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

Scott Keith
Scott Keith
06/17/17

Meeting Melanchthon: Freewheeling Libertine or Law Dog?

At the same time, in the late 1520s and early 1530s, Melanchthon’s theology became utterly reliant on the idea that justification is a purely forensic act whereby the unjust sinner is declared just on account of Christ (propter Christum).
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
06/15/17

Meeting Melanchthon: The Birthday of the Lutheran Church

Prior to the diet, the outlook for the new evangelical protestors was far from hopeful.
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!
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
06/11/17

Meeting Melanchthon: Work, Work, Work

Beginning in 1519, Melanchthon began to develop his theology.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
06/07/17

Melanchthon’s Magnum Opus

The work in question was entitled the Loci Communes Theologici, or Common Topics of Theology.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
05/31/17

Meeting Melanchthon: The Early Years

The two men, early colleagues and reluctant friends, would become a nearly unstoppable theological and Reformation team.
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.
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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