Emily Hunter McGowin
@ehmcgowin.bsky.social
associate professor of theology, Wheaton College | priest-theologian, C4SO | author, Fortress Press, Cascade, & IVP | Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God: https://www.ivpress.com/households-of-faith
Took a year after high school to study Bible & theology “just to get it out of my system.”
Co-authored & presented an academic paper yr 1. Got published yr 2. Corresponded & wrote with Clark Pinnock (lovely human) & graduated yr 3.
22 yrs, MDiv, & PhD later, never did get it out of my system.
Co-authored & presented an academic paper yr 1. Got published yr 2. Corresponded & wrote with Clark Pinnock (lovely human) & graduated yr 3.
22 yrs, MDiv, & PhD later, never did get it out of my system.
November 23, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Took a year after high school to study Bible & theology “just to get it out of my system.”
Co-authored & presented an academic paper yr 1. Got published yr 2. Corresponded & wrote with Clark Pinnock (lovely human) & graduated yr 3.
22 yrs, MDiv, & PhD later, never did get it out of my system.
Co-authored & presented an academic paper yr 1. Got published yr 2. Corresponded & wrote with Clark Pinnock (lovely human) & graduated yr 3.
22 yrs, MDiv, & PhD later, never did get it out of my system.
What’s it felt like for the past two months to have our neighbors hunted down and kidnapped all around us? My friend, Connor Brown, explains better than I ever could. Gracias, hermano.
open.substack.com/pub/kingfish...
open.substack.com/pub/kingfish...
Drawing Flame #11: A Great and Useless Evil
On Tolstoy and a recent encounter in the suburbs of Chicago
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
What’s it felt like for the past two months to have our neighbors hunted down and kidnapped all around us? My friend, Connor Brown, explains better than I ever could. Gracias, hermano.
open.substack.com/pub/kingfish...
open.substack.com/pub/kingfish...
“Apologies have only come from bishops after significant public pressure has been applied. These are the right actions, but they’ve only come under duress… There has to be more than apologies. They have to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
Wood Inhibited; Sutton Steps Down - The Living Church
The inhibition replaces the voluntary leave of absence that Archbishop Steve Wood initially took on November 3.
livingchurch.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
“Apologies have only come from bishops after significant public pressure has been applied. These are the right actions, but they’ve only come under duress… There has to be more than apologies. They have to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
livingchurch.org/news/news-an...
Last night I got to see the newish play “John Proctor is the Villain,” written by Kimberly Belflower, performed at ND. It was outstanding. If you ever have a chance to see a local production, I highly recommend it. More info about the Broadway show here: johnproctoristhevillain.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Last night I got to see the newish play “John Proctor is the Villain,” written by Kimberly Belflower, performed at ND. It was outstanding. If you ever have a chance to see a local production, I highly recommend it. More info about the Broadway show here: johnproctoristhevillain.com
My ND office has the best view. The best.
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM
My ND office has the best view. The best.
According to DOJ records (see link for more), 97.4% of the people ICE arrested in Chicago during Operation Midway Blitz are NOT criminals.
I am a pastor-theologian. Words matter a lot to me. They are the means by which we name reality and come to see it clearly. 1/4
I am a pastor-theologian. Words matter a lot to me. They are the means by which we name reality and come to see it clearly. 1/4
November 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
According to DOJ records (see link for more), 97.4% of the people ICE arrested in Chicago during Operation Midway Blitz are NOT criminals.
I am a pastor-theologian. Words matter a lot to me. They are the means by which we name reality and come to see it clearly. 1/4
I am a pastor-theologian. Words matter a lot to me. They are the means by which we name reality and come to see it clearly. 1/4
“Jesus has not yet uttered his last Word.” - Karl Barth
Amen. Thanks be to God.
Amen. Thanks be to God.
November 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
“Jesus has not yet uttered his last Word.” - Karl Barth
Amen. Thanks be to God.
Amen. Thanks be to God.
Around 10 years ago, when I first became aware of the many accusations of sexual assault and rape against then-candidate Trump, I believed the survivors’ stories and considered him unfit for any position of power, let alone president. 1/4
November 17, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Around 10 years ago, when I first became aware of the many accusations of sexual assault and rape against then-candidate Trump, I believed the survivors’ stories and considered him unfit for any position of power, let alone president. 1/4
ACNA update: Archbishop Wood has been inhibited, Bishop Sutton has resigned as Dean of the Province, Bishop Dobbs has assumed the position of Dean of the Province.
mailchi.mp/anglicanchur...
mailchi.mp/anglicanchur...
