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

Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/28/19

Jesus is Our True Happiness

We hold fast to Christ Jesus where He’s most God, most Savior, for us: in His gifts of word, water, bread, and wine.
John W. Hoyum
John W. Hoyum
05/24/19

Luther's Counsel for the Bereaved

For Luther, Jesus does something much better for those who grieve than simply identify with them: He brings suffering and evil to an end in His own death.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
05/23/19

Jesus is Not a Life Coach

People say only two things in life are certain: death and taxes. But there are other certainties. Like the daily rising and setting of the sun. And like the fact that life itself has its risings and settings as well.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/21/19

How Jesus Will King for Us

Jesus has won the battle. The war is over. In His death, the victory’s sure.
Jared C. Wilson
Jared C. Wilson
05/20/19

The Shape of Gospel Astonishment

There is God. He existed before anything existed, for he has always existed and he will always exist. He created everything that exists outside of himself, and therefore he owns it all, including humankind.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
05/17/19

Luther's Counsel for the Sick and Dying

As usual, Luther took what he received and turned it inside-out, so that it shifted from a series of demands and became a bestowal of God’s gracious promise.
Brandon Hanson
Brandon Hanson
05/17/19

We Preach Christ Crucified

While the cross of Christ is a stumbling block to our self-righteousness and an offense to our rationalism, this is where God has chosen to reveal His power and wisdom.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
05/10/19

Luther's Counsel for Those Dealing with Depression

At the core of Luther’s advice is the proclamation that we are free to hand over our pain, our sin, and our inabilities to our Savior.
Jessica Thompson
Jessica Thompson
05/08/19

Joy Is Coming

Seasons of prolonged suffering have a way of beating your spirit down into the dust. Relational suffering. Physical suffering. Emotional suffering. Financial suffering.
Valerie Thur
Valerie Thur
05/07/19

Speak His Name

The wizard stares into Billy Batson’s eyes. “Speak my name so my powers may flow through you.”
Charles E. Fry
Charles E. Fry
05/02/19

Why We are All Theologians of Glory

If man can save himself, what need is there for the cross or the Gospel?
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
05/02/19

Not Today

One of the great themes of the Game of Thrones is the personification of Death, most concretely in the form of the Night King, supreme commander of the blue-eyed nightwalkers.
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