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

Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
04/04/25

Albrecht Durer and the Reformation

Albrech Dürer is said to have brought the Renaissance north of the Alps and perfected the mass production and distribution of images.
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
03/26/25

A Review of Unloved: The Rejected Saints God Calls Beloved

Sometimes the old story is the one we need to hear again and again.
Delwyn Campbell
Delwyn Campbell
03/18/25

The Hunger for Righteousness in a World of Strife

Jesus satisfies, fills, and saves because he is the Son of God, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns forever.
Caleb Keith
Caleb Keith
03/07/25

The Mistranslation That Sparked the Reformation

Is there a significant difference between changing your mind and doing penance? Absolutely.
Edward Killian
Edward Killian
02/18/25

We Are Beggars: Martin Luther’s Final Words and the Heart of the Gospel

Luther’s final thoughts were not meant to bum you out or lead you to despair.
Jason Oakland
Jason Oakland
02/17/25

A Remnant Chosen By Grace

In grace, God chooses to love his people.
Mark Mattes
Mark Mattes
02/13/25

The New Birth as Passive: An Excerpt from Ditching the Checklist

This is an excerpt from Ditching the Checklist: Assurance of Salvation for Evangelicals (and Other Sinners) by Mark Mattes (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 5-7.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
02/12/25

Encountering Christ Through the Liturgy

In the liturgy, Christ is present, self-giving, and ever-addressing his people.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
02/07/25

Captives in the Hollow of Grace

The addict’s condition speaks a hard truth: that we are all beggars before God, every one of us bent toward the grave.
Joshua Miller
Joshua Miller
02/04/25

Fiction and Truth: A Review of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin

The story being told in the film is not Bonhoeffer’s story. It’s not the Confession Church’s story. Nor is it the story of the German resistance against Hitler. It is a completely fictional story of Hollywood.
Bradley Gray
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.
Gretchen Ronnevik
Gretchen Ronnevik
01/29/25

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Katie Luther?

What do we do with Katie Luther? What kind of historical character can we paint her to be?
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.
1517.org
Search
Academy
Donate

1517 grants permission for our free online resources to be printed, photocopied, and otherwise used freely for private and church use. We require that authorship and source (1517.org) are referenced and maintained. These resources may not be sold or included in any publications for sale.