1517.org

[Jim Butler]

I appreciate the background on the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. A couple of lurkers also emailed me privately; I thank them for their input as well.

I've recently been using some of the resources at 1517.org. Does anyone know much about the history or background of the group? The authors seem to be from a variety of Lutheran backgrounds: LCMS, NALC, and at least one from the CLB and the WELS. Overall, their stuff seems to be really good.

IIRC, Christ Hold Fast used to be its own domain, but now it's part of 1517. So did some different online groups merge?

Any info or discussion would be helpful.

[ThePaul711]

It's a pan-Lutheran group of pastors who were inspired by the theological teachings of Gerhard Forde and his students.

[jtpless]

Actually 1517 had its genesis around Rod Rosenbladt and John Warwick Montgomery. Their HERE WE STILL STAND Conference held each October in San Diego always has sell out attendance. The conference has featured Jim Nestingen, Steve Paulson, Chad Bird and others. 1517 Publishing is producing some great books including Bror Erickson's translation of Bo Giertz. JTP+

[Jim Butler]

Actually 1517 had its genesis around Rod Rosenbladt and John Warwick Montgomery. Their HERE WE STILL STAND Conference held each October in San Diego always has sell out attendance. The conference has featured Jim Nestingen, Steve Paulson, Chad Bird and others. 1517 Publishing is producing some great books including Bror Erickson's translation of Bo Giertz. JTP+

Not to mention a collection of essays and sermons by one John Pless.

[Dave Benke]

Breaking Lenten post-fast for a shout-out to Chad Bird.  He's on social media with some short videos on a daily walk through Scripture.  Very well-informed and pastoral in approach. 

This is a different "incarnation" of him for me.  I remember standing behind him on line at a Synodical convention where he opined vigorously against adopting a resolution for the use of the hymnal This Far By Faith.  The next speaker, a Black woman, said "Thank God for this hymnal!"  The next speaker, the one before me, called the question and the resolution passed by a substantial majority, over the objection of Chad Bird.  He doesn't seem like the same guy in the videos I've been seeing.  At all.

Dave Benke

[Jim Butler]

Breaking Lenten post-fast for a shout-out to Chad Bird.  He's on social media with some short videos on a daily walk through Scripture.  Very well-informed and pastoral in approach. 

This is a different "incarnation" of him for me.  I remember standing behind him on line at a Synodical convention where he opined vigorously against adopting a resolution for the use of the hymnal This Far By Faith.  The next speaker, a Black woman, said "Thank God for this hymnal!"  The next speaker, the one before me, called the question and the resolution passed by a substantial majority, over the objection of Chad Bird.  He doesn't seem like the same guy in the videos I've been seeing.  At all.

Dave Benke

I don't think he is the same person. In his book Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, he says that he had a huge problem with pride when he was younger. This led him to an affair, a divorce, the loss of his seminary position, his marriage, and into life as a truck driver. He went through great anguish of heart and soul. He remarried and that marriage ended as well. He came out on the other side a much humbler and wiser man.

I think he has a much deeper appreciation for the grace of God than he once did. Of course, age alone will give that to you!

[D. Engebretson]

Breaking Lenten post-fast for a shout-out to Chad Bird.  He's on social media with some short videos on a daily walk through Scripture.  Very well-informed and pastoral in approach. 

This is a different "incarnation" of him for me.  I remember standing behind him on line at a Synodical convention where he opined vigorously against adopting a resolution for the use of the hymnal This Far By Faith.  The next speaker, a Black woman, said "Thank God for this hymnal!"  The next speaker, the one before me, called the question and the resolution passed by a substantial majority, over the objection of Chad Bird.  He doesn't seem like the same guy in the videos I've been seeing.  At all.

Dave Benke

I don't think he is the same person. In his book Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, he says that he had a huge problem with pride when he was younger. This led him to an affair, a divorce, the loss of his seminary position, his marriage, and into life as a truck driver. He went through great anguish of heart and soul. He remarried and that marriage ended as well. He came out on the other side a much humbler and wiser man.

I think he has a much deeper appreciation for the grace of God than he once did. Of course, age alone will give that to you!

Just to clarify: He is currently re-married and happily so.  See also: https://www.1517.org/articles/anniversary-of-a-dead-marriage-the-painful-lessons-of-divorce.  It appears that he was engaged after his divorce, but broke off that engagement.  I think his current marriage is his second and that he was divorced only once.

[Dave Benke]

OK, that's quite a life story.  What I notice over and over is that he is convinced and passionate about the truth that the Gospel, by grace alone, trumps the Law.  And that's not an online message told well or often enough in my opinion.

Dave Benke

[Jim Butler]

Breaking Lenten post-fast for a shout-out to Chad Bird.  He's on social media with some short videos on a daily walk through Scripture.  Very well-informed and pastoral in approach. 

This is a different "incarnation" of him for me.  I remember standing behind him on line at a Synodical convention where he opined vigorously against adopting a resolution for the use of the hymnal This Far By Faith.  The next speaker, a Black woman, said "Thank God for this hymnal!"  The next speaker, the one before me, called the question and the resolution passed by a substantial majority, over the objection of Chad Bird.  He doesn't seem like the same guy in the videos I've been seeing.  At all.

Dave Benke

I don't think he is the same person. In his book Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, he says that he had a huge problem with pride when he was younger. This led him to an affair, a divorce, the loss of his seminary position, his marriage, and into life as a truck driver. He went through great anguish of heart and soul. He remarried and that marriage ended as well. He came out on the other side a much humbler and wiser man.

I think he has a much deeper appreciation for the grace of God than he once did. Of course, age alone will give that to you!

Just to clarify: He is currently re-married and happily so.  See also: https://www.1517.org/articles/anniversary-of-a-dead-marriage-the-painful-lessons-of-divorce.  It appears that he was engaged after his divorce, but broke off that engagement.  I think is current marriage is his second and that he was divorced only once.

He had two failed marriages. The first, after his affair. The second after he had been married I think eight months or so. He later met  his current wife. Of course, his most recent tragedy was the death of his twenty-year-old son.

Yes, Dave, it is quite a life story. I enjoyed his book Night Driving as well as some others he has written, not to mention his podcast 40 Minutes in the Old Testament.