Churchianity

Watchdog Alert: Churchianity News

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Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events from the world of faith and religion and brings that content to our readers.

Trump Establishes Faith Office & Religious Liberty Commission

Former President Donald Trump has inaugurated several faith-based initiatives—such as a White House Faith Office, a Religious Liberty Commission, and a task force to eradicate anti-Christian bias. While his conservative Christian base applauds the move, critics warn it risks violating the First Amendment by privileging politically aligned Christian factions over broader religious pluralism. From Milwaukee Independent

Southern Baptist Convention Advances Conservative Resolutions

At their 2025 annual meeting in Dallas, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)—the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.—voted to endorse several conservative social resolutions. These include advocating a legal ban on pornography, opposing same-sex marriage (seeking reversal of the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision), restricting sports betting, and encouraging childbirth. Internal debates also continue on issues like women pastors and the denomination’s policy arm. From the AP

AP-NORC Poll: U.S. Adults Embrace Religious Chaplains in Schools

A new AP–NORC poll finds about 60% of U.S. adults support allowing religious chaplains in public schools to provide support—though not teacher-led or compulsory prayer. Support is split along denominational and political lines: White evangelical and Black Protestant adults are more favorable than Catholics, mainline Protestants, and non‑religious respondents. There’s broad concern (80%+) over church–state separation and funding issues. From apnews.com

Ecumenical Christian Leaders Condemn Hate Speech in Dallas

Over 30 Christian leaders and churches—including groups from Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, United Methodist, Evangelical, and Congregational traditions—have publicly denounced a planned “Hindu supremacist” event in Dallas featuring Kajal Singhala. Organized by Hindu nationalist groups with histories of anti-Christian rhetoric, the event has drawn strong opposition from an ecumenical coalition underscoring religious freedom and the Christian gospel. From clarionindia.net

Rethinking The Rapture: Millions Of Christians Were Not Delivered From Wrath

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One of the arguments for a Rapture of believers is that God will not allow Christians to go through the ‘wrath to come’, as described in the book of Revelation, but will rescue them out of the world before those purportedly horrific, literal events occur.

But wait a minute, what about all of the other believers who have suffered torture, persecution, burnings, beheadings, skinning and worse throughout the history of the world since the resurrection and ascension of our Lord?

Here’s a brief and general review that barely scratches the surface:

Roman Persecutions (1st–4th centuries) – Early Christians faced brutal persecution under Roman emperors like Nero and Diocletian. Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, leading to mass executions, including crucifixions and being burned alive. Diocletian’s persecution (AD 303–311) was one of the most systematic, involving the destruction of churches, scriptures, and widespread martyrdom.

Ottoman Empire Genocides (1910s–1920s) – During World War I, the Ottoman Empire carried out genocides against Christian minorities, including Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians. These events led to the deaths of millions through massacres, forced deportations, and starvation.

Modern-Day Persecution (21st century) – In various parts of the world, Christians continue to face persecution, particularly in regions with strict religious laws. Countries in Africa and Asia have seen imprisonment, violence, and even executions of Christians.

So why are the comparatively very, very few Christians who happen to be of the generation alive at the time of the so-called Rapture the lucky ones?

Well, they say, “Nothing like the coming tribulation has ever happened before and it will be unparalleled in its awfulness for people living on the earth at that time, so God has to rescue His people out of it.”

Come on now, that is absurd, and would be especially so to those Christians who have experienced, and still do, suffering and death in various places at various times. Death and suffering are death and suffering whether it’s in a so-called tribulation period, a 10th Century Caliphate, or a 21st Century gulag.

So what is the meaning of verses like 1 Thessalonians 1:10?
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.“

We’ll take a closer look in our next “Rethinking The Rapture” post.

Rethinking The Rapture: Introduction

Rethinking The Rapture: Questions

Rethinking The Rapture: More Questions

Rethinking The Rapture: N.T. Wright’s ‘Farewell to the Rapture’

Rethinking The Rapture: What 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Doesn’t Say

    Creed of the Fellowship of the Nons

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    Anyone who knows even a little bit about the Bible and the history of Christianity knows that it was the religious leaders of the time, along with their secular allies, that were responsible for the killing of the prophets, the reformers, and even the Son of God himself, Yeshua our Messiah.

    The religious leaders. The wolves in sheep’s clothing. The whited sepulchers. The vipers. The religious leaders.

    There is no new thing under the sun. Fallen human nature and the rot of man-made religion hasn’t changed since they murdered the prophets, burned the ‘heretics’, and tortured and crucified our Lord.

    That is part of the reason why I do not subscribe to a modern denominational creed of set of doctrines. I don’t think that modern day Evangelicals, or Baptists, or Lutherans, or Catholics are going to burn anyone in the town square – it’s just that I don’t trust organized religion.

    I’m non-denominational. I’m a ‘Non’. And there are a lot of others just like me, in fact more and more folks are fleeing traditional ‘churchianity’ every day. Why? More on that in future posts.

    Here’s my one and only creed, which I’m happy share with my brothers and sisters in The Fellowship of the Nons:

    Creed of the Fellowship of the Nons

    Our living God is a loving God and the Bible is His revealed word and will.
    Our hope and eternal salvation relies entirely on the work of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

    A huge part of the purpose and reason for the Bible Rebel blog is stated in our mission:

    “To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.”

