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

Steve Kruschel
Steve Kruschel
03/24/25

Through the Tombs of the Kings: Uzziah - Buried Apart from the Kings

Uzziah was showing the most dangerous kind of pride – a pride wrapped up under the guise of religious service.
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.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
01/30/25

The Gospel for All

There is no one — not now, not ever — who cannot be included in the family of God through the efficacy of Christ’s saving power.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
01/23/25

Psalm 6: Wrestling with God

By the end of this prayer of wrestling, David finally has the strength to claim victory over his lying enemies.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
01/03/25

New Year, Same You

It's a new year, and you are still the same you: a sinner who is simultaneously perfect in every way because Christ declares it to be so.
1517 Staff
1517 Staff
12/26/24

A Christmas Confession

It is impossible to live our lives in a way that would convince God of our value because he already knows our value. He is the one who gave it to us.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
11/20/24

A Review of 'To Gaze upon God'

This is the basic argument of To Gaze upon God: that we who now see as if behind a veil will one day enjoy the unveiled splendor of God himself, who will dwell with us forever.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
10/16/24

Essential Reading for Lutheran Theology: The Thinking Fellows List

Below is the Thinking Fellows Essential Reading List with contributions from each of the Thinking Fellows hosts.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/23/24

God Clothed in Nature

In the Bible, we meet the God who also does not prance around naked as a jaybird.
Christopher J. Richmann
Christopher J. Richmann
06/14/24

From Creator to Father

It is your privilege—we may even say “right”—to call upon this Father and to call him Father.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
06/10/24

What the Bible’s Wisdom Books Say about Human Suffering

God does not give us an undebatable answer to suffering. Instead, God suffers, too.
Gage Jordan
Gage Jordan
05/14/24

In The Wild: Church for Those People

The gospel is for sinners – both the tax collector and Pharisee, both in need of the Great Physician.
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