Trump’s Risky War in Venezuela www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

Dear Algorithm Send me ads that shame me about my body… said no one ever. Yet, here we are.

My favorite part of people signaling their rigorous work ethic, by working hard on Friday, January 2 after the New Year, is that it applies to the phishing and other email scammers. Already received three fraudulent emails today. Cyber scammers have hustle!

Happy New Year! May this coming year bring to you abundant joy, laughter, and happiness! Wishing you peace and good fortune in the coming year!

On the last day of 2025, I am trying to lean in on a cherished rhythm of my life: reading. I am starting this new edition of a classic from David Dark, Everyday Apocalypse: Art, Empire, and the End of the World.

Does anyone have helpful suggestions for gaining control over the social algorithm in 2026? My Instagram and Facebook feed feel increasingly like what I imagine TikTok to be: lots of diet crazes, random slapstick videos, and bizarre conspiracy theories.

I recently was a guest on the Prove Text podcast with Michael Halcomb, and I talked about Jonathan Edwards and his interpretation of Scripture. I encourage you to check this conversation out. youtu.be/FaozJG4ajDw?...

From Jack’s War on Xmas “Jack’s scroogery and grinchiness found its way into numerous Xmas season correspondence, and it was the seasonal uptick of correspondence that fed his curmudgeonliness.” www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

My latest may now be read at the Anxious Bench. Jack’s War on Xmas “Nonetheless, by the late 1940s, Jack had begun to distinguish the Xmas rush from Christmas, and he was quite free in expressing these feelings to intimates.” www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

ICYMI Here’s my Best Books of 2025 recommendation list over at the Anxious Bench. It’s based on my reading of the last year. Maybe you’ll find a last minute stocking stuffer for a loved one or friend. www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

Enjoy this very interesting portrayal of Icelandic folklore that has become part of their people’s Christmas tradition. www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture...

My next Anxious Bench column drops on Monday, and it is the story of one man’s war on Xmas.

“It is time that evangelical educators took the initiative in educating the evangelical public as to the nature of Christian higher education and the role of academic freedom. A college is not a church…

I woke up feeling an inordinate amount of pressure on my chest. Not to worry. It was no heart attack. Just my fat cat laying on my chest. She needs to go on a diet. 

A good mail day. I’m looking forward to discussing readings from Greggs’ book at our forthcoming CPT gathering of Senior Fellows.

Culver’s has the best fries and no one else comes close.

More News: I’m pleased to share that Vol. 15, No. 1 of Jonathan Edwards Studies published today. In it you’ll find the 1st review of my recent publication, Jonathan Edwards & Hebrews, from Kyle Strobel, jestudies.yale.edu/index.php/jo...

Some News: I have been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Tis the season for "Best Books of 2025" lists! 🏆🎉 We are excited to see so many Brazos Press authors on this list from @jtcochran.bsky.social! Read the whole list here: www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

“This is Lucille and Lucille is thirsty.”

If you have a long drive ahead for Thanksgiving and wish to have a good audio book to listen to or you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for friends who love good books, check out my Best Books of 2025 list: www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

My Best Books of 2025 List, and my thanks to all these stellar authors that enriched my soul this year. May you have many good conversations about your work around the Thanksgiving table this week. www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

Tomorrow at the Anxious Bench I will be sharing my best books of 2025. I had an incredible year of reading, & I hope you find something for yourself to read as well. Expect to see books from @brazospress.bsky.social @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social @ivpress.bsky.social @yalepress.bsky.social & more.

Hey Friends. My son has joined the High School wrestling team. He is trying to get at least 20 emails to earn equipment and uniform. Please help him out by sharing your email and/or making a donation. app.verticalraise.com/fundraiser/r...

The pump behind me was wide open at Costco the entire time I filled my tank. There were literally 6-10 cars in immediate proximity that were just doom scrolling missing this opportunity to fill up. Don’t waste your life on a screen.

All Americans should be embarrassed by this juvenile response from a government account to peaceful protest by faith leaders and other responsible citizens.

My son just baked at home the same cookies you can buy at Target and they taste even better.

It was a beautiful day to get outside Christmas decorations done and put up the tree. May this upcoming season of Advent fill you with anticipation and joy!

Happy first snow of 2025! I’m currently enjoying coffee and Christmas music in my kitchen while I watch the snow fall. Yay for remote learning days!

Today at the Anxious Bench, Lynneth Miller Renberg helps us enter into the sacred space of Trondenes Kirke, the northernmost surviving medieval church. www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

Thrilled and honored that my book Religion for Realists was given the 2025 Distinguished Book Award by @sssreligion.bsky.social last night. It’s vital that we understand religion and religious people. The social sciences are remiss to ignore either. Hire more religion specialists.

“They kettle protesters, mark citizens with paint, launch bean bags, pepper balls and tear gas, so that when it is time to use lethal force, they will already have built the muscle memory to look upon their neighbors as targets, . . . And think nothing else as they fire live ammunition into crowds.”

On Halloween, ‘state-sponsored terror’ in Chicago and the north suburbs www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...

In position. Maybe the first time to be tasked to be the candy man in years. I’ve missed this role. Halloween is one of my favorite nights of the year because it’s one of those times where all of us neighbors get to be neighborly with little effort.

Happy Halloween to all who celebrate from our little witch to you!

My latest at the Anxious Bench!

OAKLAND. come see me

Over 71 million Americans are paid less than a living wage, and are forced into social safety nets like SNAP. If you think too many people are receiving SNAP benefits, don’t shame them. Shame their employers paying them poverty wages and forcing taxpayers to subsidize the rest.

“I dreamt that camouflage, unidentified, armed and masked men had forced their way into our home and were trying to drag me out of bed. The dream felt so vivid that I bodily responded…Recent geopolitical events had come to dominate and haunt our lives.” www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

The U.S. used to be an intl humanitarian leader. Now we won’t even feed our own hungry.

“This overly detailed eye-witness account of one historian’s experiences in Chicago has been for my neighbors nationwide who are frozen and uncertain about what if anything they can do. It’s also for those who would rather look away…” www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

“Historians talk about the danger of presentist history. They rarely talk about what happens when presentist history is unavoidable. I cannot avoid what is happening to my neighbors.” www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

My column today at the Anxious Bench: “Everyday Evangelical Resistance For My Chicago Neighbors” www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

My Anxious Bench column drops tomorrow. It’s a long form essay w/2 substantial photo galleries documenting the past month of Operation Midway Blitz. A teaser of the title: “Everyday Evangelical Resistance for My Chicago Neighbors” Find it here tomorrow: www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiou...

Had a great night with my wife seeing @waltermasterson.bsky.social at The Den Theatre #Chicago. Fantastic show!

#A_NewHope ✊

We march for peace. We march for freedom. We march for our city and our people. We the People say no to phony-dictators and wannabe kings. #NoKings #Chicago

No Kings! Hands Off Chicago! Faith Over Fear! Love Our Country! Preserve Our Democracy! Protect Our Citizens! These are the messages I’ve heard so far in Grant Park from Mayor Johnson and others who love our city and our people.

Organizers for Saturday’s protest said it is meant to push back against the “immoral and illegal acts” the Trump administration has taken. chicago.suntimes.com/2025/10/16/p...

Humanity cannot buy themselves out of hell, nor can they revive themselves with godly purchases.