Unreal and Heinous Hypocrisy: A PCA Pseudo-Scandal

https://theaquilareport.com/its-been-five-years-and-the-time-is-right-an-earnest-appeal-to-the-authors-of-2020s-heinous-killings-statement-at-byfaith/

Generally speaking I have appreciated Tom Hervey's commentaries that have appeared at The Aquila Report - I even bought his book of essays on Amazon. I'm sorry to say this was an exception. He excoriates those in the PCA that in 2020 condemned the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd and these same Presbyterians even described them as heinous.

Right-wing Fallacies Regarding Population and Social Ethics

https://breakpoint.org/the-fallacy-of-controlling-population/

This was but one of many BreakPoint episodes touching on the issue of population control. At times it almost seems as if they (and many on the Right) have an obsession about this issue. It's ironic given the fact that it seems clear to everyone else that they really would rather not see some segments of the population reproduce but rather are frustrated because the kind of people they want to have big families - are choosing not to do so.

And why is this? I can't decide if they really don't understand or are deliberately resorting to smoke and mirrors in order to shift the blame.

Smoke and Mirrors: Trump's Trade Deal with China

https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-trade-tariffs-rare-earth-minerals-cbd2482bd2b3a7ce8d47030c4ff1c3d4

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-china-2672360236/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/27/trump-says-us-has-signed-trade-deal-with-china

Trump will tout everything he does as supreme, the greatest ever. Every move is a triumph, a victory - but he's saying very little about the trade deal with China. For all the noise he made about China, his tariff plan, and all the rest, one would think he would want to trumpet this 'success'. And yet like his plan to annex Greenland - he's moved on it would seem.

Patriotic Theology: Sowing Confusion

https://tifwe.org/remembering-those-who-gave-the-greatest-sacrifice/

This was a Memorial Day-related article but it's just as appropriate for the 4th of July and indeed this whole 'Patriotic' period that seems to afflict the Church in the United States.

Evangelicals Once Again Going to Egypt

https://churchleaders.com/news/510090-anti-christian-bias-task-force-religious-discrimination.html

This so-called 'Anti-Christian Bias Task Force' is part of Trump's plan to weaponize the Justice Department and his Evangelical allies are eager to cooperate and seek a position of preference and favour in US society and the legal system.

European Evangelicals Wave the Bloody Shirt and Call it Wisdom

https://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/30816/rearm-europe-evangelical-leaders-in-four-countries-express-their-convictions

One might wish that Evangelical leaders would be a little more familiar with history. If so, they might raise an eyebrow at the sabre-rattling of politicians and be a little more cynical of their motivations. Make no mistake, many are motivated by nationalist interests vis-a-vis Atlanticism or the EU. Others are simply in line to profit from military expansion and militarism.

American Christendom and Apostasy

https://theaquilareport.com/is-america-part-of-christendom/

There seems to be virtually an endless stream of articles like this - trying to tweak definitions or steer the conversation, but always missing the point.

Bait and Switch - Cal Thomas on the Constitutional Crisis

https://calthomas.com/2025/02/whom-to-blame-for-the-crisis/

Unfortunately I must report that Cal Thomas is still producing commentaries and this one appeared in our local newspaper the other day.

It's a case of classic bait-and-switch tactics. He ignores the issues surrounding the Constitutional Crisis and instead ventures down a dishonest rabbit trail of revisionism and spin. In other words, it's classic Cal Thomas.

The Destructive Mafia-inspired Style of Trump Diplomacy

Right-wing and Evangelical media are already lavishing praise on Trump for the supposed stability that he's bringing to the world order. In the latest episode of delusion, these factions believe that Trump stands for stability and calm and that the US is respected while he stands at the helm.

Seared Consciences at AFR

I had the misfortune to listen to American Family Radio (sic) the other day. As expected they were having a field day with the pardon of Hunter Biden. I'm certain that with the Harris loss, the president feared that if the sentencing wasn't harsh enough, the Trump Justice Department would continue to hound his son. So, Biden broke his word and pardoned him and any time questions are raised about Trump pardoning January 6 insurrectionists - the Right will point to Hunter Biden.

