Armenia's Turn to the West

https://www.euractiv.com/news/armenia-to-start-eu-bid-in-near-future/    

The struggle over Armenia and the Caucasus continues. The region has been caught in geopolitical wranglings since the fall of the Soviet Union thirty-five years ago.

The Geopolitical Consequences of American Decline and Democratic Downgrade

https://www.politico.eu/article/americas-democratic-slide-is-becoming-europes-problem/

This article is primarily of interest in that it counters the 'Make America Great Again' narratives of the Trumpite cult. China has indicated that Trump has provided them with a golden opportunity as his administration is unilaterally dismantling the Empire's institutions and alliances. They're loving the Trump era. It's a gift to Beijing.

Re-migration, Revisionism, and Romanticism

https://www.politico.eu/article/afd-vox-mingle-with-ex-us-border-patrol-chief-white-nationalist-leader-at-remigration-summit/

https://firstthings.com/the-england-i-knew-is-gone/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jan/15/dutch-far-right-influencer-eva-vlaardingerbroek-banned

I don't think there's anything terribly surprising to be found here. Politico reports on a 'Re-migration' summit back in May 2026 that took place in Portugal. The article simply demonstrates the degree of overlap and how these issues are bringing together the various Right-wing parties within Europe - each with their own nuance and degrees of restraint.

VCY's Americanism - Heresy in Plain Sight

This arrived in my inbox the other day. See additional comments below.....

America 250 in Philadelphia!

October 13-16

Join us on a VCY / Stories in Stones Christian Heritage tour of historic Philadelphia. You will see the sites of the Miracle at Philadelphia in Carpenters Hall when the Declaration of Independence was developed, drafted and debated. Independence Hall where the Constitution was signed. Along the way we will see the Betsy Ross House, The Liberty Bell, Christ Church & the Old Burial Ground, the Ben Franklin Museum, the Revolutionary War Museum and the Philadelphia Society of the Bible.

Our tour will also include the Philadelphia Museum (The Rocky Steps) and one a stop at one of the the famous Philly Steak & Cheese shops. We’ll also head to Lancaster and experience the world-famous Smorgasboards (included in pricing), the Tabernacle experience, and will also include an afternoon presentation at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster for a performance of Joshua!

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Disinformation Regarding Cole Allen

https://religionnews.com/2026/04/27/the-christian-dna-of-suspected-white-house-correspondents-shooter/

Following recent statements issued by Donald Trump (a notorious and serial prevaricator), Christian media continues to insist that Allen (the would-be assassin at the Washington Hilton) was motivated by Anti-Christian beliefs.

European Evangelicals Condemn Franklin Graham

https://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/34493/giacomo-ciccone-franklin-graham-remains-incapable-of-embodying-any-prophetic-responsibility-he-is-lost-in-a-servile-posture

I'm not usually thrilled with the proclamations of Lausanne-style Evangelicals but this was somewhat refreshing, and all the more given that they specifically condemn the son of Billy Graham. Graham-style Evangelicalism is their hallmark and while these groups are hardly what I would call conservative or Biblical, they have enough sense to realize that Franklin has gone off the rails and lost his way.

The Church of England, Christo-Nationalism, and Two Robinsons

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4p42kydx9o

Now that the BBC has put up a paywall, it's hit or miss as to whether or not you'll be able to read this - that is unless you have an account. I don't and as such my BBC reading and website visits has plummeted. I still utilise their podcasts but I wonder how long they will remain available without a subscription? 

This article displays in very clear terms how some forms of revivalism have nothing to do with the gospel or the Holy Spirit but are instead tied to culture war and politics. Now I know men like John Stonestreet will argue this is nevertheless a good thing because it gets these people into churches where they will hear the gospel - that is assuming that they will in fact hear the Scriptures preached. I wouldn't count it - even in many so-called conservative churches.

Trouble in Kazakhstan

https://evangelicalfocus.com/world/33581/baptist-church-raided-twice-in-kazakhstan

My heart goes out to Christians being put under pressure by wicked governments and we should be in prayer for the Church in Kazakhstan and throughout all of Central Asia.

That said, there are some problems with this story.

The Right's Distorted Take on The BBC-Trump Controversy

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/commentary/the-bbc-is-the-voice-of-western-self-loathing/

The BBC was guilty of misrepresenting Trump's speech but Hume is also distorting the facts. Trump absolutely incited the riot and numerous people connected to him also played a part.

