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

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
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
02/11/16

God, Don't You Care That I'm Dying?

Our faith is not a mountain but a grain of sand, not pure gold but gilded plaster. And all it takes is a few nicks and scratches to reveal its shallowness.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/09/16

Fat Tuesday's Redemption

Warning, Remember, O man, that thou art dust… And lust, he mocks in mute self-condemnation.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
02/09/16

God Helps Those Who (CANNOT) Help Themselves

Surely everyone reading at one time or another in their lives has heard the popular phrase I’m writing about today.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/08/16

Hurts So Good: Our Dirty Little Secret on Ash Wednesday

What is really good for the soul is not so much confession as absolution. If confession is us telling the truth about ourselves to God, then absolution is God telling us a truer truth about ourselves.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/06/16

Three Hymns on the Transfiguration

In nature one with God, The Son partakes in love, Of human flesh that we, Partake of God above.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
02/04/16

But You Do Belong...

The conference is upon us. Christ Hold Fast is holding its first ever conference and from the moment I heard about it, I was excited.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/03/16

Sometimes We See Too Much

Whether we are overcome by happiness on the mountaintop or overwhelmed by sorrow in the valley, our vision can be our greatest handicap.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
02/02/16

The Message That Called Me Out of Atheism and Plopped Me Into a Pulpit

Believe in God, belong to a church, and behave yourself isn’t the Gospel.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
01/29/16

Jesus and Abortion

If April 1 is April Fools’ Day, then March 25 is Divine Fool’s Day. Falling nine months before Christmas, it’s the day when God set in motion what appeared to be a foolish plan.
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