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

Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
06/11/18

Grandma Joy and Psalm 139

My Grandmother recently lost a long battle with cancer. Her name was Joy, and a name has never been more fitting.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
06/11/18

Preach Christ, Not About Christ

There is a difference between preaching about Christ and preaching Christ.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
06/10/18

False Guilt and the "What-If" Game We Parents Play

We need a God who can heal us of true guilt and false guilt. We need a Christ who not only removes the shame we feel for what we’ve done, but who washes away the shame that others have smeared upon us.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
06/01/18

The Real Threat to Our Preaching

Many Christians are worried—perhaps legitimately—that the state is a short step away from turning the Law of God into hate speech and silencing the legal preaching of God’s Word.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/29/18

Two Theologies, One Way into God's Kingdom

Nicodemus, like us, does not really have phantoms and dragons in his head. He has just one demon, one virus, one malady: he lives in fear.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
05/25/18

Woe is Me: A Different Kind of Spiritual Experience

That’s where a true encounter with God leaves you. Unable to point the finger at anyone else, all you can do is fall on your face, confess your sin, be absolved, and join the angels in singing, “Holy, holy, holy.”
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
05/23/18

Baptized With Fire

Few smells are as pervasive as the smell of smoke. Anyone who’s sat around a campfire can attest.
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
05/23/18

Prison of Prayer

What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with God? And what words, then, do I pray?
Daniel Deen
Daniel Deen
05/21/18

Mordor and Evangelism (Part 1)

Mordor’s bleak existence and the successful salvific mission of Frodo and Samwise is what makes Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings such a psychologically enjoyable epic.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
05/18/18

Outrageous Grace

Exemplified here are two misunderstandings about the forgiveness and graciousness of God among some Christians.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
05/17/18

Behind the Satanic Curtain:

There are a few occasions in the Bible where the curtain lifts, and we get to peer into the inner workings of the Divine Court.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
05/17/18

I Don’t Want To Be A Poor Widow

Our crucified Lord makes it clear that the widow’s worthless giving was far greater than a million dollars because she gave all she had.
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