
Thinking Fellows
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.
Latest episodes

9 snips
Sep 18, 2023 • 52min
Saved by Grace Alone
The hosts delve into the significance of Grace Alone in Protestant theology, contrasting it with Catholic views. They explore Augustine's influence, spiritual growth challenges, and the historical impact of adding 'alone' to Luther's translation.

Sep 11, 2023 • 54min
Virtue Ethics
Dr. John Hoyum hosts an episode of the Thinking Fellows discussing virtue ethics. The Fellows first define virtue ethics and its resurgence in Christian conversations. They then ask if virtue ethics is a helpful and good way of approaching the Christian life. Show Notes: 1517 Podcast Survey Support 1517 After Virtue Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics 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: John Hoyum Scott Keith Adam Francisco Bruce Hilman

Sep 4, 2023 • 1h 1min
The Importance of Friendship
The hosts revisit the importance of friendship, exploring topics such as the theology of friendship, the loneliness epidemic and its impact on male friendship, the decline of friendship in the modern world, and the importance of non-sexual deep male friendships for celibate gay men. They also discuss the significance of Christian friendships, focusing on forgiveness and the call of the gospel.

Aug 28, 2023 • 49min
Accountability
Are accountability groups a good idea? The Thinking Fellows discuss the potential use of accountability groups in the church. They suggest some ways in which carving out space for strong male friendships is valued in the church while being cautious about issues surrounding discipline and sanctification. 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: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francsisco Bruce Hilman

Aug 19, 2023 • 51min
Movies with Meaning
The Thinking Fellows discuss movies they enjoy watching. The conversation revolves around the presence of theological and moral meaning in film. How should we interpret movies, and are they valuable or edifying for Christians to analyze and use in analogy? 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: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francsisco Bruce Hilman

Aug 9, 2023 • 1h 1min
Do The Four Gospels Contradict?
Exploring the differences in the four Gospels, analyzing biased approach to New Testament studies, emergence of Orthodox Christianity, challenges faced by scholars, and unifying themes of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection are discussed in this insightful podcast.

Jul 31, 2023 • 49min
Does God Want You To Be Happy?
Is your happiness an indicator of God's relationship with you? Are emotions a good indicator of divine revelation? The Thinking Fellows consider the purpose and place of happiness in the Christian life. In doing so, they discuss why it's essential to re-center our definition of happiness and preach the happiness of the Gospel while not relying upon emotions for divine revelation. 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: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francsisco Bruce Hilman

Jul 24, 2023 • 46min
The Apocrypha
The Thinking Fellows discuss the history and position of the Apocrypha for Lutherans. They present critical reasons for rejecting the Apocrypha from the biblical canon. Similarly, they discuss why the "removal" of the apocryphal books is not a strong polemic against Lutherans regarding Sola Scripture. However, they also discuss ways in which reading apocryphal books can be helpful. 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: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francsisco Bruce Hilman

Jul 17, 2023 • 59min
The Place and Function of Adiaphora
Adiaphora is a theological term that means "indifference." It typically refers to practices that are neither commanded nor forbidden by God in Scripture. The Lutheran churches have historically used adiaphora as a method for explaining and allowing reasonable liturgical and personal piety differences between churches to exist while remaining unified around the core confessions of the church. The fellows discuss why understanding adiaphora is important and how it can benefit the church. 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: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francsisco Bruce Hilman

Jul 10, 2023 • 57min
The Struggle Between Church and Sports
The Thinking Fellows weigh on one of the most tense issues that affect Churches. What are parents to do when their children's extracurricular activities get scheduled on Sunday? The Fellows discuss ways to increase parental and particularly paternal commitment to church attendance. 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: Caleb Keith Scott Keith Adam Francsisco Bruce Hilman