Stephen
@stephenwaldron.bsky.social
Theologian writing a book on the political theology of the New Apostolic Reformation. Websites: https://stephenwaldron.substack.com/
theologyandsociety.com
theologyandsociety.com
Like abortion, transgender identities are not addressed in any direct way by the Bible, and there is just as much material tangentially opposing the conservative position as there is supporting it.
I just wish these people were asked to explain which part of the bible specifically condemns trans people
December 1, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Like abortion, transgender identities are not addressed in any direct way by the Bible, and there is just as much material tangentially opposing the conservative position as there is supporting it.
Say what you will about social gospellers, but their theology did make things like Social Security happen. And they did pave the way for many Midwestern white Protestants to feel religiously obligated to support civil rights legislation, which was decisive in 1964 (see Compton's The End of Empathy).
"If theology stops growing or is unable to adjust itself to its modern environment and to meet its present tasks, it will die. Many now regard it as dead."
November 30, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Say what you will about social gospellers, but their theology did make things like Social Security happen. And they did pave the way for many Midwestern white Protestants to feel religiously obligated to support civil rights legislation, which was decisive in 1964 (see Compton's The End of Empathy).
Rauschenbusch's A Theology for the Social Gospel is so quotable:
"Theology is the esoteric thought of the Church. Some of its problems are unknown and unintelligible except where the Church keeps an interest in them alive."
"Theology is the esoteric thought of the Church. Some of its problems are unknown and unintelligible except where the Church keeps an interest in them alive."
November 30, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Rauschenbusch's A Theology for the Social Gospel is so quotable:
"Theology is the esoteric thought of the Church. Some of its problems are unknown and unintelligible except where the Church keeps an interest in them alive."
"Theology is the esoteric thought of the Church. Some of its problems are unknown and unintelligible except where the Church keeps an interest in them alive."
Lance Wallnau refers to the Charlie Kirk memorial service as being like "a Nuremberg Rally with Billy Graham" (laudatory), then catches himself a minute later and says that he actually meant that's how "they" see it and that the media will take the comment out of context.
rumble.com/v72a7ha-how-...
rumble.com/v72a7ha-how-...
November 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Lance Wallnau refers to the Charlie Kirk memorial service as being like "a Nuremberg Rally with Billy Graham" (laudatory), then catches himself a minute later and says that he actually meant that's how "they" see it and that the media will take the comment out of context.
rumble.com/v72a7ha-how-...
rumble.com/v72a7ha-how-...
Reposted by Stephen
this is explicitly racist
President Trump said his administration will work to permanently pause migration from all ‘Third World Countries’ to allow the US system to fully recover reut.rs/3KskKAI
Trump says US will permanently pause migration from 'Third World Countries'
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration will work to permanently pause migration from all "Third World Countries" to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.
reut.rs
November 28, 2025 at 5:02 AM
this is explicitly racist
It's not a new problem, but it is getting bad right now. In the past, it would have been "criminal" or "seditious" Jews or Roma or Black men, now it could be any of the above and more groups. Same mechanism of dehumanization via anecdote.
I really think this is one of the biggest problems with online discourse. The libs of TikTok/ end Wokeness approach of just constantly bombarding you with individual anecdotes that make you feel threatened and at war.
If one person from a group does something bad there no exists a whole internet echo system that endlessly spreads the information to everyone else within the system and sadly that includes a lot of journalists and politicians.
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
It's not a new problem, but it is getting bad right now. In the past, it would have been "criminal" or "seditious" Jews or Roma or Black men, now it could be any of the above and more groups. Same mechanism of dehumanization via anecdote.
Reposted by Stephen
Kant's moral philosophy
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Kant's moral philosophy
No, I don't like Derek whatever his name is, but we fundamentally do need a lot of dense housing, mass transit infrastructure, and nuclear/renewable energy if we are going to have a habitable planet, so we do actually need the equivalent of "abundance" fairly urgently, whatever word you want to use.
People are responding to Mamdani's desire to make it easier to build housing with "but... that sounds like Abundance." Yes, we actually do need more abundant housing given that there's a catastrophic shortage of housing. That's how numbers work.
