Learning to Hate Yourself. A Reflection on the Forever War Against Lust and Pornography Among Men in Evangelical Culture and the Destroyed Lives Left Behind

The New York Times has been writing about the profile of the Atlanta shooter and his “sexual addiction” battles against pornography and lust. Anyone who spent time in evangelicalism will identify with his purity battles that he dealt with.  In the “forever war” against pornography the battle with lust is long, exhausting and soul crushing.  Males inside evangelicalism realize that they often can’t win. And they are also caught in the dilemma of wanting to date but fearing of becoming sexually active while they do. Accountability is often a means of control and a weapon used by people in ministry. The culture against porn often uses fear and warns that if you look at pornography you too will become just like Ted Bundy and a serial killer hunting women down out of compulsion. Its known as the “forever war” and in evangelicalism it leads to PTSD, anxiety and other issues.

The EFCA’s Bridge Fresno Defies California Health Guidelines About COVID-19. Meanwhile a COVID-19 Infection Breaks Out Among Bridge Fresno Staff

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? 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.