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

John Bortulin
John Bortulin
11/11/24

Oh Lord, How Long?

The Lord has an answer to your tears, your trouble, your weariness, your enemies, your grief, your shame, your sin.
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.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/27/24

Yours Is the Victory

Press on, church. Yours is the victory through Jesus Christ your Lord.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
07/29/24

For the Desperate, Who Wish to See God

God can never really be said to be ignoring us, even if our experience with God at any given moment is that he is.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/02/24

The Never-Children Are His Always Children

In Christ, this world’s never-children are his always-children, because he isn’t a God of death, after all.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
06/12/24

Minding Moltmann: Musings on the Legacy of a Theological Giant

Moltmann is gone now, but his theology will continue to provoke and provide.
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.
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
06/07/24

Psalms of Eucatastrophe

In our catastrophes - whatever they may be, however large or small they are - we cry out for rescue, deliverance, and salvation.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
05/21/24

Forgiveness That Can't Be Contained

Instead of a death sentence, those brothers hear the words of deliverance.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
05/07/24

Depth of Mercy

The lack of history surrounding Psalm 130 allows it to endure as universally appealing even for our seasons of hopelessness and despair when we’re in “the depths.”
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
05/03/24

Good News for those with Mental Illness

For you who are struggling to navigate grief, to cope with pain, or breathe through anxiety, the gospel announces that there is a person whose heart throbs for you.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
04/05/24

We Don't Lose Heart

For Paul, the hope of the resurrection was the ultimate antidote whenever his circumstances tempted him to despair or to "lose heart."
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.