Brian Kaylor
@briankaylor.bsky.social
Baptist minister with PhD in political communication. New book: 'The Bible According to Christian Nationalists.' President & Editor-in-Chief - @WordAndWay.bsky.social bkaylor@wordandway.org
http://publicwitness.wordandway.org
http://publicwitness.wordandway.org
Reposted by Brian Kaylor
From breaking the story about Mike Johnson’s fake Jefferson prayer to reporting exclusively on who preached at each of the monthly Christian prayer services at the Pentagon (and the first Department of Labor service), it has been a busy year — and I couldn’t be more proud of the work we’ve done.
We’re a small outlet, but we’re also having an impact and covering stories that would otherwise not receive the attention they deserve.
Here we count down our most popular pieces and offer some highlights from the year:
Here we count down our most popular pieces and offer some highlights from the year:
2025 in Review
We’re a small outlet, but we’re having an impact and covering stories that would otherwise not receive the attention they need. This year again proved that.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
December 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
From breaking the story about Mike Johnson’s fake Jefferson prayer to reporting exclusively on who preached at each of the monthly Christian prayer services at the Pentagon (and the first Department of Labor service), it has been a busy year — and I couldn’t be more proud of the work we’ve done.
Reposted by Brian Kaylor
Among the groups suspended: World Vision International (an evangelical Christian org), American Friends Service Committee (a Quaker org), Caritas Internationalis (Catholic, based at the Vatican) and the Near East Council of Churches.
Israel says it will suspend several humanitarian groups, including Doctors Without Borders, in 2026 for failing its new vetting rules for groups working in Gaza. Some international organizations have said that Israel’s rules are arbitrary and could endanger staff.
Israel says it will halt operations of several humanitarian organizations in Gaza starting in 2026
Israel says it will suspend several humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, for failing to meet its new rules to vet international organizations working in Gaza.
bit.ly
December 30, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Among the groups suspended: World Vision International (an evangelical Christian org), American Friends Service Committee (a Quaker org), Caritas Internationalis (Catholic, based at the Vatican) and the Near East Council of Churches.
Reposted by Brian Kaylor
We’re a small outlet, but we’re also having an impact and covering stories that would otherwise not receive the attention they deserve.
Here we count down our most popular pieces and offer some highlights from the year:
Here we count down our most popular pieces and offer some highlights from the year:
2025 in Review
We’re a small outlet, but we’re having an impact and covering stories that would otherwise not receive the attention they need. This year again proved that.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
December 30, 2025 at 3:44 PM
We’re a small outlet, but we’re also having an impact and covering stories that would otherwise not receive the attention they deserve.
Here we count down our most popular pieces and offer some highlights from the year:
Here we count down our most popular pieces and offer some highlights from the year:
Ugh
A trio of newspapers that cover Missouri’s capital city and surrounding communities will now be run by a familiar and polarizing figure in state politics whose career has been marked by scandal. #moleg #mogov
New owner with checkered political past takes over newspaper serving Missouri’s capital • Missouri Independent
A trio of newspapers that cover Missouri’s capital city and surrounding communities will now be run by a polarizing figure in state politics.
missouriindependent.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Ugh
Another church poster from Department of Labor. This follows pattern from them: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-church...
December 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Another church poster from Department of Labor. This follows pattern from them: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-church...
Marjorie Taylor Greene is correct about the contrast at Kirk memorial between what Jesus taught & how Trump behaves. But where has she been for the last decade?!
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/m...
December 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene is correct about the contrast at Kirk memorial between what Jesus taught & how Trump behaves. But where has she been for the last decade?!
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/m...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/m...
With Trump skipping church this Christmas season, it's now been over 4 years since he last attended a regular worship service (otherwise has only attended for special events like funeral & inauguration). I don't care if prez attends, but MAGAchurch leaders should quit lying about him being devout.
December 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
With Trump skipping church this Christmas season, it's now been over 4 years since he last attended a regular worship service (otherwise has only attended for special events like funeral & inauguration). I don't care if prez attends, but MAGAchurch leaders should quit lying about him being devout.
