, Gretchen and Katie talk about the lives touched, and the opportunities for speaking truth and making relationships with others online.  This is the ending to the conversation in the last episode: "Loving Your Neighbor Online." Katie's Article, "What Do I Have to Give?" Our Freely Given FB group Support 1517

As believers, we have the freedom to write off social media completely, or interact with others online. A lot of that decision has to do with vocation (or calling), and loving your neighbor well. In this episode Katie and Gretchen talk about the benefits and limitations of being a Christian who is online, and strategies they consider when, why, and how they interact with others. Here We Still Stand Conference Support 1517

Women's Bible studies...men's Bible studies, mixed Bible studies.  While some avoid women's Bible studies because they think that they're too flowery and shallow, others feel more comfortable sharing and speaking up when it's only one gender there. In this episode Katie and Gretchen talk about the pros and cons of each, and why men and women need fellowship within the church, and we also have to provide safe and comfortable spaces for people to ask the hard questions. Support 1517

Do you feel bad when you're not very joyful? What do you do with grief that lingers? Can anger be righteous? Gretchen and Katie talk about the guilt and shame that often gets put on our emotions, and discusses if how we feel makes us more or less righteous.  We often lie about our emotions so they appear more holy, or we use our emotions as an excuse to sin against our neighbor. The question then becomes, what do we do when our emotions aren't what we want them to be? We can easily turn the state of our emotions into a balancing act, instead of something that we bring to God. When it comes down to it, it's about embracing both truth and love.   Support 1517 Pre-Order Gretchen's book: Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted

What does it mean to do everything for the glory of God? Oftentimes we take this verse out of context, and use it to pressure ourselves to be the best at something, or to dedicate our whole lives to something. This gets very difficult when we start talking about vocation, rest, or wrestling through failures. Putting this verse in context, Gretchen and Katie talk about understanding our inheritance, and how once again, God gets all the glory. Links mentioned: Thinking Fellows episode 1517 Podcasts Support 1517  

What do you do when you doubt? What happens when people or churches who have lead you to faith have betrayed you? What is deconstruction anyway?  In this episode, Gretchen and Katie talk about this buzz word "deconstruction" and the various definitions it has. They also talk about how our faith is constantly being "detangled" from ideals in this world, whether it be politics, faith in people or systems, which all disappoint. They discuss how to minister to someone who is doubting, as well as speak comfort those who might be going through this. This packed episode is a bit longer than usual, but worth the time. Resources mentioned: Christianity in America Pre-order Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted Support the ministry of 1517

The heaviness of being lonely and weary has fallen on the church collectively in the last year. But for many people, this isn't anything new. Many go through seasons, or even huge chunks of their lives living on the outskirts, and told to try harder. Katie and Gretchen talk about bad church basement coffee, the strength that comes from being together, and ponder where we go from here. Pre-order Gretchen's new book: Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted Support 1517

Gretchen and Katie talk through what can sometimes feel like opposing needs: studying the Bible deeply, and fellowshipping with one another. Endless prayer requests, generational gaps within the group, MLMs being sold within the group, and fallen expectations are all discussed in this packed episode. The big overarching question we must ask: what is the goal of meeting together, and are we communicating that well to those coming? Are we giving those in our group sound theology, or are we just forming a social club? Tune in to hear our thoughts on all this. Resources mentioned: Luther biography mentioned  Gospel Mentoring Pre-order Gretchen's book, Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted Support 1517

Gretchen and Katie continue talking through leading or being a part of Bible studies. First, they talk about making it a safe place to disagree. While some studies have the dynamic of no one talking, for fear of saying something wrong, it's a good goal to cultivate an environment where people can sort through questions and say something wrong, and be able to process through what the Bible teaches.  The key to this is asking good questions, and loving people well. They also talk about avoiding using cliche's and explaining Biblical concepts in your own words and through story as a means of learning. They also have lots of thoughts on Bible study homework. Is it fruitful to give it out? Is this an accountability group? What happens if someone comes to Bible study unprepared?   Here We Still Stand Regional Event in Arkansas Support 1517

Whether you lead Bible studies, attend Bible studies, or are thinking about joining a Bible study, you will find something helpful in this episode.  Katie and Gretchen talk about the awkward thing we are all afraid of: theological arguments, and offending people. Are they avoidable?  They also talk about the comfort and freedom in the fact that the Holy Spirit is the one directing people's hearts. You don't have to change people's minds, or win arguments. Teaching the Bible means that you get to witness God himself at work in the hearts and minds of others, and that is a beautiful thing. Register for Here We Still Stand Regional Event in Arkansas Support 1517

