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

Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
09/11/24

How to Find Christ: A Guide for College Students

He will never leave you nor forsake you. Your faith is not fragile glass.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
09/03/24

With All Boldness

Despite the best efforts of that council to silence Jesus of Nazareth and his message, it wasn't enough. Jesus was alive.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/27/24

Yours Is the Victory

Press on, church. Yours is the victory through Jesus Christ your Lord.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/26/24

Indifference Is A Most Deadly Poison

It is the story of a God who is not distant, not indifferent, not doing anything in half-measures, but who is here, now.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
08/21/24

God's Use of Nature

As both law and gospel are proclaimed, judgment and deliverance are miraculously pronounced over the hearer.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/12/24

Listen to Him

With so many TV preachers, pastors, and Bible teachers claiming to be authoritative voices for God himself, how do you know who to listen to?
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
08/01/24

When The I AM Moves in Our Direction

The gospel is his weapon that beats back the darkness — “I AM the Resurrection and the Life. Bow your head, bend the knee when I walk by.”
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
07/29/24

For the Desperate, Who Wish to See God

God can never really be said to be ignoring us, even if our experience with God at any given moment is that he is.
Christopher J. Richmann
Christopher J. Richmann
07/23/24

The Fate of American Revivalism

When the historical importance of revivalism is understood, one can appreciate that the question, “Could America experience another revival?” is also a question about the fate of Christianity in America.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
07/11/24

What Makes the Church Fundamentally Unique?

This week, when you go to church, take a moment to reflect that you are being summoned by a loving Father, hands full of gifts he wants to give.
Michael Berg
Michael Berg
07/08/24

The Church Year

This is an edited excerpt from Addendum A, “The Church Year,” On Any Given Sunday: The Story of Christ in the Divine Service, written by Michael Berg (1517 Publishing, 2023), pgs. 113-120.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/02/24

The Never-Children Are His Always Children

In Christ, this world’s never-children are his always-children, because he isn’t a God of death, after all.
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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