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

Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
06/04/25

What Now?

So Christ is risen, but what now?
Ryan Couch
Ryan Couch
06/03/25

Bound to God, Free in the World: The Strange Freedom of the Christian Life

In Christ, you are bound. Bound to mercy. Bound to grace. Bound to a God who won’t let you go. And because of that, you are free—gloriously, joyfully free.
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio
06/02/25

The Gift of Metanoia: Alive in Christ, Dead to Sin

The baptized do not celebrate sin—they grieve it.
Aaron Boerst
Aaron Boerst
05/20/25

Gone Fishin'

Forgiveness from Jesus is always surprising to us.
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.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/22/25

A Review of The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World

Dave weaves together music, movies, and documentaries to illustrate all the ways we seek relief—and then, full and free, he connects our need to Christ’s gift.
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
04/10/25

Dear Weary Parent: Balancing Law and Gospel

The goal isn't to give kids a balanced or equal measure of each but to give the right medicine at the right time.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
03/26/25

A Review of Unloved: The Rejected Saints God Calls Beloved

Sometimes the old story is the one we need to hear again and again.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
03/11/25

The Wound and the Well

The great lie of addiction is that suffering must be fled, must be numbed, must be drowned out by any means necessary.
Joey Goodall
Joey Goodall
02/28/25

You Can't Sever the Saint from the Sinner

You cannot sever the saint from the sinner. Christians remain both simultaneously.
Jason Oakland
Jason Oakland
02/17/25

A Remnant Chosen By Grace

In grace, God chooses to love his people.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
01/30/25

The Gospel for All

There is no one — not now, not ever — who cannot be included in the family of God through the efficacy of Christ’s saving power.
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.
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