Explore every episode of the podcast Outlaw God
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Justifying God | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:41:16 | |
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: What's New from 1517:
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| Remembering and Repenting | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:36:24 | |
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: What's New from 1517:
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| Suffering As a Means of Faith? | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:34:57 | |
In this episode of Outlaw God, Dr. Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith examine Christian views of suffering and critiques the common idea that God sends hardship to create or strengthen faith. Drawing on Luther's reading of the Psalms and 2 Corinthians 3, they argue that faith comes first and suffering follows because faith is attacked, not produced, by affliction. They trace how mystical and modern evangelical traditions interpret suffering as a path to humility, conversion, and even divine compassion, including the notion that God must suffer to understand humanity. The discussion concludes by previewing Luther's break from these ideas and a clearer theology of the cross to be explored next time. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Thy Will Be Done | 01 Mar 2024 | 00:47:47 | |
Does prayer enable God to do his will? In this episode, Dr. Paulson outlines that God does not require human prayer to accomplish his will. Instead, the Lord's prayer provides us a model for praying against ourselves and our sinful will and trusting in the work of God. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Thy Kingdom Come | 24 Feb 2024 | 00:46:59 | |
What does it mean to pray for the Kingdom of God? Does God need us to desire or earn the coming of His kingdom? Dr. Paulson addresses that God's kingdom will come when God pleases, even without our prayer. Instead, he uses this prayer as a promise that his kingdom is coming for us. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Hallowed Be Thy Name | 16 Feb 2024 | 00:46:07 | |
Dr. Paulson and Caleb Keith discuss the first petition of the Lord's prayer. What is significant about praying for something true in and of itself, such as the holiness of God? Dr. Paulson teaches that this formula is essential for understanding prayer and our place in it. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Our Father | 09 Feb 2024 | 00:51:20 | |
The Outlaw God discusses the greeting of the Lord's Prayer, where we are given the name of God. Jesus teaches us to pray to God as our Father. Here, we are identified as children of God, a good and gracious Father. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| An Introduction to the Lord's Prayer | 01 Feb 2024 | 00:49:03 | |
Dr. Paulson and Caleb Keith continue their series on the Small Catechism. In this episode, they examine the inclusion of the Lord's Prayer in the catechism. They discuss why prayer is essential to the Christian life but is not some third category between law and gospel. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Close of the Apostles Creed | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:50:54 | |
Dr. Paulson concludes the Apostles Creed and its explanation from Luther's Small Catechism. He and Caleb Keith discuss what it means for the Holy Spirit to work through the Church and how God delivers his forgiveness as an external Word to sinners. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Introduction to the Third Article of the Creed | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:49:02 | |
Caleb and Dr. Paulson introduce the Third Article of the Creed. They discuss the importance of getting the doctrine of the Holy Spirit correct. When the third article is not taught, the outside word of faith is attacked by searching your feelings and works for assurance. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts: | |||
| The Second Article of the Creed | 12 Jan 2024 | 00:59:47 | |
"I Believe in Jesus Christ." The second article of the creed gives us the words to confess the justification won and given to us through Jesus Christ. Here, you confess who Christ is and what he has done for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The First Article of the Apostles Creed | 05 Jan 2024 | 00:57:52 | |
Dr. Paulson and Caleb discuss the first article of the Apostles Creed. In this article, we hear how God has provided physical provisions and life for his creation. Here, we also receive the words that fulfill the first commandment; "I believe." Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Ninth and Tenth Commandments | 28 Dec 2023 | 00:56:07 | |
"You shall not covet." The final two commandments bring the Outlaw God back to the subject of the human will. How do we deal with a command from God that prohibits our actions and, more substantially, our desires? Dr. Paulson anchors this episode by demonstrating how this commandment teaches us and our children that "following your heart" is not best for you. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Plainly Speaking and Preaching | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:42:08 | |
