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
04/07/17

Standing at the Foot of the Cross with Church Fathers

If he was not flesh, who was hung on the cross? And if he was not God, who shook the earth from its foundations?
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
04/07/17

What Sort of Father Do We Have?

He reminds them how his love is truly marvelous and unconditional, but then, he looks them in the eyes, and says they ought to do better because of his love.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
04/03/17

The Gospel as the Dynamite of Salvation and Vocation as the Scaffolding of the Christian Life

What on God’s green earth does dynamite, a chemical explosive, have to do with the Gospel of Christ?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/01/17

What Lurked Beneath the Water Jesus Walked On?

The God whose Spirit hovered over the face of the dark, formless, void waters of the infant creation, now walks upon the waters of the sea like a boss.
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
03/30/17

Broken Promises

This had been a lonely year, though. She could keep herself busy for a while with friends and she could distract herself for a few weekends by leaving town, but something was definitely missing.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
03/29/17

The Only Sane Man in Town

Who was this Jesus, who could do such things?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/29/17

Heaven's High Lungs: A Poem on the Valley of Dry Bones

They stood on their feet, the Father's host, Alive in the Son and Holy Ghost.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
03/28/17

The Worrisome Gospel

True faith, saving faith that receives the good news about the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is a faith created in us by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel (Eph 2:8-9).
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
03/27/17

Giving Up Something For Lent?

What would be a fitting thing to give up, especially during the season of Lent?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/26/17

What a Madman Taught Me About Prayer in Life's Chaotic Times

There’s some wild and untamed prayers in the psalms. But they’re fenced in by order, symmetry, predictability. They organize chaos. And they bring order and hope and stability to our chaotic lives.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
03/24/17

Do We Evangelize or Proselytize?

If you don’t believe Jesus Christ—that is, God in the man born of the Virgin Mary—died for the sins of the world, then you can’t evangelize.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
03/23/17

Anything Else You Worship Will Eat You Alive

Whether one believes Jesus to be God or not, His words and actions proclaim that He did not come to be served but to serve.
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