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

Joel Hess
Joel Hess
05/04/17

Hey Pastor, Your Church Is Not Healthy (goggles required)

Your church is not healthy. If they were healthy, they wouldn’t need someone to heal them.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/03/17

God's Not Angry At You

Even a sinner who is crushed by the weight of her offenses, who feels in her bones the weight of judgment, shame, and doubt can expect to receive God's good word.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
05/02/17

Can I Be a Sinner in Your Church?

You can talk to me about how Jesus is really forgiving and how you want me around, but what happens when things don’t change in a month?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/30/17

I Would Never Do That: Facing the Lie We Tell Ourselves

We pray for God to deliver us from ourselves. To forgive us, for Jesus’s sake, when we do evil.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/26/17

Christianity Is Not About a Personal Relationship with Jesus

Christianity is not a solo endeavor. Not a private relationship between Jesus and me.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
04/25/17

The Gospel for Those Angry at God

The angriest people I meet are former Christians.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
04/18/17

Bare, Naked Faith

Put to death by God's Word of Law, we are then raised to new life by God's Word of Gospel.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
04/13/17

Jesus, Be Jesus for Me

Jesus is many things. He’s an example. He’s a teacher. He’s a great thinker and philosopher. But He’s also so much more, and He’s one thing above all else: He is Jesus, Savior.
David Rufner
David Rufner
04/12/17

I'm Itching for Wild Places

The creation is one of God’s good gifts and being cut off from nature and wild places, as we often are in the modern world, is probably not so good for us.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/07/17

Standing at the Foot of the Cross with Church Fathers

If he was not flesh, who was hung on the cross? And if he was not God, who shook the earth from its foundations?
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
04/07/17

What Sort of Father Do We Have?

He reminds them how his love is truly marvelous and unconditional, but then, he looks them in the eyes, and says they ought to do better because of his love.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
04/04/17

I, Alone

Last night was one of those nights when I had an unscheduled 3:00 a.m. Life Assessment session.
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