On this episode of Outlaw God, Dr. Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith continue to look at 2 Corinthians 3, where Paul contrasts the ministries of Moses and the Holy Spirit as law and gospel. They explore how the "glory" associated with Moses belongs to the law that kills and comes to an end, while the Spirit's glory gives life through resurrection and endures forever. They discuss common theological confusions that treat law and gospel as cooperative or parallel paths to salvation and argue instead that the gospel alone creates righteousness by promise. The episode concludes by showing how this passage shaped Luther's theology and sets up a new way of reading Moses through the lens of Christ and the gospel. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| The Eighth Commandment | 22 Dec 2023 | 00:50:55 | |
Dr. Paulson and Caleb continue teaching Luther's Small Catechism. This week, they talk about why reputation is so valuable. How do we instill the value of an excellent reputation in our children and teach them to honor and respect their neighbors? Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts: | |||
| The Seventh Commandment | 14 Dec 2023 | 00:44:13 | |
You shall not steal. The Seventh Commandment prohibits us from taking our neighbor's possesions as our own. It also teaches us that the world is economic. Dr. Paulson discusses how the seventh commandment conditions us to live in a world of inequality and how the withdrawal of monasticism or the theft of communism misunderstands and abuses God's physical and economic creation. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The 6th Commandment | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:42:10 | |
"You shall not commit adultery." Caleb and Dr. Paulson talk about the importance of marriage, the place and purpose of sex, and how the family is the central matter at the heart of the six commandments. Paulson argues that the Sixth Commandment appears offensive as it assaults our modern sensibilities about sex and sexuality. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The 5th Commandment | 28 Nov 2023 | 00:43:40 | |
Dr. Paulson covers the 5th commandment, "You shall not murder." He and Caleb Keith discuss how this commandment does not demand pacifism but instead outlines how God limits and uses the physical power of individuals in the world. That is, God does not only desire that we not murder one another but help, serve, and protect our neighbor. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Fourth Commandment | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:56:04 | |
Dr. Paulson and Caleb enter the second table of the law. "You shall honor your father and mother." Dr. Paulson explains how family is the foundation of all human relationships. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Third Commandment | 17 Nov 2023 | 00:50:07 | |
What does it mean to remember the Sabbath Day? In this episode, Dr. Paulson and Caleb discuss what it means to worship God and receive his gifts. They address the notion that the Sabbath is about imitating God's rest and see how God uses the Sabbath to forgive our sins. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Second Commandment | 06 Nov 2023 | 00:42:50 | |
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain. What does it mean to use God's name, and how does one misuse it? In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Dr. Paulson and Caleb Keith discuss the second commandment and how to hear and learn it. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Love And Trust | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:46:37 | |
Caleb and Dr. Paulson continue to discuss the explanation of the First Commandment. This time, they focus on what it means to love and trust God. Paulson explains how the "fear, love, and trust" explanation relates all the commandments to the central command: "You shall have no other gods." Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The First Commandment | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:45:20 | |
Dr. Paulson introduces the First Commandment. "You shall have no other gods." He uses this episode to explain why this is the central commandment and how Luther uses the following explanation to create a pattern for instruction. What does "fear, love, and trust in God above all things." mean? Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Luther's Small Catechism | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:44:31 | |
Dr. Paulson begins teaching Luther's Small Catechism. In this episode, Steve Paulson and Caleb Keith discuss the significance of Luther's Catechism. What is a catechism, and why did Luther publish his own? Paulson uncovers how Luther retained all the classical catechetical elements while shifting the focus to the distinction between God's law and God's gospel. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Moses Accuses and Kills | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:40:42 | |
In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Caleb Keith and Steven Paulson finally arrive at 2 Corinthians Chapter 3, discussing the distinction between law and gospel, the authority of Paul, and the implications of Moses' ministry. They explore how the law, represented by Moses, is a ministry of death, while the gospel, delivered through Christ, offers life and assurance. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| The End of Volume 1 | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:51:14 | |
Dr. Paulson summarizes the end of Luther's Outlaw God Volume 1. He ends this volume by showing how Luther proclaimed the Law and the Gospel to Erasmus and against the problem of evil. The episode ends with an overview of where the podcast is going next with a series on Luther's Small Catechism. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Keep Preaching | 29 Sep 2023 | 00:57:30 | |
