The Thinking Fellows discuss various projects, essays, and books they have been working on. The connecting theme is how to proclaim and teach the Gospel in a post-Christian society: comforting and sustaining the members of the Church while announcing the death and resurrection of Christ to a world in need.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• Being Family

• Article by Caleb

• Apologetics Confrence

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• 1517 Youtube: How God Still Speaks Today

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco

• Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

The Thinking Fellows list and discuss reasons to embrace Lutheranism in 2026. The hosts take turns outlining the compelling distinctives of the Lutheran confession of faith, from the Christ-centered nature of Lutheran theology to the shape and content of worship, the place of children in the life of the Church, and the doctrine of vocation.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• 1517 Youtube: How God Still Speaks Today

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco

• Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, Caleb Keith, Bruce Hillman, Adam Francisco, and Scott Keith discuss the new book 'A Reasoned Defense of the Faith' from 1517 publishing. The conversation explores the role of apologetics in addressing contemporary religious challenges, particularly focusing on Islam and the importance of positive apologetics.

Order the Book!

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco

• Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

How can you know who the Antichrist is, or when he is coming? Many predictions focus on hidden signs, secret symbols, and unfolding world events. But Scripture speaks far less sensationally: the Antichrist has come, is here, and will continue to arise wherever powers, religions, and worldviews deny the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco

• Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

Christians should be prepared to give clear and faithful answers to hard questions about what they believe. When it comes to abortion, many Christians hold strong biblical convictions, yet find themselves stumbling when those convictions are challenged or pressed in conversation. In this episode, the Thinking Fellows address serious and common questions surrounding abortion questions about law, life, conscience, and forgiveness.

Show Notes:

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes

• Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

Chad Bird joins the Thinking Fellows to challenge the popular idea that the Old Testament is a mysterious book filled with hidden codes and secret meanings waiting to be unlocked. Together, they examine the motivations and theological presuppositions that drive these approaches and why they often distort how Christians read Scripture. In contrast, the conversation offers a constructive vision for Old Testament study; one that emphasizes historical context, literary awareness, and the value of the original languages as gifts that clarify, rather than conceal, God's Word.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes

• Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, Scott Keith, and Bruce Hillman discuss the ethics of self-defense from a Christian perspective. They explore the moral complexity of using deadly force, particularly in situations involving the defense of oneself or others. The conversation highlights the doctrine of vocation and the tension between civil responsibility and Christian witness. Drawing on personal experiences, the hosts reflect on the difficulty of making ethical decisions under extreme pressure and ultimately emphasize the Christian's dependence on Christ's forgiveness—even when actions may be morally justified.

Thinking Fellows:

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes

• Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

Has Lutheranism Failed? In this episode, the Thinking Fellows discuss the purpose and aim of the church to examine if Lutheranism in America has failed. The fellows assert the importance of defining the church's mission, the role of the Augsburg Confession, and the perception of Lutheranism in American society.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

Reading and education outcomes in the United States have been declining for decades. In this episode, the Thinking Fellows examine how these trends have impacted Christian education and what Christians can contribute to America's education crisis. Show Notes:

1517 Academy Being Dad: Father as a Picture of God's Grace

Concordia's Bible History

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman

Scott and Caleb review the new animated David movie. More than just another David and Goliath retelling, the film attempts to capture David's full transformation from shepherd to king.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What's New from 1517:

• Coming Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent Devotional

• Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi

• Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird

• Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales

• Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Scott Keith

• Adam Francisco

• Bruce Hilman