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
10/07/18

The Two Reasons Our Past Can Be Changed

In Christ, God’s Son, yesterday, today, and tomorrow all collapse into one. He holds in himself everything from the beginning to the end of the world.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
10/04/18

Name Brand

Many scholars believe that what Jesus says in verses 18-20 are the key to Matthew's Gospel. Actually, it may be the key to the entire Bible, for in these three verses we see the full scope of the history of redemption brought to bear in one history-altering, cosmic event: Baptizing in God's name.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
10/04/18

Considering the Weak in Faith?

Perhaps if we indulged our Christian freedom around them, they would come to see that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
10/01/18

Christ’s Gifts For Ingrates

Have you ever received a gift for which you were less than thrilled, but you had to pretend you really liked it so as not to offend the giver?
Tate Barber
Tate Barber
09/27/18

I May Not Be A Smart Man, But I Know What The Gospel Is

I am not a good Lutheran. I have only been around reformation theology for a few years.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
09/25/18

I’d Never Go to That Church

Would you go to the church on the corner knowing that the pastor is an ex-con?
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
09/18/18

Jesus Opens Us

Jesus opened our ears and mouth when He baptizes us. Jesus put His fingers into our ears, speaks to us, and washes our sins away.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
09/13/18

The Habits of Grace

Only because He is an outsider can he afford the costly fee insiders could never afford no matter how hard they work.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
09/04/18

Learning the Cycle of Gospel Proclamation

True preaching arises when the Holy Spirit steeps the proclaimer in its own cycle of judgment and mercy.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/01/18

Scandalous Church Stories Not Reported This Week

Early in the church’s life, some Christians were dragged before the city authorities in Thessalonica and accused of “turning the world upside down,” (Acts 17:6). They were guilty as charged. They were turning the world upside down. Or, rather, they were putting the world right side up.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
08/29/18

Who Did Jesus Marry?

Did Jesus ever marry? Yes, He married you!
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/28/18

Failed Saint, Faithful Savior

Christians have long enjoyed an absurd love affair with white-washing biblical saints.
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