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 W. Hoyum
John W. Hoyum
10/13/25

An Introduction to the Bondage of the Will: The Clarity of Scripture

This is the second 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.
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.
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.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
09/18/25

Spiritual But Not Useless

Christian spirituality is not a flight from the world, but a deep dive into its brokenness.
1517 Guest Contributor
1517 Guest Contributor
08/21/25

Good News in Sinner's Shoes

For those with faith in Christ, there is always a happy ending.
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.
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.
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