The Original Sin of Preaching: The Constant Craving for a Useful God in Pulpit and Pew
By Magnus Persson
03/25/26
12mins

The Original Sin of Preaching: The Constant Craving for a Useful God in Pulpit and Pew

God is not a tool in our hands. He does not exist to serve our goals, our metrics, or our platforms.
Even Chuck Norris Needed a Savior
Russ Lackey
Russ Lackey
03/23/26

Even Chuck Norris Needed a Savior

The gospel isn’t for the strong but people who know they aren’t.
Post-Denominational Lutheranism
John W. Hoyum
John W. Hoyum
03/20/26

Post-Denominational Lutheranism

One great thing about our post-denominational age is that it has opened up opportunities to make common cause with other Lutherans who, despite their differences and eccentricities, can agree on some of the most important things.

All Articles

Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
03/04/26

Jesus is the Best Thing About Us

While we often talk about our growth, our progress, and what we are doing for the kingdom of God, the reality is that any goodness in a Christian does not originate in us.
Ryan Matthias
Ryan Matthias
11/14/25

Dangerous Prayer

For the Christian, the iron gate of death was opened by the blood of Christ and the empty tomb.
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
11/11/25

Seamless Fig Leaves

When we fail, our first impulse is the same as that of our spiritual ancestors: to sprint headlong into the bushes.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
10/09/25

Healing for Our Soul Wounds

Just like Peter, you don’t need to do anything to earn God’s forgiveness for your soul wounds.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/30/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
09/11/25

When Evil Roars, Christ Still Reigns

To confess Christ crucified and risen as the only hope in a world that has lost its mind to wickedness and rage.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
08/28/25

Teach Us to Pray

You’re permitted to call on “Our Father, who art in heaven” at all hours of the day and night with whatever you like.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/26/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 19 and Psalm 29

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s upcoming book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 32, 52.
Sarah Crowder
Sarah Crowder
08/11/25

Fighting Shame with a Song: What K-Pop Demon Hunters Taught Me About Grace

We need redemption, and we receive it in our church community through God’s Word.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/08/25

Only Christ, Not OnlyFans

We don’t flinch at sin. We speak Christ into it.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
07/01/25

The Worldview Inversion of the Cross

As soon as people understand what crucifixion means, the cross becomes offensive.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
06/11/25

Where Pride Fails, Grace Breaks In

You are a soul. Not an algorithm. Not a hashtag. A soul knit together by a God who does not mock, does not abandon, and does not lie.
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