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Thinking Fellows

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Rating
★★★★★
4.8
from
863 reviews
This podcast has
528 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
1517 Podcasts
Explicit
No
Date created
2016/01/29
Latest episode
2026/10/09
Average duration
50 min.
Release period
8 days

Description

The Thinking Fellows is a 45-minute podcast about theology, philosophy, Christian history, and apologetics. It is hosted by Scott Keith, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, and Bruce Hilman. The Thinking Fellows bring high-level subject matters to fun and insightful lay-level conversations each week.

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An Introduction to the Augsburg Confession
2026/10/09
Learn the history, context, and significance of the Augsburg Confession, and discover why this foundational document became a defining statement of the Lutheran Reformation. Subscribe to 25 Minutes in the Lutheran Confessions on Apple Podcasts Subscribe to 25 Minutes in the Lutheran Confessions on Spotify Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook   More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Partners with Memento   New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith   More from the hosts: Scott Keith Daniel Emery Price Caleb Keith
Did the Internet Kill Christianity?
2026/10/09
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Scott Keith, Bruce Hillman, and Adam Francisco discuss whether the internet has contributed to the decline of Christianity and religious participation. They talk about how the internet can give us endless information while pulling us away from real community, personal relationships, and the authority of the church. They also explain why Christians should use the internet to proclaim Christ while still pointing people toward the local church, where the Gospel is preached and Christ's gifts are given through Word and Sacrament. Study: https://academic.oup.com/socrel/advance-article/doi/10.1093/socrel/srag013/8779481?login=false More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August   New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith   More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman
Who is the Kingdom of God?
2026/10/01
In this episode of the Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, Bruce Hillman, and Scott Keith discuss the kingdom of God and what Jesus means when He says the kingdom is near. They explain the Lutheran view that the kingdom is centered on Christ and comes to us through the Word and Sacraments, rather than something Christians must build through their own work. The Fellows also talk about the kingdom as both present and future, the calling of Christians in their vocations, and the hope we have in Christ's return and the fullness of His kingdom. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman
Not of the World For You
2026/09/24
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Bruce Hillman, and Adam Francisco discuss what it means to be "in the world but not of the world" from John 17. They explain how Christians are called to live and serve their neighbors in the world without making worldly rules, politics, or personal choices a test of Christian faith. The Christian's confidence comes not from how well we separate ourselves from the world, but from Christ, who sets us apart and preserves us through His Word and Sacraments. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
Lost in Translation?
2026/09/18
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, and Bruce Hillman discuss how important Greek and Hebrew are for pastors and theologians. They talk about the benefits of studying the biblical languages, the limits of knowing only a little, and how modern tools and English translations can help with Bible study. They also explain how these skills can serve the church by helping pastors understand Scripture, answer difficult questions, and give Christians confidence in the Word of God. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
Are We Being Formed by AI?
2026/09/15
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, and Bruce Hillman talk about how Christians should think about AI and how it is changing the way we work, think, and interact with the world. They discuss AI as a powerful tool and an environment that is shaping us, along with questions about writing, education, truth, technology, and the growing role of AI in everyday life. Most importantly, they argue that Christians should be grounded in God's Word and the truth of the Gospel so that we do not look to AI for answers that only Christ can give. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
Apologetics, Academia and Algorithms
2026/09/04
In this episode of the Thinking Fellows podcast, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, and Bruce Hillman talk about the state of modern Christian apologetics. They discuss Adam's recent apologetics conference in Cambridge, the value of serious Christian scholarship, and why clear thinking and clear writing still matter. They also look at materialism, science, certainty, and the ways Christians can respond when anti-Christian ideas show up on their phones and online. Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman
Law and Gospel with Rod Rosenbladt
2026/08/28
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Scott Keith, and Daniel Emery Price listen to an old recording from Rod Rosenbladt and discuss the Lutheran view of Law and Gospel. They explain that the Law shows us our sin and puts the old sinner to death, while the Gospel gives life through Christ and has the final word. They also discuss Christian freedom, antinomianism, vocation, and why the Gospel is what creates new life. Rod Rosenbladt Legacy More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Daniel Emery Price
Summer Reading Roundup
2026/08/21
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Adam Francisco, Bruce Hillman, and Scott Keith share their summer reading lists, ranging from the Bible and church fathers to history, politics, philosophy, fiction, and swimming. Their conversation explores everything from the transition of Rome from paganism to Christianity and Thomas Sowell's ideas about human nature to the problem of evil and the history of Finland during World War II. They also discuss Lutheran scholarship, vocation and theological disagreement. Adam Francisco The Bible — New Living Translation (NLT) The Quran Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles — Thomas Sowell Bruce Hillman On Death and Eternal Life — Gregory of Nyssa The Oxford Reading and Philosophy: Problem of Evil — Marilyn McCord Adams (editor) Scott Keith The Long Way Home: A Journey into the History of Captain Robert Ford — Ed Dover The Fourth Option — Jack Carr The Spy Who Came in from the Cold — John le Carré Ice — Ulla-Lena Lundberg  How Finland Survives Stalin: From the Winter War to the Cold War, 1939–1950 — Kimmo Rentola Why We Swim — Bonnie Tsui Caleb Keith The Final Pagan Generation: Rome's Unexpected Path to Christianity — Edward J. Watts The Pieper Lectures: The Lutheran Doctrine of Vocation, Vol. 11 — various authors   More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education 1517 Podcast Listeners Get a Free Book When They Sign Up for Memento This August New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
Is Your Church Healthy or Dying?
2026/08/14
What makes a church "healthy"? In this episode of the Thinking Fellows, Caleb Keith, Scott Keith, Adam Francisco, and Bruce Hillman examine the popular language of healthy churches, church growth, and discipleship. They question whether marketing metrics have replaced the biblical marks of the church and argue that the true measure of the church is the faithful preaching of Christ crucified and the right administration of the sacraments. Rather than chasing marketing strategies or growth models, they contend that the church exists to deliver the forgiveness of sins through Word and Sacrament, trusting God's promises instead of chasing the latest trends. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
Whose Father was Abraham?
2026/07/31
On this episode of Thinking Fellows, the guys ask what it means to call Christianity, Judaism, and Islam the "Abrahamic faiths." They look at the history of the term and what these religions actually share. They also explain why their differences, especially about Jesus Christ, matter more than the label and how Christians can talk with Jews and Muslims without losing the truth of the Gospel. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
Challenging Children's Church
2026/07/24
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, the guys discuss the ongoing debate over children's church and whether kids should be separated from adults during worship. They argue that Christian worship is more than age appropriate teaching. God works through the proclamation of His Word and the sacraments for believers of every age, making children an important part of the gathered church. Drawing from Scripture, Luther, and recent research, they make the case that worshiping together as families helps pass the faith from one generation to the next and forms children in ways that children's church alone cannot. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
Can We Trust Luther?
2026/07/17
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Adam, Bruce, and Caleb explore whether Martin Luther can be trusted, responding to modern critiques that question his character, motives, and mental state as a way of dismissing the Reformation. They argue that while Luther was at times emotional, outspoken, and flawed, his theology should be judged by how faithfully it interprets Scripture rather than by speculative psychological diagnoses or personal attacks. Along the way, they discuss how Luther's humanity, historical context, and extensive writings have fueled both serious scholarship and polemical caricatures, encouraging listeners to evaluate his teaching on its biblical merits. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook
The Turk at the Door
2026/07/09
In this episode of Thinking Fellows, Adam Francisco discusses his new book The Turk at the Door, exploring how Martin Luther understood Islam, the Ottoman Empire, and the challenges facing Christendom during the Reformation. The conversation examines Luther's distinction between just war and holy war, his study of the Quran, and why Christians should understand Islam without confusing political conflict with the proclamation of the Gospel. They discuss why this overlooked chapter of Reformation history still matters today as Christians engage thoughtfully and faithfully with their Muslim neighbors. More from 1517: Support the work at 1517 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education  New Books from 1517 Publishing: The Turk at the Door by Adam Francisco Luther and the Lion: A Narnian Catechism by Samuel Schuldheisz By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith  More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman
Are Young Men Coming Back To Church?
2026/07/01
Caleb, Scott, and Bruce discuss the claim that young men are making a dramatic return to regular church attendance. They examine the data and the growing implications of the widening differences between young men and young women in their dispositions toward Christianity. Ultimately, the fellows urge caution and patience, warning against adopting a new "seeker-sensitive" approach to church in an attempt to capitalize on these trends. More from 1517: Give to the June 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser! Learn more about the 1517 Podcast Network Fundraiser 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education   New Books from 1517 Publishing: By Water and the Word by Brian Thomas 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   More from the hosts: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman   Follow 1517:  Instagram X/Twitter Facebook

