Thinking Fellows

Thinking Fellows is a podcast that explores Christian theology, apologetics, history, and doctrine through lay-level conversations. Hosted by Scott Keith, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, and Bruce Hilman, this show engages deep theological topics with clarity, scholarly insight, and a commitment to share the Gospel message. Whether discussing the proper distinction between law and gospel, the defense of the Christian faith, or the rich history of Reformation theology, the Thinking Fellows bring engaging and thoughtful conversation grounded in Scripture.

Should We Still Send Our Kids to College? 02/26/2025

Should We Still Send Our Kids to College? In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, Caleb Keith, Scott Keith, and Adam Francisco engage in a friendly discussion about the current state of university education. They explore whether the traditional concept of the university is dead, the role of universities in preparing students for the job market, and the cultural influences that shape modern education. The conversation also touches on the challenges of implementing a liberal arts curriculum and the varying expectations of what a university should provide to its students. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/35444395

Did Martin Luther Start a New Religion? 02/18/2025

Did Martin Luther Start a New Religion? In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, the Fellows answer, "Did Martin Luther invent a new religion?" They explore the historical context of the Reformation, the theological implications of Luther's teachings, and the ongoing debates between Catholicism and Protestantism. The conversation highlights the role of humanism in the Reformation and the centrality of scripture for understanding justification by faith. Ultimately, they conclude that Luther did not create a new religion but instead rightly reformed and returned to the core tenets of Christianity. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/35321905

Technology Can't Stop Death 02/07/2025

Technology Can't Stop Death The Thinking Fellows talk about the limitations of scientific progress. Skepticism of previous scientific advancements in medicine and chemical engineering has paved the path for more people to question technological progress and the good it can do for humanity. Yet many skeptics still look to the future and advancing technology as a solution for death, suffering, and sin. By understanding the realities of sin and death, Christians can walk a realistic line where technology can be leveraged for the good of this life and neighbor. Still, we know it will never solve death and can always be used to accomplish evil means. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/35191855

The Limits of Worldview and the Utility of Epistemology 01/24/2025

The Limits of Worldview and the Utility of Epistemology In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, Caleb Keith, Scott Keith, and Adam Francisco discuss the relevance of epistemology versus worldview in the context of Christian engagement with culture and society. They explore the historical development of these concepts, their utility for understanding different belief systems, and the challenges of navigating a pluralistic society. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34998420

Crusades 01/17/2025

Crusades In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, the Fellows explore the complex history of the Crusades, their origins, motivations, and the theological implications that arise from them. They discuss Pope Urban II's call to arms and the evolution of the Crusades from a war of liberation to a series of hard-to-follow conflicts. The conversation emphasizes the distinction between political and religious acts, the role of the church, and the implications for contemporary Christian thought. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34897770

Lutherans React to Wesley Huff’s Joe Rogan Appearance 01/10/2025

Lutherans React to Wesley Huff’s Joe Rogan Appearance In this episode, Caleb Keith, Scott Keith, and Adam Francisco discuss the viral appearance of Wesley Huff on Joe Rogan's podcast. They explore the impact of the conversation on Christian apologetics, the nature of truth and science, and the role of miracles in faith. The discussion also delves into textual criticism, cultural context, and the theological insights presented during the interview. The hosts reflect on the effectiveness of Huff's approach and the importance of continuing the conversation about faith in a modern context. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34812570

The Venerable Bede 01/06/2025

The Venerable Bede The Thinking Fellows dive into the life and work of the Venerable Bede, one of the most influential figures in early Christian history. Often called the "Father of English History," Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People shaped our understanding of the Church's growth in Britain. This episode explores Bede's contributions to theology, historiography, and education, and considers how his work continues to inspire Christian scholarship today. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34741875

Bonaventure: The Souls Journey into God 12/29/2024

Bonaventure: The Souls Journey into God The Fellows discuss medieval theology by surveying Bonaventure's The Soul's Journey Into God and note the scholastic tendency to speculate from God's general natural revelation. These developments in scholastic theology, in part, led to the necessity of the Reformation. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34641450