Reposted by Brian Kaylor
Was proud to be on @ms.now last night standing up for my beliefs and striking out against white Christian nationalism. These ideas don't just stay ideas, they have real world effects like ICE's murder of an imam. #Islamophobia is a big problem and we've got to come together to address it.
'A true spiritual emergency': Reverend on Trump admin.'s immigration tactics
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Was proud to be on @ms.now last night standing up for my beliefs and striking out against white Christian nationalism. These ideas don't just stay ideas, they have real world effects like ICE's murder of an imam. #Islamophobia is a big problem and we've got to come together to address it.
Wildly inappropriate & off-mission for DoL to post this. But sadly fits with Christian content they often post (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-church...) & recent launch of monthly DoL prayer service (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...)
December 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Wildly inappropriate & off-mission for DoL to post this. But sadly fits with Christian content they often post (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-church...) & recent launch of monthly DoL prayer service (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...)
Reposted by Brian Kaylor
"His religious counsel stayed faithfully by his side, without a care for those Rachels weeping for their children."
sojo.net/articles/opi...
sojo.net/articles/opi...
Impeaching King Herod
Herod sat on the throne only because of the interference of a foreign government.
sojo.net
December 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"His religious counsel stayed faithfully by his side, without a care for those Rachels weeping for their children."
sojo.net/articles/opi...
sojo.net/articles/opi...
ICE arrested grabbed a pastor on Christmas Eve:
newrepublic.com/post/204761/...
The Department of Herod Security has targeted several pastors this year (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/when-trump...), but this latest move has incredible "war on Christmas" energy!
newrepublic.com/post/204761/...
The Department of Herod Security has targeted several pastors this year (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/when-trump...), but this latest move has incredible "war on Christmas" energy!
ICE Agents Violently Detain Pastor on Christmas Eve
This, from the administration that claims to care about Christians.
newrepublic.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:25 PM
ICE arrested grabbed a pastor on Christmas Eve:
newrepublic.com/post/204761/...
The Department of Herod Security has targeted several pastors this year (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/when-trump...), but this latest move has incredible "war on Christmas" energy!
newrepublic.com/post/204761/...
The Department of Herod Security has targeted several pastors this year (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/when-trump...), but this latest move has incredible "war on Christmas" energy!
Reposted by Brian Kaylor
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in the hot seat on Christmas after her department released a statement that numerous observers flagged as a violation of the Constitution.
'Un-American': Trump's 'soulless goons' accused of major violation with 'savior' statement
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in the hot seat on Christmas after her department released a statement that numerous observers flagged as a violation of the Constitution.Homeland Security alarmed some critics when, on Christmas Eve, the department took to social media and wrote, "Merry C...
bit.ly
December 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in the hot seat on Christmas after her department released a statement that numerous observers flagged as a violation of the Constitution.
Good NYTimes piece by @ashleyahn88.bsky.social on how Trump administration pushed sectarian messages on Christmas: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/a...
This fits problematic trend of Christian social media posts as DHS & DoW have co-opted Bible verses & others like DoL have pushed Christian content. 1/
This fits problematic trend of Christian social media posts as DHS & DoW have co-opted Bible verses & others like DoL have pushed Christian content. 1/
Trump Administration Emphasizes Religion in Official Christmas Messages
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Good NYTimes piece by @ashleyahn88.bsky.social on how Trump administration pushed sectarian messages on Christmas: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/a...
This fits problematic trend of Christian social media posts as DHS & DoW have co-opted Bible verses & others like DoL have pushed Christian content. 1/
This fits problematic trend of Christian social media posts as DHS & DoW have co-opted Bible verses & others like DoL have pushed Christian content. 1/
If you're trying to honor the Prince of Peace by bombing people, you're doing it wrong.
December 26, 2025 at 12:55 AM
If you're trying to honor the Prince of Peace by bombing people, you're doing it wrong.
Herod sure was raging this Christmas
President Donald Trump gifted the world with nearly 200 Truth Social posts (and counting) on Christmas Day, where he amplified conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and called for a member of Congress to be deported.