November 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
No, I don't like Derek whatever his name is, but we fundamentally do need a lot of dense housing, mass transit infrastructure, and nuclear/renewable energy if we are going to have a habitable planet, so we do actually need the equivalent of "abundance" fairly urgently, whatever word you want to use.
There's almost nothing I find as depressing as left NIMBYism... such an own-goal on climate, immigration, and housing costs, infused with countless layers of misunderstanding.
November 26, 2025 at 5:28 AM
There's almost nothing I find as depressing as left NIMBYism... such an own-goal on climate, immigration, and housing costs, infused with countless layers of misunderstanding.
Thiel's impicit argument that "Jesus wants us to create artificial general intelligence" so wildly clashes with the Christianity of the deeply human good shepherd who gives his life for his friends. It's just not even in the same universe of meaning.
and Peter Thiel says it would be “Antichrist” *not* to do this
"the president has directed the Department of Energy to launch an AI project called the genesis mission" sounds like something out of a technothriller
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
November 25, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Thiel's impicit argument that "Jesus wants us to create artificial general intelligence" so wildly clashes with the Christianity of the deeply human good shepherd who gives his life for his friends. It's just not even in the same universe of meaning.
Quite often, "Christian nationalism" plays similar role on the left to "CRT" on the right: a vague and ominous force that can be invoked to scare people instead of making specific and clear critiques. Both actually exist, but the popular shorthand usage frightens more than clarifies.
I'd still argue that they're right to use other terms, not because there aren't people who want the US to be a "Christian nation," but because that isn't the most interesting or important view that such people have. A more adequate description could be MAGA Christians.
Both Dias & Graham explained they don't use term #ChristianNationalism. It's troubling that both religion reporters at national paper of record still won't use that term in the year of Project 2025. Seems like they're missing out on massive angle for understanding religion in US today. 2/
November 24, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Quite often, "Christian nationalism" plays similar role on the left to "CRT" on the right: a vague and ominous force that can be invoked to scare people instead of making specific and clear critiques. Both actually exist, but the popular shorthand usage frightens more than clarifies.
I'd still argue that they're right to use other terms, not because there aren't people who want the US to be a "Christian nation," but because that isn't the most interesting or important view that such people have. A more adequate description could be MAGA Christians.
Both Dias & Graham explained they don't use term #ChristianNationalism. It's troubling that both religion reporters at national paper of record still won't use that term in the year of Project 2025. Seems like they're missing out on massive angle for understanding religion in US today. 2/
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 PM
I'd still argue that they're right to use other terms, not because there aren't people who want the US to be a "Christian nation," but because that isn't the most interesting or important view that such people have. A more adequate description could be MAGA Christians.
Some follow-up on the bizarre "This Week in Worcester" piece that was being widely shared. It raises even more questions about what was going on there.
NEW from @bmietana.bsky.social, @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social and me: Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried.
And yes, we did some digging about *that* viral church raids story that has been floating around. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
And yes, we did some digging about *that* viral church raids story that has been floating around. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Some follow-up on the bizarre "This Week in Worcester" piece that was being widely shared. It raises even more questions about what was going on there.
Reposted by Stephen
Especially important today of all days given RFK's exploitation of us for his eugenics crusade
When politicians discuss autism, pay attention to who they say they’re helping. You’ll find it’s almost always “families” or “parents of kids with autism,” rather than #autistic people ourselves. Their primary concern is the burden we supposedly impose on others. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Especially important today of all days given RFK's exploitation of us for his eugenics crusade
At a time when the right constantly bears false witness against its neighbors, I think it's important for those of us opposing them to resist the same urge, even (especially) when it intuitively feels like they're just that evil. Verifiably true reports are bad enough.
I see a lot of people reposting this. Beyond the fact that this outlet is unconventional, there are a lot of weird things about how the piece is written (e.g., the bit about Franklin Graham, the thing about "liberal synagogues"). It's possible that everything here is accurate, but I don't know.
The Trump Department of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over the holiday season.
November 20, 2025 at 12:35 AM
At a time when the right constantly bears false witness against its neighbors, I think it's important for those of us opposing them to resist the same urge, even (especially) when it intuitively feels like they're just that evil. Verifiably true reports are bad enough.
I see a lot of people reposting this. Beyond the fact that this outlet is unconventional, there are a lot of weird things about how the piece is written (e.g., the bit about Franklin Graham, the thing about "liberal synagogues"). It's possible that everything here is accurate, but I don't know.
