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
03/22/16

Putting a Gag Order on the Gospel

The first person who attempted to stop people from talking about Jesus was not a tyrant, a secular government, or a bully religious mob.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
03/22/16

Good Friday: Fouled Out, For Us

Thankfully, our heavenly Father sent a Champion into the game to take our place. What we failed to do, He accomplished.
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
03/17/16

Tell the Easter Bunny How Much You’ve Grown

I was walking through a mall recently, and all the spring decorations and colors were starting to appear. It was refreshing to see the fresh colors and a change of scenery as I strolled through the mall.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
03/17/16

Justification and Faith

By Philip Melanchthon (from the 1535 Loci Communes), translated by Scott L. Keith, Ph.D., edited by Kurt Winrich
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio
03/10/16

We Are Beggars, This Is True

God isn’t interested in your sins. He isn’t interested in keeping score, making sure that you keep at least one more good work than bad in your ledger.
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio
03/10/16

We Are Beggars, This Is True

God isn’t interested in your sins. He isn’t interested in keeping score, making sure that you keep at least one more good work than bad in your ledger.
Rod Rosenbladt
Rod Rosenbladt
03/08/16

How Do I Know I Have Actual Saving Faith?

The following conversation occurred between one of 1517's readers/listeners and Dr. Rosenbladt via email in February of 2016.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
03/07/16

The Optimist Must Die

To whatever extent we follow God’s perfect commands we will benefit from following them.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/01/16

The Older Brother of the Prodigal Son Speaks Out

If there’s going to be a celebration, why not celebrate fidelity, obedience, hard work?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/01/16

New Life Begins in the Dark

We spend the first nine months of our lives in utter darkness. There are no tiny fluorescent bulbs beaming from the ceiling of the womb, no fetal flashlights, not even a pinprick of illumination.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/25/16

The Tragedy of Accomplishment

Cindy’s tragedy was that she was blind to the Christ from whom all her good gifts came.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/21/16

Our Precious Sins We Don't Want God to Forgive

We hang on to our sins not despite the fact that they hurt, but precisely because they do hurt. We need to hurt, to fret over them, to cry over them, to make amends over them, because by doing so, we will grease the wheels of God’s forgiveness.
1517 is a Christian non-profit (501(c)3) multi-media organization. Our mission is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus alone.
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