Welcome to Crucible of Thought! I'm Brandon, and I was a member of conservative evangelical congregations for 45 years. This blog is about things that I've learned since 2020, as I've been undergoing a process of "deprogramming," "deconstruction," "reconstruction"... pick whatever term you want, but basically a process carefully examining many different aspects of my social, political, and religious beliefs to see what really actually aligns with the Bible and specifically the teachings of Jesus, more than what aligns with the host of dogmatic statements I inherited in years of church training. I'm not trying to persuade anyone: I'm sharing my process, in the hopes that it inspires and enlightens others. I welcome you to join me as we move forward in our faith together.
Jesus’ signs to John the Baptist’s disciples were all tangible and immediately restorative… except preaching the good news to the poor. Why is that? Or did we misunderstand it?
Signs For John the Baptist and For Us Read More »
I’ve noticed an interesting trend in my online discussions and readings: contempt as a starting point of interaction. I can only conclude that this issue has always been there, but I’m only newly noticing it. As I think about my own history, I realize that this was often how I approached others for years. So
The younger generation of Christians are looking a lot more like Caleb and Joshua than like Moses. They’re willing to go at risk with the Lord into a dangerous but bountiful new land. And it’s stirring up a lot of anger among the elders.
A Caleb Generation Read More »
It’s instructive to evaluate our immediate, automatic, and unspoken response to dramatic news. It tells us a lot about our inner selves. What was your first response to the news about Club Q?
To Live and Die at Club Q Read More »
How often do we cling to something not because we believe it, but because we can’t risk not believing it?
Counting the Cost of Change Read More »
We should be doing the things that Jesus did and commanded. And we should accept the corrections that come with being imperfect representatives of a holy and righteous and just God.
If We REALLY are a Christian Nation… Read More »
“I want America to be a Christian nation” really means “I want America to be a nation of Christians that believe and practice like me.” It’s a nice goal. But there really isn’t just one definition of “Christian.”
“This IS the revival that you were praying for. And you’re calling it heresy.” What if revival looks nothing like we think?
What Revival Really Looks Like Read More »
Self-appointed gatekeepers over our religious and moral systems are destroying the people’s ability to connect with the Lord’s Kingdom. What is our response supposed to be?
Self-Appointed Gatekeepers Read More »
The first “National Coming Out Day” was observed in 1988, to support people finally expressing their true identity to those in their circle of relationships. Today, I am coming out myself – not as LGBTQ, but as an ally, one who affirms such identities and relationships as wholesome and acceptable to me, and I fully
Coming Out on National Coming Out Day Read More »
