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

Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
07/02/25

Faith Remains: From Habbakuk to Luther

How do the words “The righteous shall live by his faith” go from a context of hope in hopelessness to the cornerstone declaration of the chief doctrine of the Christian faith?
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/19/25

The Prophet, the Fisherman, and the Words of God

Despite how deep Habakkuk sank into doubt and despair, his faith was not entirely lost. He was merely taking his doubts where they belonged: to the Lord.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
06/18/25

A Cross in the Road: How Jesus Chooses You

Decisionalism expects you to raise yourself through a choice, but Scripture says only Christ raises the dead.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
06/16/25

What Makes a Saint: A Saint is Justified

This is the first installment in the 1517 articles series, “What Makes a Saint?”
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
06/13/25

The Strange Wedding of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora

Few couples faced the kind of pressures they endured in their two decades of marriage prior to Martin’s death in 1546.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
05/26/25

The Forgotten Fire

The Church needs mystics again. Not fringe figures, but saints ablaze with love.
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
05/16/25

How to Remember Your Baptism

When you remember your baptism, you're not recalling a ritual. You're standing under a current of divine action that has not ceased to flow since the moment those baptismal waters hit your skin.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
05/01/25

Risen Indeed: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Part 2)

If you struggle with doubt, take heart: You are not alone.
Greg Koukl
Greg Koukl
04/28/25

A Simple Case for Inspiration

Why should we believe Jesus?
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
04/25/25

The Resurrection Should be Terrifying

It's one thing to hope for a new reality; it's quite another to stand before it, no matter how wonderful.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
04/24/25

Risen Indeed: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, Part 1

If Jesus rose from the dead, then his claims about himself and his promises to humanity warrant serious attention and response.
Adam Francisco
Adam Francisco
04/23/25

The Shroud of Turin, Apologetics, and the Resurrection

It’s easy to understand the allure of the shroud. In a skeptical age, a physical relic that appears to bear the imprint of the risen Christ seems like proof positive of the faith.
1517 is a Christian non-profit (501(c)3) multi-media organization. Our mission is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus alone.
1517.org
Search
Academy
Donate

1517 grants permission for our free online resources to be printed, photocopied, and otherwise used freely for private and church use. We require that authorship and source (1517.org) are referenced and maintained. These resources may not be sold or included in any publications for sale.