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

Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
10/31/25

The Reformation for the Rest of Us

The Reformation isn’t just a chapter in church history. It’s a reminder that the gospel remains forever good news.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
10/29/25

The Reformation Explosion

The Protestant milieu was pervaded with the announcement that God and God alone is the active agent in the salvation of sinners.
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
10/23/25

When Faith Becomes Blind: The Problem with Fideism

When faith seeks understanding—when belief is grounded in revelation and open to the light of reason—truth can travel.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
10/09/25

Healing for Our Soul Wounds

Just like Peter, you don’t need to do anything to earn God’s forgiveness for your soul wounds.
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.
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
10/03/25

Not Done in a Corner: Why Christians Must Resist Fideism

Fideistic Christianity may look bold, but it is fragile.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
09/24/25

Election for the Rest of Us

Election is not a riddle to solve. It’s a pillow to rest your head on at night.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/10/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 86

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s upcoming book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 191-192.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
09/02/25

Christ-centered' Isn’t Good Enough

While ambiguous “Christ-centeredness” by its very nature fragments Christianity by way of its subjectivism, Christological commitments beget unity or, at least, move strongly in that direction.
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.
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.
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