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

Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
10/21/18

Gospel: John 8:31-36 (Reformation Observed)

So, in keeping with Mark’s focus on discipleship this Fall, your Reformation Sunday sermon on John 8 might reflect on what it means to be a disciple. As you proclaim the commands and promises of Christ, you might invite your hearers not only to believe his Word, but also to abide in it. To hear and mediate on his promises in the various ways he delivers them.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
10/18/18

Patience Under the Mercy of Christ

God has forgiven you. That is an objective fact. You can reject it, but it is nevertheless true.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/16/18

Walking in Forgiveness

Jesus’ forgiveness will not collapse. Jesus’ forgiveness will take us places our legs can’t take us.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
10/15/18

Enemies Of The Cross

The thing seems incredible, and I would not have believed it myself, nor have understood Paul’s words here, had I not witnessed it with my own eyes and experienced it.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/12/18

Whose Bones are Buried Beneath the Cross?

Let’s take a walk together. And as we do, I’ll tell you a mystery.
Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur
10/11/18

What If and What Is

For all its stewing, regret ironically does not truly focus on the past. Often it is more concerned with the present and the future and how they would be if only we had done something differently.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
10/08/18

Grace Falls on the Grenade

On a summer day in 2008, Thomas and Romayne McGinnis were presented with the highest honor that can be received in any branch of the United States military, that is, the Medal of Honor.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
10/03/18

Getting Saved, Doing Nothing

We are saved by grace, and strictly speaking, not by an offer.
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
10/02/18

If Only I Could...

I love studying books on productivity and efficiency. I have a big family, and I have little people who depend on me and actually expect to eat every day.
Haroldo Camacho
Haroldo Camacho
10/01/18

The Abandoned

As I write this, I wonder if perhaps I am stretching things a bit thinking that it would be relevant to a considerably more sophisticated audience. Perhaps we already know the Gospel, that we are all sinners.
Jake Allstaedt
Jake Allstaedt
09/28/18

It Never Depended Upon You

I visited a senior man at his home the other day. I'll refer to him as “Jim.”
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/25/18

Our Fingerprints Are All Over the Crimes of the World

The Christian sees himself or herself as one just as guilty as the rest of the world. But we see ourselves not just as what’s wrong with the world, but in the One by whom the world has been redeemed.
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