W. David O. Taylor
@wdavidotaylor.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Theology & Culture @fullerseminary. Author: "Prayers for the Pilgrimage" + "A Body of Praise" + "Open & Unafraid." IG: @davidtaylor_theologian. W: https://www.wdavidotaylor.com.
I asked ChatGPT a pragmatic question and it answered:
"That’s a rich and beautiful question!"
I said: "No it ain't. It's a boring question."
It said: "That’s fair—and I appreciate the correction."
I said: "Do you really? Or are you just flattering me?"
It said: 🤔
I said: I'm messing with you.
"That’s a rich and beautiful question!"
I said: "No it ain't. It's a boring question."
It said: "That’s fair—and I appreciate the correction."
I said: "Do you really? Or are you just flattering me?"
It said: 🤔
I said: I'm messing with you.
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I asked ChatGPT a pragmatic question and it answered:
"That’s a rich and beautiful question!"
I said: "No it ain't. It's a boring question."
It said: "That’s fair—and I appreciate the correction."
I said: "Do you really? Or are you just flattering me?"
It said: 🤔
I said: I'm messing with you.
"That’s a rich and beautiful question!"
I said: "No it ain't. It's a boring question."
It said: "That’s fair—and I appreciate the correction."
I said: "Do you really? Or are you just flattering me?"
It said: 🤔
I said: I'm messing with you.
A Prayer for Blessing for the Day’s Work:
Bless my mind to discern the one thing that this day requires;
Bless my heart to remain at peace in the face of fear;
Bless my will to resist all needless distractions;
Bless my hands to do the work that you have entrusted to me;
In your name I pray.
Amen.
Bless my mind to discern the one thing that this day requires;
Bless my heart to remain at peace in the face of fear;
Bless my will to resist all needless distractions;
Bless my hands to do the work that you have entrusted to me;
In your name I pray.
Amen.
November 10, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A Prayer for Blessing for the Day’s Work:
Bless my mind to discern the one thing that this day requires;
Bless my heart to remain at peace in the face of fear;
Bless my will to resist all needless distractions;
Bless my hands to do the work that you have entrusted to me;
In your name I pray.
Amen.
Bless my mind to discern the one thing that this day requires;
Bless my heart to remain at peace in the face of fear;
Bless my will to resist all needless distractions;
Bless my hands to do the work that you have entrusted to me;
In your name I pray.
Amen.
A Prayer for God's Judgment to Begin with the Household of Faith:
(via "Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
(via "Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
November 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
A Prayer for God's Judgment to Begin with the Household of Faith:
(via "Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
(via "Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
November 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
A Morning Prayer for Joy in the midst of Exile:
O Lord, may your joy be a strength for the tired of body, a holy medicine for the faint of spirit and a bond of friendship for the estranged, so that your joy might be a taste this day of our true home in the midst of exile of our lives. Amen.
O Lord, may your joy be a strength for the tired of body, a holy medicine for the faint of spirit and a bond of friendship for the estranged, so that your joy might be a taste this day of our true home in the midst of exile of our lives. Amen.
November 7, 2025 at 1:20 PM
A Morning Prayer for Joy in the midst of Exile:
O Lord, may your joy be a strength for the tired of body, a holy medicine for the faint of spirit and a bond of friendship for the estranged, so that your joy might be a taste this day of our true home in the midst of exile of our lives. Amen.
O Lord, may your joy be a strength for the tired of body, a holy medicine for the faint of spirit and a bond of friendship for the estranged, so that your joy might be a taste this day of our true home in the midst of exile of our lives. Amen.
I couldn't agree more with Andrew Wilson on his desire for more truly Trinitarian worship songs. But I've grown disinterested in critiques of the songs when there's no genuine interest to come *alongside* songwriters to partner with them in this holy task.
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/when...
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/when...
When Songs Undermine Orthodoxy - Christianity Today
When training preachers, I remind them that terribly delivered sermons do not do any lasting damage. If a message is confusing, badly structured, poorly
www.christianitytoday.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I couldn't agree more with Andrew Wilson on his desire for more truly Trinitarian worship songs. But I've grown disinterested in critiques of the songs when there's no genuine interest to come *alongside* songwriters to partner with them in this holy task.
