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
03/24/19

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-13 (Lent 4: Series C)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a familiar story. This creates a challenge for the preacher.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
03/24/19

Carried to the Table of the King

In Christ, the new and better David, we are redeemed from our lame condition of sin
Dan van Voorhis
Dan van Voorhis
03/20/19

The Ones Who Don't Do Anything

On account of God’s graciousness in Jesus, we are the ones who don’t do anything
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
03/19/19

I Am A Fake Christian

The other day a prominent Evangelical pastor tweeted, “My life’s commitment is to talk about the Bible in such a way that fake Christians feel fake — so that they can be saved.”
Jessica Thompson
Jessica Thompson
03/18/19

Grace In The Wilderness

God’s children spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Imagine the hopelessness. Imagine the frustration.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
03/18/19

The Hills of Salvation

Had you been the only sinner in the world, He would have died for you alone
Jason Lane
Jason Lane
03/17/19

Epistle: I Corinthians 10:1-13 (Lent 3: Series C)

To be textual in our preaching, we ought to do as Paul does, and drag our people through the Old Testament narratives. We ought to let the Holy Spirit do the illustrations. Of course, Paul’s illustrating too, but he’s doing it in the Spirit and using the Holy Spirit’s own vocabulary.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
03/17/19

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 (Lent 3: Series C)

We’re tempted to try and connect the dots. Something bad happens to someone and we can’t help but wonder about the cause. Even if we don’t say it out loud, we are tempted to think they must have done something to deserve it. They must be guilty of something. God must be punishing them for something we don’t know about. But Jesus stops this thinking in its tracks.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
03/15/19

Begin The Begets

I am a time traveler now. It all started this past Christmas. My son gave my husband and me DNA kits, and the instructions suggested that.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
03/15/19

Christ Who Becomes Our Sin

I am the Resurrection,’ says Jesus, not an abstract miracle or idea
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/14/19

So You Don't Like Your Pastor

Pastors are built from the same stuff as everyone else. That’s good, and that’s bad.
Brandon Hanson
Brandon Hanson
03/14/19

Stop Conflating Caesar With Jesus

With these words, Jesus at the same time acknowledges that earthly government is both divinely sanctioned and, at the same time, not to be conflated with the kingdom of God.
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