My Top Five Posts of 2025
Recap of 2025 and Preview of What's Ahead in 2026
It’s been an eventful 2025 and 2026 looks to be no different. Here’s a few highlights of last year and a preview of what’s to come for me.
2025: Year in Review
Christ the King Church: After several years of praying and trying to discern God’s direction for Christ the King Church, we finally were able to purchase a new building in Fort Thomas, KY. We started meeting there for worship in February. It’s been a tremendous blessing that I’m thankful for every day.
King’s Domain conference: This ministry held our third annual conference in May with a stellar lineup of speakers. We had a fantastic time.
Articles: I published over 45 articles on my substack this year. Writing helps me think and I enjoy it, so it’s a fun and productive hobby.
God’s Good Design: My first book has done very well, especially given that this was my first book and I’m not a big name author. I’ve heard very encouraging feedback from people who have enjoyed it and benefitted from it. It’s got an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
2026: Writing Projects
Loser Theology Book: My second book is due out in 2026 from Canon Press. It doesn’t have an official title yet. The main thesis is that many evangelical Christians have accepted losing as a badge of Christian faithfulness that makes us passive and weak. I diagnose and illustrate the problem and prescribe “high agency Christianity” as the way forward.
Discernment book: I’ve begun writing my third book which is about discernment. The main thesis is this: Discernment is trained moral sight. It is the learned ability to see reality as God defines it and to judge and act accordingly. The modern church has lost it not because we lack information, but because we fear the cost of clarity. I’ve only seen a couple of books on discernment in the last couple of decades, neither of which approach the subject the way I plan to do. I don’t have a publisher yet, but the book should be very marketable, so I’m not worried about finding a publisher.
Top Five Posts of 2025
#5
My #5 post of this year got a mention on the Frank Turek podcast. I don’t remember the date of that episode so I can’t include a link.
Why Progressive Christians Reject the Doctrine of "Ordered Loves"
How are we to determine our moral obligation to others? Is our moral duty to our own family and children identical to a stranger across town? To someone on the other side of the globe?
#4
Good Friday: Where Did Jesus Go After He Died?
The Apostles Creed appears to be at odds with Jesus promise to the thief on the cross. Jesus told the thief, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Yet the Apostles’ Creed says, “He descended into hell.”
#3
Modesty is not the Enemy of Beauty
Christian women are caught these days between two lies: that beauty is everything, or that beauty is nothing. Both are false. The first lie belongs to the world, which treats feminine beauty as a commodity. The second belongs to the church, which too often treats it as a threat.
#2 (and a bonus)
I combined two articles in the #2 slot because they were both related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Christian political commentator Nick Freitas read my entire “cognitive dissonance” piece to his 1.45 million subscribers on his podcast (I clipped it here). The entire episode is here.
Charlie Kirk and the Cognitive Dissonance of Christian Elites
My latest piece for Center for Baptist Leadership, reproduced in its entirety.
I’m a Pastor. Here’s What I’m Going to Say about Charlie Kirk Tomorrow from the Pulpit
This is my latest piece at Center for Baptist Leadership.
#1
My top essay this year was a warning to young men about being seduced by the “forbidden woman” from the book of Proverbs.
The Forbidden Woman and the Fall of Men
Proverbs 7 is a sober warning from father to son. Solomon paints a vivid picture of a young man who wanders too close to danger. He strolls near the house of the forbidden woman. He lingers in the twilight, thinking he is safe, but he is not. She meets him with flattery and beauty. He follows her like an ox to the slaughter. His life is destroyed.
Finally, thank you for subscribing to this substack and for reading and sharing my posts. I hope you find them helpful.
God bless, and have a wonderful 2026!