Important Updates from the College of Bishops
mailchi.mp
November 17, 2025 at 8:18 PM
ACNA update: Archbishop Wood has been inhibited, Bishop Sutton has resigned as Dean of the Province, Bishop Dobbs has assumed the position of Dean of the Province.
mailchi.mp/anglicanchur...
mailchi.mp/anglicanchur...
We prayed for our Christian siblings in Charlotte at church tonight. May they uphold their baptismal vows and bear witness to Christ amid state-sponsored terror.
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 AM
We prayed for our Christian siblings in Charlotte at church tonight. May they uphold their baptismal vows and bear witness to Christ amid state-sponsored terror.
“Never mind about public opinion. If we speak out, we are misjudged; if we are silent, we are misjudged.”
Sister Dorothy Day, pray for us.
Sister Dorothy Day, pray for us.
November 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
“Never mind about public opinion. If we speak out, we are misjudged; if we are silent, we are misjudged.”
Sister Dorothy Day, pray for us.
Sister Dorothy Day, pray for us.
This article accurately describes what happened at Broadview yesterday.
“[T]he cruelty that goes on at that facility … must be 100 times worse.”
religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
“[T]he cruelty that goes on at that facility … must be 100 times worse.”
religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
At least seven faith leaders arrested at Broadview ICE facility protest
(RNS) — 'I've got bruises all over my body,' the Rev. Michael Woolf, who was thrown to the ground and arrested by police, told RNS.
religionnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:58 AM
This article accurately describes what happened at Broadview yesterday.
“[T]he cruelty that goes on at that facility … must be 100 times worse.”
religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
“[T]he cruelty that goes on at that facility … must be 100 times worse.”
religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
I was there this morning alongside many other faith leaders. We are not imbecilic morons, nor were we violent rioters. But that didn’t stop the police from behaving violently. It was brutal, unnecessary, and unprovoked.
Official U.S. Government account refers to its citizens as "imbecilic morons".
November 15, 2025 at 4:25 AM
I was there this morning alongside many other faith leaders. We are not imbecilic morons, nor were we violent rioters. But that didn’t stop the police from behaving violently. It was brutal, unnecessary, and unprovoked.
Yes and amen. Thanks be to God. 🙏🏼
I am so proud of these guys and the selfless courage they’ve shown.
Their family is a blessing and a witness at @advocatewheaton.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
Their family is a blessing and a witness at @advocatewheaton.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
West Chicago brothers are on the front lines against ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’ And they’re only teenagers.
The wave of youth activists who have been galvanized into action by “Operation Midway Blitz” follow a long tradition paved around the world by young activists.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Yes and amen. Thanks be to God. 🙏🏼
If only those who have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised to life in new creation would refuse to acquiesce to state-sanctioned terrorism.
As Chicago suffers state-sanctioned terror, the Christians who once were so vocal have become strangely silent.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
If only those who have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised to life in new creation would refuse to acquiesce to state-sanctioned terrorism.
I’m grateful for the clarity and humility evident in this overview and evaluation of the state of the ACNA from Fr. Hill.
open.substack.com/pub/fatherch...
open.substack.com/pub/fatherch...
Is the church broken?
A call for reform.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 AM
I’m grateful for the clarity and humility evident in this overview and evaluation of the state of the ACNA from Fr. Hill.
open.substack.com/pub/fatherch...
open.substack.com/pub/fatherch...
👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
“The ACNA leadership has to stop expecting people to blindly trust them. That ship has sailed,” Miller said. “They have to start demonstrating that they are absolutely trustworthy, that they are well above reproach, if they expect our denomination to survive.”
⚓️
livingchurch.org/news/acna-ar...
⚓️
livingchurch.org/news/acna-ar...
ACNA Archbishop Faces Second Sexual Misconduct Complaint - The Living Church
The complainants say they tried to advance accusations against Steve Wood for more than a year, and question the possibility of a fair hearing while he retains his powers.
livingchurch.org
November 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
The revelations about the ACNA continue. I don’t have much more by way of words at the moment. My prayer remains: May the light drive out all darkness and the truth set us all free.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Second woman says U.S. Anglican Church archbishop sexually harassed her
A new allegation adds to a crisis facing the denomination founded by conservatives who split from the Episcopal Church in the early 2000s over an openly gay bishop.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The revelations about the ACNA continue. I don’t have much more by way of words at the moment. My prayer remains: May the light drive out all darkness and the truth set us all free.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Friends, if you're loving Everybody Scream from Florence + the Machine, may I suggest you try Julian of Norwich's "Revelations of Divine Love"? She's featured in "Perfume and Milk" & you might love it. Get a contemporary translation & start w the Short Version.
Signed,
Theology Nerd & Julian Stan
Signed,
Theology Nerd & Julian Stan
November 7, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Friends, if you're loving Everybody Scream from Florence + the Machine, may I suggest you try Julian of Norwich's "Revelations of Divine Love"? She's featured in "Perfume and Milk" & you might love it. Get a contemporary translation & start w the Short Version.
