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Mark Tooley

@markdtooley.bsky.social
203 followers 35 following 98 posts

President of Institute on Religion & Democracy www.theird.org

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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
A timely conversation amid America’s Thanksgiving: the pilgrims were ultra-Protestant separatists whose persecution in England foreshadowed the parliamentary Puritan revolt against King Charles I and the established church. @markdtooley.bsky.social interviews Oxford historian Jonathan Healey.
juicyecumenism.com
Thanksgiving & England's Civil War
American democracy and religious freedom were the largely unintentional fruits of what emerged from Britain's civil war and the compromises that followed.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Assumptions of equal justice and social equality are so pervasive that many in the West just assume they are intrinsic, natural, and universal, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social. They fall upon all like an April rainstorm.
juicyecumenism.com
Taking our Rights and Dignities for Granted
Those who want the West to ditch Christianity would destroy the foundation of its success, writes IRD President Mark Tooley.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
There’s nothing new about the upsurge in antisemitism among Christians. It’s a very old evil, parcel to fallen humanity’s proclivity to fault others for the world’s ailments, when all of us as sinners are contributors, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social.
juicyecumenism.com
Christian Antisemitism
Tucker Carlson’s platforming of antisemitic social influencer Nick Fuentes, who proclaims “Christ is King,” evinces the reemergence of antisemitism in...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
The UnPopulist @theunpopulist.net · 03/11/2025
"Antisemitism, in subtle and blatant forms, likely will grow in American Christianity. Discerning American Christians must prepare to counter it. The argument against it is not complex and comes directly from our Savior: Love thy neighbor as thyself, without exceptions." @markdtooley.bsky.social
theunpopulist.net
Tucker Carlson Is Resurrecting Christianity's Ugly Tradition of Antisemitism
In rejecting universalism, the talk show host and his recent guest, white supremacist Nick Fuentes, are rejecting Christ himself
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
The charge that Christian Zionism is "heresy" evinces that pro-Israel Christians need to upgrade their talking points and their theology, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social.
juicyecumenism.com
Christian Zionism as Heresy?
Is Christian Zionism a “heresy?”  Some think so, including a publicized young staffer at the Heritage Foundation, who said: Gen...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
LISTEN: IRD's @markdtooley.bsky.social joins Andy Miller on the More to the Story podcast to discuss how Christians should engage the public square—especially in light of rising antisemitism on both sides of the political spectrum.
juicyecumenism.com
Antisemitism, Christian Zionism & Methodism.
Here’s Andy Miller of Wesley Biblical Seminary asking me about antisemitism, Christian Zionism and Methodism. And here’s podcast:
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
The UnPopulist @theunpopulist.net · 18/11/2025
There’s nothing new about the upsurge in antisemitism among Christians and in society. It’s a very old evil. Affirming the dignity of all, intrinsic to Christianity, is not natural. It must be continuously retaught and incarnated. @markdtooley.bsky.social
theunpopulist.net
Tucker Carlson Is Resurrecting Christianity's Ugly Tradition of Antisemitism
In rejecting universalism, the talk show host and his recent guest, white supremacist Nick Fuentes, are rejecting Christ himself
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
The moral genius of Anglo Protestants who crafted The Declaration was aspiration of human equality for all, not just for people like themselves, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social. “Heritage Americans” prioritize ancestry over Declaration’s universality. ⁦
juicyecumenism.com
Heritage Americans?
The moral genius of Anglo Protestants who crafted The Declaration was aspiration of human equality for all, not just for people like themselves.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Is the Anglican Church in North America a "woke" church? As the bishop of the endorsing body for chaplains unilaterally cut ties with the North American church last week, some warn that it is deflection from a straightforward misconduct investigation.
juicyecumenism.com
Anglican Chaplains Face Choice as Bishop Departs
A dispute between the leadership of the Anglican Church in North America and its endorsing body for chaplains resulted in the latter unilaterally cutting ties with the church.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Would historic Reformed thought permit the Presbyterian Church in America to be an established church?
juicyecumenism.com
Could the Presbyterian Church in America be an Established Church?
Could the Presbyterian Church in America be the official religion of the United States of America?
