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

Paul Dunk
Paul Dunk
07/10/19

Ruined

My ego just couldn't accept that I preached the Christian and him improved and not Christ and Him crucified.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/24/19

The Gospel Doesn’t Blow Smoke

It was during one of these garbage burns, however, that I was bathed in a fresh remembrance of grace.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
06/14/19

Christians in a Time of Pride and Shame

Shame is shameful. That may seem obvious but ponder this observation from the authors of Scenes of Shame: “Shame, indeed, covers shame itself—it is shameful to express shame.”
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/07/19

The Dangerous Nature of God's Grace

I’d say that one of the best depictions of God’s grace comes from a well-beloved and world-renowned children’s fantasy novel, that being C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson
06/03/19

Abs-of-Steel Man & Mr. Sad-Sack

I saw a commercial once that said I just have to do whatever it takes to actualize my best me. And it makes sense, really. Doing results in being, cause and effect. Want six-pack abs? Just buy the right product and give your new, healthy lifestyle 110% for 10 weeks and maybe you’ll see results.
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
05/28/19

This Is My Body, Broken For You

My family fills a row of chairs in the sanctuary of our church. I always feel bad for the people who sit around my noisy family. Our pastor loves children and has told me once he struggles to preach on the Sundays when they are all whisked off to Children's Church after the music once a month because the sanctuary is too quiet.
RJ Grunewald
RJ Grunewald
04/22/19

A Table For The Broken

Something happens around the table that changes those who are given a seat at the table.
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
04/10/19

Christ Is Still Holding Fast

To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
03/19/19

I Am A Fake Christian

The other day a prominent Evangelical pastor tweeted, “My life’s commitment is to talk about the Bible in such a way that fake Christians feel fake — so that they can be saved.”
Jessica Thompson
Jessica Thompson
03/18/19

Grace In The Wilderness

God’s children spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. Imagine the hopelessness. Imagine the frustration.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/13/19

How Long, O Lord? Climbing 109 Mountains

I finally climbed all 109 mountains. My journey began out of desperation, fueled by anger, fear, resentment.
Blake Flattley
Blake Flattley
03/07/19

Grace & The Umbrella Academy

Netflix just recently released a series called The Umbrella Academy, another comic book series adapted for screen.
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