Dr. Paulson Discuss John chapter six. Specifically, Paulson deals with the offense of the Gospel as God's electing word to salvation. Why is it troubling that election comes apart from the Law? How does the Gospel choice assault the idea of free will? Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Best of All Possible Worlds | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:36:13 | |
The problem of evil is constantly nagging at the conscience. Dr. Paulson addresses some harmful ways the question "why does evil exist?" has been answered by Christians. This time, he addresses the idea that evil is a lesser-good that is used to form our character. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Two Effects of the Gospel | 13 Sep 2023 | 00:49:07 | |
In this episode, Dr. Paulson describes what hearing the Gospel does to those who listen. He describes the offense of the Gospel and its attack on our will and desire to be saved by the Law. And finally, how the Gospel overcomes sinful hearts to deliver saving faith. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Blocking Up the Ears | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:45:37 | |
In this episode, Paulson goes back to the issue of hardened hearts. He teaches from the Apostle Paul that access to the heart begins with the ears. This leads him to discuss how God's word is opposed by blocked-up ears. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Opposition and Suffering | 30 Aug 2023 | 00:46:30 | |
Dr. Paulson goes deeper into the idea of opposing God in his word. He describes how this opposition and attack on the faith interacts with our suffering. Finally, he leads the podcast to the hope that all suffering and opposition have been brought to an end in the cross of Christ. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Battle Is Won | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:50:26 | |
Dr. Paulson continues to talk about the end times. In this episode, he proclaims the truth that the last battle of this world is already won. Christians are not sent out into the world with uncertainty about the end times but are free in already possessing the victory. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| The Man of Lawlessness | 16 Aug 2023 | 00:48:38 | |
Dr. Paulson continues to examine what it means to oppose God. In this episode, the discussion revolves around the eschaton, the end of the world, and its purpose and place in Christian theology. This conversation addresses the idea of the anti-Christ and what kind of power the "man of lawlessness" actually possesses. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Opposing God's Word | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:45:47 | |
Dr. Paulson dives deeper into 2 Thessalonians. Here he teaches how God is opposed by sin and the devil by an assault on and rejection of His Word. Paulson describes that this understanding of opposition to God's word is necessary for teaching the Bondage of the Will. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| You Need Distinctions | 05 Aug 2023 | 00:45:46 | |
In this episode, Dr. Paulson highlights the importance of distinguishing between law and gospel. He emphasizes how distinguishing between concepts and definitions requires exclusion and certainty. He goes on to demonstrate how Luther taught necessary distinctions through Scripture. Show Notes Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts: | |||
| Attack on Grace | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:47:13 | |
In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson continue to talk about the theological implications of Moses' encounter with God in the cleft of the rock. They discuss the nature of God's glory, the significance of worship, and the relationship between grace and the law. The conversation emphasizes that true worship is rooted in hearing God's word and receiving His promises. The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of understanding the distinction between law and gospel in Christian worship. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| 2 Thessalonians | 26 Jul 2023 | 00:39:23 | |
Dr. Paulson transitions into the final chapter of Luther's Outlaw God Volume 1. This time, he looks at 2 Thessalonians to address the issues of suffering and evil. Paulson, along with Scripture and the Lutheran confessions, teaches that God is patient with evil in this world so that he can come and rescue you with the precious blood of his Son. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Why Do I Suffer | 20 Jul 2023 | 00:46:08 | |
Dr. Paulson discusses human suffering. He demonstrates different flawed ways that suffering is utilized to purpose a meaning of life. He utilizes Scripture to show why suffering is not a "lesser good" but is something that God puts to an end in Christ. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Crossing the Red Sea | 12 Jul 2023 | 00:43:26 | |
In this episode, Dr. Paulson and Caleb go back yet again and discuss the events of the book of Exodus. Paulson uses the crossing of the Red Sea to demonstrate what it looks like to receive and be delivered by God's promises and what it looks like to stand in direct opposition to those same promises. This helps show why Luther so frequently referenced Pharoh while debating Erasmus. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts: | |||
| Mark Chapter 3 | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:49:22 | |
Dr. Paulson picks up the themes of monism and dualism again. This time, he directly demonstrates the issues with these two accounts of evil by going into Scripture. Paulson also discusses the sin against the Holy Spirit. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Monism and Dualism | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:54:51 | |
