This made me pause while reading Kingsnorth, “Against the Machine” (p239): “… because Christian tradition has long taught that the emergence of one global religion […] will be the prelude to the coming of the figure known as Antichrist.” I don’t think that “long taught” is true?
The January 6, 2021 insurrection should have been the end of the MAGA movement. Trump lost the 2020 election, and the concerted attempt to overturn the results of that election (which he has never conceded) was an assault on the foundational principles of the United States of America. Trump pardoning the violent insurrectionists made a mockery of the American justice system. Furthermore, the insurrectionists' use of Christian symbols and language was an embarrassment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and a revelation of the true nature of Christian nationalism. Just an utterly shameful chapter in American history, and it’s only gotten worse. The gospel itself, of course, will be just fine. I can’t say the same for the nation or its churches. USA Christians have largely forsaken the Kingdom of God by confusing it with political power and cultural domination in the USA. In doing so, they have helped put some of the very worst leaders this country has ever known in power, at the expense of the poor and powerless. We have sown the wind, and we will continue to reap the whirlwind.
Getting into Madeira wine these days🍷. Any other Madeira fans out there having a not-so-dry January?
2026 off to an amazing start. Not a positive amazing, mind you. But still.
What 3-5 biblical concepts or themes do you think USA Christians need to re-learn and study? I’d say:
- Power (+ Authority and Freedom),
- Justice/Righteousness,
- Money/Wealth/Mammon (+ Poor/Poverty),
- Widow/Orphan/Immigrant,
- Faith/Faithfulness.
Biggest regret of 2025 is that I didn’t make more progress on my physical health. I didn’t hit my goal of getting my weight back down to 200lbs, and my stamina and energy levels aren’t where I’d like them to be. Zepbound and more exercise (yay for rec soccer!) helped me lose a decent amount of weight and get in better shape. But the slight GLP-1 nausea all the time is wearing me down and has made it hard to want to eat healthy foods and track what I eat. Having a few handfuls of crackers and nuts throughout the day is “good” for a calorie deficit but not good for much else! I’m entering 2026 at 211lbs and committing to TRACKING everything I eat and all my workouts. Also gonna track my expenses/purchases. So I’m thinking “Health” is my theme word for 2026 and I’m bouncing between “Give a damn” and “Write that shit down” for my mantras!
I’ve got 3 credits on Audible. What audiobooks should I listen to?
Anyone out there used one of the Wera Kraftform Kompakt RA-R ratcheting screwdrivers with the in-handle bit storage? I love their new ratcheting mechanism. But I’m hesitant to pay over $70 for a screwdriver! 🪛
No reason to prolong 2025. In bed by 10pm, like God intended!
Ending 2025 with an Edmund Fitzgerald porter, because it’s been bittersweet and it feels like we’re on a sinking ship (at least here in the USA)! 😅 Happy New Year! 🚢🫡
Socio-politically, at least here in the USA, 2025 ended up being even worse than I feared. What say you?
I’m aiming for more relationships, less social media in 2026. If you think we should be in touch outside of billionaire-owned attention farms, let me know ASAP so we can at least exchange e-mail addresses. My online home will continue to be at joshuapsteele.com. Short posts at social.joshuapsteele.com. Let’s not let rich people keep us misinformed, angry, and lonely. AI and social media are making the internet (and us) worse. But we can fight back.
On the fourth day of Christmas, the Church calendar gives to us…the massacred baby boys of Bethlehem?! The Feast of the Holy Innocents is a liturgical antidote to a merely superficial and sentimental Christmas season. joshuapsteele.com/the-hope-…
Have you ever had a disappointing Christmas? joshuapsteele.com/a-christm…
Absolutely gutted to learn that Dr. Daniel Treier has passed. What a wise and gracious follower of Jesus Christ. If American evangelicalism had more Daniel Treiers throughout its ranks, it would not be in such a sorry state today. I regretfully did not finish my Ph.D. with him as my second reader/supervisor, but I’m grateful to have been one of the many, many students that he not only taught about Christ but also to whom he demonstrated Christ’s love. His seminar on Dietrich Bonhoeffer was particularly memorable, and I imagine he held Bonhoeffer’s last words quite dear recently: “This is the end. For me, the beginning of life.” Amen. Rest in peace, Dr. Treier.
I’m a big fan of Madeira wine. Anyone else?
I’ve been asked 2x in the past 2 weeks if I’m (still) ordained. And, for what it’s worth, the answer is yes. I resigned from ministry in the ACNA, but I did not renounce my Holy Orders. Though I’m not sure what difference that makes, going forward. The phrase “aborted ministry” keeps coming to mind.
David Brooks is in the latest Epstein photo dump. Shame. bsky.app/profile/p…
What are your favorite roadtrip snacks?
Something’s rotten in Ambridge. #ACNA #ACNAtoo