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.
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.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/01/25

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
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.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
09/05/25

Sacraments for the Rest of Us

The reason Christians argue so much about the sacraments is because, deep down, they matter.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
09/04/25

A Review of 'Single Ever After: A Biblical Vision for the Significance of Singleness'" by Danielle Treweek

Treweek points us to the happy ending to come in eternity, when the entire church will be married to her Redeemer.
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.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
08/22/25

Our Most Subversive Song

The “mystery of faith” entails the article of faith: Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, and, finally, his Parousia.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
08/19/25

How Should We View Mary?

Can we then honor Mary without falling into error? I believe we can by focusing on four things Scripture does teach about her.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
08/13/25

The Middle Way of Martin Bucer

Perhaps God always intended for Bucer to use his unique skill set to unite people, acting as a bridge between movements centered on the recovery of the gospel.
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.
Sarah Crowder
Sarah Crowder
08/11/25

Fighting Shame with a Song: What K-Pop Demon Hunters Taught Me About Grace

We need redemption, and we receive it in our church community through God’s Word.
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