Justifying God

In this episode of Outlaw God, Dr. Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith discuss the evangelical doctrine of sin, contrasting it with medieval and modern approaches that define sin primarily as individual acts or failures of free will. Using Psalm 51 and David's encounter with the prophet Nathan, they explain how sin is truly revealed and forgiven not by the law or human effort, but through the external promise of the gospel. The conversation highlights Luther's insight that sin is ultimately unbelief, while faith itself is a gift created by God's Word that frees the sinner through mercy rather than merit. 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 Steven Paulson

In this episode of Outlaw God, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson continue their exploration of Psalm 51 by examining the question, "What is sin?" The conversation highlights how sin is not something humans can objectively analyze or fix through self-reflection, but is revealed when God's Word exposes the sinner and delivers mercy. Drawing on Luther's teaching, the episode contrasts repentance based on remembering individual sins with an evangelical understanding grounded in confession and absolution through preaching. 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 Steven Paulson

In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson turn to Psalm 51 to explore sin, repentance, and the human will. Drawing on Luther's teaching, they show how David's confession comes after God's Word confronts him through the law and restores him through the gospel. The discussion emphasizes that repentance is not self-improvement but God's work of creating a new heart in the sinner. Psalm 51 is presented as a living prayer that teaches how God moves sinners from death to forgiveness. 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 Steven Paulson

In this episode of Outlaw God, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson return to Moses in the cleft of the rock to clarify what Scripture means by the glory of God. Paulson explains how Luther learned to read the entire Bible through the distinction between Law and Gospel, showing that Moses was commanded to preach the Law while Christ Himself preached mercy to him. The discussion highlights how God's glory is not found in human ascent or mystical experience but in the preached Word of Christ that delivers grace apart from works. Ultimately, the episode reveals that the Old Testament centers on Christ's promise and proclamation, making Moses a recipient of the Gospel even as he served as the preacher of the Law. 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 Steven Paulson

In this episode of Outlaw God, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson explore the unity of Scripture and the proper distinction between Law and Gospel. Paulson critiques mystical and scholastic traditions that sought God's glory through human ascent, showing instead how Scripture reveals God through His spoken Word received by faith. Drawing from Moses, Joseph, Paul, and David's final words in 2 Samuel 23, the discussion highlights how God forms prophets and preachers who deliver forgiveness rather than self-improvement through the Law. 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 Steven Paulson

In this episode, Dr. Steven Paulson speaks at the most recent Here We Still Stand Conference on Martin Luther's teaching in The Bondage of the Will. He explains that the human will is not free but bound in sin, continually resisting God rather than cooperating in salvation. Instead, salvation comes entirely from God's almighty action through His Word that creates faith from outside of us. 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 Steven Paulson

In this episode of Outlaw God, Dr. Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith continue discussing the story of Joseph and how it has been used to explain divine election, suffering, and the human will. They critique the common theological idea that God uses suffering to align human will with His will or to produce righteousness. Instead, they show how Luther's reading of the story points to God accomplishing election through preaching and absolution, not through suffering or human cooperation. 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 Steven Paulson

In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson examine the story of Joseph in the pit and how it has been used in Christian theology to interpret divine election, sovereignty, and suffering. They trace how medieval mystics and nominalist theologians treated Joseph's suffering as God's chosen means of purifying and justifying the elect—effectively replacing preaching with suffering as the instrument of righteousness. The episode concludes by previewing Luther's break from this view, arguing that Joseph's story ultimately points not to redemptive suffering, but to the proclamation of the gospel. 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 Steven Paulson  

In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Caleb Keith and Steven Paulson look into the themes of suffering and atonement as discussed in 1 Corinthians. They explore the historical context of suffering in early Christianity, the significance of the word of the cross, and the implications of mysticism and absorption theory. The conversation also touches on the influence of Martin Luther King Jr. and the impact of his theology on modern Christianity. The episode concludes with reflections on the role of preaching in understanding suffering for the Christian life.   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 Steven Paulson  

In this episode of the Outlaw God, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson continue their look into suffering, the theology of the cross, and the historical context of mysticism in relation to faith. They explore how suffering is perceived in Christian theology, particularly through the lens of Luther's insights, and discuss the implications of viewing God's suffering as redemptive. The conversation also touches on the challenges of cultural Christianity and the importance of external word in faith, culminating in a critique of Oseander's mystical interpretations. 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 Steven Paulson