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

David Schmitt
David Schmitt
11/21/21

Gospel: Luke 19:28-40 (Advent 1: Series C)

The oddness of this moment, at the beginning of Advent, is God’s way of saying, “The reason I’m here...”
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
11/20/21

A Tale of Two Cities

The youths that mock Elisha are representative of Israel’s collective contempt and disregard for all things relating to their One True God.
John T. Pless
John T. Pless
11/19/21

Your Pastor Is Not Your Therapist: Private Confession

Forgiveness of sins does not come in bits and pieces. There are no levels of forgiveness.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
11/14/21

Old Testament: Isaiah 51:4-6 (Last Sunday of the Church Year: Series B )

The Israelites had taken the Covenantal promise and the language of separation and interpreted them to mean the message of salvation and restoration was meant for only them. But this is counter to the reality of the Scriptures.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
11/14/21

Epistle: Jude 20-25 (The Last Sunday of the Church Year: Series B )

God is most glorified in the sending of Jesus to be the Savior of sinners.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
11/14/21

Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 (The Last Sunday of the Church Year: Series B )

Trust in the midst of trouble. That is what our Lord calls us to experience today.
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
11/08/21

Who Stole the Magic?

Without the sacraments, God’s grace is simply an artifact behind a glass-case in a museum. We might be able to describe and even admire it, but we never get firsthand access to it.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
11/06/21

Old Testament: Daniel 12:1-3 (Pentecost 25: Series B )

This text arguably contains the clearest teaching concerning the bodily resurrection from the dead in the Old Testament.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
11/06/21

Epistle: Hebrews 10:11-25 (Pentecost 25: Series B )

Hebrews reminds us you cannot “be the church” unless you go to church.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
11/06/21

Gospel: Mark 13:1-13 (Pentecost 25: Series B )

Everywhere we look, there is suffering. But Jesus is not calling us to look. He is calling us to listen.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
10/30/21

Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:8-16 (Pentecost 24, Series B )

This is an extremely important chapter and it speaks to the motif of DEATH and RESURRECTION in a powerful way.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
10/30/21

Epistle: Hebrews 9:24-28 (Pentecost 24: Series B )

The emphasis for All Saints Sunday is not on the saints, but the Sanctifier, Jesus Christ.
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