What radicalized me

It's always been this way, so take heart!

Anyone who has read through or has tried to read through the Old Testament has run into the genealogies. You know, the "He beget so and so-s" that seems to go on interminably. But there is a reason for them. God promised that he would send a redeemer. Through Abraham, through Isaac, through Jacob, through David, Solomon and so forth.

You’re fat. You’re stupid. No one even likes you. You are worthless. If it wasn’t for me, no one would even tolerate you. There are millions who were raised by cruel and harsh men and women who have never known a kind word; who have never known what it is to be accepted or loved. We learn our place in the world from those around us when we are little.

Our national sin

It’s about good and evil. I agree with the sentiment that we shouldn't let politics divide us. Politics is about whether this group or that group should receive federal funds, whether to make a treaty with this country or that country, what is the best way to promote life and safety to the vulnerable population, and what the duties of the federal government are and what the duties of the states are..

28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—30 for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mk 3:28–30. We all know people who were kind, polite and generous and we would hardly recognize today.

My seminary education was pretty standard for a Presbyterian/Reformed student.It was Master’s Level work. Intense on Systematics, Greek, Hebrew, Exegesis, History and so on, and I am truly thankful for the grounding I received in classical theology. One area that was a deficit, in my opinion, which is pretty typical in Reformed Presbyterians: I had 5 (!) semesters of Apologetic classes.

With all the anticipation for the release of the “Epstein files”, I don’t think it will really make any difference. First, even if congress votes to compel the release, the files are most likely destroyed, in a closet at Mar-a-lago, or who knows where. You cannot depend on anyone in this administration to be ethical in anything they do. It will take us years to undo the damage.

With all the anticipation for the release of the “Epstein files”, I don’t think it will really make any difference.

Why the Democrats are holding out

4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does 1 Corinthians 7:4 (NRSV). This is a popular verse for angry men to use, only they usually only quote the first phrase. They use it as a “gotcha” moment and insist that the wife can’t ever refuse her husband.

What the religious right gets so wrong Nov 04, 2025 I did not do a poll of every single person who identifies as the religious right, but I grew up with it. I can read blogs. I see the comment sect…

What the religious right gets so wrong Nov 04, 2025 I did not do a poll of every single person who identifies as the religious right, but I grew up with it. I can read blogs. I see the comment section. And this is what we hear from people who have “I love Jesus” in the biographies. I’ve heard this in countless fellowship meals in countless conservative churches.

I finally pieced together what happened to me.My office is secure, so I was in there alone and the door was locked. I had just picked up a sandwich from Jimmy Johns and it was on my desk. I hadn't even opened it. I remember an immense pain in my chest and an inability to get off the floor. I remember dreaming that I was home in bed with my wife, and then I woke up again.

I've mostly blocked all those who cause me unrest or threaten me. But every once in a while I hear something like, "All my friends say you went woke." To me, that's the strangest insult a professing believer can hurl at someone since "a friend of sinners". To be woke is to be awake. And it is the best thing that has happened to me, even though it often makes me want to rise with the roosters and scream at the new day.

How to fight back

When Dear Leader bemoaned domestic assault as a little fight that is bringing down his crime statistics, most of the world was appalled. But I’ve been hearing that for decades in the church. I’ve heard the same sentiment from so many pastors and elders I’ve lost track. Here are just a few: “He just knocked her around a little. It wasn’t real abuse.”