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

1517 Staff
1517 Staff
11/01/19

Giving Tuesday 2020 copy

Giving Tuesday 2020
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
10/31/19

Reformation Day: Hey Beggar, You're Free!

When we hear freedom, we have to ask about its opposite, bondage.
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
10/31/19

Haunted

The devil knows our name and labels us by our sin. The devil breathes out death as he names us for what we are, sinners.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/31/19

Church Trash, Cotton Candy Spiritualism, and God's Ongoing Reformation

All major and minor reformations happen not because people react but because God acts. He reforms. He looks down from heaven, has mercy upon his starving children, and ends the famine of the Word by sending the rain of the Gospel.
Norman Nagel
Norman Nagel
10/29/19

Don't Condemn That Pharisee

We would be utterly miserable if we could not find somebody less than ourselves, somebody to look down on, somebody to make us more pleased with ourselves.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
10/28/19

On Freedom in Christ and the Parable of the Forgiving Father

Like the younger son, we can return to our Father every time our sinful hearts rebel against him. Like the older brother, we can complain and lament to our Father without fear of being destroyed.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
10/28/19

Old Testament: Isaiah 1:10-18 (Pentecost 21: Series C)

Even though the sins of the Israelites are great, like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. In spite of great transgression, there is even greater forgiveness.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
10/28/19

Epistle: I John 3:1-3 (All Saints Sunday: Series C)

The lavish nature of God’s love is indicated by the fact that He, as Father, is the author of our being adopted as sons and daughters through Holy Baptism.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
10/28/19

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 (All Saints Sunday: Series C)

On All Saints Day, the beatitudes remind us how God in Christ claims people, frail, humble, poor, mourning, and makes them His own.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
10/23/19

The Gospel of the Unabomber

It is incumbent upon the faithful preacher, looking to see sinners transformed into the image of Christ, to preach a naked gospel.
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
10/22/19

Baptized into Christ, a Child of Paradise

When I hear my brother’s name, I will grieve a little. But I will also rejoice, for I know that he is with his Savior.
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
10/22/19

Blessed are the Lost

When we run deep into the darkness, Jesus runs deeper and deeper after us. Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.
1517 is a Christian non-profit (501(c)3) multi-media organization. Our mission is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus alone.
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