T-3 PEOPLE-FILES
- J Michael Thigpen - Derek Thomas - Barkley S Thompson - Karli Wallace Thompson - Tim Thompson - Wanda Thompson - Philip Thornton - Warren Throckmorton - Scott Thumma - Jemar Tisby - Jim Tomberlin - Brian Tome - Silvan Tomkins - Rob Toonstra - Andrew Torba - Michael Toscano - Sage Tousey - Charles Toy -
==j michael thigpen======
Dr. J. Michael Thigpen serves as Professor of Old Testament at Phoenix Seminary. He earned a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.Div. from Columbia Biblical Seminary, and an M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Judaic, Hebraic, and Cognate Studies from Hebrew Union College. He enjoys teaching and writing on a wide variety of topics in the Old Testament. His special areas of interest are prophetic literature, God’s motives, and the theology of work and economics in the Old Testament.
 J Michael Thigpen
Returning to Genesis 3, might not the first proper targets of subduing be Adam and Eve themselves? What if Eve had chosen to rule over sin, to subdue herself? What if Adam had subdued the serpent? What if he had intervened and subdued Eve instead of merely standing with her? What if Adam had subdued himself when offered the fruit? Yes, the serpent needed to be subdued, but so much more so did Adam and Eve. They failed to love God and to love each other by failing to rule over their own sin in the first place, and by failing to intervene lovingly with one another. --J. Michael Thigpen, “Flourishing, Justice, and the Gospel as “Subduing” the Earth,” in Human Flourishing: Economic Wisdom for a Fruitful Christian Vision of the Good Life
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==derek thomas======
Dr. Derek Thomas became Senior Minister at The First Presbyterian Church of Columbia: Columbia, South Carolina on August 11, 2013. He originally joined the staff in 2011, coming from Jackson, MS, where he was Chairman of the Theology Department at Reformed Theological Seminary and Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church. He is from Wales. He is a graduate of the University of Wales (Bc.S), Reformed Theological Seminary (M.Div), and University of Wales/Lampeter (Ph.D.). He was ordained in the Evangelical Church of Ireland, where he served Stranmillis Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Belfast for 17 years before going to Mississippi. He is the Robert Strong Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at RTS Atlanta and is Editorial Director, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. He is also a well published author.
Derek Thomas
(Nehemiah 13:1-31)
He's angry. Verse 8 — "I was very angry." Note that. Well, we might sit in judgment on Nehemiah tonight. There are lots of things here that make us question Nehemiah's character. You might read this text and think that Nehemiah has grown too big for his boots; that time spent in the presence of the great Persian king Artaxerxes has made him high and mighty, and a bit of a bully, and a bit of a tyrant. He's come back to Jerusalem and he's throwing his weight about. But let me ask you something, my friends. What is he angry about? That the holy temple of God has been desecrated. That vessels and items that were regarded under Jewish law as holy unto the Lord have been defiled, and the precincts defiled, and the equipment and the utensils defiled. The holiness of God is at stake here.
Now, my friends, does anything make you angry? Are you ever angry that the holy name of God, the honor of God, is defiled? Does that not make you angry? Righteously angry? Angry for the vindication of God that His name is trampled underfoot of men? Let's note his anger, and before you rush to judgment, surely this reminds you of an episode in the life of Jesus in this same temple — overturning tables and chairs of money lenders, coins that needed to be exchanged …Roman coins that needed to be exchanged for use in the temple that had its own coinage system, and seeing a way to make some shekels, some profits, profiteers had set up stalls and commerce within the very precincts of the temple. Jesus, you remember, in anger — in righteous anger — stormed through this place of merchandise, citing the book of Jeremiah that God's house had been made into a den of thieves and robbers. Yes, the first thing that he discovers is that twelve years down the line, God's house has been desecrated.
--Derek Thomas; Reformed Perspectives; Nehemiah: The Cost of Reformation 3.1.09
He's angry. Verse 8 — "I was very angry." Note that. Well, we might sit in judgment on Nehemiah tonight. There are lots of things here that make us question Nehemiah's character. You might read this text and think that Nehemiah has grown too big for his boots; that time spent in the presence of the great Persian king Artaxerxes has made him high and mighty, and a bit of a bully, and a bit of a tyrant. He's come back to Jerusalem and he's throwing his weight about. But let me ask you something, my friends. What is he angry about? That the holy temple of God has been desecrated. That vessels and items that were regarded under Jewish law as holy unto the Lord have been defiled, and the precincts defiled, and the equipment and the utensils defiled. The holiness of God is at stake here.
Now, my friends, does anything make you angry? Are you ever angry that the holy name of God, the honor of God, is defiled? Does that not make you angry? Righteously angry? Angry for the vindication of God that His name is trampled underfoot of men? Let's note his anger, and before you rush to judgment, surely this reminds you of an episode in the life of Jesus in this same temple — overturning tables and chairs of money lenders, coins that needed to be exchanged …Roman coins that needed to be exchanged for use in the temple that had its own coinage system, and seeing a way to make some shekels, some profits, profiteers had set up stalls and commerce within the very precincts of the temple. Jesus, you remember, in anger — in righteous anger — stormed through this place of merchandise, citing the book of Jeremiah that God's house had been made into a den of thieves and robbers. Yes, the first thing that he discovers is that twelve years down the line, God's house has been desecrated.
