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

Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
10/10/25

An Introduction to the Bondage of the Will: A Historical Introduction

This is the first installment in our article series, “An Introduction to the Bondage of the Will,” written to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Bondage of the Will.
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.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
08/15/25

Homeless In Heaven?

Tetzel peddled righteousness for gold, but God gives it freely through faith in his promised Word, the person and work of Jesus Christ.
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.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
08/08/25

The Last Great Gnesio: Remembering Oliver K. Olson

Oliver was a friend, chaplain, professor, author, and loyal church reformer. This Gnesio-Lutheran giant will be missed.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/06/25

The Parable That Preaches the Cross

Just as each servant was sent to bring back the Master’s fruit, so did God send his prophets to bring back the fruits of a life shaped by the Word.
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.
Sam Leanza Ortiz
Sam Leanza Ortiz
07/29/25

The English New Testament at 500: William Tyndale’s Enduring Legacy

For English speakers, no Reformer comes close to Tyndale in terms of measurable impact.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
07/18/25

What Christ Gave Up for Us

The way of the cross is the actual way of victory. Jesus absorbs the worst of what humanity and even the devil can do to him, and he spurns the shame of it all.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/08/25

Only Christ, Not OnlyFans

We don’t flinch at sin. We speak Christ into it.
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