When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not

By Russ Lackey | Mark Mattes

01/20/26

19mins

When Religion Becomes Obsolete, Christ Does Not

American religion did not become optional because the gospel failed. It became optional because religion slowly redefined itself around usefulness.

Bradley Gray

01/19/26

Behold the Lamb

The Passover wasn’t just Israel’s story; it’s ours.

Psalm 12, Part 2: The Saint Fails, The Word Purifies

Steven Paulson

01/16/26

Psalm 12, Part 2: The Saint Fails, The Word Purifies

God makes us pure saints by planting us back in the earth we imagined we needed to escape.

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John Bombaro

02/06/25

Gospel Action

The liturgy ensures that the gospel is never something inward, merely a thought or sentiment of the believer.

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.

Steven Paulson

01/23/25

Psalm 6: Wrestling with God

By the end of this prayer of wrestling, David finally has the strength to claim victory over his lying enemies.

Kelsi Klembara

01/21/25

Baptism: Return or Redo? On the 500th Anniversary of the Anabaptist Movement

There is a “re” involved with baptism, but unlike the Anabaptists, it’s not a “re-do,” but a “re-turn" or a “re-member.”

John Bombaro

01/20/25

Gospel Safebox

"When God has his say, have confidence that his Word and sacraments bestow precisely what he says."

Bradley Gray

01/14/25

This Is Your Story

The gospel is best understood in terms of those two most important words: for you.

Bradley Gray

01/10/25

Good News That Moves You

The gospel gives us faith, hope, and love, all of which proceed from Christ’s death and resurrection.

John Bombaro

01/07/25

The Epiphany Star

We now are the magi: we worship Christ because of who he is, but also because of what he has done for us and what he continues to do in his gift-giving to us.

Ryan Couch

01/03/25

New Year, Same You

It's a new year, and you are still the same you: a sinner who is simultaneously perfect in every way because Christ declares it to be so.

Donavon Riley

12/25/24

Conflict and Belief at Christmastide

Belief at Christmas is neither neat nor safe. It is the path that leads to the manger and, from there, to the cross.

1517 Staff

12/13/24

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

While Christmas may or may not have pagan roots, it will certainly have a pagan future if Christians lose sight of what it is all about.

Adam Francisco

12/09/24

Jesus, Our Prophet

This is the first article in a special three-part Advent series on how Jesus is our prophet, priest, and king.

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