--Derek Thomas; Reformed Perspectives; Nehemiah: The Cost of Reformation 3.1.09
==barkley s thompson======
Barkley S Thompson
Whatever it may mean to bear the cross of Christ as faithful disciples, it must always be a means by which the world is blessed. If there is a litmus test by which we can judge whether the burden laid upon us is part of our walk of faith, or whether it is laid upon us by God, then that is it, and it is worth saying again: Whatever it may mean to bear the cross of Christ as faithful disciples, it must always be a means by which the world is blessed. Bearing the cross of Christ may include suffering at times—indeed, it will—but only if that suffering is a blessing to someone. Bearing the cross may bring challenge; it may lead to difficult decisions; it may sometimes disrupt relationships; and it will definitely require us to confront powerful forces that can do us harm; but it will only ask such things of us if doing so facilitates God’s blessing upon the world...........The miraculous thing is, when we understand bearing the cross in this way, rather than as some foreboding and myopic walk of doom, we begin to experience intuitively what faith really is. When we bless, we become agents of grace and of God’s own gracious will. That Christian smile ceases to crack like a thin veneer and instead becomes an authentic expression of who we are and who we strive to be in the world. In other words, somewhere in the midst of our cross-bearing—somewhere in the mix of faithfully following God and pursuing grace—we find joy. Joy can reside alongside challenge, or sorrow, or pain, and joy’s presence redeems all these others. Joy renders them ultimately transient, whereas joy is permanent. This is what it means to lose one’s life for the sake of the Gospel and thereby regain it. --Barkley S Thompson; What does it mean to “take up the cross”? 2.28.21
==karli wallace thompson======
 Karli Wallace Thompson
“Leaders who selfishly exploit Christianity for their own personal and political gain must be held accountable to the Christian values of peace and justice. Christian nationalism is sowing further division in our churches, politics. and local communities. These false prophets must be exposed for the wolves in sheep’s clothing they are to protect the future of our religion and our multiracial democracy.” --Karli Wallace Thompson, digital organizer for Faithful America. 11/6/23 |
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==tim thompson======
Pastor Tim Thompson is the founding pastor of 412 Church Temecula Valley. He is a loving husband and father of two. He and his wife, Nicky, have been married since 1996. He is a preacher/teacher of eschatology, and a leader in engaging the Church in the political arena by dealing with sensitive issues to have a positive impact on our culture.
Christians and climate change: Southern California churches preach very different messages
“From the Biblical perspective, it is an exercise in futility to try and save the planet,” said Tim Thompson, pastor of the conservative Murrieta church. Thompson preaches that climate change is a “man-made issue.” But instead of saying it’s environmental degradation caused by human activity, he describes it as a talking point invented by humans “to distract people from other issues that really matter.”
. (Brooke Staggs/Orange County Register 11/19/23) Read More>>>>>
“From the Biblical perspective, it is an exercise in futility to try and save the planet,” said Tim Thompson, pastor of the conservative Murrieta church. Thompson preaches that climate change is a “man-made issue.” But instead of saying it’s environmental degradation caused by human activity, he describes it as a talking point invented by humans “to distract people from other issues that really matter.”
. (Brooke Staggs/Orange County Register 11/19/23) Read More>>>>>
June 12, 2023: Word & Way: With Turning Point Faith, Pastors Use Politics as a Church-Growth Strategy
In another panel discussion, Tim Thompson, a California pastor who made headlines after he was detained while protesting against pandemic restrictions in May 2020, testified that since the protests and clashes with school boards fighting what he calls “the indoctrination of our children,” he has seen “500%” growth at his church. “God’s definitely blessed it, for sure,” Thompson said.
In another panel discussion, Tim Thompson, a California pastor who made headlines after he was detained while protesting against pandemic restrictions in May 2020, testified that since the protests and clashes with school boards fighting what he calls “the indoctrination of our children,” he has seen “500%” growth at his church. “God’s definitely blessed it, for sure,” Thompson said.
May 29, 2022: Denver Post: Christian nationalism on the rise in some GOP campaigns
Pastor Tim Thompson of 412 Church in Murrieta, California, who hosts a YouTube channel with more 9,600 subscribers and envisions a conservative future for the state, recently started a political action committee aiming to “take back our school boards” and give parents authority over curriculum.
“We don’t want teachers or any other adults talking to our kids about sex,” Thompson said. “We don’t want teachers categorizing our kids into oppressed or oppressor. These are not political issues. They are moral and biblical issues.”
Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of America, he argued.
“People are afraid to speak up for these values because they are afraid that the left is going to slap a label like ‘racist’ or ‘Christian nationalist’ on them,” Thompson said. “I don’t care about those labels, because my wife, children, church and community know who I am.”
Pastor Tim Thompson of 412 Church in Murrieta, California, who hosts a YouTube channel with more 9,600 subscribers and envisions a conservative future for the state, recently started a political action committee aiming to “take back our school boards” and give parents authority over curriculum.