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
American congregations of the future may be younger and more male than at any point in recent history, writes Lauren Knights.
juicyecumenism.com
Resurgence and the Future of the Church
If stewarded wisely, this moment could mark the beginning of a new chapter in American Christianity, shaped by the unexpected faithfulness of those once thought least likely to return.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Third generation Methodist pastor Andrew Forrest of Asbury Church in Tulsa joins IRD's @markdtooley.bsky.social to discuss his new book Love Goes First: Reaching Others in an Age of Anxiety and Division.
juicyecumenism.com
Methodist Pastor Discusses Reaching Out in Anxious Times
Here’s third generation Methodist pastor Andrew Forrest of Asbury Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma discussing his new book Love Goes First:...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
This week IRD welcomes College of William and Mary graduate and intern Rafa Albolote. Rafa discovered IRD through his interest in religious liberty and serves with the Fourth Fellows, a young adult leadership program at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda. Welcome, Rafa!
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
This week IRD welcomes University of Virginia graduate Miranda Mobley, whose love for literature, theology, and international relations drew her to work at IRD. She serves at The Falls Church Anglican in a 9-month spiritual formation and leadership program. Welcome, Miranda!
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Podcast with Methodist theologian Kenneth Collins of Asbury Seminary on his new book "Generous Divine Love: The Grace & Power of Methodist Theology."
juicyecumenism.com
Grace & Power of Methodist Theology
Here’s my conversation with Methodist theologian Kenneth Collins of Asbury Theological Seminary about his new book Generous Divine Love: The...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Reinhold Niebuhr: “The sad experiences of Christian history show how human pride & spiritual arrogance rise to new heights precisely at the point where the claims of sanctity are made without due qualification.”
juicyecumenism.com
Satan & Politics
In polarized political times there is temptation to ascribe almost unlimited power to evil, and to assume political adversaries are themselves evil. Divine sovereignty is often forgotten.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Some church officials characterize Charlie Kirk’s death as a blow to democracy and the foundation of America. IRD's Miranda Mobley surveys Baptist, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran and Pentecostal responses.
juicyecumenism.com
Church Officials Respond to Charlie Kirk Death
Some church officials characterize Charlie Kirk’s death as a blow to democracy and the foundation of America, and many offer and solicit prayers on the behalf of Kirk's family.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
If worship becomes a concert, we may gain an audience but lose the altar, writes IRD's Lauren Knights.
juicyecumenism.com
The Transformation of Christian Worship
Worship is not validated by zeal or creativity, but by obedience to God’s commands.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Berny Belvedere @bernybelvedere.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
"Trump's attack on free speech and free elections are two sides of the same coin, and we can’t treat them as separable." — @andycraig.bsky.social in @theunpopulist.net 🔥🔥🔥
theunpopulist.net
Trump’s Censorship Binge After Kirk’s Killing Is Part of an All-Out Effort to Crush the Opposition
He is rapidly consolidating his power so that no one can even challenge his authoritarian takeover
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Mark Tooley @markdtooley.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
My weekly email: Religious Left demise, Methodist righteousness, Mother of Jesus, John Calvin, Catholic statecraft, Wesleyan baptism, etc. mailchi.mp/theird/split...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Mark Tooley @markdtooley.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
juicyecumenism.com/2025/09/12/c... To Kill A Mockingbird, a 1960 popular novel by Harper Lee that became a popular 1962 film starring Gregory Peck, is not “woke” or leftwing or political. It’s America’s premier Methodist novel.
juicyecumenism.com
Contending for Righteousness
Recently an account with over one million followers on Twitter/X exclaimed: “To Kill a Mockingbird was blood libel against the...
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Mark Tooley @markdtooley.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
juicyecumenism.com/2025/09/12/c... To Kill A Mockingbird, a 1960 popular novel by Harper Lee that became a popular 1962 film starring Gregory Peck, is not “woke” or leftwing or political. It’s America’s premier Methodist novel.
juicyecumenism.com
Contending for Righteousness
Recently an account with over one million followers on Twitter/X exclaimed: “To Kill a Mockingbird was blood libel against the...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
American Orthodox churches have been strained by the pull between filial loyalty to their coreligionists in Russia and respect for the liberal democratic values that drive American support for Ukraine.
juicyecumenism.com
Orthodox Patriotism
American Orthodox churches have been strained by the pull between filial loyalty to their coreligionists in Russia and respect for the liberal democratic values that drive U.S. support for Ukraine
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
When IRD founded the John Wesley Institute, we saw need for deeper formation in the broad Wesleyan family, to dive deeper into the Scriptures, to provide training in the historic Christian witness, the “faith once delivered to the saints,” and to promote the Christ-like life, scriptural holiness.
juicyecumenism.com
Focus on Formation
Boston's Church of the Advent is engaging faithful scholars to work with the church as they go deeper into the Christian faith.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
“Woke pontiff”? “The most based Pope ever"? The faithful have become conditioned to consume the papacy as spectacle. Yet Leo’s pontificate may offer the chance to recover a quieter, older form of devotion.
