Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 33m

Pastor @revcalebcampbell.bsky.social is also doing really important work to equip missionaries to reach Christian nationalists with the gospel. Check out the important conversation he and some others are hosting early next month. 3/

blog.j29coalition.com/p/an-evangel...

An Evangelical's Guide to American Christian Nationalism

Join us for an opportunity to learn from Christian scholars and clergy

blog.j29coalition.com

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 33m

To that end, I'm grateful for the example of Williamsburg Christian Church which did excellent on this resource for their congregation. They show the rest of us about what faithful discipleship looks like in this moment. 2/

williamsburgchristianchurch-preview.cloversites.com/on-christian...

Williamsburg Christian Church | On Christian Nationalism

On Christian Nationalism - On August 17, 2025, The Leadership Of Wcc Presented A Statement To The Congregation On The Heresy Of Christian Nationalism In A Do...

williamsburgchristianchurch-preview.cloversites.com

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 33m

While it's been disheartening to watch the rapid ascent of Christian nationalism to the highest levels of our federal government, it is also an opportunity to boldly proclaim and demonstrate the holistic gospel of Jesus Christ. 1/

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 1d

From the conclusion of yesterday's sermon from Revelation 1:1-7, "Love Powers Endurance."

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 3d

An absolutely stunning passage.

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 3d

Thanks be to God!

David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 3d

Preachers, what's the passage and big idea for your sermon this morning? I'll be in Revelation 2:1-7, "Endurance is powered by love."

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 6d

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
    and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."

- Psalm 138:7-8

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks to those who've reached out. I'm good. My family and the church are good. But, because of this sort of authoritarian intimidation, a lot of our neighbors aren't good. Please keep praying!

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 9d

"Bovino, the chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol El Centro sector [who acknowledges racially profiling detainees], right, walks along protester with his hands behind his back [after repeatedly laying hands on him and threatening to arrest him]."

apnews.com/article/chic...

Using helicopters and chemical agents, immigration agents become increasingly aggressive in Chicago

Activists, residents and elected leaders say increasingly combative tactics used by federal immigration agents are sparking violence and fueling neighborhood tensions in the nation’s third-largest cit...

apnews.com

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 9d

In the original caption, the AP insinuated that I'd been arrested while peacefully observing the protests with other faith leaders at the ICE facility in Broadview on Friday. While I'm grateful they've since clarified, I'd like to offer the following alternative caption:

apnews.com/article/chic...

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 10d

Along with other faith communities around Chicago, this morning New Community Covenant Church shared the message that, despite the federal government's cruel attacks against our neighbors, we are choosing faith over fear!

A huge thanks to our kids for prepping the sign during my sermon.

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 10d

“Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last and the Living One. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades."

- Revelation 1:17-18

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 11d

Standing against this presidential regime doesn't mean aligning with other centers of worldly power. No, to offer our bodies in resistance to this violent onslaught is to stand with Jesus and the vulnerable children, women, and men with whom he can always be found. 4/

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 11d

The most powerful man in the world and his supporters have directed their well-financed, violent opposition against the most marginalized among us. 3/

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 11d

No, to see the president's enemies, you need to look elsewhere. Look instead at the father separated from his family, the Black citizens terrorized and detained by ICE, the children snatched from their parents in the middle of the night. 2/

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 11d

The president, speaking at Charlie Kirk's memorial, said, "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them," and we'd better believe him. But don't picture the Democratic party, the never-Trumpers, or the courts opposing his authoritarian tactics when you imagine the president's opponents. 1/

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 11d

Lord Jesus, give every Chicago pastor the courage to step into their pulpits tomorrow and proclaim to their people, "There is STILL a word of God for the people of God."

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 13d

ICE – weaponized by the presidential administration, massively funded by congress, and unleashed to racially profile by the Supreme Court – was never going to limit their terrorizing activities to the immigrant community.

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 13d

"They had the Black people in one van, and the immigrants in another van." -South Shore

“You’re a fool if you ever thought that was gonna happen or they’d walk past a bunch of Black people and not bother us.” -East Garfield Park

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abc7chicago.com/post/ice-chi...

thetriibe.com/2025/10/vide...

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 14d

It's easy to look away from someone else's suffering. It's natural to allow fear to keep us from doing what is right. But Christians, formed in the cruciform love of Jesus, won't let ignorance or cowardice steal the joyful obligation of loving our neighbors.

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 15d

The Supreme Court has allowed the presidential administration to add overt racial profiling to their terrorizing tactics. It's being deployed against Chicago immigrants but you'd better believe it will be expanded to other places and groups of people.
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Source: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 18d

"I can’t be the only one who finds it disorienting having to so regularly justify justice."

buttondown.com/david.w.swan...

Living Compasses

The guides we need for these deceitful days

buttondown.com

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Reposted by David W. Swanson

David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 20d

I deeply grieve the evangelism of white christian nationalism which draws its converts into a kingdom of domination, fear, and enemy-making.

May the gospel we proclaim alert our neighbors to Jesus' kingdom of grace, justice, and peace.

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David W. Swanson @davidwswanson.bsky.social · 20d

I deeply grieve the evangelism of white christian nationalism which draws its converts into a kingdom of domination, fear, and enemy-making.

May the gospel we proclaim alert our neighbors to Jesus' kingdom of grace, justice, and peace.

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