Freely Given

4.9 (148)
CHRISTIANITY
UPDATED WEEKLY

In the vicious cycle of self-help, self-righteousness, and self-loathing, we become a slave to the pursuit of perfection. Through Christ’s own perfection, he has set us free. This is a podcast about the freedom that comes through dependence in Christ, and understanding the depth of his love.

JUN 6

Sinner Saint: a Surprising Primer to the Christian Life

Our friend, Pastor Luke Kjolhaug just released a book that we are so excited about. Since we live within driving distance from him, we attended his book launch in Alexandria, MN, at Cherry Street Books, and recorded a podcast before the audience there. (There's a bit of background noise at the beginning, but the conversation is so worth it!) The topic of Sinner/Saint is at it's root, a conversation on sanctification, and what it means for a Christian to struggle with sin. This doctrine impacts how we view ourselves, how we view others, and ulitimately, how we view God. Though this topic is often discussed in academic circles. After all "The Simul" which it's called, is shorthand said in Latin, which is translated "Simultaneously Sinner and Saint." However, Luke takes a very pastoral tone with this doctrine, and makes it applicable to everyday life. He isn't writing about some philisophical theory, but puts heart and reality into this doctrine, rooted in scripture, and delivering peace. 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: Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin

21 min
MAR 27

All the Things We Say to God

Tanner Olson is a poet, author, and speaker. He has a book soon to be released with Zonderkids, on all the things we can pray to God. His poetry is extremely accessible, not high or academic, but lowly and comforting. Reading it feels like receiving comfort from a friend. His first children's book reflects that, as he's encouraging children on bringing all of their cares to God. In this interview, he talks about the struggle he and his wife have with infertility, and watching all of their friends have kids, and getting to know their kids, and wanting to create a gift for these families in their lives. Since then, they adopted their son, and he's become a father, and he talks about learning through all of this more about who God is, and his heart for us. Poetry and children's books overlap so much as they both require carefully chosen, few words that are packed with meaning and reach the heart. And as a bonus, as adults read books to children, it impacts them as well. Tanner is one of our favorite people, and chatting with him is always full of laughter as well as profound thoughts. 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: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin Tanner's website Tanner's new book: All The Things I Say To God

26 min
MAR 20

Anti-Social Generation

The Atlantic published a large article called "Anti-Social Century" which spurred on a conversation with Gretchen and Katie on why this generation of people is anti-social, and what to do about it. There's a rise in what they called "secular monasticism" with rigid morning routines, cold-plunge, meditation, gym time, and every angle of self-optimization. The attitude toward others isn't so much for the purpose of community building, but removing people from your life that does not assist with that optimization. The rise of "digital friendships" while often can be real, often lack the opportunity to give and receive forgiveness, or agree to disagree. Algorythms highlight commonality, and remove those who believe differently, and doesn't provide the sitting with those who are different that often is demanded from location-based friendships. The value of humility and vulnerability gives depth to friendships. There was a lot of this heafty article that we didn't even get to cover, but the discussion of how grace and forgiveness impacts community life in tangible ways remains. 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: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin From the Atlantic: Anti-Social Century

31 min
FEB 13

Marriage Vows

For Valentine's Day, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin talk about the trend of writing marriage vows, and some of the pitfalls of such a trend. What are the purpose of marriage vows? We look at trends, from both conservative and liberal perspectives, to define marriage beyond "for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health." We look at the history of marriage vows, what was going on in the church at the time, how marriage was redefined from being a sacrament to being a vocation, and the implications of all of that. With an eye on freedom, they talk about the burden of the younger generation to be unique and define themselves as a couple, and consistently reinvent the wheel. The gift of tradition can be burden lifting, so that you don't lose the plot of what marriage is, and what it is for. 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: Pre-order: Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits Take 20% Off Our Lenten Devotionals until March 5th: The Sinner/Saint Lenten Devotional Finding Christ in the Straw: A Forty-Day Devotion on the Epistle of James More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin

27 min
JAN 30

Village Framework

Many times, Christian homes view sin as a problem "out there" and not a problem "in here." As we built a framework of building a community, in light of sin, it's important to realize, it's going to be a community that will have to deal with sin. Katie Koplin and Gretchen Ronnevik talk about expectation, boundaries, letting fallen people into your life, and into your children's lives. It's a conundrum, working through fears of protecting our kids, while acknowledging that we need a community, but the only people who are available for that community (everyone) deal with sin. 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: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin

28 min
JAN 23

Do We Even Want a Village?