The Trump Department of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over the holiday season.
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I see a lot of people reposting this. Beyond the fact that this outlet is unconventional, there are a lot of weird things about how the piece is written (e.g., the bit about Franklin Graham, the thing about "liberal synagogues"). It's possible that everything here is accurate, but I don't know.
Joel Webbon trying to see how many times he can say the one phrase he remembers from Nietzsche ("the will to power") to seem clever and edgy.
November 18, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Joel Webbon trying to see how many times he can say the one phrase he remembers from Nietzsche ("the will to power") to seem clever and edgy.
Probably the biggest change in my political views over the last decade is toward ideas that have a shot of actually working. Political faith without physical infrastructure or enforceable laws that make things better for living beings is effectively dead in the long run.
November 17, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Probably the biggest change in my political views over the last decade is toward ideas that have a shot of actually working. Political faith without physical infrastructure or enforceable laws that make things better for living beings is effectively dead in the long run.
Had to look up Orr, who apparently has done legitimate philosophy of religion work on figures like Aquinas, Husserl, and Edith Stein. It's almost funny that certain Radical Orthodoxy theologians wanted so badly to have political influence, then this guy of all people actually ends up with it.
Cambridge theologian Professor James Orr, known for vocal anti-LGBTQ & anti-abortion views, is appointed as a senior advisor to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Professor Orr opposes abortion in all circumstances (including following rape) www.attitude.co.uk/news/reform-...
Reform UK appoints James Orr, anti-LGBTQ+ theologian and ally of Charlie Kirk, as senior adviser to Nigel Farage
Reform UK has appointed anti-LGBTQ+ professor and friend of JD Vance and Charlie Kirk, James Orr, as a senior adviser to Nigel Farage,
www.attitude.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Had to look up Orr, who apparently has done legitimate philosophy of religion work on figures like Aquinas, Husserl, and Edith Stein. It's almost funny that certain Radical Orthodoxy theologians wanted so badly to have political influence, then this guy of all people actually ends up with it.
When mainline churches don't have regular small groups at this point, I tend to wonder if their leaders are interested in growth or even survival. Just my opinion, though...
November 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
When mainline churches don't have regular small groups at this point, I tend to wonder if their leaders are interested in growth or even survival. Just my opinion, though...
Reposted by Stephen
Leftists sharing most woke opinions is kind of like conservatives telling jokes, tbh. Very predictable, usually not very well thought-out, and sometimes outright morally horrific.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Leftists sharing most woke opinions is kind of like conservatives telling jokes, tbh. Very predictable, usually not very well thought-out, and sometimes outright morally horrific.
I think a lot of people are still in denial about how normalized sexual abuse has been within tight-knit families and communities for almost all of human history. It's easy to act like it's a recent development or maybe something done by ideological enemies, but it has been incredibly common.
The primary reason there's so much denial is because this is all baked into the fabric of society; this is not a rich persons hobby.
Again, planes and islands are the trappings and decorations of the ultra wealthy, not the means of access to child abuse.
Again, planes and islands are the trappings and decorations of the ultra wealthy, not the means of access to child abuse.
Yes there's a lot of denial, but I've seen it: when it snaps, it snaps hard.
"Powerful men covered up child sex abuse" isn't outlandish when you've seen that happen in church, boy scouts, school athletics, and every other social pillar of your conservative middle-class life in the past few decades.
"Powerful men covered up child sex abuse" isn't outlandish when you've seen that happen in church, boy scouts, school athletics, and every other social pillar of your conservative middle-class life in the past few decades.
November 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I think a lot of people are still in denial about how normalized sexual abuse has been within tight-knit families and communities for almost all of human history. It's easy to act like it's a recent development or maybe something done by ideological enemies, but it has been incredibly common.
Is anyone out there doing good research or writing about educational polarization/sociocultural effects of educational attainment gaps, particularly in the US?
November 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Is anyone out there doing good research or writing about educational polarization/sociocultural effects of educational attainment gaps, particularly in the US?
Sometimes I think about the Orthodox blogger who used to call him "DreRod"
November 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Sometimes I think about the Orthodox blogger who used to call him "DreRod"