This article announces the beta release of Pristine CMS 4.0, a custom content management system developed specifically for PristineGrace.org's theological library, sermon archive, and research platform. The update features a complete visual redesign with dark/light mode support, an expanded book library with 2,385 free theological volumes, an automated sermon system that syncs with SermonAudio, enhanced article tools for reading and searching, user accounts with personalized features, and community tools like collections and commenting. The announcement reflects the site's ongoing technical evolution to better serve long-form theological content and Reformed Christian ministry.
What does the Bible say about God's sovereignty?
The Bible consistently affirms God's sovereignty over all creation, as seen in passages like Psalm 115:3 and Romans 8:28.
Psalm 115:3, Romans 8:28
How do we know predestination is true?
Predestination is affirmed in Scripture, particularly in Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:4-5, highlighting God's eternal choice.
Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:4-5
Why is grace important for Christians?
Grace is foundational for Christians as it is through God's grace that we are saved, as expressed in Ephesians 2:8-9.
Ephesians 2:8-9
🚀 After many hours of behind the scenes work, I am excited to announce that Pristine CMS 4.0 (beta) has now been deployed across PristineGrace.org.
Pristine CMS did not begin as a commercial product or a packaged platform. I started building the software while I was still in college in the 1990s, back when most websites were assembled page by page and content systems were rare.
As PristineGrace.org began to take shape in the early 2000s, the software matured alongside it. Major internal redesigns took place in 2000, 2001, and again in 2004 as the scope of the site expanded and new needs emerged.
Off the shelf publishing systems never quite fit the vision for a long form theological library, sermon archive, audio ministry, and research platform all living in one place. Instead of reshaping the ministry to fit generic software, I kept reshaping the software to fit the ministry.
Through the years I have continued refining the system as the internet itself changed. New devices appeared. Mobile browsing became normal. Search engines evolved. Security expectations increased. Performance demands grew. Each era required adaptation, and Pristine CMS kept evolving right along with modern web standards.
This has been a massive undertaking. I only attempt a major rebuild like this every five to ten years, and the last major release, Pristine CMS 3.0, arrived in 2022. That made it one of the shorter lived versions in the platform’s history.
While I am still refining a few things, the system is now stable and already delivering an entirely new experience across the site.
🎨 Complete Visual Redesign
The entire site has been rebuilt and re skinned from top to bottom. Every page, layout, and navigation element has been carefully redesigned for clarity, speed, and long form reading.
PristineGrace.org now supports automatic dark mode and light mode based on your device settings. You can also manually choose whichever version you prefer, and the site updates instantly across every page.
📚 The Book Library Has Returned, Bigger Than Ever
One of the most requested features is finally back. The Books system.
The library now contains a complete mirror of Grace Ebooks.com, meaning everything that once lived there is now fully integrated into PristineGrace.org. Many additional volumes have been added as well, including titles from Sovereign Redeemer Books.
At launch, the Book Library includes 2,385 free books available for reading and download.
👤 New Account System
Visitors can now create a personal PristineGrace.org account. You may register using your email address or sign in instantly using Google.
Having an account unlocks powerful features:
- Save articles and sermons as favorites
- Follow authors and preachers and receive email notifications when new content appears
- Access the full Book Library
- Export articles and sermon transcripts as PDF files
📖 Advanced Book Features
The new Books system is far more than a simple download page.
- Browse by author
- Search the entire library
- Add multiple books to a free cart
- Download batches in ZIP files
- Mark favorite titles
- Maintain a private bookshelf
- Download as often as you like
To prevent automated abuse, these features require signing into a free account.
📰 Dramatically Improved Articles
Articles now include a host of reader focused tools:
- Search within the article itself
- Adjustable text size
- A progress bar showing how much remains
- Accurate estimated reading times
- Favorite and follow buttons
- Share tools
- One click PDF export for offline reading
🎙️ Fully Automated Sermon System
PristineGrace.org now syncs automatically with SermonAudio. Background jobs scan every thirty minutes for new sermons from selected broadcasters, download the metadata, and create records inside the site with no manual work required.
This means sermons now appear faster than ever and without human intervention.
Transcripts are now included whenever available. Visitors can:
- Download and print transcript PDFs
- Search within a single sermon
- Search across all sermon transcripts
- Receive email notifications when a favorite preacher releases something new
Several of these tools go beyond what SermonAudio itself currently provides.
📋 Collections and Curated Lists
Members can now create custom Collections. These are advanced, flexible collections of content.
A collection list might be:
- A sermon playlist
- An article reading plan
- A mixed collection of sermons, articles, and books
- Even another collection that contains other collections
Collections may be kept private or published publicly so others can follow them.
💬 Commenting System
Articles, sermons, and study guides can now receive comments from registered members or anonymous visitors.
All comments are moderated and reviewed before appearing publicly on the site.
🎧 Podcast and Navigation Improvements
A brand new Podcast section has been added to the front page for my personal Pristine Grace Podcast, making my video and audio content easier to discover.
The navigation bar has also been completely redesigned to make browsing the site faster and more intuitive.
🔍 A Smarter Search Engine Everywhere
Search has been rebuilt across the entire platform. New search tools now appear anywhere they make sense, and the quality of results has been dramatically improved.
🚀 What’s Coming Next
More features are already on the way, including the upcoming Bible software system currently in development.
I am still polishing edge cases and tracking down small bugs, but I am extremely pleased with where the platform has landed and excited about what is ahead.
Thank you to everyone who uses PristineGrace.org, shares content, and supports this ministry through your prayers and continued encouragement. This rebuild was done with long term stability, usability, and growth in mind, and I pray it serves readers and listeners for many years to come.
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