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
08/12/19

Gospel: Luke 12:49-56 (Pentecost 10: Series C)

Jesus is still in the business of dividing. He has come to divide us from our sinful thoughts and habits. He has come to divide us from false views of the world and distortions of His Word.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/08/19

Salvation and the Silly Summit of Some Great Thing

Overcrowding on Mount Everest betrays what our culture worships. We bow down at the altar of the impossible to be seen as the conquerors, the champions.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
08/07/19

My Grace-Covered Memory

My past, littered about this tiny island, resurrects itself when I draw near, but it never does so alone. It is always accompanied by the Savior.
Dan van Voorhis
Dan van Voorhis
08/07/19

Hiroo Onoda and the Gospel of Reconciliation

Stories like Onoda’s offer an interesting parallel to our life in the Gospel.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
08/05/19

Gospel: Luke 12:22-34 (Pentecost 9: Series C)

The Father knows our needs because he knows everything. This is a comforting thought, but only if He is gracious.
Grant Klembara
Grant Klembara
08/05/19

Killing Our Hero, Martin Luther

Martin Luther is not–or, at least should not–be the object of our affection.
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
08/01/19

The Gelded Gospel

The gelded Gospel is shiny and attractive and compelling, and we can perform the procedure in any number of ways.
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
08/01/19

Christmas in Galatians

Here, we read the mystery and majesty of the incarnation of the Son of God wrapped up into a single package
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/30/19

Pain is Our Birthright

Pain is our birthright, but Jesus’ resurrection is our irrevocable end.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
07/29/19

Protected from Baptism

The real problem with the way we talk about Baptism in particular, and the sacraments at all, is that we are simply afraid of letting God’s Word get us.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
07/28/19

Epistle: Colossians 3:1-11 (Pentecost 8: Series C)

Indeed, baptism is life because resurrection is life. Nothing short of regeneration—renewal of life—is accomplished by God through sheer grace because of Christ Jesus.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
07/28/19

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 (Pentecost 8: Series C)

Jesus names what life does not consist of, and in doing so he gets to something near and dear to our hearts as Americans—our possessions.
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.
1517.org
Search
Academy
Donate

1517 grants permission for our free online resources to be printed, photocopied, and otherwise used freely for private and church use. We require that authorship and source (1517.org) are referenced and maintained. These resources may not be sold or included in any publications for sale.