More Thanksgiving Drivel

https://americanreformer.org/2024/11/the-death-of-thanksgiving/

Dunson is upset because of the commercialisation of Christmas and the fact that the 'season' starts in conjunction with Halloween. Thanksgiving is skipped over.

The answer to this is obvious. We live in a capitalist society and with a retail economy, Christmas is critical. Thanksgiving is only a boon for the grocery industry. The Utilitarian ethics of capitalism make it so and make it right. If he has a problem with this, critique the system and the values its spawns - but don't hold your breath. He is writing after all for the American Reformer.

Presbyterian Fantasies and Delusions

https://theaquilareport.com/presbyterians-mia-missing-in-actions/

I must say it again - Larry Ball never disappoints. He is consistent in his production of doctrinal error, ethical filth, and the celebration of worldliness.

This article can best be described as glorying in one's shame. He would celebrate Presbyterianism's supposedly august role in shaping the American Empire but like all afflicted with the soul-destroying disease of idolatry (in this case nationalism) he is utterly blind to the evils he in fact celebrates.

Beneath This Stone I'm Forced to Lie, a Victim of the Blue-State Fly - and other such delusions

https://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesonly=true&sourceid=trcnw&keyword=Blue+State+Conference

I tried to get through some of these but found it unbearable. Oh, the sorrows and woe for those who live in states controlled by Democrats. If we could all just move to Texas and Florida then all would be well.

Christo-Trumpism is not just Fascism - it's Antichrist

I keep seeing hats, shirts, signs, and stickers proclaiming Jesus is my Savior and Trump is my President. It's becoming a basis for fellowship, a call sign for people to strike up conversation in restaurants and in lines.

John MacArthur's Latest Episode of Hypocrisy and Schizophrenia

https://www.christianpost.com/voices/john-macarthur-vs-christian-nationalism.html

The California megachurch pastor has long attacked Christian political activism and the idea that Christians are to labour for justice in this world. These endeavours distract the Church from its God-appointed task. Such expressions on the part of MacArthur would be in keeping with his Dispensational Premillennial eschatology that sees no hope for this present age and calls the Church to await the pre-tribulational rapture. According to this scheme, great calamity will follow in the form Anti-Christ and the so-called Great Tribulation.

Constantinian Ethics at their Worst

https://www.beautifulchristianlife.com/blog/how-do-christians-in-the-military-love-their-enemies-and-do-good-to-them

A follow up to:

https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2023/07/an-ugly-christian-life.html

The commenter to the previous Rowlands piece innocently asked about Matthew 5 and the command to love enemies. And rightly so as this effectively destroys Rowlands' argument. And this passage is far from alone. Rowlands is advocating for a Christianity that is opposed to New Testament ethics - and yet it's a value system that tickles ears and effectively reigns within the contemporary Evangelical Church.

The ISIS-K Attack on Moscow

 It's fairly obvious that Western media wants to find a way to put an anti-Putin spin on the Moscow theatre attack. There are hints that since American intelligence warned him and he didn't act therefore... it's never said, but we're left to conclude that something nefarious took place. He wanted it to happen or let it happen or he's incompetent. Why won't the Russian people realize this? Such allegations and suggestions when put into an American context are ridiculed but are perfectly acceptable when it comes to other countries, particularly America's enemies.

Evangelical Narratives about Trump and Haley

A couple of weeks ago while listening to the BBC, an American Evangelical leader attempted to explain his faction's overwhelming allegiance to Trump. He suggested that all things considered, Trump is the best prospect. All the emphasis was on beating Biden.

Theologians of the Beast and Ivory Tower Takes on Empire

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empires-foreign-and-domestic/id1677193347?i=100063749953

Since the American Reformer keeps popping up on Reformed websites like The Aquila Report, I have (out of curiosity) been listening to some of the podcasts. They have proven as disappointing as the writings.

Evangelical Feminism in Europe

https://evangelicalfocus.com/=life-tech/24403/spanish-baptist-faculty-of-theology-includes-feminism-in-its-curriculum

Building bridges to society is basically another way of saying – find as much common ground as you can and try to redeem what you can. It sounds noble and well-intentioned but history demonstrates it's a formula for compromise and eventually capitulation.