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

1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
10/09/25

Healing for Our Soul Wounds

Just like Peter, you don’t need to do anything to earn God’s forgiveness for your soul wounds.
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
09/23/25

From the Cross to Our Enemies: Why Christians Forgive

The world takes notice when Christians forgive because such forgiveness seems impossible.
Aaron Boerst
Aaron Boerst
09/19/25

The Shepherd Who Sees Our Stains

God leads us to green pastures. He comforts us with his grace in our darkest valleys.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
09/18/25

Spiritual But Not Useless

Christian spirituality is not a flight from the world, but a deep dive into its brokenness.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/20/25

The Child Who Rules the House

Children are not meant to carry crowns. They are not meant to rule. The burden crushes them in slow, invisible ways.
Jason Oakland
Jason Oakland
07/11/25

Peace Be With You

‘Peace’ means “I have forgiven all those sins against me.”
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/08/25

Only Christ, Not OnlyFans

We don’t flinch at sin. We speak Christ into it.
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?
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/05/25

Hymns at Midnight

They were still praying, trusting, and hoping. Why? Because they knew who was with them and who was for them: the risen Christ.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
05/27/25

Psalm 9: Blood Avenger and Mercy Seat

Should you then abandon David’s plea that God use his law against his enemies and send a Legal Avenger? No, the law must be preached to the Christian (insofar as he is not one).
Seth Moorman
Seth Moorman
05/02/25

May the Fourth Be With You

The Fourth in the fire is Jesus.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/22/25

A Review of The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World

Dave weaves together music, movies, and documentaries to illustrate all the ways we seek relief—and then, full and free, he connects our need to Christ’s gift.
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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