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
11/06/14

The Death of the Sons of David

Yet as we mourn, but unlike those who have no hope, so also we repent, but unlike those who have no absolution. For we though we weep, there is a hand that dries all tears.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/20/14

Looking for the Church? Follow the Trail of Blood

O little flock, fear not the foe, for at your head is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for you.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/19/14

Joseph and St. Patrick: God’s Unexpected Missionaries

We may seem destitute of hope, but the hope of Christ is stronger than our weakness.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/15/14

The Two Most Important Days in Your Life. And Why Mark Twain Was Wrong

Your primary purpose in life is having something done to you. God created you in order that He might have someone to give to, to bless, to love, to nurture, to save, to give Himself to.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/25/14

I Believe in One Holy Christian and Apostolic Facebook

A little bit of vulnerability amongst Christians would go a long way toward giving a witness to the world about what the church is really here for.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/22/14

A Victim's Shame

Wouldn’t it be great if there were something that could de-shame us?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/19/14

Jesus and the Parable of the Horse's Mouth

When I revisit in my mind the very long list of stupid, mean, selfish things I’ve done, every one of them began with me saying something I shouldn’t have.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/17/14

The Green-Eyed Monster: Putting Jealousy in its Place

It’ll eat you alive, won’t it? We begin to think we’re victims, as if the whole world is conspiring against us to deprive us of what we deserve.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/15/14

Honest Parenting: Tell Children the "Dreadful Beauty" of Painful Truths

My daughter’s honest, pointed question of “Why?” not only desired an answer; it deserved and demanded the “dreadful beauty” of an honest response.
Elyse Fitzpatrick
Elyse Fitzpatrick
09/14/14

The Shocking Truth About Marriage

My husband, Phil, and I just celebrated our 40th anniversary. Forty years ago he pledged to love and care for me. Forty years ago I pledged the same things. Forty years.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/11/14

The Polygamous, Incestuous, Murderous Collection of Screw-ups God Called the Holy Family

The pains and disappointments in life are teaching you the hard truth that God has a warm place in His heart for happy families.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/03/14

"You Can Get Used to Damn Near Any Stink": Acclimating to Evil

Have you ever found yourself looking back on a time in your life when you were thoroughly enmeshed in something wrong, and now you hardly recognize the person you were then?
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.