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/when...
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/when...
A Morning Prayer:
O Lord, you who are providentially at work in the world in ways that cannot be empirically explained, open my eyes, I pray, to see how you are bringing about the renewal and repair of this world in ways that defy the metrics of mortals and the presumptions of the nations. Amen.
O Lord, you who are providentially at work in the world in ways that cannot be empirically explained, open my eyes, I pray, to see how you are bringing about the renewal and repair of this world in ways that defy the metrics of mortals and the presumptions of the nations. Amen.
November 6, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A Morning Prayer:
O Lord, you who are providentially at work in the world in ways that cannot be empirically explained, open my eyes, I pray, to see how you are bringing about the renewal and repair of this world in ways that defy the metrics of mortals and the presumptions of the nations. Amen.
O Lord, you who are providentially at work in the world in ways that cannot be empirically explained, open my eyes, I pray, to see how you are bringing about the renewal and repair of this world in ways that defy the metrics of mortals and the presumptions of the nations. Amen.
A Morning Prayer:
O Lord, you who order all things well, I commend myself to you this day, this hour, this moment, this place, and ask that you would consecrate the labors of this day, that I may serve you in joy and rest in your sovereign care. I pray this in your good name. Amen.
O Lord, you who order all things well, I commend myself to you this day, this hour, this moment, this place, and ask that you would consecrate the labors of this day, that I may serve you in joy and rest in your sovereign care. I pray this in your good name. Amen.
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A Morning Prayer:
O Lord, you who order all things well, I commend myself to you this day, this hour, this moment, this place, and ask that you would consecrate the labors of this day, that I may serve you in joy and rest in your sovereign care. I pray this in your good name. Amen.
O Lord, you who order all things well, I commend myself to you this day, this hour, this moment, this place, and ask that you would consecrate the labors of this day, that I may serve you in joy and rest in your sovereign care. I pray this in your good name. Amen.
"Why do we assume so little of the contemporary reader? Respect the reader. Assume he is smarter than you."
— Marilynne Robinson (Festival of Faith & Writing, 2006)
— Marilynne Robinson (Festival of Faith & Writing, 2006)
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"Why do we assume so little of the contemporary reader? Respect the reader. Assume he is smarter than you."
— Marilynne Robinson (Festival of Faith & Writing, 2006)
— Marilynne Robinson (Festival of Faith & Writing, 2006)
I'd like to confirm this rumor: yes.👃🪔🌺🙂
"The keynote will be presented by the Rev. Dr. W. David O. Taylor on the body’s role in the liturgy. Rumor has it that there may even be a theological reflection on noses: do we worship with our sense of smell?"
livingchurch.org/events/explo...
"The keynote will be presented by the Rev. Dr. W. David O. Taylor on the body’s role in the liturgy. Rumor has it that there may even be a theological reflection on noses: do we worship with our sense of smell?"
livingchurch.org/events/explo...
Exploring Liturgy Through the Arts - The Living Church
The Awe and Presence Conference will ask, in five different ways, how the beauty of Christian worship shapes our lives, and shapes us for life with God.
livingchurch.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I'd like to confirm this rumor: yes.👃🪔🌺🙂
"The keynote will be presented by the Rev. Dr. W. David O. Taylor on the body’s role in the liturgy. Rumor has it that there may even be a theological reflection on noses: do we worship with our sense of smell?"
livingchurch.org/events/explo...
"The keynote will be presented by the Rev. Dr. W. David O. Taylor on the body’s role in the liturgy. Rumor has it that there may even be a theological reflection on noses: do we worship with our sense of smell?"
livingchurch.org/events/explo...
A Beatitude for Social Media:
Blessed are the ones who amplify the voices of the vulnerable, for in doing so they shall discover anew the delight of God‘s heart.
Blessed are the ones who amplify the voices of the vulnerable, for in doing so they shall discover anew the delight of God‘s heart.
