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

Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
10/07/25

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

We can lay down our sledgehammers of moralistic performance, which aren’t effective anyway, and we can trust that we are his and his life is ours.
Jason Oakland
Jason Oakland
10/06/25

Big Questions About Faith, Love, and, Salvation

Faith takes God at his word and holds his promise to be true for me because I know God would not lie to me.
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.
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.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
09/12/25

The Deliverer Who Doesn't Run Away

Nothing good happens when you get ahead of God and take matters into your own hands.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
08/28/25

Teach Us to Pray

You’re permitted to call on “Our Father, who art in heaven” at all hours of the day and night with whatever you like.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/27/25

The Saddest Story and the True Story

Here is the true story, the one worth remembering: You are a gift.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
08/12/25

Is Protestantism Really Going Extinct?

Protestants, in my view, don’t suffer from a Goldilocks problem. They have an arrogance problem.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
08/04/25

When our Childhood Heroes Die

Why reflect on these three men — MacArthur, Ozzy, and Hulk Hogan — in the same breath?
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
07/30/25

Why the Reformation Solas Still Matters

The Solas are not just doctrinal statements. They are the grammar of Christian comfort.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
07/25/25

Grace for Unbearable Days

Instead of offering more details or more information, he does something even better: he promises his very presence.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/24/25

Artificial Intelligence and the Soul of the Church

The danger is not destruction. It is reduction.
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