In this episode, Dr. Paulson outlines two more attempts at defining God and containing evil. He explains how monism and dualism attempt to account for sin. Paulson concludes with Luther that both approaches are void of the reality of the one true God because they cannot account for or describe God as he reveals himself in the Gospel. Show Notes: What's New from 1517: More from the hosts: | |||
| Deism | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:43:11 | |
In this episode of The Outlaw God, Dr. Paulson outlines the issues with deism. He identifies how deism presents God as a mighty creator but attempts to get around the problem of evil by making God distant and inactive. Paulson demonstrates how deism promotes the problem of free will and rejects the plain text of Scripture. What's New from 1517: More from the hosts:
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| Reshaping Bible History | 13 Jun 2023 | 00:41:17 | |
Dr. Paulson outlines some of the major interpretive issues of modern Bible historians. He demonstrates how they reduce the Scripture down to moral lessons. He does this while showing that these patterns and problems are not new in the history of biblical interpretation but simply rebranded. Show Notes Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts More from the hosts
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| The Fact of the Resurrection | 07 Jun 2023 | 01:01:12 | |
In this episode, Dr. Paulson talks about the significance of Christ's actual death and resurrection and its effect on how we view the "plain text" of Scripture. Paulson uses 1 Corinthians 15 as the grounds for discussing how the realities of our resurrection and salvation depend on the physical death and resurrection of a savior who entered human history for us. Show Notes Support the Podcast Network Fundraiser The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts More from the hosts
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| Psalm 51 | 31 May 2023 | 00:57:37 | |
Paulson continues to outline interpretations of Biblical texts that reject the idea of plain sense meaning. In this episode, Paulson looks at Psalm 51 and addresses how David's proclamations and prayers have been moralized. He then presents a reading that does not interject a moral key or decoding. Show Notes The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts More from the hosts
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| The Plain Text of Scripture | 23 May 2023 | 00:56:20 | |
In this episode, Dr. Paulson begins to outline what Luther means when he talks about the "plain text" of Scripture. Paulson shows how the plain text meaning works alongside doctrines like Sola Scriptura. He then talks about how Luther confronts Erasmus with the plain text. Show Notes The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts More from the hosts Caleb Keith
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| God's Presence, Favor and Glory | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:38:56 | |
In this episode of the Outlaw God podcast, Caleb Keith and Dr. Steven Paulson continue their discussion on Moses and Mysticsm. They explore the significance of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and the deeper implications of his encounter with God, especially the moment when Moses asks to see God's glory. The conversation transitions into how this narrative has influenced both Christian and philosophical thought, particularly in relation to the law and its interpretation. Paulson emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between the law and the gospel, suggesting that many interpretations mistakenly equate God's glory with the law itself, rather than recognizing it as a manifestation of grace and favor. Show Notes: What's New from 1517:
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| Playing Games With Scripture | 17 May 2023 | 00:54:14 | |
Dr. Paulson discusses the devastating impact of Scriptural interpretation that tries to get around the difficult and real passages of the text. He and Caleb identify these methods as "games" that dismiss the reality of Scripture and ignore the plain meaning and events of the text. They highlight that this is not just a modern problem but an ancient assault against the Christian faith. Show Notes The 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts More from the hosts
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| The Miserable Refuge of Tropes | 09 May 2023 | 00:51:18 | |
Dr. Paulson discusses how some theology distrusts the literal meaning of Scripture. He describes how this leads to alternate theories of interpretation. In the episode, he deals with the problem of turning Scripture into a series of tropes. He displays how this is yet another means of reducing the content of Scripture to simple moral lessons. 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts More from the hosts
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| Hardening the Heart | 29 Apr 2023 | 00:53:11 | |
In this episode, Dr. Paulson introduces what will be a multiple episode section on interpreting Scripture. Paulson opens this chapter by examing the approaches of Luther and Erasmus when it comes to classically tricky sections of Scripture. Paulson begins with the hardening of pharo and the scandal of God hardening the heart. Paulson emphasizes how this demonstration of God's almighty power in hardening is not the last word and that the Gospel still prevails. | |||