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
12/04/25

The God Who Moves When You Cannot

Illness is not romantic. It is not a test, a metaphor, nor a blessing in disguise.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
12/02/25

For Us and For Our Salvation

I find myself returning to the Nicene Creed this Advent season
1517 Staff
1517 Staff
12/01/25

An Excerpt from Coming Home for Christmas: Advent in Isaiah Devotional

This is an excerpt from this year’s 1517 Advent Devotional.
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
11/18/25

Why AI Avatars Can’t Conquer Death

The Christian answer to death is not a disembodied app, but a bodily resurrection.
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
11/03/25

All Saints’ Day: A Holy Band of Brothers and Sisters in Christ

All Saints’ Day is a war story. And in Christ crucified and risen, it’s also a victory story.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
09/29/25

St. Michael, Defender of God’s People

Why did the church dedicate a day to St. Michael anyway? Who is he, and what does he do?
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
09/11/25

When Evil Roars, Christ Still Reigns

To confess Christ crucified and risen as the only hope in a world that has lost its mind to wickedness and rage.
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.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
05/29/25

Reigning for You: Why the Ascension Matters

The ascension is not about Jesus going away. It's about Jesus taking his rightful place so that he might fill the world with his presence and power.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
04/22/25

What does Pope Francis’ Death Mean to Protestants?

While I disagree with many things Francis did and believed, I think he deserves credit for this: Francis showed us what Christian leadership can look like.
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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