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
10/20/14

Looking for the Church? Follow the Trail of Blood

O little flock, fear not the foe, for at your head is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for you.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/19/14

Joseph and St. Patrick: God’s Unexpected Missionaries

We may seem destitute of hope, but the hope of Christ is stronger than our weakness.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/17/14

The Grateful Dead

Dead men don’t get taught. Dead men don’t get un-lost. Dead men don’t heal.
Steve Byrnes
Steve Byrnes
10/16/14

How Re-mixes and Mash Ups Were Part of the Reformation

Much of what we do as Christians is a remix. The word of God interacts with our lives as we live out the legacy and mission given by Christ.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/15/14

The Two Most Important Days in Your Life. And Why Mark Twain Was Wrong

Your primary purpose in life is having something done to you. God created you in order that He might have someone to give to, to bless, to love, to nurture, to save, to give Himself to.
RJ Grunewald
RJ Grunewald
10/11/14

Me Generation

Only the Millenials could have invented the “selfie.” We’re self-obsessed, right? While the previous generation had Bill Gates and Warren Buffett—relatively nondescript fellows—we have Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/08/14

A Letter from Demon to Demon on the Art of Temptation

Over time, any inclination the cupbearer might have to speak a good word to Pharaoh on Joseph’s behalf will seem less and less of a moral necessity.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/25/14

I Believe in One Holy Christian and Apostolic Facebook

A little bit of vulnerability amongst Christians would go a long way toward giving a witness to the world about what the church is really here for.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/22/14

A Victim's Shame

Wouldn’t it be great if there were something that could de-shame us?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/19/14

Jesus and the Parable of the Horse's Mouth

When I revisit in my mind the very long list of stupid, mean, selfish things I’ve done, every one of them began with me saying something I shouldn’t have.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/17/14

The Green-Eyed Monster: Putting Jealousy in its Place

It’ll eat you alive, won’t it? We begin to think we’re victims, as if the whole world is conspiring against us to deprive us of what we deserve.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/24/14

I Stab it With My Steely Knife but I Can't Kill the Beast Within

That all being said, come to think of it, I’ve never gone 24 seconds without sinning.
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