The Bridge Fresno decided to resume indoor services and go against California health guidelines coming from Sacramento. Andrew Smith justified the decision claiming he was concerned about the domestic abuse and mental health issues coming from quarantine. About a week after they did this a COVID-19 infection broke out among some of the staff. This blog looks at the poor decision making made by Andrew Smith. Plus this blog would like to ask Andrew Smith when did he ever care about abuse? After all he gave the pulpit of The Bridge Fresno to Bryan Loritts who was involved in the cover up of voyeurism and child pornography scandal at Acts 29 Fellowship Memphis. But this blog also asks…with a light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines in the pipeline..why expose people to risk? Continue reading
“The Local Church”
How Crossway Fellowship in Manassas, Virginia is Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
This post is a look at the EFCA’s Crossway Fellowship in Manassas, Virginia and how they are reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been meeting in person and following health guidelines. But as I study the communication from Crossway there is one concern that I detect. This post is not meant to be difficult but its the perspective from an outsider. Continue reading
A Look at Joe Carter From McLean Bible Arlington and The Gospel Coalition
This post is a look at Joe Carter. Joe is the editor for The Gospel Coalition and the executive pastor at McLean Bible Arlington. There are some aspects that this blog respects about him, and then there are deep concerns about some of the issues in The Gospel Coalition. Continue reading
The Coming Fracture of White American Evangelicalism Will Be Over Christian Nationalism and Donald Trump
This is a post that has been on my mind for a while. Recent developments in evangelicalism tell me its the time to compose this post. American evangelicalism is going to fracture into two camps. The cause of the split will be Donald Trump and Christian nationalism. Expect pain, division of churches and families to continue and Christian nationalism to lead to the demise of evangelicalism. Evangelicals are going to have to pick sides, and many will choose wrong and end up on the wrong side of history as many have done already. Continue reading
A Look At the Patriot Church Network and an Examination of Its Problems
Recently a new church network launched in the United States. Its a variation of evangelical theology but it emphasizes Christian nationalism. This post looks at the Patriot Church network and looks at the consequences of having a network where you can worship Donald Trump as your personal Lord and Savior and make the Gospel great again in the process. Continue reading
Reflecting on Christian Nationalism in Evangelical Christianity and Being Caught Flat Footed in its 2016 Resurgence
This post is a reflection on Christian nationalism from 1999 until 2018. How it evolved over the years before surging in 2016 and catching me flat footed. Christian nationalism is deeply divisive and causes unnecessary conflict. After coming back to the church it became one of the issues to drive me away from it. Why did Christian nationalism flare up to such an extreme version in 2016? This post attempts to answer that question toward the end. Continue reading
Stephen Shoemaker Writes About the Issue of Authoritarianism in Baptist Culture
At Baptist News Global North Carolina Baptist pastor writes about the issue of authoritarianism in Baptist culture and evangelicalism. Its an interesting read to check out. Continue reading
The Tragic Death of Carsyn Leigh Davis Who Attended a Party at First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Florida and Contracted COVID-19
A dark story comes out of an Assembly of God Church in Fort Myers, Florida. In the middle of a pandemic a mother takes her immune compromised daughter to a church party at First Assembly of God Fort Myers where she contracts COVID-19. It also turns out that the mother who is allegedly into Christian nationalism and junk science then administers the discredited drug hydroxychloroquine to her daughter. Two days after her 17th birthday Carysn Davis died in an ICU and remains one of the youngest fatalities of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. A child is dead in Florida and it could have been prevented. This is a story that highlights why evangelicalism is so flawed as junk science, evangelical culture, and Christian nationalism are woven together in this tragedy. Continue reading
Reflecting on My Decision to Reject Evangelical Christianity. Its Too Corrupt, Political and Intellectually Shallow
This is a post explaining why I have rejected evangelicalism as a faith movement. This is one that I have been meaning to work on for a while. From issues with Calvinism to politics to corruption there are many reasons to reject evangelicalism. This is just a part of my journey. Continue reading
A Reflection on The Journey in St. Louis as Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill Seattle Raged
Four years ago I received an email from a covenant member of The Journey in St. Louis, Missouri. It was a personal reflection on being inside The Journey as the Mars Hill scandal in Seattle dragged on. This member explained to me the similarities in church governance between Mars Hill Seattle and The Journey in St. Louis. This email was in response to a post that was written about The Journey. Continue reading