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
09/10/19

The Futility of Balancing Grace

Perhaps the most poisonous venom to afflict the gospel is the notion of "balancing" grace.
Jordan Spina
Jordan Spina
09/09/19

Faith Alone: Death Itself Will Be Undone

I had been taught and believed in a God who is love, but as I walked outside that night I did not see him. I saw the stars and I felt their indifference.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/29/19

When a Christian is Pushed into Atheism

What do we say when a Christian admits the church has driven them to atheism? And they don't mean ideologically.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/28/19

David vs. Goliath: We're Teaching the Story All Wrong

As we do in daily life, so we have done in our reading of the Bible: we have placed ourselves at the center, and Christ at the periphery.
Brandon Hanson
Brandon Hanson
08/27/19

Ten Thoughts on Law & Gospel from Gerhard Forde

Here’s a little “devotional” for you; some thoughts on Law and Gospel from Gerhard Forde. Drink deep, drink full. These are rich streams of thought.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
08/13/19

You’re Not Fine Just the Way You Are

Contrary to what pop-psychology, social media memes, and your sweet grandmother told you, you are not fine just the way you are.
John T. Pless
John T. Pless
08/12/19

Catechetical Preaching

[Luther's] Catechism is at home in the evangelical pulpit, guiding and shaping what the preacher says so faith might be created and love given direction.
Jacob Corzine
Jacob Corzine
08/05/19

Original Sin and Actual Sins

As I weigh briefly here the advantages and disadvantages of preaching original sin and preaching actual sin, I don’t mean to argue for one and against the other. Instead, I mean to suggest a benefit in focusing a given sermon on one or the other, and that neither type of sermon should be the only type a Christian hears.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/27/19

Three Hidden Hebrew Treasures in Psalm 23

These treasures show us that, no matter how well we think we know this poem, there’s always more layers to uncover.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/18/19

The Escape from a Religious Sodom

In this religious Sodom, we had a Jesus with the heart of Moses whose gospel was a new and improved law.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
07/02/19

Yet Faith Remains…

Sometimes, the bible bores me. Sometimes, I take scripture, grace, and Jesus lightly.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
07/01/19

Making Preaching Great Again

The whole Reformation, and the reason for Lutheran theology at all, is to improve preaching.
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