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

Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
12/19/19

In Memory of Katharina von Bora, Part 2

In some measure, if Luther had any success during his last two decades, it happened because of the woman who’d insisted on him as her bridegroom.
Scott Davis
Scott Davis
12/17/19

That's What Christmas Is About, Charlie Brown

If Christmas is about Jesus, and it definitely is, then the real question should be: What’s Jesus all about?
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
12/16/19

The Promises of Advent: Born in the Midst of Suffering

While we do not have an answer, we do have a promise. A promise given to us by a God whose one and only Son was himself slaughtered by those terrified of losing their power.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/16/19

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 (Advent 4: Series A)

Unlike Luke, who provides most of the parts for the children’s program (the shepherds, the angel hosts, the innkeeper, and the animals), Matthew’s version is rated “M” for mature.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
12/13/19

In Memory of Katharina von Bora, Part 1

Her importance goes beyond simply managing the reformer’s household.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
12/12/19

Third Sunday in Advent: Matthew 11:2-11

The following is an excerpt from “A Year of Grace: Collected Sermons of Advent through Pentecost” written by Bo Giertz and translated by Bror Erickson (1517 Publishing, 2019).
Kathy Morales
Kathy Morales
12/10/19

The God Who Won’t Repent

God will not repent. He will not repent of His promises. He will not change His mind regarding His selfless, self-sacrificing, inconceivable love for sinners.
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
12/09/19

The Promises of Advent: Son of Abraham

Abraham knew that this was a God who kept his promises.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
12/09/19

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-15 (Advent 3: Series A)

There he sat, awaiting his executioner. John looked around at what God and His Messiah were not doing, and even the greatest among those born of woman had his doubts. “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/05/19

The Good News That We're Not Good Enough

Our actions, moral choices, appearance, definitions of family and friendship are all defined by how we see ourselves in relation to the question, "Am I good enough?"
Philip Bartelt
Philip Bartelt
12/03/19

The Promises of Advent: Born of a Virgin

God does not combat the impending armies of Satan with might and power, but with the weakness of a babe.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
12/03/19

The Promises of Advent: Will Conquer Satan

The Son of Eve disarmed Satan’s hold on humanity, not with an earthquake, atomic bomb, or brilliant essay, but with his dead body and final words, “It is finished.”
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