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
11/19/17

How Churches Become Morality Clubs of Religion

We strive, in short, to master the art of swatting mosquitoes. And all the while, we remain blind to the fact that in pulpit after pulpit, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is as rare as Merry Christmas inside a synagogue.
Jay Sawrie
Jay Sawrie
11/16/17

I Still Need the Sacraments

Growing up, I dreaded the first Sunday of each quarter. Every time during the evening service, we would have Lord’s Supper after the sermon.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
11/14/17

Bruised and Smoldering

“Obey God and he will bless you,” says the wind and the reed is bent over and bruised throughout. “God will never stop loving you but you can disappoint him,” says the wind and the once lit candle is now a sad smoldering wick.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
11/09/17

My Father, Bo Giertz (Part 2)

History was one of dad’s favorite subjects and he shared his knowledge with infectious enthusiasm.
Rick Ritchie
Rick Ritchie
11/08/17

Making it Your Own

We practice infant baptism because that is the ancient practice, following the command of Scripture.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
11/06/17

Out of the Depths: When Churches Become Crime Scenes

For since it was not enough that the Lord of heaven and earth hung on our every word, the Word came down from heaven and hung upon the cross.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
11/02/17

Still Replacing Relics

The devil tempts us to hope in things that we can do.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
11/01/17

Between Rome and the Fanatics

Luther accepted Augustine’s view of the church as a mixed body.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/27/17

Facebook and the Edited Me

Whether we realize it or not, all these online, self-editing actions are nothing more than our admission that we believe that we are so deeply flawed that no one will love us just as we are.
Larry D. Hughes
Larry D. Hughes
10/27/17

Divine Language

God’s justification of us does not happen secretly in our spirits. God justifies you and me in His absolving Word
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
10/26/17

Preaching That Saves

Good preaching does something for you. It delivers to you a Good Samaritan.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/23/17

Burying the Calculator: God's Gift of the Big, Fat Zero

We’re by nature counters. So long as we can add, subtract, multiply and divide something, anything, we have some measure of control and comparison.
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