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

Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/30/17

Jesus is the End of Religion

Christianity isn’t about our faith. It’s about God’s faithfulness to His promises.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
05/25/17

Our Tainted Acts Of Grace

People have often tended, quite wrongly, to view me as saintly. I attribute that undeserved reputation to the fact I have always had a very strong sense of the kind of person I should be.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
05/24/17

Sin Boldly?

The common knock against “grace people” (or to put it another way, “Christians”) is that preaching too much grace will encourage licentious living.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
05/23/17

Living in a Van Down By the River

My experience as a Christian did not revolve around Christ. It revolved around asking, “What is God’s will for my life?” Hunting the answer to this question was my god, and I paid homage to it every day.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
05/18/17

Singing "Stand Up, Stand Up, for Jesus" While Sitting Down: Disembodied Worship

The church’s worship should boldly and explicitly do two things: confess the incarnation and practice for the resurrection.
Jeff Mallinson
Jeff Mallinson
05/17/17

Why All The Fuss? The Difference between the Reformed and Lutherans on the Lord’s Supper

Even in our principled disagreements, we continue to pray for the unity of all, and invite the world to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/16/17

News That's Too Good to be True

True faith, saving faith that receives the good news about the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is a faith created in us by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
05/12/17

When the Last Becomes First, and First Becomes Last

You are God’s people. Yet you are nothing in the world’s sight. To be honest, often less than nothing. Don’t feel bad, I’m nothing with you.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/09/17

Faith Upholds The Whole Law

Likewise, when God says, "Do this and you will live," we go about under the illusion that we have the ability to accomplish what God demands of us.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
05/05/17

The Lord’s Dogs Aren’t Too Proud to Beg

Jesus didn’t lie. He was called to preach to Israel. He would send His disciples out into the world. But that didn’t mean His message wasn’t for all.
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.
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?
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