Signed,
Theology Nerd & Julian Stan
Signed,
Theology Nerd & Julian Stan
To sum up:
Oct 20: Presentment filed with ACNA against Abp Wood
3 wks later: no Board of Inquiry formed to investigate; still deciding if presentment is in proper form
Now: Interim Abp has significant complaints against him for supporting abusive leaders too
livingchurch.org/news/chaplai...
Oct 20: Presentment filed with ACNA against Abp Wood
3 wks later: no Board of Inquiry formed to investigate; still deciding if presentment is in proper form
Now: Interim Abp has significant complaints against him for supporting abusive leaders too
livingchurch.org/news/chaplai...
Chaplains Challenge Bishop Ray Sutton’s Interim Role - The Living Church
A group of chaplains with histories in the ACNA’s chaplaincy jurisdiction claim that Ray Sutton’s appointment has “further aggravated” the church’s “crisis of credibility” in handling clergy misconduc...
livingchurch.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
To sum up:
Oct 20: Presentment filed with ACNA against Abp Wood
3 wks later: no Board of Inquiry formed to investigate; still deciding if presentment is in proper form
Now: Interim Abp has significant complaints against him for supporting abusive leaders too
livingchurch.org/news/chaplai...
Oct 20: Presentment filed with ACNA against Abp Wood
3 wks later: no Board of Inquiry formed to investigate; still deciding if presentment is in proper form
Now: Interim Abp has significant complaints against him for supporting abusive leaders too
livingchurch.org/news/chaplai...
Many things are terrible right now, but the latest albums from Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, and Florence + the Machine means the soundtrack is not. What a month of music.
November 3, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Many things are terrible right now, but the latest albums from Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, and Florence + the Machine means the soundtrack is not. What a month of music.
Since our technocratic overlords are surveilling us 24/7, analyzing and monetizing all our activities, I'd like to be able to go on record once for all-time: NO, I DO NOT WANT TO USE YOUR STUPID AI ASSISTANT, STOP ASKING ME.
November 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Since our technocratic overlords are surveilling us 24/7, analyzing and monetizing all our activities, I'd like to be able to go on record once for all-time: NO, I DO NOT WANT TO USE YOUR STUPID AI ASSISTANT, STOP ASKING ME.
The reckoning with abuse in U.S. churches continues, this time with the Assemblies of God.
“Predators, they hide in the dark, and the church is helping hide them.”
May light shine in the darkness. May the truth set us free.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
“Predators, they hide in the dark, and the church is helping hide them.”
May light shine in the darkness. May the truth set us free.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
How Assemblies of God churches shielded accused predators as they abused children
NBC News uncovered a 50-year pattern of sex abuse, silence and cover-up in the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination.
www.nbcnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The reckoning with abuse in U.S. churches continues, this time with the Assemblies of God.
“Predators, they hide in the dark, and the church is helping hide them.”
May light shine in the darkness. May the truth set us free.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
“Predators, they hide in the dark, and the church is helping hide them.”
May light shine in the darkness. May the truth set us free.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Emily Hunter McGowin
“We won’t overcome evil with cleverness, memes, or namecalling (as good as that might feel sometimes). We overcome evil by being salt-of-the-earth people, rooted, neighborly, doing the mundane work of care and compassion: …
This Sunday's sermon from the Rev. @aaronmharrison.bsky.social knocked my socks off. I commend it to you. Gospel preaching for this moment.
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/not-the...
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/not-the...
It’s Not the Pharisee’s House — CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
If the Church is the body of Christ, which scripture testifies that it is, then it must be a place where God invites us to learn to tell the truth, about ourselves and about him. The Pharisee’s tithes...
www.christouradvocate.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:44 PM
“We won’t overcome evil with cleverness, memes, or namecalling (as good as that might feel sometimes). We overcome evil by being salt-of-the-earth people, rooted, neighborly, doing the mundane work of care and compassion: …
This Sunday's sermon from the Rev. @aaronmharrison.bsky.social knocked my socks off. I commend it to you. Gospel preaching for this moment.
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/not-the...
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/not-the...
It’s Not the Pharisee’s House — CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
If the Church is the body of Christ, which scripture testifies that it is, then it must be a place where God invites us to learn to tell the truth, about ourselves and about him. The Pharisee’s tithes...
www.christouradvocate.org
October 29, 2025 at 5:37 PM
This Sunday's sermon from the Rev. @aaronmharrison.bsky.social knocked my socks off. I commend it to you. Gospel preaching for this moment.
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/not-the...
www.christouradvocate.org/blog/not-the...