“We don’t want teachers or any other adults talking to our kids about sex,” Thompson said. “We don’t want teachers categorizing our kids into oppressed or oppressor. These are not political issues. They are moral and biblical issues.”
Judeo-Christian values are the foundation of America, he argued.
“People are afraid to speak up for these values because they are afraid that the left is going to slap a label like ‘racist’ or ‘Christian nationalist’ on them,” Thompson said. “I don’t care about those labels, because my wife, children, church and community know who I am.”
==wanda thompson======
'Keep off our property' | DC area Christian leaders ask ICE to stop parking in church lots
Here are the 19 clergy that signed onto Saturday's letter:
- Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler; Plymouth United Church of Christ; senior advisor Fellowship of Reconciliation Pastor Christopher Zacharias; John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Rev. Rubin Tendai; United Church of Christ , Rev. Patricia Fears; Fellowship Baptist Church , Rev. Jamall Calloway; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ , Rev. Lewis T. Tait; The Village, Rev. William H. Lamar IV; Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Marcus Leathers; Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Rev. Wanda Thompson; The Ambassador Baptist Church, Rev. Keith W. Byrd Sr.; Zion Baptist Church, Rev. George C. Gilbert Jr.; Baptist Convention of DC and Vicinity, Rev. Daryl Washington; DM Washington Ministries, Rev. Kenneth King; New Hope Baptist United Church of Christ, Rev. Kendrick Curry; Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. Clarence Cross, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Rev. Howard Finley; at-large, Bill Mefford; The Festival Center, Rev., Abhi Janamanchi; Cedar Lane Unitarian-Universalist Church (Bethesda, Md.), Rev. Darrryl LC Moch; United Church of Christ of Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg, Va.)
(WUSA9 8/23/25) READMORE>>>>>
Here are the 19 clergy that signed onto Saturday's letter:
- Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler; Plymouth United Church of Christ; senior advisor Fellowship of Reconciliation Pastor Christopher Zacharias; John Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Rev. Rubin Tendai; United Church of Christ , Rev. Patricia Fears; Fellowship Baptist Church , Rev. Jamall Calloway; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ , Rev. Lewis T. Tait; The Village, Rev. William H. Lamar IV; Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Marcus Leathers; Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Rev. Wanda Thompson; The Ambassador Baptist Church, Rev. Keith W. Byrd Sr.; Zion Baptist Church, Rev. George C. Gilbert Jr.; Baptist Convention of DC and Vicinity, Rev. Daryl Washington; DM Washington Ministries, Rev. Kenneth King; New Hope Baptist United Church of Christ, Rev. Kendrick Curry; Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. Clarence Cross, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Rev. Howard Finley; at-large, Bill Mefford; The Festival Center, Rev., Abhi Janamanchi; Cedar Lane Unitarian-Universalist Church (Bethesda, Md.), Rev. Darrryl LC Moch; United Church of Christ of Fredericksburg (Fredericksburg, Va.)
(WUSA9 8/23/25) READMORE>>>>>
==philip thorton======
The Interview: William J Kole, author of ‘In Guns We Trust’
Pastor Philip Thornton strode onto the platform of his Legacy Faith Church in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 28 with an AR-15-style rifle strapped to his chest, an American flag emblazoned on the magazine. “There’s nothing in it, praise the Lord,” Thornton told worshippers. “So, fear not, everybody. Praise the Lord if that was your concern.” Thornton was using the unloaded weapon as a sermon illustration. At points, he hoisted it up and pointed it at his congregation. (Sight Magazine 10/18/25) READMORE>>>>
Pastor Philip Thornton strode onto the platform of his Legacy Faith Church in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 28 with an AR-15-style rifle strapped to his chest, an American flag emblazoned on the magazine. “There’s nothing in it, praise the Lord,” Thornton told worshippers. “So, fear not, everybody. Praise the Lord if that was your concern.” Thornton was using the unloaded weapon as a sermon illustration. At points, he hoisted it up and pointed it at his congregation. (Sight Magazine 10/18/25) READMORE>>>>
==warren throckmorton======
Is it time to retire the term ‘Christian nationalism’?