November 4, 2025 at 12:26 PM
A Beatitude for Social Media:
Blessed are the ones who amplify the voices of the vulnerable, for in doing so they shall discover anew the delight of God‘s heart.
Blessed are the ones who amplify the voices of the vulnerable, for in doing so they shall discover anew the delight of God‘s heart.
A happy All Souls Day, friends!
May we take heart from the cloud of witnesses who suffered the temptations of their own times and places but remained faithful to the One who alone sustains us in the hour of trial.
May we take heart from the cloud of witnesses who suffered the temptations of their own times and places but remained faithful to the One who alone sustains us in the hour of trial.
November 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
A happy All Souls Day, friends!
May we take heart from the cloud of witnesses who suffered the temptations of their own times and places but remained faithful to the One who alone sustains us in the hour of trial.
May we take heart from the cloud of witnesses who suffered the temptations of their own times and places but remained faithful to the One who alone sustains us in the hour of trial.
Yes, please:
"As the novelty of A.I. wears off and it just becomes part of the way we live, the genuine human connection between people, men and women of all ages, is going to become the most valuable social currency.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
"As the novelty of A.I. wears off and it just becomes part of the way we live, the genuine human connection between people, men and women of all ages, is going to become the most valuable social currency.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
Opinion | Bros Need Some Bros
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Yes, please:
"As the novelty of A.I. wears off and it just becomes part of the way we live, the genuine human connection between people, men and women of all ages, is going to become the most valuable social currency.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
"As the novelty of A.I. wears off and it just becomes part of the way we live, the genuine human connection between people, men and women of all ages, is going to become the most valuable social currency.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
A happy All Saints Day, friends! May you become aflame this day with the love of the Holy Trinity and bear witness in word and deed to all that is good and holy about God’s kingdom.
November 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM
A happy All Saints Day, friends! May you become aflame this day with the love of the Holy Trinity and bear witness in word and deed to all that is good and holy about God’s kingdom.
There are two things that All Hallow’s Eve invites us to take seriously: the uncontainable merriment that marks God’s creation and the reality of evil. It’s these two things that I sought to give expression to in my prayers for Halloween in my book with @ivpress.bsky.social.
October 31, 2025 at 5:03 PM
There are two things that All Hallow’s Eve invites us to take seriously: the uncontainable merriment that marks God’s creation and the reality of evil. It’s these two things that I sought to give expression to in my prayers for Halloween in my book with @ivpress.bsky.social.
A Morning Prayer:
“You will only have to look with your eyes to see how the guilty face Creator’s justice for what they have done.
For you have called Grandfather “my medicine shield” and have made the One Above Us All your home.”
— Psalm 91:8-9 (First Nations Version)
“You will only have to look with your eyes to see how the guilty face Creator’s justice for what they have done.
For you have called Grandfather “my medicine shield” and have made the One Above Us All your home.”
— Psalm 91:8-9 (First Nations Version)
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 PM
A Morning Prayer:
“You will only have to look with your eyes to see how the guilty face Creator’s justice for what they have done.
For you have called Grandfather “my medicine shield” and have made the One Above Us All your home.”
— Psalm 91:8-9 (First Nations Version)
“You will only have to look with your eyes to see how the guilty face Creator’s justice for what they have done.
For you have called Grandfather “my medicine shield” and have made the One Above Us All your home.”
— Psalm 91:8-9 (First Nations Version)
Yes indeed:
"Against the Machine is a trenchant and terrifying account of what modern people have sacrificed in exchange for technology’s promise of power and autonomy."
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/agai...
"Against the Machine is a trenchant and terrifying account of what modern people have sacrificed in exchange for technology’s promise of power and autonomy."
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/agai...
One Machine to Rule Them All - Christianity Today
Paul Kingsnorth paints an apocalyptic picture of digital captivity.
www.christianitytoday.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Yes indeed:
"Against the Machine is a trenchant and terrifying account of what modern people have sacrificed in exchange for technology’s promise of power and autonomy."
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/agai...
"Against the Machine is a trenchant and terrifying account of what modern people have sacrificed in exchange for technology’s promise of power and autonomy."
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/agai...
