Word&Way
@wordandway.bsky.social
Creating better Christian conversations since 1896. We produce an award-winning magazine, podcast, website, & more.
Editor-in-Chief: @briankaylor.bsky.social
Website: https://wordandway.org
Substack: https://publicwitness.wordandway.org
Editor-in-Chief: @briankaylor.bsky.social
Website: https://wordandway.org
Substack: https://publicwitness.wordandway.org
Pinned
Word&Way
@wordandway.bsky.social
· Oct 7
The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power
Exploiting Scripture for Political Power
bookshop.org
It’s book release day!
Get your copy of “The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power” now:
Get your copy of “The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power” now:
Reposted by Word&Way
Incredible shot of an incredible Baptist pastor, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social. I reported last week about him getting shot with pepper ball by Illinois State Police outside ICE facility: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
November 14, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Incredible shot of an incredible Baptist pastor, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social. I reported last week about him getting shot with pepper ball by Illinois State Police outside ICE facility: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
Today they violently arrested him during vigil. What a photo.
Our fresh roundup features insights from @duanelarson.bsky.social, @jackjenkins.me, @krystafauria.bsky.social, @amyhowe.bsky.social, @spencerhumphrey.bsky.social, @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social, @craignash.bsky.social, @jkutzie.bsky.social, @ceodonovan.bsky.social, @benedictvgallup.bsky.social, & more!
Weekly Roundup: Nov. 14
Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. In addition to a reflection for Veterans Day that is free for anyone to read, paid subscribers to A Public Witness received a look at the Christian mes...
publicwitness.wordandway.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Our fresh roundup features insights from @duanelarson.bsky.social, @jackjenkins.me, @krystafauria.bsky.social, @amyhowe.bsky.social, @spencerhumphrey.bsky.social, @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social, @craignash.bsky.social, @jkutzie.bsky.social, @ceodonovan.bsky.social, @benedictvgallup.bsky.social, & more!
Reposted by Word&Way
Okla lawmakers rejected bill for public school "chaplains." But school district named a pastor as "chaplain" anyway: kfor.com/news/oklahom...
Troubling that advocacy group pushing the bills is cheering this unlawful move.
Background on "chaplain" bills: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/pastor-pus...
Troubling that advocacy group pushing the bills is cheering this unlawful move.
Background on "chaplain" bills: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/pastor-pus...
November 14, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Okla lawmakers rejected bill for public school "chaplains." But school district named a pastor as "chaplain" anyway: kfor.com/news/oklahom...
Troubling that advocacy group pushing the bills is cheering this unlawful move.
Background on "chaplain" bills: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/pastor-pus...
Troubling that advocacy group pushing the bills is cheering this unlawful move.
Background on "chaplain" bills: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/pastor-pus...
Reposted by Word&Way
Officers caught on camera slamming to the ground @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social (American Baptist/Alliance of Baptists pastor) during vigil outside ICE facility. I reported last week about Michael & how Illinois State Police shot him with a pepper ball: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
at one point, i watched a cook county sheriff’s officer (who appears to be in charge) point out a priest in the crowd.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
November 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Officers caught on camera slamming to the ground @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social (American Baptist/Alliance of Baptists pastor) during vigil outside ICE facility. I reported last week about Michael & how Illinois State Police shot him with a pepper ball: publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Reposted by Word&Way
Charlie Kirk and Baldur von Schirach are similar figures because the political and spiritual situations they capitalized on are similar. This calls for a theological analysis from @duanelarson.bsky.social if we are to recognize and avoid the ultimate spiritual disaster they represent.
In the White Shadows of Schirach and Kirk - Word&Way
Systematic theologian and ELCA pastor Duane Larson reflects on some troubling religious parallels between the late Charlie Kirk and Nazi Youth leader Baldur von Schirach.
wordandway.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Charlie Kirk and Baldur von Schirach are similar figures because the political and spiritual situations they capitalized on are similar. This calls for a theological analysis from @duanelarson.bsky.social if we are to recognize and avoid the ultimate spiritual disaster they represent.
Reposted by Word&Way
President Donald Trump quoted the Bible’s teaching about caring for children, which seems ironic given his record:
www.youtube.com/shorts/Kw3DP...
www.youtube.com/shorts/Kw3DP...
November 13, 2025 at 11:01 PM
President Donald Trump quoted the Bible’s teaching about caring for children, which seems ironic given his record:
www.youtube.com/shorts/Kw3DP...
www.youtube.com/shorts/Kw3DP...
Charlie Kirk and Baldur von Schirach are similar figures because the political and spiritual situations they capitalized on are similar. This calls for a theological analysis from @duanelarson.bsky.social if we are to recognize and avoid the ultimate spiritual disaster they represent.