Eusebius 12/19/2024

Eusebius Eusebius was one of the greatest historians of the early church. The Fellows discuss his contributions to theology and history. The episode pays special attention to the way Eusebius treats the Old Testament. Eusebius starts his history of the church at the beginning of Genesis and asserts that Christianity is not a novel faith but the faith of all Old Testament believers. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34533295

Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation 12/10/2024

Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation Amy Mantravadi joins Caleb and Bruce to discuss her novel Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation. Amy was inspired to follow the lives and conflicts of Martin Luther, Desiderius Erasmus, and Philipp Melanchthon. The episode dives into the history behind the novel and the significance of Luther's The Bondage of the Will. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34364890

Fueling the Mission: Supporting 1517 to Proclaim the Gospel 12/03/2024

Fueling the Mission: Supporting 1517 to Proclaim the Gospel This is Caleb Keith, director of the 1517 Podcast Network. Today, as many of you may know, is Giving Tuesday. On this special day, I have a question for you: Does this podcast bring Jesus and His Gospel of peace into your life on a regular basis? At 1517, our mission—and the mission of the 1517 Podcast Network—is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free through the death and resurrection of Christ alone. Because of Jesus, God has made peace with you and continues to actively give you His peace. You can give by visiting or by following the link in the show notes. /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34266345

Gregory of Nyssa 11/26/2024

Gregory of Nyssa The Fellows discuss St. Gregory of Nyssa's Catechetical Discourse, a series of objections and answers to confessions of the Christian faith. It was designed to educate new Christians on essential doctrines like the Trinity and atonement. Caleb leads the conversation by asking how the catechesis of the past can inform Christian education today. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/34156925

On the Priesthood St. John Chrysostom 11/15/2024

On the Priesthood St. John Chrysostom The Thinking Fellows are starting a new series highlighting the history of Christian thought. For the next several weeks, the Fellows explore books written by great thinkers throughout Christian history. Bruce Hilman leads this first episode and covers St. John Chrysostom's On the Priesthood. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33949277

Winning and Losing Political Elections 11/06/2024

Winning and Losing Political Elections High stakes and emotions regarding national politics produce situations Christians must meaningfully and thoughtfully navigate. Christians are embodied and specifically located creatures with vocations that demand political conciseness and often involvement. Yet these political situations and outcomes are not the object or sum of the faith. This episode explores the consequences of winning and losing elections and how Christian involvement and thought distinguish between faith and vocation so that we do not trust in princes but in Christ while faithfully serving our neighbors. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33823367

Is the Church Dying? (Live at HWSS) 10/28/2024

Is the Church Dying? (Live at HWSS) This special episode of the Thinking Fellows was recorded live at the Here We Still Stand conference. Magnus Person joins the Fellows to discuss a response to the feeling that the church is in decline. They acknowledge the real pressure Christians in America and the West, in general, are feeling right now while confidently confessing that the church belongs to God and will continue forever. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33642727

A Reading List for Getting To Know Lutheransim 10/17/2024

A Reading List for Getting To Know Lutheransim The Thinking Fellows give readers a short list of books they find essential for understanding Lutheranism. The list below includes books that contextualize the story and doctrinal formation of the Reformation. This Library should help both people who are unfamiliar with Lutheranism and those familiar with Lutheran doctrine but would like a better historical picture of who the Lutherans are. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33499177

Remembering John Warwick Montgomery 10/09/2024

Remembering John Warwick Montgomery The Thinking Fellows recall the legacy of renowned apologist John Warwick Montgomery. Before his death Dr. Montgomery was a senior fellow at 1517 and had a tremndous impact on the field of Christian apologetics. The fellows recall time they had spent with Dr. Montgomery and his impact on the founding members of 1517. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33394772

The Myth of Spiritual But Not Religious 10/01/2024

The Myth of Spiritual But Not Religious Spirituality is not a friend of Christianity. More and more people abandon Christianity while maintaining spiritual beliefs, practices, or superstitions. Dr. Michael Horton joins the Thinking Fellows to discuss the deep history and gnostic roots of the spiritual problems in the West today. Dr. Horton has researched and addressed this topic in numerous ways over the last 30 years and has compiled his expertise into a new volume of books on the subject. The first of the volumes, , is available now. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33271007

