Evangelical parenting practices shape norms re: authority, obedience & punishment. Christians are defending state sanctioned violence on display in Minnesota, so I am writing on Substack today re: how witnessing corporal punishment impacted siblings in eva families. open.substack.com/pub/mburtwri...

Join Fr. Aaron & @mburtwrites.bsky.social for the third Sunday of Epiphany: They discuss Amos' call for repentance, the Psalm's vision of a connected all-powerful God, Paul's rebuke of teacher-identity-driven divisions, and Jesus' early ministry. www.buzzsprout.com/1891089/epis...

Excited to review The Myth of Good Christian Parenting by @mburtwrites.bsky.social and @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social for @erbks.bsky.social. I was adjacent to this world, but not steeped in. The stories & research could have been written by so many people close to me. This book is excellent work.

Another round of the worst ACNA question game: is it episcopal incompetency, bishops behaving badly, or some combo of the two? Seems like leaders being “above reproach” should be more important in a denomination that claims to value biblical authority 🧵 www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

Tomorrow’s a preview of 2026! A collection of clips from my conversations with Jonathan Sedlak, Sara Koenig, @mburtwrites.bsky.social & @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social, @blindscholar.bsky.social, Jennie Grillo, Brian Walsh & Sylvia Keesmaat, Kirk MacGregor, David Basher, & @alexianafry.bsky.social.

The Myth of Good Christian Parenting is about the false promise of "biblical parenting" resources. It is also a pastoral reflection on our efforts to cram Scripture into the awkward shape of a manual that tells us what we want to hear. Thank you @mburtwrites.bsky.social @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social.

Delighted for The Myth of Good Christian Parenting to be included on @rns.org Top Ten Books of 2025. And in such good bookish company too! @brazospress.bsky.social @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social religionnews.com/2025/12/29/r...

Loved this conversation with Dr Grace Hamman about her book Ask of Old Paths! Find the full video on my Substack. #medieval #Christianity #spirituality

Co-sign, while I’m signing things online. Marissa has been clear-eyed throughout this whole mess, and the book she coauthored is mandatory reading if you have any American evangelical background at all.

My stakes were comparatively low, but I testified in the investigation in the condition of anonymity, only to find out after that other interviewees were asked to rank my personal credibility in a five point scale. That is not anonymity!

Some ppl seem to want to tell me why I'm angry about the the ACNA ecclesiastical trial Guys, I've been angry for years. Question is: why aren't you angry? I am *embarrassed* and *scandalized* at the incompetence on display w/the trial & I'll tell you some reasons why 🧵

"Spiritual orphans. Exvangelicals. Estranged children of the church. I can think of many descriptors for the displaced and hurting Christians who are navigating moral injury, church betrayal, and the institutional inability to hold errant leaders accountable." 🧵

Wanted to highlight @kathrynpost.bsky.social's latest on this because she's been covering it from the start. Also, highlighting 👇 this speedy, robust report from the Wheaton Record (Ruch's church is in Wheaton, IL). Aggressive reporting from the student paper! thewheatonrecord.com/2025/12/16/b...

I read the ACNA court summary. TLDNR version Ppl at fault: -whistleblowers -survivors/advocates -bishops & others who brought presentments -prosecutor Runyan -unnamed provincial leaders Ppl not at fault: -Bp Ruch -Ecclesiastical court More thoughts here: threadreaderapp.com/thread/20011...

Vote for your favorite reads of the year! englewoodreview.org/readers-best...

This book has been such a thought-provoking and anchoring read during the weeks of Advent. As the virtual book club, and the season!, draws to a close, I’m delighted to get a chance to speak with Dr. Grace Hamman. Join us for this virtual conversation?

But, here, next to the manger, the red streaked linen wasn’t a reminder of barrenness but of holy visitation. I wonder what kind of cloth Mary used to wipe the unclean blood & fluid & vernix off His little body before swaddling the One who came to make all things clean. /end

I don’t know how the women of Isaiah’s day viewed menstruation, but I do know how women hoping to conceive sometimes see those first spots of blood. With heartbreak and grief and disappointment. Frustration and longing and powerlessness. 14/

Yes, ritual defilement points to our state of uncleanliness, our need for external intervention to wash us. But w/fertility in mind, might it also be a word picture for the disappointing failure to bring forth life? The way our righteous acts, our best efforts, cannot save? 12/

Reposting from the Advent archives...

A few years ago, One Audio approached me to write a reader’s guide for the children’s classic Heidi. It was intriguing to revisit — I hadn’t read it since I was a girl! — & critically examine themes of beauty, nature, conflict, disability, repentance, and belonging. 1/2

Also! Have had a number of high school students (and even some middle schoolers!) take this course and walk away with their first completed novel. Wonderful to see.

Looking for a gift idea for an aspiring writer? Or maybe for yourself going into the New Year? My writing courses are on sale through 12/31: all three available to paid subscribers on my Substack or individually through the Udemy platform. Links below 1/2

This is my most popular writing course, even though it’s the first real content I ever recorded for the internet 😅. My very homespun tech approach has apparently not intimidated the hundreds of students who have taken this course. 📚📖

This year, I’ve published a few writing courses on Substack. This one takes you through a step-by-step process to outline, draft, and polish a nonfiction book proposal. I hope it’s a help to you! 1/2

Looking for book gift ideas for the middle school-grade or young adult reader on your list? Mother Goose mashups! Flying on falcons! Mystery and magic! A Sliver of Stardust and A Legend of Starfire are a great fit for the curious dreamer wondering where they belong.