juicyecumenism.com
Shut Up About Pope Leo
As Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate finds its footing, remember that the chatty, media-savvy pope is a modern invention, not a Catholic necessity.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
The claim that infant baptism and infant dedication are of equal value is to move well beyond what Wesley taught, and arguably to offer an ahistorical Wesleyanism that bears little resemblance to the namesake, writes Ryan Danker.
juicyecumenism.com
A Wesleyan View of Baptism
For John Wesley, as for the historic church, baptism communicates the salvific remedy that the sinner so desperately needs.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Without faith, meaning collapses, and with it the will to endure.
juicyecumenism.com
Personal Freedom Absent God?
Our culture often tells us we can build life on comfort, progress, or personal freedom alone. But without God, these collapse under the strain.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Where did the Religious Left go? Few under a certain age can even identify it. Some think it's non-MAGA evangelicals. @markdtooley.bsky.social recalls the late great Religious Left.
juicyecumenism.com
The Demise of the Religious Left?
There will always be religious voices on the political and theological left of course. But its main institutions are all...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
As other Western nations yield to pressure to recognize a Palestinian state, the US must have the courage to stand alone against Hamas’s regime of terror - Ed Tarnowski providencemag.com/2025/08/as-t...
providencemag.com
As the West Capitulates to Hamas, America Must Have the Moral Resolve to Stand Alone - Providence
As other Western nations yield to pressure to recognize a Palestinian state, the US must have the courage to stand alone against Hamas's regime of terror
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
In “Teaching the Virtues,” David Hein argues that education must be aimed at cultivating the moral imagination necessary for the formation of virtuous citizens. providencemag.com/2025/09/virt...
providencemag.com
Virtue and the Classical Education Renaissance - Providence
In "Teaching the Virtues," David Hein argues that education must be aimed at cultivating the moral imagination necessary for the formation of virtuous citizens
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
As the global threat environment worsens, it is crucial that Americans believe that the founding ideals of their nation are still worth fighting for - providencemag.com/2025/09/do-a...
providencemag.com
Do Americans Still See Themselves as the ‘Good Guys’? - Providence
As the global threat environment worsens, it is crucial that Americans believe that the founding ideals of their nation are still worth fighting for
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
The collapse of denominational loyalties in America may actually be good news for many mainline congregations, writes IRD's @markdtooley.bsky.social in The Christian Post.
christianpost.com
Has mainline Protestantism fallen?
In 10 years, most mainline denominations will likely still legally exist but most of them will be little more than shells
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
American adoptions of foreign-born children have declined by 94% since 2004, weakening the US’s cultural and familial connections with nations around the world - providencemag.com/2025/08/inte...
providencemag.com
International Adoption Trends Epitomize America’s Declining Soft Power - Providence
American adoptions of foreign-born children have declined by 94% since 2004, weakening the US's cultural and familial connections with nations around the world
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
The American people understand that Beijing is the problem, not Taiwan, and that alienating allies empowers America’s enemies - providencemag.com/2025/08/the-...
providencemag.com
The New Right is Wrong about Taiwan - Providence
The American people understand that Beijing is the problem, not Taiwan, and that alienating allies empowers America’s enemies
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
The best way to destabilize Iran's theocratic regime is to support the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom of religion, speech, and assembly - Tzvi Kahn providencemag.com/2025/09/usin...
providencemag.com
Using Human Rights as a Weapon Against Iran - Providence
The best way to destabilize Iran's theocratic regime is to support the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom of religion, speech, and assembly
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Virginia Wesleyan University removing “Wesleyan” from its name evinces further decline in denominational higher education, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social⁩.
juicyecumenism.com
Virginia Wesleyan Becomes Virginia Batten University
The old denominational age is ending, in higher education and much else. What will replace it?