In this episode, Gretchen and Katie talk about how we learn, and what to do when people in a Bible study are all in different places of Biblical knowledge.  Gretchen explains how she approaches teaching a group with the classical method, where three stages of learning get repeated over and over as our brains make new connections. These three stages are called the "trivium" and the stages are: grammar, logic, and rhetoric, or as Gretchen calls them: truth, connection, and growth. For reference, the "5 Common Topics" of questions mentioned for the connection phase are: -Definition -Comparison -Relationship (Cause and Effect) -Circumstances -Testimony/Authority (what is the source) While one stage can be done by yourself, (just sitting and reading your Bible on your own) the other two stages are done within community of other people. Showing the design of God placing us within a church, we can see how Bible reading isn't just for our own edification, but for the edification of others.  They also talk about their love for Bible study curriculum, but what is actually necessary. Support 1517

One of the last questions given to Gretchen and Katie was about Bible study recommendations. This was a perfect transition episode into our next series as we go deep into the topic of Bible studies. Are you leading Bible studies? Are you in a Bible study? Do you trepidation or nervousness when studying the Bible? With rising excitement of this topic, the girls talk about Bible study practices, and things to look for when looking for a Bible study. Here We Still Stand Regional Event Katie's Galatians Bible Study: Forgiven Therefore Free Martin Luther biography book Nancie Guthrie 40 Minutes in the Old Testament 30 Minutes in the New Testament Seamless by Angie Heidi Goehmann and Katie Koplin "He Leads" Altogether Beautiful Crossway Bible Journals Free 1517 Courses: Christ in the Old Testament Theology of the Augsburg Confession Support 1517

In this episode as Gretchen and Katie pause to answer a few questions from listeners. Much of the episode is talking about what books they have been reading from theological topics to fiction, and even theology within fiction. But they also answer the question whether or not they have ever changed a theological position, and questions about rural life. Resources Mentioned: Gentle and Lowly Grace Upon Grace The Divine Embrace Walking the Labyrinth  Hannah Coulter Jayber Crow Virgil Wander Piranesi 'Til We Have Faces Echo Island Luther's Commentary on Galatians 30 Minutes in the NT on Galatians Martin Luther and the Enduring Word of God  Support 1517

Should we set goals like reading our Bible in a year, or working on our sanctification? It's that time of year when we all think about new year, new us, new goals.  Rather than throwing any sort of goal planning out the window, in any part of our life, Gretchen and Katie talk about putting goals in their proper place, and not looking to them to justify or sanctify us. They talk a bit about their goals for the year, how they use goal planning in their lives, and why they recommend writing goals in pencil. Links mentioned: Gretchen's book pre-order Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted Luther's Commentary on Galatians CLB Forge Podcast Gentle and Lowly  

In this 2nd episode in the 2-part discussion on marriage, Katie and Gretchen discuss forgiveness in marriage. Where does it come from? What does it mean? What doesn't it mean? While both comforting and painful, forgiveness in marriage comes from outside of us, for us. They also talk a bit about divorce, both seeking to prevent divorce, and putting divorce in its proper place. Divorce does not shake our salvation or make us lesser Christians. The guys are there too for this one, but let's be honest, Katie and Gretchen had things to say, drawn from their years in women's ministry. Support to 1517

In this episode, we bring on Katie's husband, Dallas, and Gretchen's husband, Knut, as we start talk about marriage and how poor theology can lead to unhealthy expectations. First each couple talks a bit about how they met, and their early expectations of marriage. They talk a bit about the difference between a husband being the head of the home and the husband being the priest of the home, and why the distinction is important when it comes to how a wife views her access to God. Dallas talks about his 60/40 rule and we address our tendencies to view our spouses as a project to fix. Near the end we introduce the idea of unconditional forgiveness which we will dig into further in the next episode.

Gretchen and Katie wrap up their conversation on parenting, otherwise known as "calling a thing what it is." They talk about confession and absolution in the home and standing back when we try to take over the Holy Spirit's role. When our kids face failures, they will either give up, or beat themselves into self-righteous Pharisees, and it's important to teach them how to deal with failure. They talk about teaching kids that their value and peace comes not from the world, or their works, but from Christ and Christ alone. Katie's 1517 article Resilient Kids Foot story in episode "From Guilt to Confession" Thinking Fellows episode: Repent!

