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

Travis Scholl
Travis Scholl
07/10/22

Epistle: Colossians 1:21-29 (Pentecost 6: Series C)

What might be a unique challenge of this text is how our preaching of it might itself resonate with its mystery. It goes to a broader question: How can we retain a sense of the “mysterious” in our preaching of mysterious texts?
Travis Scholl
Travis Scholl
07/03/22

Epistle: Colossians 1:1-14 (Pentecost 5: Series C)

Paul is giving thanks for the reality that the gospel grows just as much in the little places as it does in the centers of power.
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
07/03/22

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 (Pentecost 5: Series C)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is both a call to faith in Jesus and a call to love our neighbor.
Travis Scholl
Travis Scholl
06/26/22

Epistle: Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18 (Pentecost 4: Series C)

How do we preach a text of exhortation while keeping the sermon Gospel-centered?
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
06/26/22

Gospel: Luke 10:1-20 (Pentecost 4: Series C)

Despite the very real obstacles and difficulties, this entire scene is marked by God’s gracious work.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/22/22

Hope for These Bodies of Death: Understanding Romans 7

There’s no possibility of understanding the grace of Romans 6 and the glory of Romans 8 unless you identify with the excruciating struggle of Romans 7.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
06/21/22

Demanding to Suffer Freedom

The only solution to free will is the announcement from a preacher that the Father forgives us for Christ's sake.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/19/22

Gospel: Luke 9:51-56 (Pentecost 3: Series C)

Nuance and subtlety have been replaced with scorched-earth contempt. It is us versus them. Compromise is not an option. Jesus, however, would have none of it.
Justin Rossow
Justin Rossow
06/19/22

Epistle: Galatians 5:1, 13-25 (Pentecost 3: Series C)

The question is, how are you going to live out your life as someone who has taken up the Robe of Freedom?
Ron Hodel
Ron Hodel
06/15/22

Adopted

God has a plan for this world that he put into place from eternity, a plan that is carried out in Jesus Christ and promises unimaginably great blessings for believers.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/12/22

Gospel: Luke 8:26-39 (Pentecost 2: Series C)

Jesus comes to people and changes everything. “Before” is long gone. “After” is a whole new world.
Justin Rossow
Justin Rossow
06/12/22

Epistle: Galatians 3:23-4:7 (Pentecost 2: Series C)

Paul wants us to know the radical identity shift that takes place when you put on Christ. You are free.
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