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

John Bombaro
John Bombaro
10/13/19

Salvation by Microsoft

Are people so different today? Is justification really irrelevant now? Is the preacher’s only point of contact with the life-giving Gospel a by-product of Microsoft’s word processor? I do not think so.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
10/11/19

Q&A for "Where Two or Three Are Gathered"

Friends are a gift from God, but all gifts flow from God to his children because of his love for us on account of Christ.
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
10/04/19

Friendship and the Apologetics of Imagination

The following is an excerpt from“Where Two or Three Are Gathered” edited by Scott Keith (1517 Publishing, 2019).
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
10/02/19

Knock! Knock! Who's There?

For a long time, well-intentioned pastors and college evangelists have applied Jesus’ words from Revelation 3:20 to the unconverted.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
09/27/19

Q&A with Wade Johnston for "Let the Bird Fly"

The optimism of a Christian extends beyond the deathbed and has its origin in a historical event without historical boundaries.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
09/26/19

"Your Sins Are Forgiven" Is Christianity

The kingdom of Christ is realized where nothing but comfort and the forgiveness of sins reign not only in words to proclaim it, which is also necessary; but also in deed.
Zack James Cole
Zack James Cole
09/25/19

Ruined By the Gospel

The gospel is a one-way rescue by God, through Jesus, for sinners, courtesy of the Holy Spirit exploding faith into an individual who is hearing the good news.
Scott Keith
Scott Keith
09/20/19

Where Two or Three Are Gathered: An Introduction

The following is an excerpt from “Where Two or Three Are Gathered” edited by Scott Keith (1517 Publishing, 2019).
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
09/19/19

Squandering Grace

Squander. What a great word. It so perfectly captures the pitfalls of backsliding in all areas of life. It's the utter self-ruination of good things.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
09/16/19

Putting Your Righteousness on the Line to Love Sinners

A truly Christian work is it that we descend and get mixed up in the mire of the sinner as deeply as he sticks there himself.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
09/13/19

Two Kinds of Righteousness and Two Realms

The following is an excerpt adapted from “Let the Bird Fly” written by Wade Johnston (1517 Publishing, 2019).
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
09/10/19

The Futility of Balancing Grace

Perhaps the most poisonous venom to afflict the gospel is the notion of "balancing" grace.
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