He offers no data but seems guided by his intuition. On the other hand, my intuition tells me it seems far-fetched that people who voted for Donald Trump did so because someone called them a Christian nationalist. It seems more important to find evidence something like Christian nationalism exists. If it does, then why stop talking about it?The most obvious evidence Christian nationalism exists is there are quite a few conservative Christians who embrace the term and talk about it all the time. People like Andrew Torba and Stephen Wolfe come to mind. Both have written books advocating their support for Christian nationalism. Another prominent Christian nationalist is Doug Wilson, an Idaho pastor who published Wolfe’s book and has a book of his own on the way. Wilson favors the incorporation of the Apostles’ Creed into the Constitution and would prohibit non-Christians from holding public office. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends a church in the denomination Wilson founded. (Warren Throckmorten; Baptist NEWS Global 12.14.25)READMORE>>>>>
He offers no data but seems guided by his intuition. On the other hand, my intuition tells me it seems far-fetched that people who voted for Donald Trump did so because someone called them a Christian nationalist. It seems more important to find evidence something like Christian nationalism exists. If it does, then why stop talking about it?The most obvious evidence Christian nationalism exists is there are quite a few conservative Christians who embrace the term and talk about it all the time. People like Andrew Torba and Stephen Wolfe come to mind. Both have written books advocating their support for Christian nationalism. Another prominent Christian nationalist is Doug Wilson, an Idaho pastor who published Wolfe’s book and has a book of his own on the way. Wilson favors the incorporation of the Apostles’ Creed into the Constitution and would prohibit non-Christians from holding public office. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends a church in the denomination Wilson founded. (Warren Throckmorten; Baptist NEWS Global 12.14.25)READMORE>>>>>
Mark Driscoll’s Safe Space: How The Embattled Pastor Built A New Church
“The church is more of a religious business than a church,” said Warren Throckmorton, a psychology professor at Grove City College who has studied and chronicled Driscoll’s ministries for years. “The thing he learned was to set himself up as the sole authority. There are not functional elders in the Trinity Church. He learned to structure things so that he is in control.”
(Chris Moody/ Religion Unplugged 10/2/23) Read More>>>>>
“The church is more of a religious business than a church,” said Warren Throckmorton, a psychology professor at Grove City College who has studied and chronicled Driscoll’s ministries for years. “The thing he learned was to set himself up as the sole authority. There are not functional elders in the Trinity Church. He learned to structure things so that he is in control.”
(Chris Moody/ Religion Unplugged 10/2/23) Read More>>>>>
==scott thumma======
July 14, 2023: NPR: Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country
Liquid Church also steers clear of politics, he says. That's common in most megachurches because they are more diverse, according to Scott Thumma, a professor of sociology of religion at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. "The vast majority of them have nothing to do with politics," he says. While megachurches currently represent only a tiny portion of all U.S. churches, the size of their congregations puts them in an "elite class," Thumma says.
He compares megachurches to more traditional churches in the same way that Walmart posed a challenge to mom and pop shops.
"Many small churches either have disappeared around the megachurch ... or they've created their own mission ... and have figured out a way to offer alternatives to what the megachurch offers. [They've] made sort of their peace with the big kid on the block," says Thumma.
Liquid Church also steers clear of politics, he says. That's common in most megachurches because they are more diverse, according to Scott Thumma, a professor of sociology of religion at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. "The vast majority of them have nothing to do with politics," he says. While megachurches currently represent only a tiny portion of all U.S. churches, the size of their congregations puts them in an "elite class," Thumma says.
He compares megachurches to more traditional churches in the same way that Walmart posed a challenge to mom and pop shops.
"Many small churches either have disappeared around the megachurch ... or they've created their own mission ... and have figured out a way to offer alternatives to what the megachurch offers. [They've] made sort of their peace with the big kid on the block," says Thumma.
==jemar tisby======
Jemar Tisby is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Color of
Compromise: The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism, and How to Fight Racism. His latest book is How to Fight Racism: Young Reader's Edition. Jemar has been a co-host of the "Pass the Mic" podcast since its inception seven years ago. His writing has been featured in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and the New York Times among others. He is a frequent commentator on outlets such as NPR and CNN's New Day program. He speaks nationwide on the topics of racial justice, U.S. history and Christianity. Jemar earned his PhD in history and he studies race, religion, and social movements in the 20th century. Tisby joined the faculty of Simmons College of Kentucky as a Professor of History beginning October 10, 2022. Tisby will be responsible for teaching, participating in the life of the college, and engaging in collaborative efforts with internal and external partners.
Compromise: The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism, and How to Fight Racism. His latest book is How to Fight Racism: Young Reader's Edition. Jemar has been a co-host of the "Pass the Mic" podcast since its inception seven years ago. His writing has been featured in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and the New York Times among others. He is a frequent commentator on outlets such as NPR and CNN's New Day program. He speaks nationwide on the topics of racial justice, U.S. history and Christianity. Jemar earned his PhD in history and he studies race, religion, and social movements in the 20th century. Tisby joined the faculty of Simmons College of Kentucky as a Professor of History beginning October 10, 2022. Tisby will be responsible for teaching, participating in the life of the college, and engaging in collaborative efforts with internal and external partners.
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Church at the Crossroads highlights story of Palestinian Christians Last month, pastors, theologians, thought leaders and Christians gathered in Chicago for a rare and urgent assembly. The event, called Church at the Crossroads, was led by Palestinian Christians and drew together voices across evangelical, Mainline, Catholic and ecumenical traditions. Its premise was stark: The church stands at a defining moment. As violence escalates in Israel and Palestine (and as some Christians continue to use Scripture to justify war, occupation or silence), the church faces a searing question that will mark its witness for generations: “What kind of church will we be in the face of genocide?” Over the course of the three-day conference, 800 attendees (in-person and online) heard from a robust line-up of speakers that included Jemar Tisby, Lisa Sharon Harper, Anton Deik, Fares Abraham, Shane Claiborne, Lamma Mansour, Brian Zahnd, Ruth Padilla DeBorst and Munther Isaac. (Baptist News Global 10/14/25) READ MORE>>>>> 
Jemar Tisby: In any logical world the Fraternal Order of Police endorsing a person convicted of 34 felonies in a criminal trial and for sexual abuse and defamation in a civil trial would make no sense.
