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

Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio
06/02/25

The Gift of Metanoia: Alive in Christ, Dead to Sin

The baptized do not celebrate sin—they grieve it.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/19/25

On Pornography, Hunger, and Holy Rescue

The Christ who rescues does not wait for you to be clean. He comes to clean you. He does not need your strength. He brings his own.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
04/17/25

From Eden to Easter: Suffering in Gethsemane

This is the fourth installment in our series, From Eden to Easter: Life and Death in the Garden. Each day throughout Holy Week, we will take a special look at the gardens and wildernesses of Scripture, and in particular, these scenes' connections to Christ's redemption won for us on the cross.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/14/25

From Eden to Easter: The Garden of Eden

This is the first installment in our series, From Eden to Easter: Life and Death in the Garden. Each day throughout Holy Week, we will take a special look at the gardens and wildernesses of Scripture, and in particular, these scenes' connections to Christ's redemption won for us on the cross.
Joey Goodall
Joey Goodall
02/28/25

You Can't Sever the Saint from the Sinner

You cannot sever the saint from the sinner. Christians remain both simultaneously.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
02/27/25

Psalm 7: The Divine Contradiction – Only Faith Overcomes Revenge

God is a judge, but unlike you, God is just!
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
02/07/25

Captives in the Hollow of Grace

The addict’s condition speaks a hard truth: that we are all beggars before God, every one of us bent toward the grave.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
01/14/25

This Is Your Story

The gospel is best understood in terms of those two most important words: for you.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
11/06/24

We Need Less Goliath & More Bathsheba

Show me a sinner, and I’ll write you a story of a God who saves them.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/28/24

Hammer Time and Rolling Rocks: The Intersection of Popular Jewish Literature with the New Testament

If we picture the New Testament as a divinely painted masterpiece that hangs in the middle of a museum, then all around it are other works of the period, in different corridors of the museum, in many styles, painted by diverse artists, with variations of color and technique.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/17/24

When The Devil Keeps Someone in Slavery to Sin

Jesus Christ is relentless. He does not give up. And with him comes the certainty of redemption.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/08/24

The Courage to Rise After Each Fall

Let your soul grieve, yes, but don’t let it be eaten alive by worry.
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.
1517.org
Search
Academy
Donate

1517 grants permission for our free online resources to be printed, photocopied, and otherwise used freely for private and church use. We require that authorship and source (1517.org) are referenced and maintained. These resources may not be sold or included in any publications for sale.