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

Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
06/30/17

It Has Nothing To Do With Salvation

If we are saved by faith, if it is by faith that we have life in His name, what do the sacraments have to do with it? The answer is: everything.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/26/17

Good News From A Far Country: Preaching Law & Gospel

I believe it’s no small charge to assert that there’s a massive problem in the majority of America’s pulpits.
Jared C. Wilson
Jared C. Wilson
06/12/17

The Upsetting Reality of the Beatitudes

Many, many people—including many church people—have this asinine idea that Jesus showed up on earth two thousand years ago and loosened everything up.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
06/12/17

Fathers, Don’t Let Them Die

You have suffered your son to come unto Jesus; but fathers, don’t let him die!
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
06/08/17

The Laughable Gospel

“It’s funny because it’s true.” —Homer Simpson. The Bible is full of ridiculous stories. Laughable stories. There, I said it. A Red Sea parting, a giant fish swallowing a man, a talking donkey, and the list goes on and on. It’s all a bit ridiculous.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
05/18/17

Singing "Stand Up, Stand Up, for Jesus" While Sitting Down: Disembodied Worship

The church’s worship should boldly and explicitly do two things: confess the incarnation and practice for the resurrection.
Jeff Mallinson
Jeff Mallinson
05/17/17

Why All The Fuss? The Difference between the Reformed and Lutherans on the Lord’s Supper

Even in our principled disagreements, we continue to pray for the unity of all, and invite the world to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/16/17

News That's Too Good to be True

True faith, saving faith that receives the good news about the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is a faith created in us by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
05/04/17

Hey Pastor, Your Church Is Not Healthy (goggles required)

Your church is not healthy. If they were healthy, they wouldn’t need someone to heal them.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
05/02/17

Can I Be a Sinner in Your Church?

You can talk to me about how Jesus is really forgiving and how you want me around, but what happens when things don’t change in a month?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/30/17

I Would Never Do That: Facing the Lie We Tell Ourselves

We pray for God to deliver us from ourselves. To forgive us, for Jesus’s sake, when we do evil.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/26/17

Christianity Is Not About a Personal Relationship with Jesus

Christianity is not a solo endeavor. Not a private relationship between Jesus and me.
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