Bowed Heads and Raised Hands: Examining the Cultural Inheritance of Our Spiritual Instincts
How culture shapes the body we bring to God
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Can the State Produce Virtue? The Virginia Religious Assessment Crisis a Case Study
A lantern in the Virginia woods reminds us of a forgotten truth: the church once flourished without state power. Fear tempts us to trust political strength, but Jesus gave us a different task — to make disciples, not defend a way of life
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Does the Modern State of Israel Fulfill Biblical Prophecy? No: Why Christian Settler Violence in the West Bank Matters
This essay addresses violence, displacement, and persecution affecting Christian and Muslim communities in the West Bank. It includes graphic descriptions of sexual assault and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
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Wednesday Word: Hebrews 4:1-7 — The Promise Still Stands – Fear & Enter
A few interruptions of late, but I am trying to get back on track with the Wednesday Word.
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When Our Neighbors Go Dark: A Quiet Reflection on Cuba
Is starving the people of Cuba the thing a Christian nation does?
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Brokenness: The Frailty in Our Prodigal Son Journey
A little nostalgia that illuminates a part of our journey we often move past too quickly. When we return to the father…Frail.
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God Loved Khamenei Too: Why Enemy-Love Must Not Die in This War
I know some of what I say here will feel offensive or naïve or even unpatriotic. I ask only that you read slowly. Bonhoeffer taught that the gospel will always unsettle us before it heals us.
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The Face of the Enemy: Mercy in House of Heroes’ Valley of the Dying Sun
House of Heroes In The Valley Of The Dying Sun offers us a glimpse of what enemy love and wrestling with God entails. Walk through something together with me.
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Central Planning: A Weapon Against the Poor Part II
This content examines how Scripture calls Christians to protect the vulnerable and warns against the dangers of centralized power. It highlights historical and biblical patterns that show concentrated authority exacerbates injustice and harms those with the least power. Christians are encouraged to evaluate modern policies through a biblical lens, prioritizing humility and the needs of…
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Central Planning: A Weapon Against the Poor
The dangers of centralized economic planning. Primarily harm the vulnerable. The catastrophic consequences of top-down policies harm the poor, underscoring a need for humility and responsibility in economic discourse.
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The SAVE Act and the Constitution: A Non‑Partisan Evaluation
In an era when laws like the Patriot Act and USA FREEDOM Act expanded federal surveillance in the name of security, we must carefully examine new proposals like the SAVE America Act. While it aims to protect elections by verifying citizenship, it raises serious questions about federal power, individual burdens, and the risk of creeping…
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Wednesday Word: Hebrews 3:16-19 — The Cost of unbelief
16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not…
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Immigration – Compassion – Who is My Neighbor?
Do we truly understand the story of the Good Samaritan?
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The “Toxic Empathy” Series: A Christian Reflection on Compassion, Fear, and the Heart of Christ
Over the past few days, I’ve published a three-part series exploring how the label “toxic empathy” is being used in some Christian circles to reframe biblical compassion as a danger—especially toward outsiders—and what that means for our faith. Here’s a glimpse from each part: Part 1: The Formation Exposed – How “Toxic Empathy” Reframes Compassion…
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Part 3: Returning to the Heart of Christ
If you Haven’t read Parts One & Two Start here! Returning to the Douthat Moment Let’s circle back to that exchange on the Interesting Times podcast. Ross Douthat asked Allie Beth Stuckey a straightforward question: “Is there something that Donald Trump could do on immigration policy that you would consider evil?” She did not name…
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Part 2: The Costs of Labeling Empathy as Toxic
Part 1 for those who missed it. Historical Parallels: This Pattern Has Appeared Before The tactic of reframing compassion as a liability—especially when directed toward those deemed “outsiders”—is not unique to our current moment. Similar ideas and methods have surfaced repeatedly in different eras and contexts, always serving the same purpose: to justify actions or…
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Part 1: The Formation Exposed – How “Toxic Empathy” Reframes Compassion as Danger
In a July 2025 episode of the New York Times’ Interesting Times podcast, host Ross Douthat sat down with conservative Christian podcaster and author Allie Beth Stuckey to discuss her book Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion. The conversation covered theology, culture, politics, and the role of empathy in shaping Christian convictions. Toward the…
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Breaking the Illusion of Freedom: Fear, Courage, and Biblical Truth
Every generation has a group it is told to fear. Today, for many Americans, that group is immigrants. Whether the fear is justified or exaggerated is not the point. The point is what fear does to us.
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No posts this week
Hello everyone. Just dropping a note to say I spent some time in the hospital and didn’t have time to write this week. Hopefully I recover and will have the regular posts going again by next Monday. R.T. Hadley
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Coltrane’s A Love Supreme: Raw, Real Worship
Diving into something different — something raw and powerful. I’m not one to wax poetic about art, but something in this piece speaks deeply to my soul.
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Wednesday Word: Hebrews 3:7-11 — God’s Rest
God’s Rest — Eternal and settled in His completed work
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Know Your History: Calvinism–From Beginning To Biblical Understanding
Calvin himself would have rejected the idea of ‘Calvinism’ as a badge of honor. He wanted Christians to be known by Christ, not by Calvin.
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Wednesday Word: Hebrews 3:1-6 – Good News
The passage emphasizes that Jesus, as the exalted Son, holds greater glory than Moses, the faithful servant. While Moses served to foretell God’s promises, Jesus fulfills them, offering true rest. The text urges believers to hold firm in faith to access this divine rest exemplified in Christ’s authority and role.
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The Shepherd’s Wage: Why Churches Must Pay Pastors Fairly in 2025—Biblically and Economically
From Scripture to economics, the message is the same: the laborer deserves his wages.
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Wednesday Word: Hebrews 2:9–13 — The Brother Who Leads Us Home
From Death to Dominion, From Shame to Song
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