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

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.
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.
Aaron Boerst
Aaron Boerst
09/19/25

The Shepherd Who Sees Our Stains

God leads us to green pastures. He comforts us with his grace in our darkest valleys.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
09/12/25

The Deliverer Who Doesn't Run Away

Nothing good happens when you get ahead of God and take matters into your own hands.
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.
Delwyn Campbell
Delwyn Campbell
09/01/25

The Word: God's Message to Us

The Word seems like it is so little, like five barley loaves and two small fish, but it is all that God used to create the heavens and the earth.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/25/25

Eating the Word Again

Bitterness took root when he began approaching the Word merely as a burden he was called to carry rather than a balm that his soul needed, too.
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.
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.
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.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
08/04/25

When our Childhood Heroes Die

Why reflect on these three men — MacArthur, Ozzy, and Hulk Hogan — in the same breath?
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