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.Relics
Faith isn’t just carrying around someone else’s bucket of old dusty relics; faith is doing the hard work of examining each one carefully to see which are worth keeping.
Who’s Actually Grooming?
For Pride Month, I was wrong about LGBTQ grooming. I’m not proud of my particular Christian heritage: it’s been revealed as unloving. But I am deeply proud of my Savior who challenged His culture in how He loved the unlovely, the outcast, the sinner, and the oppressed.
Who’s Actually Grooming? Read More »
To Be A Christian in Babylon
Taking Native American land and life to secure European refugees the ability to worship God freely is deeply enshrined in the Christian Nationalism view of American history. But that seems to run counter to the nature and actions of God described throughout the Bible.
To Be A Christian in Babylon Read More »
Further Up and Further In
Perhaps the biggest surprise for me in this season of my life is that faith itself is not static. We’re being called to go “further up and further in” – as God reveals more to us, our understanding of faith and doctrine must be free to expand and grow.
Further Up and Further In Read More »
Things I Have Learned This Year
I am finding that many things I was taught were dangerously one-sided and served to uncritically reinforce the views I was given. But when I add additional history to my understanding, I am forced to pull back from many conclusions and doctrines and political understandings.
Things I Have Learned This Year Read More »
All-Inclusive
I highly recommend this video from Pastor Zach Lambert at Restore Austin church, discussing being an all-inclusive church.
On a Donkey, Not a War Horse
Do we think like the Jews of Jesus’ day, hoping that our King would ride into Jerusalem on a war horse instead of a humble donkey? Consider the story of Jesus’ celebrated entry into Jerusalem. 11 And as they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples,
On a Donkey, Not a War Horse Read More »
The Women of Passover
You probably know that in the Old Testament, God established a practice of anointing a new king by pouring oil on them. Did you know that Jesus was anointed not by men, but twice by women, and each time in the week before a Passover? Each time the Lord selected women to anoint Jesus as king.
The Women of Passover Read More »
Military-Speak
We’re so accustomed to living at DEFCON-1 in the spirit realm, constantly being on a wartime footing against demonic forces and a culture that’s falling apart, against unbelievers and misguided fellow believers, that we fail to see the bad effects that it’s having on our culture and our unity and our peace. But Christ already won the victory – so why are we demonizing each other in the name of making America a great Christian nation?
Billions and Billions Served
It has occurred to me that most American Christians are just as much in love with a certain style of Christianity as they are with fast food, and for very similar reasons. It’s fast, it’s easy, it’s cheap, and it requires no real personal involvement to get fed. But is it the right model?
Billions and Billions Served Read More »