In the White Shadows of Schirach and Kirk - Word&Way
Systematic theologian and ELCA pastor Duane Larson reflects on some troubling religious parallels between the late Charlie Kirk and Nazi Youth leader Baldur von Schirach.
wordandway.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Charlie Kirk and Baldur von Schirach are similar figures because the political and spiritual situations they capitalized on are similar. This calls for a theological analysis from @duanelarson.bsky.social if we are to recognize and avoid the ultimate spiritual disaster they represent.
Reposted by Word&Way
Our latest Voices piece comes from Mother Agapia — sister of journalist George Stephanopoulos — who urges American Christians to face the truth about how Israel treats Palestinian Christians.
US Christians Should Look Past the Wall of Distortion to See the Truth About Palestinians in the Holy Land - Word&Way
A Russian Orthodox nun who has lived in the West Bank presents a powerful argument that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is not an end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter of peace and justice.
wordandway.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Our latest Voices piece comes from Mother Agapia — sister of journalist George Stephanopoulos — who urges American Christians to face the truth about how Israel treats Palestinian Christians.
Our latest Voices piece comes from Mother Agapia — sister of journalist George Stephanopoulos — who urges American Christians to face the truth about how Israel treats Palestinian Christians.
US Christians Should Look Past the Wall of Distortion to See the Truth About Palestinians in the Holy Land - Word&Way
A Russian Orthodox nun who has lived in the West Bank presents a powerful argument that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is not an end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter of peace and justice.
wordandway.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Our latest Voices piece comes from Mother Agapia — sister of journalist George Stephanopoulos — who urges American Christians to face the truth about how Israel treats Palestinian Christians.
Reposted by Word&Way
Cheney funeral shows what we wrote in 'Baptizing America' about Cathedral: "The attempt to be both a house to worship Jesus & a house for all Americans simply isn’t tenable" (bookshop.org/a/110819/978...). They can't be both "house of prayer for all people" & "great church for national purposes" 4/4
Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism
How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism
bookshop.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Cheney funeral shows what we wrote in 'Baptizing America' about Cathedral: "The attempt to be both a house to worship Jesus & a house for all Americans simply isn’t tenable" (bookshop.org/a/110819/978...). They can't be both "house of prayer for all people" & "great church for national purposes" 4/4
Reposted by Word&Way
Today’s issue of A Public Witness looks at the DoL’s use of religion in its recent propaganda posters that push Christianity as part of a vision of a patriarchal, White nation.
The Church of the Department of Labor
Over the summer, the Trump administration released a report purporting to uncover the “anti-Christian bias” in the federal government during the Biden presidency.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Today’s issue of A Public Witness looks at the DoL’s use of religion in its recent propaganda posters that push Christianity as part of a vision of a patriarchal, White nation.
Reposted by Word&Way
Good @rns.org column by @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social on "Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE" religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE
(RNS) — For people wanting to experience God, we are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Good @rns.org column by @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social on "Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE" religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
As I reported last week, he practices what he preaches:
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...
Today’s issue of A Public Witness looks at the DoL’s use of religion in its recent propaganda posters that push Christianity as part of a vision of a patriarchal, White nation.
The Church of the Department of Labor
Over the summer, the Trump administration released a report purporting to uncover the “anti-Christian bias” in the federal government during the Biden presidency.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Today’s issue of A Public Witness looks at the DoL’s use of religion in its recent propaganda posters that push Christianity as part of a vision of a patriarchal, White nation.
Reposted by Word&Way
I wrote a thing about the first leader of the Hitler Youth and Charlie Kirk. wordandway.org/2025/11/12/i...
In the White Shadows of Schirach and Kirk - Word&Way
Systematic theologian and ELCA pastor Duane Larson reflects on some troubling religious parallels between the late Charlie Kirk and Nazi Youth leader Baldur von Schirach.
wordandway.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I wrote a thing about the first leader of the Hitler Youth and Charlie Kirk. wordandway.org/2025/11/12/i...
Reposted by Word&Way
Our latest review from @drbobcornwall.bsky.social covers the theocratic takeover outlined in @matthewboedy.bsky.social’s “The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy” (@wjkbooks.com).
Review: The Seven Mountains Mandate - Word&Way
Scholar Matthew Boedy exposes a dangerous plan driven by prosperity preachers, extremist politicians, and right-wing power brokers to destroy democracy and turn America into a Christian Nationalist st...
wordandway.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Our latest review from @drbobcornwall.bsky.social covers the theocratic takeover outlined in @matthewboedy.bsky.social’s “The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy” (@wjkbooks.com).