In this unusual episode, recorded in Gretchen's basement, getting interrupted by children too often, Gretchen and Katie talk about parenting. With 10 kids between them, they still don't feel qualified to offer any how-to instructions on raising children. So instead, they wrestle through understanding the purpose of the law and gospel when it comes to the ups and downs of parenting, and pointing your kids to Christ.  Part 1 of 2 episodes on Parenting Resources Mentioned Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp Christ in the Chaos by Kim TGC article You are not your child's sin

Gretchen and Katie, two women who are married with kids, sit around and talk about singleness. They unpack the false idea that it is in marriage that we find our sanctification and fulfilled Christian life. God has used marriage to sanctify us. But our sanctification isn't found in marriage. It's found in Christ. With all the focus on marriage and families in churches, they talk about some ways we can minister to singles, and what relationships between singles and married people can look like that edifies the whole body of Christ. Freely Given: Lutheran Women Theologians Facebook Group Support 1517

In this episode, Katie and Gretchen talk about how law and gospel distinctions affect relationships we have at church and in ministry. It is often the first place where we substitute practical theology for things that appear more practical like guilt and manipulation in order to make a ministry "work."  Church relationships can be full of good intentions, but when we miss the practical (and patient) nature of the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of people, it starts to become a ministry based on our work, instead of a ministry based on Christ's work.

In the final episode on the 3 parts of friendship, Gretchen and Katie talk about what it means to bear one another burdens. It starts with a lot of humility and ends with us continually being realigned to tangible truth when our circumstances start to crush us. While many of us like to be the one to rush to help and "be the savior" in a situation, it's almost harder to be the one asking for help with a burden, as though not handling a burden very well is affiliated with so much shame. God has designed and gifted us with friendship, and bearing one another's burdens is one of the main part of that. Books we mentioned at the end: Where Two or Three Are Gathered: Essays on Friendship by Scott Keith Unveiling Mercy by Chad Bird Support 1517

In our series on how law and gospel distinctions effect relationships, we are in part 2 of our conversation on friendships. This episode focuses on healthy expectations of people, as well as our own insecurities going into friendships. We take some passages from Galatians, and talk about what freedom in friendships looks like, when it is rooted in Christ. Resources mentioned in this episode: CLB Forge podcast on Spiritual Friendships Support 1517

Gretchen and Katie are starting a new series on how law and gospel theology effects relationships. Starting with friendships, they go through some of the challenges of making friends, keeping friends, and the importance of vulnerability. They also discuss cancel culture, boundaries, and difference between pointing people to the Savior, and abiding in Christ, as opposed to constantly trying to be the savior, or expecting others to be the savior in our relationships. Sources mentioned in this episode: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Mockingcast Podcast episode Support 1517

Discipleship as a spiritual discipline can be a means of hearing the gospel repeated like a wave washing over you, bringing to mind the reality of God's faithfulness consistently. However, it is often intimidating for believers of all walks of life, because we don't know what we should say, or how to orchestrate the spiritual life of another person. Authentic discipleship involves the love of Christ training us to love others with that same gospel. As we reach out to others with our own testimony of God's faithfulness, it builds us up as well as points them to the actual source of our faith. At its worst, discipleship can be used as a form of manipulation to better behavior or a better lifestyle, as a means of gradually understanding God through our own works. When we get discipleship wrong, we are not only loading burdens on others, but we feel burdened to make it happen one way or the other. But within the theology of law and gospel, the only way to Christ is through grace, not our works. The grace of Christ takes the burden of discipleship off of getting people to do certain things, and instead introducing them to the person or Christ. Gospel Mentoring (Gretchen's free online training course) Song referenced: Craig Fiction book: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger Parenting book: Age of Opportunity Episode on Confession and Absolution Support the ministry of 1517

Meditation is part of what C.S. Lewis calls the "baptism of the imagination." In Christ, we belong to him, all the parts of us--even our brain. In this episode we talk about both rational and imaginative sides of meditating on God's word. It isn't about emptying our thoughts, but courageously thinking those thoughts, asking the questions, sitting in wonder, and wrestling with theology that we worry may shake us. God isn't scared. Like adopted children, we may know the legality of our identity as part of God's family was purchased through his blood on the cross. However, it's normal to wrestle with what that means, and to not understand the full extent of our freedom as a son or daughter. Asking the honest questions that we don't understand is not shameful. It's wonderful. God uses our wonder, curiosity, logic, and imagination all for his glory as we interact with his Scriptures by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Links: Here We Still Stand Conference 2020 on YouTube Grace Upon Grace by John Kleinig