Trump Posts Nearly 200 Times in Unhinged Christmas Day Spree
The president amplified conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and called for a member of Congress to be deported.
trib.al
December 26, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Herod sure was raging this Christmas
Department of Herod Security continues its war on Christmas: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
December 25, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Department of Herod Security continues its war on Christmas: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
The Cotton Patch Gospel translation of Luke 2 hits stronger this year because of Trump/Hegseth returning to Secretary of War title. But even as President Augustus & Secretary of War Quirinius issue authoritarian decrees, hope is born on the margin of the empire. Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The Cotton Patch Gospel translation of Luke 2 hits stronger this year because of Trump/Hegseth returning to Secretary of War title. But even as President Augustus & Secretary of War Quirinius issue authoritarian decrees, hope is born on the margin of the empire. Merry Christmas!
Tonight at church I played "The Coventry Carol" as a cello solo. I wrote at Unsettling Advent about the song & how it has resonated this year (advent.wordandway.org/p/unsettling...). But even in the darkness, hope arrives at the margin of the empire. Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Tonight at church I played "The Coventry Carol" as a cello solo. I wrote at Unsettling Advent about the song & how it has resonated this year (advent.wordandway.org/p/unsettling...). But even in the darkness, hope arrives at the margin of the empire. Merry Christmas!
Replace Jesus with the American flag while still claiming to celebrate Christmas & promote faith? Yep, that's what #ChristianNationalism does!
December 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Replace Jesus with the American flag while still claiming to celebrate Christmas & promote faith? Yep, that's what #ChristianNationalism does!
Yesterday I wrote about DHS's war on Christmas as they co-opt this holy season to justify anti-immigrant polices (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...). Well, Department of Herod Security has new video doing this, suggesting Christmas is about Jesus *and* Trump's America. 1/
December 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Yesterday I wrote about DHS's war on Christmas as they co-opt this holy season to justify anti-immigrant polices (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...). Well, Department of Herod Security has new video doing this, suggesting Christmas is about Jesus *and* Trump's America. 1/
Reposted by Brian Kaylor
For the final entry in our Unsettling Advent series this year, @briankaylor.bsky.social reflects on what it was like to learn to play “The Coventry Carol” on cello while exploring Advent in a time of religious nationalism, rising starvation in the U.S. and abroad, and soldiers in the streets.
Unsettling Advent 2025, Day 25
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Pri...
advent.wordandway.org
December 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
For the final entry in our Unsettling Advent series this year, @briankaylor.bsky.social reflects on what it was like to learn to play “The Coventry Carol” on cello while exploring Advent in a time of religious nationalism, rising starvation in the U.S. and abroad, and soldiers in the streets.
Given the administration's anit-immigrant actions & illegal strikes on boats, this seems more threatening than in past:
December 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Given the administration's anit-immigrant actions & illegal strikes on boats, this seems more threatening than in past:
Given all the anti-Christ actions by DHS this Christmas season, it seems quite appropriate to see them as the modern Department of Herod Security.
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
Department of Herod Security’s War on Christmas
Over the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security released a new video that almost seems like it was conjured up during a drug trip.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
December 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Given all the anti-Christ actions by DHS this Christmas season, it seems quite appropriate to see them as the modern Department of Herod Security.
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
Department of Homeland Security is waging a war on Christmas:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
Department of Herod Security’s War on Christmas
Over the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security released a new video that almost seems like it was conjured up during a drug trip.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
December 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Department of Homeland Security is waging a war on Christmas:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/department...
See 🧵
Seriously, NY Times is really bad when it comes to understanding Christian Nationalism.
Seriously, NY Times is really bad when it comes to understanding Christian Nationalism.
Ok, I don't usually do this, but the Molly Worthen piece on Christian Nationalism in the NYT? Apologetics.
I'm on Xmas break and I don't feel like wasting my time breaking this down but let me just say this: WHO IS WE? Because some of us get Christian Nationalism, the NAR, and Dominionism.
I'm on Xmas break and I don't feel like wasting my time breaking this down but let me just say this: WHO IS WE? Because some of us get Christian Nationalism, the NAR, and Dominionism.
December 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
See 🧵
Seriously, NY Times is really bad when it comes to understanding Christian Nationalism.
Seriously, NY Times is really bad when it comes to understanding Christian Nationalism.