American Evangelicalism

What We’re Missing With Musk

Elon Musk is now the self-proclaimed “chief twit”. His acquisition of Twitter has sparked strong reactions on the right and left. One question concerns both sides: will Donald Trump tweet again? I’ve been researching conspiracy theories and disinformation, particularly in the American church. And I’ve seen these two responses to Musk: elation and caution. ButContinue reading “What We’re Missing With Musk”

“Was Jesus Nice?” Is The Wrong Question

Asking if Jesus was “nice” or “mean”, whether he mocked his opponents or was winsome, is a proxy war. We are trafficking in baptized concepts of male domination and female domestication which themselves must be dismantled and reimagined in light of the gospel. In an interview this week Ken Harrison, who is the CEO ofContinue reading ““Was Jesus Nice?” Is The Wrong Question”

What Bonhoeffer Said When Hitler Survived

Today marks 78 years since the failed 20 July plot to assassinate Hitler. 78 years ago, and nearly 500 miles away, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat in Tegal prison. He was waiting for news. He knew his suspicious associations (which had landed him in prison) would turn treasonous if the plot failed. When no news came, BonhoefferContinue reading “What Bonhoeffer Said When Hitler Survived”

Evangelical: Leave It or Love It?

There’s not one verse in the Bible where God says to the church: “and you shall call yourselves, “evangelicals”. Not one. There’s not even a verse for “Christian”. That ancient label was something given to followers of Jesus by their neighbors. (Acts 11.26) This should at least give us pause as we consider what itContinue reading “Evangelical: Leave It or Love It?”

Jesus & Jedi Master

One of my favorite places at Walt Disney World is the Sci-Fi diner. In true Disney fashion, the restaurant is themed like you’re outside. You walk in, and suddenly you’re under the stars, sitting in fin-swept neon cars— at a drive-in movie theater in the Fifties. Your table is your car. And you watch theseContinue reading “Jesus & Jedi Master”

Are Evangelicals A Threat To Democracy Today?

This week, The Atlantic published a piece on how politics have poisoned American evangelicalism. It’s a good read, and I don’t see an end to this sort of analysis anytime soon. One quote stuck out: The Church is not a victim of America’s civic strife. Instead, it is one of the principal catalysts. Tim Alberta,Continue reading “Are Evangelicals A Threat To Democracy Today?”

Spilling The Tea On Evangelicalism

I’ve been wanting to write this article for awhile. There’s something about tea that makes for a really good analogy to explain the wild theological ethics coming out of American evangelicalism over issues likes race, gender, politics, and public health. First things first: Brits like their tea. The British commitment to tea impacts the wayContinue reading “Spilling The Tea On Evangelicalism”

Better Talk On Deconstruction

I hesitate to wade into these waters. But it’s a risk worth taking. Plus there’s a Disney analogy ahead, so there’s that. Some see a threat to evangelicalism in the trend of “deconstruction”. I use quotes because the term has been appropriated by so many people to describe so many different reactions. Ironically just likeContinue reading “Better Talk On Deconstruction”

January 6: A Failed Apocalypse

January 6th was a theological event. Just a month before, the Jericho March rallies in DC featured nationalist prayers. They declared God’s will was to reinstate Donald Trump. At the insurrection a month later, the Cross & signs of “Jesus Saves” joined the mob up the Capitol steps. January 6th was more than a failedContinue reading “January 6: A Failed Apocalypse”

Our Evangelical Betrayal

Recently, I watched Netflix’s 2019 film, The King. The film depicts English King Henry V’s victory over the French in the Battle of Agincourt. It all happened 606 years ago today, October 25th, 1415. What I didn’t expect was the end of the film. It brilliantly illustrates a challenge that continues to derail US EvangelicalsContinue reading “Our Evangelical Betrayal”