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
05/19/16

God, You Lied to Me: A Pastor's Struggle

He has wandered away into the darkness of his doubting, got lost in his grief, confused by the pains he’s suffered. It happens. Shepherds sometimes become lost sheep as well.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
05/19/16

What's The Big Deal About The Liturgy? (Part 2: The Dialogue)

The chief verb of the liturgy is the gift of God’s forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
05/17/16

Tacking to Glory

You cannot fudge Glory in this life. You get there only on the Better Day that is coming and not one day before.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
05/09/16

Is There Any Hope for Me? Can These Bones Live?

O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus he says to these bones. Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
05/02/16

Two Thursdays That Tell Us (Almost) Everything About Jesus

What Jesus did and gives on these two Thursdays encapsulates his whole life and mission.
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.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/27/16

An Address to the Graduating Devils of Discordia Seminary

Brothers, the rich and diverse education you have received has more than adequately prepared you for the ministry of temptation to which you have been called.
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.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/19/16

The Cocktail of Worship and Doubt

But on the mountain in Galilee, where we encounter a very different side of God, doubts overtake us. Why?
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.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
04/04/16

Imagine...

Imagine a church's mission statement is: "You Don't Have to Fake It Till You Make It." That is, you walk into church and an usher hands you a bulletin
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
03/30/16

Being Lured Away From Justification

There is an unfortunate, but familiar pilgrimage that entirely too many have taken—servants who have offered strong confession and service in the pure Gospel, but who then have doctrinally gone astray.
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