But this is America. And law enforcement has always been selective.
As Mike Jollett pointed on X/Twitter: The Fraternal Order of Police are backing the white man convicted of criminal acts over the Black woman responsible for prosecuting crimes. -9.8.24 (Instagram)
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Jemar Tisby: As I said, they overplayed their hand. But it won’t work.
Trump’s campaign can try to distance themselves from Project 2025, but 31 of the 38 people who wrote and edited the project were part of Trump’s administration in various forms.
Plus his Agenda 47 is more of the same.
Keep highlighting these anti-democratic plans! 7.30.24 (Instagram)
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Trump's use of Bible shows he's a fake Christian and a fraudJason Cornwall, a pastor from South Carolina said that Trump’s Bible endorsement was a violation of one of the Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Testament that forbids taking God’s name in vain. Historian and author Jamarcus Tisby says the project echoes the values of Christian nationalism — the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation and the government should work to sanction Christianity on a national scale.The tenets of Christian nationalism are historically tied to prejudice, nativism and white supremacy. “There’s a very long tradition of what is included and what is not included in the Bible,“ Tisby said.
(Hagerstown Herald 5/16/24)READ MORE>>>>>
(Hagerstown Herald 5/16/24)READ MORE>>>>>
“This is cotton country — the land of slavery and sharecropping,” said Tisby. “You can see it in the landscape, you can see it in the generational poverty.” --Jemar Tisby
How evangelical Christian writer Jemar Tisby became a radioactive symbol of ‘wokeness’
Over the past decade, Jemar Tisby’s life has largely been shaped by two forces: the Bible, and the deaths of young Black men, often at the hands of law enforcement. About a decade ago, Tisby, then a seminary student in Jackson, Mississippi, helped start a new group called the Reformed African American Network — an offshoot of the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” movement that had spread like wildfire among evangelical Christians in the first decade of the 21st century. (Bob Smietana/Religion News 5/30/23)
Read More>>>>>
Over the past decade, Jemar Tisby’s life has largely been shaped by two forces: the Bible, and the deaths of young Black men, often at the hands of law enforcement. About a decade ago, Tisby, then a seminary student in Jackson, Mississippi, helped start a new group called the Reformed African American Network — an offshoot of the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” movement that had spread like wildfire among evangelical Christians in the first decade of the 21st century. (Bob Smietana/Religion News 5/30/23)
Read More>>>>>
Jemar Tisby
“This is cotton country — the land of slavery and sharecropping. You can see it in the landscape, you can see it in the generational poverty.....The thing that struck me was that there are churches on every corner. Not only were they racially divided, it also didn’t seem like they were having much impact in the community. That’s where I started thinking about the relationship between faith and justice.”
--Jemar Tisby on coming to Arkansas; Roys Report; 5.30.23
--Jemar Tisby on coming to Arkansas; Roys Report; 5.30.23
==Jim Tomberlin======
July 14, 2023: NPR: Megachurches are getting even bigger as churches close across the country
Typically, the mergers are with a church in decline or a pastor ready to retire, according to Jim Tomberlin, a member of The Unstuck Group, a consulting organization that offers a service to support church mergers. It's a case of "you need a building, we need a pastor," he says.
Tomberlin sees it as a win-win. The larger church grows its membership. The smaller congregation gets "a great communicator," in the form of a dynamic pastor, but also a local pastor "who's not consumed or distracted by preparing sermons 10 or 20 hours a week, every week," he says. "That gives them time to serve that congregation."
Typically, the mergers are with a church in decline or a pastor ready to retire, according to Jim Tomberlin, a member of The Unstuck Group, a consulting organization that offers a service to support church mergers. It's a case of "you need a building, we need a pastor," he says.
Tomberlin sees it as a win-win. The larger church grows its membership. The smaller congregation gets "a great communicator," in the form of a dynamic pastor, but also a local pastor "who's not consumed or distracted by preparing sermons 10 or 20 hours a week, every week," he says. "That gives them time to serve that congregation."
==brian tome======
Jan 5, 2023: New York Times: Prayers for Damar Hamlin Show Bond Between Football and Faith
Brian Tome, a former high-school football player and a Bengals fan, watched the game at home Monday night. What struck him, he said, was how television commentators struggled for words as they pivoted from covering a late-season game to the outpouring of fear and sadness around an emergency medical event. “America got to see people be empathetic,” said Mr. Tome, the pastor of Crossroads Church, with locations in Cincinnati and elsewhere. “These moments of crisis are bringing something out in us that’s really positive.”
About a mile from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Mr. Hamlin remained sedated and in critical condition, Mr. Tome hosted a community prayer service at his church for Mr. Hamlin on Tuesday.
“We can’t participate in the medical process,” he told the assembled crowd of about 100, with hundreds more streaming the service online. “But we can participate in prayer.”
