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

Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
10/23/25

When Faith Becomes Blind: The Problem with Fideism

When faith seeks understanding—when belief is grounded in revelation and open to the light of reason—truth can travel.
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
10/03/25

Not Done in a Corner: Why Christians Must Resist Fideism

Fideistic Christianity may look bold, but it is fragile.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/01/25

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
09/26/25

Yardwork and the Antichrist

The Antichrist offers another continual presence. It is every whisper that tempts us toward autonomy, that tells us to carry it alone, that insists suffering is meaningless.
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
09/22/25

The Shroud of Turin…Again

Even if the Shroud were proven a medieval forgery, it would only highlight the skill of its maker. The case for Christ’s resurrection rests on eyewitness testimony.
Caleb Keith
Caleb Keith
09/16/25

The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Promise of Christian Suffering

Charlie Kirk’s murder is a reminder that Christians will be hated for what we believe, teach, and confess about this sinful world and because of the God who has died and risen to save it.
Sarah Crowder
Sarah Crowder
08/11/25

Fighting Shame with a Song: What K-Pop Demon Hunters Taught Me About Grace

We need redemption, and we receive it in our church community through God’s Word.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
08/04/25

When our Childhood Heroes Die

Why reflect on these three men — MacArthur, Ozzy, and Hulk Hogan — in the same breath?
Seth Moorman
Seth Moorman
06/30/25

What Makes A Saint: A Saint Suffers

This is the third installment in the 1517 articles series, “What Makes a Saint?”
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
06/26/25

Dignity is not Enough: Thinking Biblically About Assisted Dying

I always imagined dying a faithful death for Christ would mean burning at the stake. Now, I suspect it will mean dying in my bed of natural causes.
1517 Staff
1517 Staff
06/25/25

Sigh, Cry, and Be Still

How many times in our lifetime must we sigh, floundering through this world with our sins, sorrows, struggles, frustrations, fears, and foes?
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
05/01/25

Risen Indeed: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Part 2)

If you struggle with doubt, take heart: You are not alone.
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