When Trump’s satire hits too close to home for American Christians, Antichrist claims emerge (RNS) — ‘Throughout both of Trump’s terms, he’s done so many things that I thought were going to be over the line, and it never happens,’ said Matthew Sutton, a scholar of religious history at Washing...

This is just an interesting read all around. Rod Dreher even says Trump is "radiating the spirit of Antichrist, no question.” religionnews.com/2026/04/16/w...

Even for Europe’s populist firebrands, Trump is going too far The symbiosis between the president and European nationalists has reached a potential breaking point as he issues genocidal rhetoric and criticizes the pope.

Wowser, that's a stat: "Across the continent, 73 percent of Europeans viewed Trump as a threat to peace and security in Europe, according to YouGov polling last summer, just nine percentage points behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 82 percent." wapo.st/4cgYeWL

Pete Hegseth uses the Bible to demonize the press - Poynter The former Fox News co-host continues to attack the press, likening journalists to Pharisees of the Bible and calling them "unpatriotic."

Poynter Report with interesting tidbit about how Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attacked the press using scripture, comparing the press to the Pharisees critiquing Jesus www.poynter.org/commentary/2...

Currents Spring 2026 - Pepperdine Graphic

Currents Magazine is on news stands now! We invite you to check out this special "home-themed" issue and consider what home means to you: pepperdine-graphic.com/currents-spr...

Trump post appearing to depict him as Jesus removed amid backlash Before the post was deleted, evangelical and Catholic allies called the image blasphemous in a rare public break from a base that has largely stood by Trump.

As Trump rails against Pope and paints himself as Jesus, even Christian Right leaders raise alarm wapo.st/48LzKT9

Kirk was promoting this at Dream City Church in his Turning Point Faith events

Why Catholicism is drawing in Gen Z men Young men in their 20s and 30s are increasingly drawn to the Catholic Church as they seek truth, beauty and, yes, girlfriends.

fascinating read about why there's been an uptick in young men converting to Catholicism wapo.st/4bS3z6I

Delighted to be a part of the inaugural issue of www.vocationstudies.org/issue/13949-.... John Barton's piece reviewing three models of Christian higher ed — covenantal, open-table and evangelical — is a must read. I reviewed Amanda Tyler's How to End Christian Nationalism.

Finally, Christian Nationalism The book has been gearing for its last chapter as one would find in a good novel, when at the end the whole story makes better sense.

open.substack.com/pub/scotmckn...

Christian America Again Many of us have spent plenty of time wondering how in the world American evangelicals formed what today is called “Christian nationalism.” A friend refuses to spell it that way and writes “christian” ...

Excited to see Scot McKnight review my book with Richard Hughes. I'm a big fan of his "A Church Called Tov." open.substack.com/pub/scotmckn...

Hegseth endorses one of the most prominent Christian nationalists who has suggested women shouldn't be allowed to vote. Once upon a time this would be a controversy. Nowadays, it's just Tuesday.

At National Prayer Breakfast, Hegseth Says US Soldiers Gain Salvation by Dying for ‘Christian Nation’ While Trump's remarks dominate the headlines about the event, more concerning Christian Nationalist comments came a few minutes later.

This piece on Hegseth's promotion of Christian nationalism at the National Prayer Breakfast deserves amplification. He argued U.S. warriors will find salvation in sacrifice publicwitness.wordandway.org/p/at-nationa...

A Crisis of Confidence for ICE and Border Patrol as Clashes Escalate

NYT provides important context on morale within ICE and conflict between ICE and Border Patrol agents. Former agent says “reckless push for deportation numbers,” was “putting the public and law enforcement at great risk.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...

This article — which closes with a series of accounts from Rev. Ingrid, who I also ran into there (and watched get arrested) — does a really good job of rounding up the different pieces that make the community response in Minneapolis so remarkable to witness.