Sometimes the guilt in us manifests itself in different ways. Whether it's a weight or sadness, anger or venting, blame or defensiveness, we see it in ourselves and we see it in our relationships. As believers, we live under the redemption of Christ, and yet this consistent guilt in our real life undermines this redemption in a way that makes us wonder if our redemption is just theoretical, or inside our heads. Gretchen and Katie talk about the practice of confession and absolution--what it is, and what it isn't, and how it can set us free. For further reading/watching, check out this article about this playing out in real life at the recent HWSS conference. Support 1517

When we approach the Bible from a hyper-individualistic viewpoint, the burden to be in it daily is on our individual shoulders, the burden to interpret and understand it is all on our individual shoulders, and we can end up sitting down to what can appear at first glance to be an enormous to-do list we cannot live up to--an activity to dread. It's the "just read it and then do it" method. In reality, we are called to "hear the Word" which is different than "read the Word." Hearing means someone else is speaking it to you. It involves others. In community, we are given the Holy Spirit, theological frameworks, creeds, and discipleship in the Scriptures and we soon find out the Bible isn't a great to-do list. It's all pointing us to the work of Christ. God loves us as individuals, but he has not called us to a spiritual life in isolation.  Gretchen and Katie talk about ways to make the most of Bible reading time, as a gift, instead of adding burdensome requirements on individuals that make us think "why bother?" Links: Theocast podcast episode mentioned Recommended podcasts to assist specifically in Bible reading: 40 minutes in the Old Testament 30 minutes in the New Testament Support 1517 Did you know that 1517 has over 300 videos on Youtube? Today, you can find videos from the 2020 HWSS Freedom of the Christian Livestream featuring 16 hours of conversations centered around Christ for you. From conference talks to weekly videocasts, you can find it all in one place and stay up to date by subscribing today. Search 1517 on Youtube or follow this link.  

Whether it is the awkwardness of praying aloud in a group, starting a prayer journal and then forgetting about it, using prewritten prayers, or having notecards, we often feel like we aren't that good or consistent in prayer. Katie and Gretchen talk about the ups and downs of their prayer lives, and how failure is not possible when the weight and responsibility is on the Holy Spirit's shoulders. We can pray in freedom when He intercedes for us. Gretchen's Blogpost on prayer journals. There is still time to a little bit of time to register for Here We Still Stand conference!! Support 1517.

Today Gretchen and Katie talk about the spiritual discipline of rest. We look both at the command, and the gift aspect of it, the challenges, and what's at the core of our resistance to it.   Support 1517

In this episode, Katie and Gretchen get sidetracked and talk about food and the routines of farm life. That's mainly because eating is something we love to do every day. They address questions like: when are liturgies helpful, and when are they harmful? What is the purpose of liturgies? They also address the problem of a life where routines and schedules are constantly interrupted in changing, how clarifying routine-based liturgies and response-based liturgies can be helpful. (Also, this episode was recorded before harvest started, and they refer to that a few times. Their lives are very, very much in the intense season of harvest currently.) Episode 2 referenced Book by Sally Clarkson referenced  Support 1517

What "should" daily devotions look like for a Christian? How much is considered enough? What are they for? Who are they for? Gretchen and Katie talk about their wrestling with these questions. Screwtape Letters Grace Upon Grace 1517 donate  

It's easier to wrap our heads around independently performing for God, rather than understanding that as we were under the law, dying because it was to heavy for us, we couldn’t hold it, Christ set us free, completed the law on our behalf, and gave us his Spirit to hold us up and help us.  Hebrews 12:2 says “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” He is the justifier. He is the sanctifier. Sanctification isn’t something he’s assigned for us to do, it’s something he’s promised us that his Spirit would do. What happens when we use the law to perform for God, and how is that different from learning to depend on God in all things? Gretchen and Katie discuss dependence on God vs independently performing when it comes to spiritual disciplines.  Support 1517 Facebook Twitter Register for Here We Still Stand 2020

In this episode Gretchen and Katie start at the beginning. In this episode they each share a bit about their faith, and why the law and gospel mean so much to them. They also share about how spiritual disciplines look like in their own lives, with kids, jobs, and constant interruptions. Support 1517 Facebook Twitter Register for Here We Still Stand 2020  

Welcome to Freely Given, hosted by Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin. What we really want to talk about is freedom in Christ because honestly, there’s a lot of “how to be the ‘best or strongest Christian’ out there.  We want to share how grace isn’t just our means of salvation, but something that carries us through everyday life--and gives us freedom. We are going to talk about life in Christ, and especially how the distinction between law and gospel helps us live that life of freedom.