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

Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
04/29/16

What's The Big Deal About The Liturgy? (Part 1: Basic Grammar)

Over the next few months, I invite you to join me in looking at what the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions have to say about the subject of worship through the lens of language.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
04/22/16

The End of "As If" Christianity

“As if” Christians aren’t allowed to reflect; that they’re not kind, generous, brave, or loyal. They’re not living up to the example of biblical saints.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
04/20/16

The Prosperity of the Gospel

I started writing this article about a friend, her struggles through cancer, and the pain of an unfortunate and severe fall that landed her in a hospital, requiring months of rehabilitation.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/19/16

Church and the Toilet Flush

Burdened within and without, we cross the threshold into church. We don't leave behind our earthiness, our tragedies, our white-knuckled grip on the last vestige of dignity in our sad lives.
Larry D. Hughes
Larry D. Hughes
04/14/16

Why Do The Youth Leave The Church?

This story is all-too-common, and illustrates a key dynamic driving the youth out of church.
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
04/11/16

Sinners Get To Wear White

Years ago a young woman approached her pastor with a request. It wasn’t a strange request. She simply asked if he would perform her wedding ceremony.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
04/08/16

The Not-So-Empty Tomb of Jesus

Should we consider the tomb of Jesus completely empty, or just somewhat empty?
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
04/06/16

Easter 101 with Satan

Before you ever know what happened, Satan has taught us to doubt the promise of the crucified and risen Christ.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/01/16

Taking My Children to Visit God at the Zoo

There’s something appealing about a caged deity.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
03/31/16

Repentant Enough

If you’ve been in church long enough, you might have seen the worst of someone’s unrepentant sin get them kicked out, cast out, excommunicated or “handed over to Satan so their flesh might die and their soul might live.”
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
03/27/16

The Great Easter Entmoot

On this night of nights, Christ arises victorious and sends the devil’s hordes running with no darkness to find cover; death’s dark shadow is gone
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/26/16

He Will Easter You

“Why do you seek the living One among the dead?” the angel asked the two women. The time for Jesus to die has passed.
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