Brian Tome, a former high-school football player and a Bengals fan, watched the game at home Monday night. What struck him, he said, was how television commentators struggled for words as they pivoted from covering a late-season game to the outpouring of fear and sadness around an emergency medical event. “America got to see people be empathetic,” said Mr. Tome, the pastor of Crossroads Church, with locations in Cincinnati and elsewhere. “These moments of crisis are bringing something out in us that’s really positive.”
About a mile from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Mr. Hamlin remained sedated and in critical condition, Mr. Tome hosted a community prayer service at his church for Mr. Hamlin on Tuesday.
“We can’t participate in the medical process,” he told the assembled crowd of about 100, with hundreds more streaming the service online. “But we can participate in prayer.”
==silvan tomkins======
Silvan Tomkins, a prominent psychologist known for his affect theory, explored the role of Christianity in addressing human emotions, particularly in how it dealt with issues of conflict and suffering. Tomkins suggested that Christianity became a widespread and influential religion, partly due to its "more general solution to the problem of anger, violence, and suffering versus love, enjoyment, and peace". This implies that he saw Christianity as offering a framework or set of solutions that resonated with people's experiences of negative emotions and provided a path towards positive ones. It's important to remember that Tomkins' analysis of religion was likely grounded in his field of affect theory, which focuses on the biological and psychological underpinnings of emotions and their impact on human behavior and relationships. Therefore, his views on Christianity would likely have examined its role in shaping individuals' emotional lives and social interactions. Tomkins was born to Russian Jewish immigrants. Tomkins' theory posits that affects (innate, automatic, physiological responses to stimuli) are the primary motivators of human behavior.
Script theory: Building on affect theory, Tomkins' script theory explains how individuals develop patterns of behavior based on their affective experiences. Tomkins mentored and collaborated with a number of influential figures in the field of affect studies, including Virginia Demos, Paul Ekman, Carroll Izard, and Donald Nathanson.
Script theory: Building on affect theory, Tomkins' script theory explains how individuals develop patterns of behavior based on their affective experiences. Tomkins mentored and collaborated with a number of influential figures in the field of affect studies, including Virginia Demos, Paul Ekman, Carroll Izard, and Donald Nathanson.
Evangelicals turning on Chip and Joanna is about disgust, not love
The evangelical language of love cavorts with some strange emotions. Understanding the evangelical definition of love requires attention to their pedagogy of shame. Affect theory professor Silvan Tomkins says shame involves “the affect of indignity, of defeat, of transgression and of alienation.” Evangelical love dishes out all these emotions by shaming the Gaines’ decision to feature a gay couple on their television series.
Shame injects disappointment into others. Even if the person completely rejects the shaming effort, there is still the negative, joy-robbing impact of the shamers. Evangelical shame attacks have a particular body posture in mind. As the evangelical group shames Chip and Joanna, they are trying to force the couple to lower their heads and eyes in shame. This is not an act of loving persuasion but an act of abusive coercion. This has more to do with relations of power than it does with love. Tomkins writes: “Contempt is the mark of the oppressor. The hierarchical relationship is maintained either when the oppressed one assumes the attitude of contempt for himself or hangs his head in shame.” Evangelical politics — the politics of gender, sexuality, queerness, family and marriage — are organized around a coercive effort to keep bodies in line with evangelical teaching. (Baptist News Global 7/22/25) READMORE>>>>>
The evangelical language of love cavorts with some strange emotions. Understanding the evangelical definition of love requires attention to their pedagogy of shame. Affect theory professor Silvan Tomkins says shame involves “the affect of indignity, of defeat, of transgression and of alienation.” Evangelical love dishes out all these emotions by shaming the Gaines’ decision to feature a gay couple on their television series.
Shame injects disappointment into others. Even if the person completely rejects the shaming effort, there is still the negative, joy-robbing impact of the shamers. Evangelical shame attacks have a particular body posture in mind. As the evangelical group shames Chip and Joanna, they are trying to force the couple to lower their heads and eyes in shame. This is not an act of loving persuasion but an act of abusive coercion. This has more to do with relations of power than it does with love. Tomkins writes: “Contempt is the mark of the oppressor. The hierarchical relationship is maintained either when the oppressed one assumes the attitude of contempt for himself or hangs his head in shame.” Evangelical politics — the politics of gender, sexuality, queerness, family and marriage — are organized around a coercive effort to keep bodies in line with evangelical teaching. (Baptist News Global 7/22/25) READMORE>>>>>
==Rob Toornstra======
Ron Toonstra
Understanding God’s purpose for us in sex helps us both to set proper boundaries and to embrace what God permits. At creation, God's designs his image-bearers as embodied and sexual beings, and he creates marriage as the context for sexual expression. God establishes marriage as a covenant relationship that both unites as one flesh and forsakes all others (Genesis 1). Furthermore, Paul writes in Ephesians 5:32 that the relationship between husband and wife mirrors that of Christ and the church--marriage reflects the glory of Christ’s covenant-love for his bride. Marital sex, then, is a way we may glorify Christ by experiencing the joy of covenant intimacy. The pleasure of sex points us to the ultimate reality of our relationship with Jesus.