It was such a delight to speak with @frankschaeffer.bsky.social this morning. I was especially eager to connect with him after reading his fascinating and incisive memoir “Crazy for God,” which is well worth your time. Hope you can join us for this conversation!

🎁✨🎄GIVEAWAY🎁✨🎄 I’m giving away two copies of our book! To enter: -follow me - like & share this post -tag ppl for extra entries -share on a diff platform for extra entries -let me know in the comments! Runs through Friday 12/12. Many thanks to those who read and left reviews. ❤️

Thanks so much to @mburtwrites.bsky.social & @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social for discussing their book The Myth of Good Christian Parenting with me today! Our conversation will be available 2 Feb for $5/month on Patreon and everywhere else 13 Feb. Thanks to @brazospress.bsky.social for the review copy.

This time of year my middle-grade novel The Twelve Dares of Christa starts showing up in stores. Christmas! Europe! Tween romcom! And an honest look of children navigating a parent’s divorce around the holidays. Video about the book below 1/2

Over the years, I’ve had many people ask me about how to land a literary agent or how to find an editor for their book. I’ve created a video tutorial that covers the querying process. I hope it’s a help to you! 1/2

Looking for book gift ideas for the middle school-grade or young adult reader in your list? Fairy tale mash ups! Talking cats! Mystery and adventure! Storybound and Story’s End are a great fit for the fantasy-lover who wishes they could be part of a story. 1/2

"There is a robust Christian case against corporal punishment. I want Christian parents to know that spanking is not particularly biblical (don’t come at me with the Proverbs or Hebrews 12), ethical or effective." ~ @mburtwrites.bsky.social

The four weeks of Advent look back to the Incarnation & forward to Christ’s return. Want to join me for a quiet daily pause during the season? I’ll be reading this book, hosting a virtual conversation & two opt in zoom calls to discuss, plus q&a with the author. open.substack.com/pub/mburtwri...

Looking forward to chatting with @friendlyatheist.com tomorrow. Join us live at 8:30AM PT if you like! www.youtube.com/live/iw0cTvi...

I am thankful to see this effort from the clergy within the Anglican Church in North America. ACNA friends, please circulate widely among priests and deacons you think might be interested in signing this. docs.google.com/document/d/1...

When compliance & control are the goals, connection is not a consideration. Doug Wilson in his own words for #noquarternovember

Many families are navigating painful “low-contact” or “no-contact” dynamics among increasing political and worldview divides.1 out of 3 adults in the general American population reports estrangement from a parent or a sibling. 🧵

More distressing news for the Anglican Church in North America. A second woman has come forward w/allegations against Abp Wood, & Fr. Andrew Gross blows the whistle on troubling practices at the provincial level. Behind the paywall: archive.is/aMaj4 www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

“When I was a child, my father delivered 3 rules to me... I also remember where I was standing in the front yard when he delivered them to me, & I remember the fond & affectionate demeanor with which he delivered it (he had a fist in front of my face).” --Douglas Wilson, 🧵

“Join the Shirriffs! Serve the Big Chief! Arrest your neighbors! Scour the Shire!”

Letting these words from poet Jeremiah Webster simmer today. Thanks @mockingbirdmin mbird.com/poetry/drago...

Travel delay after college family weekend finds me at a random hotel w/lots of pool time. I wanted to pack light since we wouldn’t have much down time but at the last minute grabbed @joashpthomas.bsky.social’s book from @brazospress.bsky.social! I’m so glad I did! A thought-provoking read!

Some ACNA folks are finally reading the allegations against Ruch. Good Please recognize that *all* your bishops had access to info about these allegations for yrs THREE were willing to sign a presentment against him & got slammed for it. THREE 1/3 www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

Okay, that footnote alone just sold me.

"The good-Christian-parenting empire runs on the assumption that parental intentionality will achieve certain results." @mburtwrites.bsky.social @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social #MythOfGoodChristianParenting Order here: a.co/d/7SsKYNW

I am upset that the ACNA is incapable of taking integrity & accountability in its leaders seriously. The College of Bishops have been so undiscerning as to elect a man whose clergy & staff had raised serious concerns. How is that even possible? 1/ www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

Looking for a chance to discuss our book with other readers? Here is a virtual book group meeting this Wednesday: www.meetup.com/religion-rea...

The Myth of Good Christian Parenting by @mburtwrites.bsky.social & Kelsey McGinnis (I finished chapter 1 and have so many thoughts/emotions. This book is long overdue not just for the parenting ideology critiques but the examination of the mindsets that led to this problem.)

When we were deciding how we wanted to define terms, the brilliant @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social highlighted that media production/consumption is a huge piece of what it means to be an American evangelical. Fascinating to see ⬇️perception that more purchases ≈Christianity « surging », revival, etc