Our latest review from @drbobcornwall.bsky.social covers the theocratic takeover outlined in @matthewboedy.bsky.social’s “The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy” (@wjkbooks.com).
Review: The Seven Mountains Mandate - Word&Way
Scholar Matthew Boedy exposes a dangerous plan driven by prosperity preachers, extremist politicians, and right-wing power brokers to destroy democracy and turn America into a Christian Nationalist st...
wordandway.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Our latest review from @drbobcornwall.bsky.social covers the theocratic takeover outlined in @matthewboedy.bsky.social’s “The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy” (@wjkbooks.com).
Reposted by Word&Way
Good to see Baylor University unveil a Memorial to Enslaved Persons: goodfaithmedia.org/baylor-unvei.... The Baptist school in Texas founded by enslavers has spent the last few years starting the much-needed process of reckoning with that legacy: wordandway.org/2021/03/23/b...
Baylor Unveils Memorial to Enslaved Persons
Baylor University’s new Memorial to Enslaved Persons acknowledges the lives of those enslaved by its founders, offering a sacred space for reflection.
goodfaithmedia.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Good to see Baylor University unveil a Memorial to Enslaved Persons: goodfaithmedia.org/baylor-unvei.... The Baptist school in Texas founded by enslavers has spent the last few years starting the much-needed process of reckoning with that legacy: wordandway.org/2021/03/23/b...
Reposted by Word&Way
This is #ChristianNationalism: dismissing other faiths while also co-opting Bible verses to baptize US military as God's army (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-bible-...)
Hegseth: "We don't need to be a military of beardos anymore. Do you know how many troops claim to be Nordic Pagan? No, suddenly it's become this real fake religious affiliation inside the Pentagon where troops came to be Nordic Pagan so they can grow a beard and nobody challenges them on it."
November 12, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This is #ChristianNationalism: dismissing other faiths while also co-opting Bible verses to baptize US military as God's army (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/the-bible-...)
Reposted by Word&Way
Pete Hegseth — the man who likes to call himself “Secretary of War” instead of his official title as Secretary of Defense — thinks the key to peace is war.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
Ending Wars
We called it the “war to end all wars.” Until a bigger one came.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Pete Hegseth — the man who likes to call himself “Secretary of War” instead of his official title as Secretary of Defense — thinks the key to peace is war.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
Reposted by Word&Way
Nice speech & all but the people of Chicago also deserve better than Illinois State Police assisting ICE & pepperballing clergy (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...). Pritzker is part of the violence.
Gov. Pritzker: “All I can say is that whether it was the loss in the elections a week ago that's led to Donald Trump deciding to pull CBP out or the fact that Greg Bovino is a snowflake…Whatever it is, the people of Chicago have deserved better than having CBP and Greg Bovino in this city.”
November 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Nice speech & all but the people of Chicago also deserve better than Illinois State Police assisting ICE & pepperballing clergy (publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/baptist-pa...). Pritzker is part of the violence.
Pete Hegseth — the man who likes to call himself “Secretary of War” instead of his official title as Secretary of Defense — thinks the key to peace is war.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
Ending Wars
We called it the “war to end all wars.” Until a bigger one came.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
November 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Pete Hegseth — the man who likes to call himself “Secretary of War” instead of his official title as Secretary of Defense — thinks the key to peace is war.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
History is littered with examples of this philosophy failing.
Reposted by Word&Way
Today started as a holiday to celebrate the end of war. Now we celebrate war.
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/ending-wars
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/ending-wars
Trump's Veterans Day speech: "Secretary of War -- we like the sound of that better than the other."
November 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Today started as a holiday to celebrate the end of war. Now we celebrate war.
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/ending-wars
publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/ending-wars
On a day like today, we honor those who went before us. We lament the lives lost and taken in violent wars. We cherish the freedoms we have today. We work to heal those wounded by battles — physically, psychologically, and spiritually.
But we must also pray and work for peace.
But we must also pray and work for peace.
Ending Wars
We called it the “war to end all wars.” Until a bigger one came.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
November 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
On a day like today, we honor those who went before us. We lament the lives lost and taken in violent wars. We cherish the freedoms we have today. We work to heal those wounded by battles — physically, psychologically, and spiritually.
But we must also pray and work for peace.
But we must also pray and work for peace.
Reposted by Word&Way
Ending Wars
We called it the “war to end all wars.” Until a bigger one came.
publicwitness.wordandway.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Word&Way
This piece directly cites our reporting on Baptist pastor @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social being shot with a pepper ball while peacefully protesting ICE. You can read it here:
November 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This piece directly cites our reporting on Baptist pastor @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social being shot with a pepper ball while peacefully protesting ICE. You can read it here: