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

Jason Oakland
Jason Oakland
12/30/25

A Crown of Righteousness In Store for Me

The story of your life stretches beyond the dash on the tombstone.
Seth Moorman
Seth Moorman
12/22/25

Comfort During a Blue Christmas

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” That word isn't just for Israel; it's also for you.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/19/25

A Christmas Message for Contemporary Pagans

To know the cure is not to become immune to sorrow.
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.
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
12/03/25

Did the Church Replace Israel?

The unity of God’s people is grounded not in lineage nor land but in the promise of the coming Christ.
Russ Lackey
Russ Lackey
11/17/25

The Word That Will Not Shut Down

Every age has its emergencies, and the church must never ignore them. Yet, our response cannot be one of panic or propaganda.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
11/07/25

You are not weak. You are at war.

Resurrection does not start in sunlight. It begins in the dark.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/08/25

When Churches Are Abused by Their Pastors

When a congregation is abused by its pastor, it loses more than a shepherd. It loses its threshold place; that fragile seam between earth and heaven.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
10/02/25

The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down

He doesn’t consume us, even though that is what we deserve. Instead, Jesus comes down to us and consumes all our sin by taking it on himself.
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.
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.
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