Also…

As James Cone's work showed, Martin Luther King Jr faced multiple death threats and attacks throughout his life. His final sermon in Memphis pointed to this lived reality, that he wouldn't get to the mountain top. And he kept going anyways.

Renee Good was a martyr for her faith, like MLK, say Presbyterians (RNS)— The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness, part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), says Good is part of ‘a sacred lineage of faithful witnesses who have risked and lost their lives in defense of...

I mourn with Good's family, friends & what her loss means for the nation. While faith motivated her actions, just like with Kirk, we should be careful using the word martyr. Good likely didn't expect that her nonviolent protest would lead to her death religionnews.com/2026/01/13/r...

Calling Charlie Kirk a Martyr is Not Exactly a Unifying Message By Paul A. Djupe and Jacob R. Neiheisel On September 10, 2025, activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at a Turning Point event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. In our view, all political vi…

Calling Charlie Kirk a Martyr is Not Exactly a Unifying Message religioninpublic.blog/2026/01/09/c... via @Religion_Public Important poll data here/quotes my RNS interview

In Minneapolis, George Floyd-era faith networks reignite after Renee Good's killing by ICE MINNEAPOLIS (RNS) — The faith-based networks, which developed organizing infrastructure and relationships during the Floyd era, are joined by newcomers as resistance efforts have intensified following...

NEW from me: In MN, George Floyd-era faith networks have reignited after Renee Good's killing by ICE.

They often partner w/others: last night, a church, brewery & bookstore hosted an event.

If you showed up w/a whistle (to warn people of ICE), you got a free drink. religionnews.com/2026/01/11/i...

Christian America and the Kingdom of God: overview trailer YouTube video by Christina Littlefield

Five years ago today. My book with Richard T. Hughes helps explain the white Christian nationalism behind the Jan. 6 attacks youtu.be/ie6RMO61Utw?...

Updating my collection of fun, interactive, narrative or investigative journalism examples for my advanced storytelling class. What stories stood out to you in the last year?

First Turning Point USA conference without Charlie Kirk exposes rifts in Christian right PHOENIX (RNS) — At AmericaFest — where ICE merch is sold beside ‘Jesus Won’ T-shirts — the idea that conservative values are God-ordained may be the biggest unifying factor.

Religion News Service quoted me in a story about TPUSA’s AmFest and linked to my Christian America book with Richard Hughes. I speak about the potential radicalization of calling Kirk a martyr for the Christian faith. religionnews.com/2025/12/20/a...

Calibri’s Run-In With Rubio Wasn’t Its First Controversy

This feels like a 2 a.m. newsroom argument, not something the State Department should be embroiled in www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/u...

It was published Nov. 18.

Federal Judge Orders Some Texas Schools to Remove Ten Commandment Posters

Judge rules 10 Commandment display law in Texas pushes religion on students, infringing their religious freedom www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...

Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:

NEW: In his first interview since his arrest for protesting outside the Chicago-area ICE facility, @revdrmichaelwoolf.bsky.social tells me he has "bruises all over my body."

Even so, he said, “the cruelty that goes on that facility … must be 100 times worse." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...

This pastor fell for a TikTok stunt and sparked a debate on Christian charity An influencer’s test of churches went viral, rewarding the generous and shaming the stingy.

Good write up of a challenging social experiment. wapo.st/448cGf5

Catholic bishops launch new program in defense of migrants At their first business meeting since the Trump administration crackdown began, church leaders resolved to combat the fear they detect among their adherents.

wapo.st/448fDw6

ACA health care premiums are rising. These 8 Americans showed us how much. Premiums for health insurance sold through the Affordable Care Act are soaring because of the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the heart of the government shutdown.

This shows the impact of rising ACA premiums on specific Americans www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Video: Armed agents drive off with child after detaining her father Federal immigration agents detained a man in Cypress Park whose toddler was strapped into the back seat of his vehicle. Two agents toting weapons climbed into his car and drove off, video showed.

www.latimes.com/california/s...