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.”

I have to admit something. I struggle, as you have probably guessed. The Angry Orange Lunatic and his sycophants have cost me tremendously over the years in real life. And he hasn't cost me near as much as he has cost our brown brothers and sisters, our trans friends, our gay friends - those who live in fear every day.

ALT: a black cat is holding a nail file in its paws against a brick wall .

They just don’t care. I saw a poll yesterday that said 47 percent of republicans would not change their support of Trump even if his name IS in the Epstein files. It confirmed what I suspected in the evangelical church for years. It isn't that they don't believe women. It's that they don't care. Once we understand that, our approach changes.

Here's the thing.

Healing takes place when stories are told in safe places. I don’t know who said that, but I think it is time to take it seriously. I saw mom today. My legs are in extreme pain. I’ve had IBS for 3 days. My migraines are back. I can’t carry this shame anymore and I need to speak. Saying things in a family where saying things is never done takes a lot out of me.