McKibben Muddies the Already Septic Waters of American Christianity

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/nov/23/america-christian-evangelical-discrimination-immigration

I've read so many essays like this in recent years, well meant, making many excellent points but always out of focus, off, and ultimately as problematic as what as being critiqued.

Why Biblical Christianity is Being Abandoned by Conservative Christians

https://ironsharpensironradio.com/2025/11/20/november-19-2025-show-with-dr-david-a-harrell-on-why-america-hates-biblical-christianity/

When I saw that Chris Arnzen was going to cover the topic of Why America Hates Biblical Christianity, I decided to listen. I wondered if his guest would peel back all the layers of ideology, history, and obfuscation and touch on some of the core and foundational problems with the American mindset. Well, that just turned out to be wishful thinking.

The Crisis in the American Church and the Underlying Assumptions (and Worldly Givens) the Church Refuses to Address

https://virgilwalker.substack.com/p/the-sermons-the-church-refuses-to

Once again Virgil Walker manages to raise some valid points and then miss the larger point. Has the modern Church succumbed to worldliness in the realm of gender and family structure? Absolutely, and this is even a problem in circles that otherwise are deemed to be very conservative.

A Double Standard When it Comes to Ukraine's Clampdown on Dissenting Churches

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/The-trials-of-pro-Russian-clergy-in-Ukraine-63875.html

We see supposedly Liberal Ukraine applying its Western values by dissolving denominations the state does not favour. How is this any different from what Russia is going to Evangelicals, Jehovah's Witness, and others? Or China with unregistered churches?

Georgia and the Slippery Nature of Defining Democracy

https://eurasianet.org/us-congressional-measure-to-punish-georgian-dream-government-at-risk-of-failure

Take note how the religious concept of 'backsliding' is being applied to governments that are restricting democratic processes and institutions. Democracy is indeed a key doctrinal plank in the Humanist religion. In most cases its ideals and values are simply assumed by media and government figures and yet it's never that simple.

The Pseudo-Patriotic Fantasies of Taylor Marshall

https://taylormarshall.com/2025/09/1249-12-strategies-to-restore-christian-civilization-dr-taylor-marshall.html

Marshall's podcast used to be a bit more substantive and I would listen to learn things about the Right-wing Catholic take on certain controversies. But lately the show has turned more often than not into a kind of dog and pony show, an ongoing advertisement for his books. Often he's spending most of his time attempting to pseudo-referee live social media interactions - which are clearly rigged. Most of the time I don't bother to listen and more than a few times I've just turned him off. He's currently pushing his new book on patriotism and so I thought I would give it another try and listen to an episode.

Lillback's Messiah

https://georgewashingtonbible.com/pages/foreword-dr-peter-a-lillback

While perusing the nationalist idolatry and filth being promoted on some other Evangelical sites, I encountered this gem from PCA pastor Peter Lillback, who is also president of Westminster Seminary - to that institution's discredit and shame. Lillback has been known to me for many years as he is a leading champion of the syncretism I refer to as Christo-Americanism. This forward from the 'George Washington Bible' testifies to this.

Freedom by Means of Authoritarianism

https://justandsinner.libsyn.com/how-the-modern-world-misunderstands-freedom-a-conversation-with-brad-littlejohn

Littlejohn of The Davenant Institute is an avowed disciple of the Doug Wilson sect and offers his appreciation to not only Wilson and Douglas Jones, but Peter Leithart. This reveals a great deal in terms of his formation.

Meloni, Crosetto, and the Real Face of the FdI

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/italian-defence-minister-questions-relevance-of-nato/

Meloni has one face for Brussels and Washington, and another that she has revealed in her history. Has she changed? Has she mediated? Has she learned that it's one thing to campaign as an opposition party and another to actually govern? Maybe. The jury is still out.

Napolitano on Easter and Liberty

https://www.creators.com/read/judge-napolitano/04/25/taking-easter-seriously-78f98

Napolitano would have us take Easter seriously and then proceeds to make a mockery of it. I found this to be in keeping with most of his commentaries. We would do well to identify these errors and reflect on them. Have they influenced our own thinking? To what degree do they shape the thinking of Christians around us?

Meloni and the Judges

https://www.politico.eu/article/giorgia-melonis-italy-judges-viktor-orban-hungary-albania-rome-court-russia-war-ukraine/

Meloni's policy has mostly been to tack toward the centre, which has given her great credibility and standing within the EU Establishment. But as the article points out, there's still a very ugly Right-wing side to her domestic policy. Politically it's brilliant as it doesn't allow domestic rivals like Matteo Salvini to outflank her, but I think it's also indicative of her true colours and the nature of her political pedigree.