In this episode, Gretchen Ronnevik and Katie Koplin discuss the Slate article "I'm Starting to Think You Guys Don't Want a Village." It speaks to the cry of young families "where is the villiage?" and yet the high, maybe even impossible standards that are set for people who are in proximity to our kids. Though the article brings about questions that go beyond families and childraising. Can you have friendships with people who have different values than you? What do you do when all of the people around you are sinners? Is it unreasonable to have high standards? This was a fun, and even vulnerable conversation as we talk about boundaries, being willing to have hard conversations, and being a good neighbor. 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: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin

22 min
JAN 17

Spiritual Direction with Alan Johnson

What is a spiritual director? Are they directing your spiritual life? Are they telling you to do something? Are they fulfilling a pastoral role? Rev. Alan Johnson talks about this, as he has been studying it for his disseration. He distinguishes the difference between a spiritual director and a pastor, and would explain that spiritual direction is listening to someone and helping them pay attention to God's work in their life. Spiritual directors seek to ask good questions, rather than give answers. A spiritual director is more of a mentor who can, as Eugene Peterson said "show up and shut up" and let people talk and work through problems, and help people gain some clairty through that process. This was a fascinating conversation, on working through when you feel "stuck" and various aspects of the church body who can continually point us to Christ. 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: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin

24 min
JAN 9

Spiritual Formation with Alan Johnson

Are the concepts of "spiritual formation" and Lutheran doctrine compatible? Gretchen Ronnevik discusses this concept with Rev. Alan Johnson who is finishing up his dissertation on this very topic. He says that we Christians feel we should love the Lord our God with all our mind, all our mind, and all our mind. After graduating from seminary, he contemplated about how he knew more about God, but questioned whether he knew God himself better. He started asking questions about what it means to love God with our heart, and the all consuming, holistic aspect of faith. They talk about spiritual disciplines/practices, the difference between Christian spiritual practices and spiritual practices in other religions, and how they feel about contemplative practices, and the concept of "lone-ranger Christianity." This is 1 of 2 episodes on our conversation. Next week we will discuss the concept of spiritual direction. 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: Bible in One Year with Chad Bird Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi Junk Drawer Jesus By Matt Popovits More from the hosts: Gretchen Ronnevik Katie Koplin

25 min

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4.9

out of 5

148 Ratings

Humorous and Real

04/12/2024

AmberBillerica

I always enjoy this podcast because it feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the typical fare aimed at women.
Freely Given

Jan 9

TTvdukd

I never realized how fundamentalistic and fear based Lutherans are. After listening to many 1517 podcasts I have come to realize I could never be a Lutheran.
Thankyou

03/09/2024

caligirlHis

Finding God in the darkness episode so helpful In a place of suffering with physical mental health I’m broken and God seems distant Will pick the book again and read it God bless
Recent episode on “A Good Man Is Hard To Find

08/01/2023

llehsrop

This episode kept me engaged for a solid 60 minute evening walk! Thanks ladies! I even downloaded the short story on my Libby App. Super excited to hear that you are reviewing Beth Moore’s memoir next month. Listening to it is a must as Gretchen said. I have recommended to all my friends. I totally agree with Gretchen’s Goodreads review and it doesn’t surprise me that there were so many comments. Wouldn’t it be fun to actually get Beth on your Podcast!

In the vicious cycle of self-help, self-righteousness, and self-loathing, we become a slave to the pursuit of perfection. Through Christ’s own perfection, he has set us free. This is a podcast about the freedom that comes through dependence in Christ, and understanding the depth of his love.