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

Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/24/16

Interpreting Reality Through Redemption

If you know me in the least, then you know of my fondness for the 2010 film Inception.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/20/16

The One Hebrew Word You Don't Want to Forget

To forget ourselves is to remember another, that is, to act in such a way that benefits them. That’s the problem: we don’t.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/17/16

The Danger and Delight of Happiness

In happiness, we dare never forget that it is Christ, and Christ alone, who has restored our joy.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
08/16/16

Today, I Almost Died...

Today, I almost died several times.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/15/16

Endurance To The End

The Christian life is compared to many things throughout Scripture. It's likened to a soldier going to war, a sheep under the care of a shepherd, or the journey of a pilgrim to a far-off city.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
08/10/16

Rejecting the Gospel?

Over the last 11 months I’ve spent the bulk of my time working to plant a church in New York City.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
08/08/16

Dancing With The Spirit

Years ago I picked up a used copy of Thomas Á Kempis’ Imitation of Christ at a second-hand bookstore.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/02/16

Pejorative Piety

One of the things you get used to if you talk about this thing called “grace” often enough, is sooner or later you’ll be looked down on by your peers.
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
07/27/16

I Have Confidence

In the classic musical, The Sound of Music, the storyline follows the main character, Maria, as she is sent from her life in an Abbey to become a governess over seven children.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
07/25/16

Ask or You Won’t Receive

Years ago a pastor friend of mine who felt betrayed by someone he trusted told me that he was under no biblical obligation to forgive his betrayer unless and until he asked for forgiveness.
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio
07/22/16

A Gospel That You Can Touch, Smell, Taste, See and Hear

Looking back, I see that the biggest problem (besides heresy) was that my faith was first about what I did or didn’t do, but it was also intangible and spiritual.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/19/16

What's Wrong with the World—in Two Words

The Christian faith makes a bold claim: We are the world's problem, but we are not the world's solution.
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