The Old Testament book Song of Songs gives fuller expression to what this looks like. This lengthy and sexually graphic poem describes what sex can be between husband and wife when it points to Christ. Because some of the metaphors are admittedly strange, the message can be missed (I’m pretty sure I’ve never told my wife that her nose looks like the Tower of Lebanon). But with careful reading, the sensuality of this book begins to emerge. In the pages of this book, we find the woman admiring her husband’s erection (5:14), and her husband delighting in his wife as she becomes sexually aroused (7:2). It is clear that God’s intention for sex is our sensual enjoyment of one another. The two lovers enjoy one another with all their senses, and they embrace the delight of sexual pleasure – including (quite likely) oral sex (2:3-6).
This means at least that God intends sex to be sensual, playful, and exciting. Sex isn’t just for procreation or physical release – it’s a way that we enjoy the bodies that God created. And that can allow us the freedom to explore a variety of sexual activity. However, other factors must be considered.............Some sexual activities may not be explicitly forbidden in the bible, but are nonetheless unwise. Any sexual activity that puts you or your spouse at risk of injury or illness would be unwise. Anal sex, for example, exposes a person to significant risk – risk of infection and risk of damaging tissue. Sending explicit pictures of one another carries the risk of the images falling into the wrong hands. As we consider what is and is not acceptable in our marriage bed, we must weigh the wisdom of what we wish to try – even if it is not explicitly forbidden by God.
--Rob Toonstra; Family Fire; Is this Allowed? Guidelines for Christian Sex 1.1.16
The Old Testament book Song of Songs gives fuller expression to what this looks like. This lengthy and sexually graphic poem describes what sex can be between husband and wife when it points to Christ. Because some of the metaphors are admittedly strange, the message can be missed (I’m pretty sure I’ve never told my wife that her nose looks like the Tower of Lebanon). But with careful reading, the sensuality of this book begins to emerge. In the pages of this book, we find the woman admiring her husband’s erection (5:14), and her husband delighting in his wife as she becomes sexually aroused (7:2). It is clear that God’s intention for sex is our sensual enjoyment of one another. The two lovers enjoy one another with all their senses, and they embrace the delight of sexual pleasure – including (quite likely) oral sex (2:3-6).
This means at least that God intends sex to be sensual, playful, and exciting. Sex isn’t just for procreation or physical release – it’s a way that we enjoy the bodies that God created. And that can allow us the freedom to explore a variety of sexual activity. However, other factors must be considered.............Some sexual activities may not be explicitly forbidden in the bible, but are nonetheless unwise. Any sexual activity that puts you or your spouse at risk of injury or illness would be unwise. Anal sex, for example, exposes a person to significant risk – risk of infection and risk of damaging tissue. Sending explicit pictures of one another carries the risk of the images falling into the wrong hands. As we consider what is and is not acceptable in our marriage bed, we must weigh the wisdom of what we wish to try – even if it is not explicitly forbidden by God.
--Rob Toonstra; Family Fire; Is this Allowed? Guidelines for Christian Sex 1.1.16
==andrew torba======
Is it time to retire the term ‘Christian nationalism’?
He offers no data but seems guided by his intuition. On the other hand, my intuition tells me it seems far-fetched that people who voted for Donald Trump did so because someone called them a Christian nationalist. It seems more important to find evidence something like Christian nationalism exists. If it does, then why stop talking about it?The most obvious evidence Christian nationalism exists is there are quite a few conservative Christians who embrace the term and talk about it all the time. People like Andrew Torba and Stephen Wolfe come to mind. Both have written books advocating their support for Christian nationalism. Another prominent Christian nationalist is Doug Wilson, an Idaho pastor who published Wolfe’s book and has a book of his own on the way. Wilson favors the incorporation of the Apostles’ Creed into the Constitution and would prohibit non-Christians from holding public office. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends a church in the denomination Wilson founded. (Baptist NEWS Global 12.14.25)READMORE>>>>>
He offers no data but seems guided by his intuition. On the other hand, my intuition tells me it seems far-fetched that people who voted for Donald Trump did so because someone called them a Christian nationalist. It seems more important to find evidence something like Christian nationalism exists. If it does, then why stop talking about it?The most obvious evidence Christian nationalism exists is there are quite a few conservative Christians who embrace the term and talk about it all the time. People like Andrew Torba and Stephen Wolfe come to mind. Both have written books advocating their support for Christian nationalism. Another prominent Christian nationalist is Doug Wilson, an Idaho pastor who published Wolfe’s book and has a book of his own on the way. Wilson favors the incorporation of the Apostles’ Creed into the Constitution and would prohibit non-Christians from holding public office. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends a church in the denomination Wilson founded. (Baptist NEWS Global 12.14.25)READMORE>>>>>
The rise and fall of Christian nationalism
