Analyzing Christianity
New Catholic Movements: Pope Francis ain’t reforming them before his retirement
For a couple of years now, Francis has taken increasingly-strong steps to rein in the founders of New Catholic Movement groups.
Analyzing Christianity
‘Use as example’: Southern Baptist self-protection in action
The whole document is horrifying reading. But one line in it particularly caught my eye. It read, “Use as example.” Today, we’ll look at this so-called “example” that the SBC’s leaders wanted to stand out as a perfect example of sexual predators in SBC ministerial ranks. Along the way, maybe we’ll see just why the people behind this document wanted to use this particular person, Perez Blackmon, as their ur-example.
Analyzing Christianity
Complementarianism: Why evangelicals can’t have good relationships
The reason evangelicals invented complementarianism was to win a denominational slapfight. That’s it. The architects of it just wanted to demolish feminism. So they simply did not care how complementarianism would play out in the everyday lives of their increasingly-authoritarian flocks.
SBC Watching
Southern Baptists apologize to a sex abuse victim. Here’s why it’s a big deal
This apology and settlement represent some of the very most definitive actions the SBC has ever taken regarding any sexual abuse claim since journalists first exposed their mega-scandal, “Abuse of Faith,” three years ago. I don’t think the timing of this action is accidental. Today, let me show you why.
Analyzing Christianity
Bobbie Houston and the Casual Cruelty of Evangelicals (LSP #178)
Bobbie Houston, the co-founder of the Hillsong megachurch, released an audiobook in 2003 that used a hurtful slur. She’s making the usual disclaimers to excuse herself. So today, Lord Snow Presides over yet another evangelical hypocrite using yet another slur and issuing yet another not-pology — and what this behavior does to their witness.
Analyzing Christianity
The Bryan Loritts scandal reveals the principles of power
In 2020, J.D. Greear hired Bryan Loritts to work in his megachurch. Greear hired him knowing that his new sub-pastor had previously shielded a sex abuser: his creepy brother-in-law Rick Trotter. Now that the truth’s come out, Greear’s eating some crow over it. He’s trying to act like gosh, y’all, he jus’ Read more
The Games We Play
False accusations in Jesus-Land in ‘This Present Darkness’ (LSP #150, Ch. 30)
Hi and welcome back! It being Monday, we turn our attention to Frank Peretti’s cringefest 1986 novel, This Present Darkness. In this installment, we discover the literal only reason that anybody ever accuses TRUE CHRISTIANS™ of serious crimes. Today, Lord Snow Presides over the theology of false accusations in toxic Christianity—and Read more
Analyzing Christianity
Russell Moore Tells Us How to Fool a Monster
Monsters dwell here. Thankfully, these monsters are very easy to fool. See, one of their leaders, Russell Moore, gave away the game recently. And now we can use his foolishly-spoken words to pass through this blighted land in safety. Come with me. I’ll show you how to fool a monster tonight.
Analyzing Christianity
Andy Savage and the Problem of Evil
The assault had a horrific effect on her emotionally, of course. She sought help afterward from the church’s associate pastor. It isn’t her fault she believed what trusted adults told her about themselves.