https://calthomas.com/2026/05/to-the-complainers/
Readers will know I do not hold Cal Thomas in high regard but I do remain frequently baffled by the fact that his name is associated with 'retreatism' or Christians getting out of politics. Because he (kind of sort of) disavowed the Moral Majority, people act like he's a Two Kingdoms guy or almost like Anabaptist or something.
https://www.euractiv.com/news/taliban-envoy-abdul-qahar-balkhi-to-lead-delegation-to-brussels/
The Taliban does not want to do business with the United States. Given the bad blood connected to the horrific war of the 1980's, it's surprising that Kabul would want anything to do with Moscow either, but indeed it would seem the two nations are proceeding on the basis of common interests. China looms over all and while the Taliban looks to Beijing as its primary foreign investor, the Afghan leadership knows that it's in their interest to diversify - lest they become wholly dependent on Beijing.
Some will find this report exciting - the fact that Franklin Graham (fresh from the Nationalist celebration on the National Mall in Washington) arrived in Belarus to launch an 'Evangelical' crusade akin to the type of events held by his father Billy during the second half of the 20th century.
I happened to catch Paul Batura from Focus on the Family being interviewed in reference to Memorial Day and he insisted that the whole 'Christian Nationalism' charge and scandal was a farce. He knew of no serious Christians who would own that label - which is completely untrue. Russell Vought and many others immediately come to mind. They embrace it and are proud of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr7kiIO0Y0w
American Evangelicals celebrated Trump reading the Bible in one of their latest propaganda efforts - a recording session that was also re-used during the idolatrous event which recently took place on the National Mall. With regard to the latter, mark well all the Christian leaders who participated in that disgrace, as they are false prophets and apostates who teach God's people to worship idols and glorify sin.
https://churchandfamilylife.com/events/69c40801815349696337c4c8
This conference brochure arrived in my inbox and I was taken aback by the notion that these people think they're pursuing quiet lives. They haven't released the speaker list yet but based on what I've seen in the past it's mostly dominated by Theonomic Postmillennial types - which would include Scott Brown, the head of the organisation. Under normal circumstances they despise those who seek to live quiet obedient lives. They sneer and call it pietism, defeatism, apathy, and as of late I keep hearing the charge of cowardice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXQQKcHRgnA
There have been numerous commentaries regarding the recent Trump-Xi meetings in Beijing. Some insist that Trump arrived in a position of strength and came away scoring significant victories in terms of geo-strategic commitments and trade deals. Unsurprisingly, such interpretations are found among Trump supporters.
https://www.propublica.org/article/paul-newby-north-carolina-supreme-court
There are enough stories like this to fill a book shelf. Christians believing they are serving God by wielding power and yet oblivious to their own corruption or willing to explain it away. Ignoring what the Bible says about power, money, ethics, and integrity they wage culture war and seek to transform America's Enlightenment Liberal society into the Kingdom of God. The result is a sham, a counterfeit and yet another occasion in which the name of Christ is besmirched.
https://ministrywatch.com/st-andrews-chapel-salaries-well-above-median-salary-in-the-region
This report matters because these are 'respected' ministries and leaders and yet their conduct (as reported in the article) raises eyebrows. I think it is glimpse behind the veil. I think this kind of corruption is far from being an anomaly. There are abuses of power on many levels, corruption, and rank greed. The numbers involved aren't on the level of a Wall Street scandal that makes the national news but for individuals these are serious salaries that pay for a very nice lifestyle and the people in these institutions and bureaucracies are not going to just give them up and go away quietly.
I was eager to pick up Matthew Avery Sutton's 'Double Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War', hoping to find an account of reflection and regret, of ethical wrestling and theology. I guess I was a bit overly optimistic if not naive.
The book started out rather interesting touching on some of the controversies of the day in terms of the Church in Germany, American Fundamentalism, and the heretical spectre who repeatedly haunts the pages - Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). Niebuhr's so-called realist ethics affected not only Mainline Christianity, but post-war Anabaptism as well. Even figures like James Comey and Barack Obama cite his influence.
https://theaquilareport.com/vivek-ramaswamy-demolishes-evangelical-christians-view-of-america/
As readers will know I'm generally very opposed to anything the Theonomist Larry Ball has to say. As his writings are frequently published at The Aquila Report - which is something I look at almost every day, I often encounter his writings and occasionally respond to them.
https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/israel-largest-tank-losses-40yrs-ambushes-21-merkava
It's not surprising to learn that the Pentagon has been trying to cover-up losses and damage to US assets. The fact that Iran can strike back does not fit with the US narrative.
As a form of punishment and warning, Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany. It must be recognized this is a symbolic action and means little to nothing as all the systems and infrastructure that are in place will not change. He is frustrated that NATO is not coming to his rescue as the Iran War has not gone according to plan and is generating significant economic trouble at home. Given the mid-term elections are in six months, he's starting to worry. I also would add there's a great deal that's been covered up with regard to US and Israeli losses - that will eventually come out.
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2026/03/08/on-biblical-warrior-women/
Muehlenberg never disappoints. If there's a way to twist Scripture, he seems bent on finding it - and The Aquila Report just loves to keep re-posting his material.
As he glories in the killing of Iranian leaders and calls on Christians to rejoice and sing in celebration, he distorts what is happening in Judges.