Last week, Mahler’s podcast was recommended by Gab CEO Andrew Torba as the “#1 Christian Nationalist podcast in the world” on his new website ChristianNationalist.com. More concerning still was the fact that Torba’s website was immediately praised by Christian nationalist pastors like Joel Webbon and Brian Sauvé, whose ministries were also recommended on the site. How did Christian nationalism go from an ambiguous pejorative invoked primarily by progressives, to a small but growing movement among Reformed Evangelicals, to a repository for gutter racism, misogyny, and antisemitism? The story is complicated. (Christian Post; 12/8/25) READMORE>>>>>
Last week, Mahler’s podcast was recommended by Gab CEO Andrew Torba as the “#1 Christian Nationalist podcast in the world” on his new website ChristianNationalist.com. More concerning still was the fact that Torba’s website was immediately praised by Christian nationalist pastors like Joel Webbon and Brian Sauvé, whose ministries were also recommended on the site. How did Christian nationalism go from an ambiguous pejorative invoked primarily by progressives, to a small but growing movement among Reformed Evangelicals, to a repository for gutter racism, misogyny, and antisemitism? The story is complicated. (Christian Post; 12/8/25) READMORE>>>>>
==Michael Toscano======
How Christian Leaders Are Challenging the AI Boom
The wariness of some Christians towards AI starts at the very top of the Catholic Church. In May, Pope Leo XIV chose his name as a reference to a previous technological revolution that upended society. In the months since, he has used his platform to talk about AI’s potential to help spread the Gospel, but also to manipulate children and serve “antihuman ideologies.” The following month, a group of influential bishops wrote a letter to the U.S. Congress with policy recommendations on AI. Many other Christian leaders have likewise followed his lead. “Leo XIV made it quite clear that he thinks this is something that the church should be speaking to: not just in terms of defining what it is, but also how it should be used,” says Michael Toscano, a Catholic and the director of the Family First Technology Initiative for the Institute for Family Studies.(Time; 12.23.25)READMORE>>>>>>
The wariness of some Christians towards AI starts at the very top of the Catholic Church. In May, Pope Leo XIV chose his name as a reference to a previous technological revolution that upended society. In the months since, he has used his platform to talk about AI’s potential to help spread the Gospel, but also to manipulate children and serve “antihuman ideologies.” The following month, a group of influential bishops wrote a letter to the U.S. Congress with policy recommendations on AI. Many other Christian leaders have likewise followed his lead. “Leo XIV made it quite clear that he thinks this is something that the church should be speaking to: not just in terms of defining what it is, but also how it should be used,” says Michael Toscano, a Catholic and the director of the Family First Technology Initiative for the Institute for Family Studies.(Time; 12.23.25)READMORE>>>>>>
==sage tousey======
At AmFest, Turning Point USA leaders leverage Kirk's 'martyrdom' to rally young voters
Sixteen-year-old Sage Tousey, president of the Hamilton Southeastern Club America in Fishers, Indiana, told Religion News Service that her chapter swelled from 20 students to nearly 50 since Kirk was shot and that it has become more religious in outlook as it focuses on service projects such as placing wreaths on soldiers’ graves. Tousey, a nondenominational Christian, suggested that religion is a more cohesive force than politics. “We will always say Christ first, politics second,” she said. (Religion News Service; 12/20/25) READMORE>>>>
Sixteen-year-old Sage Tousey, president of the Hamilton Southeastern Club America in Fishers, Indiana, told Religion News Service that her chapter swelled from 20 students to nearly 50 since Kirk was shot and that it has become more religious in outlook as it focuses on service projects such as placing wreaths on soldiers’ graves. Tousey, a nondenominational Christian, suggested that religion is a more cohesive force than politics. “We will always say Christ first, politics second,” she said. (Religion News Service; 12/20/25) READMORE>>>>
==charles toy======
May 16, 2023:
National and state Christian leaders spoke out against the white supremacist ideology espoused during two recent Christian nationalist rallies in South Florida. Christians Against Christian Nationalism and Faithful America organized a livestreamed event as a counter perspective to the May 11 “Pastors for Trump” reception and the May 12 ReAwaken America Tour rally, both held at the Trump Doral resort in Miami. “We are here today as Christians who are horrified to see the faith we hold dear being used to spread lies, violence and authoritarian theocracy,” said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Tyler was joined at All Angels Episcopal Church in Miami Springs by Nathan Empsall of Faithful America, Russell Meyer of the Florida Council of Churches, Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life Action, James Golden of Pastors for Florida Children and Charles Toy of The Christian Left. More at Baptist News Global
National and state Christian leaders spoke out against the white supremacist ideology espoused during two recent Christian nationalist rallies in South Florida. Christians Against Christian Nationalism and Faithful America organized a livestreamed event as a counter perspective to the May 11 “Pastors for Trump” reception and the May 12 ReAwaken America Tour rally, both held at the Trump Doral resort in Miami. “We are here today as Christians who are horrified to see the faith we hold dear being used to spread lies, violence and authoritarian theocracy,” said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Tyler was joined at All Angels Episcopal Church in Miami Springs by Nathan Empsall of Faithful America, Russell Meyer of the Florida Council of Churches, Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life Action, James Golden of Pastors for Florida Children and Charles Toy of The Christian Left. More at Baptist News Global