"It won’t be news to anyone living in 21st-century America that language can be “euphemized, instrumentalized and abused—put to work for your cause and only for your cause, so that it does exactly and only what you want it to do,” as [Zadie] Smith warns."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/b...
Zadie Smith Considers Art in the Age of Relentless Progress
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"It won’t be news to anyone living in 21st-century America that language can be “euphemized, instrumentalized and abused—put to work for your cause and only for your cause, so that it does exactly and only what you want it to do,” as [Zadie] Smith warns."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/b...
A prayer for being present to the present this day rather than excessively worrying about yesterday and uncontrollably fretting about tomorrow.
("Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
("Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
October 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A prayer for being present to the present this day rather than excessively worrying about yesterday and uncontrollably fretting about tomorrow.
("Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
("Prayers for the Pilgrimage")
“The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”
NB: We'll believe anything no matter how wrong because we're desperate enough to want it to be true.
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
NB: We'll believe anything no matter how wrong because we're desperate enough to want it to be true.
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
Notes on Nationalism | The Orwell Foundation
"By ‘nationalism’ I mean first of all the habit of assuming that human beings can be classified like insects and that whole blocks of millions or tens of millions of people can be confidently labelled...
www.orwellfoundation.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:27 PM
“The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”
NB: We'll believe anything no matter how wrong because we're desperate enough to want it to be true.
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
NB: We'll believe anything no matter how wrong because we're desperate enough to want it to be true.
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...
Blessed are those who remain on social media without becoming cynical, petty, or combative.
October 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Blessed are those who remain on social media without becoming cynical, petty, or combative.
A prayer for peace in a world full of strife, saber-rattling, and fear for the worst.
October 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
A prayer for peace in a world full of strife, saber-rattling, and fear for the worst.
Saint Paul would likely wholeheartedly agree:
“I can’t imagine a CCCU school saying we’re going to limit our international students,” said Turk. “This is just not us. This is not what evangelical schools are about. This is not what the church is about.”
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/10/trum...
“I can’t imagine a CCCU school saying we’re going to limit our international students,” said Turk. “This is just not us. This is not what evangelical schools are about. This is not what the church is about.”
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/10/trum...
Christian Colleges Object to Trump ‘Overreach’ on Higher Ed - Christianity Today
The administration’s compact with universities would freeze tuition for five years and cap the number of international students, among other measures.
www.christianitytoday.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Saint Paul would likely wholeheartedly agree:
“I can’t imagine a CCCU school saying we’re going to limit our international students,” said Turk. “This is just not us. This is not what evangelical schools are about. This is not what the church is about.”
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/10/trum...
“I can’t imagine a CCCU school saying we’re going to limit our international students,” said Turk. “This is just not us. This is not what evangelical schools are about. This is not what the church is about.”
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/10/trum...
A Prayer for Sunday:
O Lord, you who are the Sovereign of heaven and earth, may we dwell this day under the shelter of the Most High, so that we may feel wholly secure in your providential care over all the details of our lives. We pray this in the name of the One who is the Lord of lords. Amen.
O Lord, you who are the Sovereign of heaven and earth, may we dwell this day under the shelter of the Most High, so that we may feel wholly secure in your providential care over all the details of our lives. We pray this in the name of the One who is the Lord of lords. Amen.
October 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Prayer for Sunday:
O Lord, you who are the Sovereign of heaven and earth, may we dwell this day under the shelter of the Most High, so that we may feel wholly secure in your providential care over all the details of our lives. We pray this in the name of the One who is the Lord of lords. Amen.
O Lord, you who are the Sovereign of heaven and earth, may we dwell this day under the shelter of the Most High, so that we may feel wholly secure in your providential care over all the details of our lives. We pray this in the name of the One who is the Lord of lords. Amen.
A friendly reminder to members of the household of faith on social media:
"What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing."
--Matthew 15:17-19 (MSG)
"What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing."
--Matthew 15:17-19 (MSG)
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A friendly reminder to members of the household of faith on social media:
"What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing."
--Matthew 15:17-19 (MSG)
"What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing."
--Matthew 15:17-19 (MSG)