The End of the World 09/24/2024

The End of the World Adam, Bruce, and Caleb discuss eschatology. What are Christianity's essential teachings regarding the last things or end times? Why do some sects of Christianity hyper-fixate on the end times? The fellows address these questions and more this week. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33187977

Elected To Salvation 09/17/2024

Elected To Salvation In this week's episode, Scott, Bruce, and Caleb discuss the doctrine of election. They emphasize the importance of God's electing through his Word. This locates election in an external act done for you rather than solely in the mind of God. This Lutheran distinction avoids the pitfall of free choice while not relying on the logical constructs of double predestination. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/33091547

You Need a Preacher 09/05/2024

You Need a Preacher The Fellows discuss the doctrine of public ministry. The conversation focuses on why it is necessary for Christians to gather togteher as a church and call a pastor. God has made his saving work public through the proclimation of the Word. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32911152

What is Church? 09/01/2024

What is Church? Caleb and Bruce have a conversation about the doctrine of the church. They work to define how the church is all those with faith in Christ and the gathering of individual believers whom God has called together in specific locations. The conversation focuses on the distribution of the Gospel, which is the unique and essential purpose of gathering together for worship. Bruce and Caleb also emphasize the importance of individual church attendance. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32852702

The True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ 08/19/2024

The True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ This episode of the Thinking Fellows gives an overview of the Lutheran doctrine of the Lord's Supper. The fellows discuss the how and why of the Supper, primarily referencing Christ's institution of the Sacrament before his crucifixion. They also discuss some controversies and disagreements Christians have regarding belief and practice. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32645962

Baptism Now Saves You 08/13/2024

Baptism Now Saves You The Thinking Fellows talk about the saving power of Baptism. They cover the how and why of Baptism and have a long conversation about its various controversies. The Fellows strongly argue infant baptism and explain why Christian doctrine is not a pick-and-choose situation. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32565627

The Olympic Opening Ceremonies: A Twisted Liturgy 08/01/2024

The Olympic Opening Ceremonies: A Twisted Liturgy Scott, Adam, and Caleb discuss the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. During the ceremonies, an LGBTQ rendition of the Last Supper was acted out with transexuals and gay icons. This was an apparent offense to Christians all over the world and highlights the destructive religious ideologies at play in our culture today. The Fellows discuss why Christians should not be surprised that their faith is under attack and how they might respond generally and also in their specific vocations. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32388802

Law and Gospel Must Be Preached 07/29/2024

Law and Gospel Must Be Preached The Thinking Fellows discuss the distinction between law and gospel. They explain what it means that this distinction exists in all the Scripture. They also speak about the distinction between preaching and reading the Bible and why law and gospel are essential for preaching. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32332167

Preserved in the Faith 07/19/2024

Preserved in the Faith The Thinking Fellows discuss how the means of grace preserve and sustain us in the faith. The fellows identify how God delivers his saving Word through means and the importance of gathering together to revive God's promises. The power to remain in the faith is a gift that comes from outside of the Christian and not a power from within. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32221872

Sanctified by Faith not Works 07/09/2024

Sanctified by Faith not Works The Thinking Fellows discuss sanctification, a doctrine from which Lutherans and other Protestants differ significantly. Here, we assert that the doing of good works does not accomplish sanctification but instead that good works result from the gift of sanctification already delivered in faith. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/32067487

Justified by Christ 06/27/2024

Justified by Christ Justification is famously called the article upon which the church stands or falls. It is the article upon which The Lutheran Reformation stood boldly and confessed the Scriptural truth that we are made right before God by grace through faith on account of Christ alone. The Thinking Fellows address the central concepts that help us orginze and understand justification as a doctrine whihc the church not only teaches but proclaims boldly. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/31912212

Do You Have Saving Faith? 06/20/2024

Do You Have Saving Faith? The Thinking Fellows discuss the doctrine of faith. Faith is not an ability or power inside of you but a gift from God. They highlight how faith and its gifts are given as a certainty, not as a series of lifelong questions and challenges. God has given and preserved your faith by the power of his Word and Spirit and not by your will or works. Show Notes: What’s New from 1517: More from the hosts: /episode/index/show/thinkingfellows/id/31827072

Thinking Fellows

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