Podcast reviews

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4.8 out of 5
863 reviews
★★★★★
Of Taste 2026/09/03
Required reading
I’ve been a Christian for most of my life and went from the Baptist to the reformed traditions. The Thinking Fellows has been an education in the scri...
★★★☆☆
This Ken 2026/07/18
Read what the Bible says
Most denominations accept as truth whatever their spiritual founder wrote down. Unfortunately any errors seem to be locked in forever even when a plai...
★★★★★
MISS CYDNEY 2026/05/15
Nice Guys
I really enjoy listening to them they are fun informative and I look forward to their new Podcast
★★★★★
PBCisco 2026/02/16
A Podcast good for the swoll
This is one of my go to podcasts to listen to while I get swoll in the gym. Down to earth discussion and humor on topics of the faith.
★★★★★
ecparker 2025/06/13
One of my “go-to” Podcasts
I’m a grew-up-Pentecostal-became-Presbyterian-in-college Christian, but I love this podcast. I’ve learned a lot about Lutheran theology and practice, ...
★★★★★
@mountainbadger 2025/05/26
Salt of the earth
3 old salts that haven't lost their saltiness. Could use a little pepper though. They're like 3 quarks spinning the same direction or 3 blonde waitres...
★★★★★
The Ghost in The Machine 2025/05/03
Lutheran Podcasting for all to Enjoy
This is a really approachable show. They come from a confessional Lutheran perspective but the conversations are enjoyable for all. The new series on ...
★☆☆☆☆
BjornEinarsson 2025/03/31
They’re addicted to maga politics
Every time anymore that I give these guys a chance, I regret it. I thought baptism would be a safe topic as others I have specifically avoided based o...
★☆☆☆☆
TTvdukd 2025/01/08
Thinking Fellows
The arrogance of the host is offensive and reflects a tone deafness and ignorance of what he is talking about. Don’t judge what you don’t understand! ...
★★★★★
nicdreamie 2024/11/18
Great Guys
This show is phenomenal. I am a Lutheran church member and I was recommended the 1517 network by my pastor about a year ago. I have been listening to ...
check all reviews on apple podcasts

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