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

Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/24/19

Quentin Tarantino and Once Upon a Time in Israel

Jesus and the New Testament—good. Yahweh and the Old Testament—not really so good. So goes the popular, but largely whispered, dichotomy.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/20/19

Something More Powerful than Pain and Death

Jesus doesn’t talk about God’s love for us; he embodies it.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
08/19/19

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30 (Pentecost 11: Series C)

Luke does not tell us who asked it. But it’s a good question. “Lord, will those who are saved be few?”
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/13/19

What Matters Most

We confuse our success and failures with God’s judgment of us.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/13/19

You’re Not Fine Just the Way You Are

Contrary to what pop-psychology, social media memes, and your sweet grandmother told you, you are not fine just the way you are.
Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur
08/12/19

Killed the Word

Mere confrontation in the form of, “What you’re doing is wrong—you need to change yourself,” can never solve the root of our problem.
Jay Sawrie
Jay Sawrie
08/12/19

My Boring Testimony

I don't remember a time not knowing I was a sinner. Seriously, I've always understood that Christ died for me.
John W. Hoyum
John W. Hoyum
08/08/19

Preaching and Sola Scriptura

Preaching is simply the verbal bestowal of what Scripture has already given us in written form
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
08/07/19

My Grace-Covered Memory

My past, littered about this tiny island, resurrects itself when I draw near, but it never does so alone. It is always accompanied by the Savior.
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
08/01/19

Christmas in Galatians

Here, we read the mystery and majesty of the incarnation of the Son of God wrapped up into a single package
Dan van Voorhis
Dan van Voorhis
07/31/19

The Birth of the NASB, Translation Soup, and The Only English Translation You’ll Ever Need

These new texts and manuscripts, while not altering the message of the text, can give us better insight into particular historical and grammatical issues.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
07/28/19

Epistle: Colossians 3:1-11 (Pentecost 8: Series C)

Indeed, baptism is life because resurrection is life. Nothing short of regeneration—renewal of life—is accomplished by God through sheer grace because of Christ Jesus.
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