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Mark Tooley @markdtooley.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
juicyecumenism.com/2025/09/02/v... Mainline Protestantism’s role in higher education meaningfully ended many years ago, with the reality now more directly acknowledged. In this new post denominational age, it is unclear to what extent specific Protestant denominations can maintain their own schools.
juicyecumenism.com
Virginia Wesleyan Becomes Virginia Batten University
Virginia Wesleyan University is changing its name, deleting “Wesleyan” in favor of honoring a currently living large donor. It will...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
The monsters of this world, whether Khrushchev in 1959 or Putin today, must be dealt with. But there should never be confusion about what they are - @markdtooley.bsky.social providencemag.com/2025/08/meet...
providencemag.com
Meeting Monsters? - Providence
The monsters of this world, whether Khrushchev in 1959 or Putin today, must be dealt with. But there should never be confusion about what they are.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
We who admire the Second Great Awakening are grateful for its churn, believing it providential, enacting the biblical promise that the last shall be first, and the first shall be last, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social.
juicyecumenism.com
America’s Awakenings
Last week for the first time I visited the Cumberland Gap through which, in early America, Daniel Boone, followed by...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
When did Mainline Protestantism fall? When did Rome fall? The answer may never be clear. But some congregations will endure, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social.
juicyecumenism.com
Mainline Protestantism’s Fall?
The collapse of denominational loyalties in America may be good news for many Mainline congregations themselves.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
LISTEN: IRD's @markdtooley.bsky.social joins Peter Lipsett of Donors Trust and former Christian Coalition Chair Ralph Reed to discuss Christianity’s evolving role in American politics. juicyecumenism.com/2025/08/20/c...
juicyecumenism.com
Christian Conservatism
Where does the Christian community fit on the right side of the ideological spectrum? Mark Tooley and Ralph Reed chat with Peter Lipsett on the Donors Trust podcast.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
WATCH: IRD President @markdtooley.bsky.social appears on @pbsnews.org to discuss how Russian propaganda is finding support among parts of the U.S. religious right.
youtu.be
PBS News Hour full episode, Aug. 19, 2025
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
Self-professed Christian nationalist Douglas Wilson is a rising star in a theological/cultural thought movement that appeals to postliberal Protestant intellectual young men, writes IRD's @markdtooley.bsky.social.
juicyecumenism.com
Douglas Wilson’s America
Self-professed Christian nationalist Douglas Wilson is a rising star in the American evangelical firmament. He recently planted a new church...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
The Presbyterian Church in America’s new study committee on Christian Nationalism must address questions not only of historicity, but also practicality and relevance in contemporary America, writes Philip D. Bunn in @provmagazine.bsky.social.
juicyecumenism.com
On the PCA’s Committee on Christian Nationalism
At its recently held 52nd General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) passed an overture establishing an ad interim...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
Should Christians celebrate democracy's end in favor of paternalistic princes offering "pageantry" like El Salvador's ruler?
juicyecumenism.com
Preferring Kings Over Democracy?
In a recent piece for First Things, Mary Harrington suggests the end of popular democracy and the return of rule by paternalistic monarchy.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
The figurative “pie” of American religion isn’t static, writes IRD's Jeff Walton: each “slice” is growing in size. Other existing congregations don’t need to lose in order for new church plants to win in reaching people with the gospel.
juicyecumenism.com
Don’t Tread on Me: Anglican Church Planting and a Growing Pie
If you’re reading this article, the following scenario possibly has a familiar ring to it: A small Anglican church discovers...
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Mark Tooley @markdtooley.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
thedispatch.com/newsletter/d... Self-professed Christian nationalist Douglas Wilson is a rising star in the American evangelical firmament. @thedispatch
thedispatch.com
Douglas Wilson’s America
His work to create a confessionally Christian state is the wrong antidote to what he seeks to cure.
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Institute on Religion & Democracy @theird.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
Our “stable, civilized society,” whose “dominant” culture has never been static, is most secure when upholding traditional American principles of free speech, freedom of religion, and legal equality for all, writes @markdtooley.bsky.social. juicyecumenism.com/2025/08/14/h...
juicyecumenism.com
Hindu statues and America’s Christian order
Does a Hindu statue in Sugar Land, Texas, threaten America’s stability and cohesion? Andrew Beck thinks so. He wants the...
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Mark Tooley @markdtooley.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
juicyecumenism.com/2025/08/13/p... Should Christians celebrate democracy's end in favor of paternalistic princes offering "pageantry" like El Salvador's ruler?
juicyecumenism.com
Preferring Kings Over Democracy?
Is the age of popular democracy ending and the age of rule by kings returning? Some Christians hope so. First...
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Reposted by Mark Tooley
Providence Magazine @provmagazine.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
In Cold War literature, Forsyth was a sort of Homer of popular but sophisticated thrillers that demonstrated what made and sustained the West. @markdtooley.bsky.social providencemag.com/2025/07/last...
providencemag.com
Last of Great Global Political Thrillers? - Providence
Novelist of global political thrillers Frederick Forsyth died recently. He was best known for The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File, which became popular films in the 1970s. (The Day of the Jackal...
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