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

Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
06/06/25

Pentecost and the Beautiful Mess of the Church

Every time someone is baptized, every time bread is broken and wine poured, every time a sinner hears, “Your sins are forgiven in Christ,” Pentecost happens again.
Luke Kjolhaug
Luke Kjolhaug
05/13/25

Becoming Better People, An Excerpt from Sinner Saint: A Suprising Primer to the Christian Life

This is an excerpt from Chapter 6 in Sinner Saint: A Surprising Primer to the Christian Life (1517 Publishing, 2025). Sinner Saint is available today from 1517 Publishing.
Seth Moorman
Seth Moorman
05/07/25

A Kingdom Without Smoke: What the Conclave Can't Decide

The church does not await a verdict; she proclaims one.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
04/04/25

Albrecht Durer and the Reformation

Albrech Dürer is said to have brought the Renaissance north of the Alps and perfected the mass production and distribution of images.
Edward Killian
Edward Killian
03/21/25

A Review of Dying to Live: The Foundation, Focus, and Shape of the Christian Life, Second Edition

Senkbeil is a pastor’s pastor, a master of the art of pastoral care.
Caleb Keith
Caleb Keith
03/07/25

The Mistranslation That Sparked the Reformation

Is there a significant difference between changing your mind and doing penance? Absolutely.
Edward Killian
Edward Killian
02/18/25

We Are Beggars: Martin Luther’s Final Words and the Heart of the Gospel

Luther’s final thoughts were not meant to bum you out or lead you to despair.
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
01/29/25

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Katie Luther?

What do we do with Katie Luther? What kind of historical character can we paint her to be?
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
01/21/25

Baptism: Return or Redo? On the 500th Anniversary of the Anabaptist Movement

There is a “re” involved with baptism, but unlike the Anabaptists, it’s not a “re-do,” but a “re-turn" or a “re-member.”
Caleb Keith
Caleb Keith
12/12/24

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever: A Response to Young Men's Turn to Orthodoxy

Longstanding tradition must be bolstered by something outside of ourselves that also lies outside of the traditions of men.
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
11/27/24

A Review of A Bit of Earth: A Year in the Garden with God

A Bit of Earth is about the garden, but it’s also about us—as we are made from dirt.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
11/26/24

Erasmus' Decision: An Excerpt from Broken Bonds

This is an excerpt from Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi (1517 Publishing, 2024), pgs. 24-27
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.