    Watchdog Alert: Eye On The Vatican

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    Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

    Pope Leo XIV Blesses Giro d’Italia Cyclists in Historic Vatican Ride

    On June 1, 2025, Pope Leo XIV blessed 159 cyclists participating in the Giro d’Italia as the race’s final stage commenced with a historic three-kilometer ride through the Vatican Gardens. This marked the first time the route entered Vatican walls. The peloton, including race leader Simon Yates, paused to meet the pope and presented him with a replica of the leader’s pink jersey. The route passed key Vatican landmarks, including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Santa Marta residence of the late Pope Francis. This event was part of the race’s neutralized zone before the competitive segment started. The 143-kilometer final stage concluded with a circuit through downtown Rome, ending near the Circus Maximus. This event marked Pope Leo XIV’s third engagement with the sports community since his recent election. – From AP

    Pope Leo XIV Visits Castel Gandolfo, Raises Questions About Its Future Use

    On May 29, 2025, Pope Leo XIV visited Castel Gandolfo, the traditional papal summer residence south of Rome. This raised questions about whether he will restore its use as a retreat or maintain it as a museum and environmental center, as his predecessor Pope Francis did. The estate, originally built in 1624 by Pope Urban VIII and spanning 136 acres—larger than Vatican City—served for centuries as a summer escape for popes. Pope Francis ended the tradition, opting to stay in Rome and opening the palace’s gardens to the public in 2014, later converting parts of the property into a museum to support local tourism. During his visit, Leo toured the Borgo Laudato Si, an environmental education initiative inspired by Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Praised Be.” This public project incorporates sustainable practices and operates a working farm that supplies the Vatican with fresh produce and dairy, embodying a vision for a “circular economy.” Leo, who previously served as a missionary in Peru, has not yet announced where he will reside in Rome or whether he will use Castel Gandolfo as a personal retreat. From AP

    New Allegations Emerge in Emanuela Orlandi Disappearance Case

    In May 2025, new allegations emerged in the decades-old mystery of Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old Vatican schoolgirl who vanished in Rome in 1983. A blogger recently claimed on Facebook that Emanuela was pregnant and died following a botched abortion. The blogger, identified as MB, reportedly relied on an informant known only as LC, who claimed to have witnessed Emanuela’s visit to a gynecologist and was later asked to destroy related documents. Italian police have seized MB’s communication devices, and he is under investigation for aiding and abetting a crime after refusing to name his source. Emanuela’s brother Pietro Orlandi, a longstanding campaigner for truth in her case, has dismissed the claims as false and defamatory. Her disappearance has long been associated with conspiracy theories involving the Vatican, Cold War politics, and internal scandals. The Vatican, once criticized for obfuscation, opened its own investigation after Pope Francis cryptically told Pietro that “Emanuela was in heaven.” Rome magistrates reopened their inquiry in 2023, alongside a parliamentary investigation. These developments may pose early challenges for Pope Francis’s successor. – From The Times

    Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration Mass Draws Global Attention

    On May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the inauguration Mass of his pontificate, formally known as the Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome. The event was attended by approximately 200,000 people, including dozens of world leaders and 150 formal delegations. While Leo became the Roman pontiff at the moment of his acceptance in the Sistine Chapel upon being elected in the 2025 papal conclave, the inauguration celebration marked the formal beginning of his ministry as the bishop of Rome. The Mass included the bestowal of the pallium and Ring of the Fisherman, and was followed by meetings with various delegations and world leaders. In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized unity and communion in the Church and the world, condemned exploitation of Earth’s resources and marginalization of the poor, and referenced his papal motto, “in the one Christ, we are one.” He concluded with the exhortation, “Look to Christ! Come closer to him!” – From Wikipedia

    Rethinking The Rapture: What 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Doesn’t Say

    Rick Tryon1 Comment

    The common Evangelical view of the Rapture is that an instantaneous, secret gathering of millions of Christians in the air will occur, and they will be taken away by Jesus to some heavenly place for a period of time—most Rapturists believe seven years—while the world goes to hell in a handbasket.

    The most widely used proof text for that kind of Rapture scene is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

    “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (KJV)

    Let’s examine the Evangelical Rapture scenario and weigh it against what the passage doesn’t say.

    First, it doesn’t say that the Second Coming of our Lord will be a secret, physically undetectable, or unannounced event. The exact opposite is clearly taught in this scripture.

    It’s nearly impossible to imagine a secret spiritual event that is preceded by a shout from our triumphant, returning Savior, the voice of a mighty archangel, and a blast from the glorious trumpet of our God.

    These verses do not teach a secret Rapture. They teach a loud and very definite announcement to all creation that the King has returned.

    Additionally, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 doesn’t say that believers are vacuumed up and then taken away somewhere else, only to come back later with Jesus for a third coming. That doctrine of man has to be patched together using other sections of scripture in a complicated mixture of speculation and eisegesis.

    Let’s stick to the clear, unambiguous teaching of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: The Second Coming of Christ is a gloriously heralded singular event, resulting in our mortality putting on immortality, the final judgment, and the final restoration of all things as heaven and earth become one forever.

    Stay tuned as we delve deeper into ‘Rethinking The Rapture’ in the coming weeks.

    Rethinking The Rapture: Introduction

    Rethinking The Rapture: Questions

    Rethinking The Rapture: More Questions

    Rethinking The Rapture: N.T. Wright’s ‘Farewell to the Rapture’

    Watchdog Alert: Spiritual Awakening, Biden, And More

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    Political Leaders Pray for Biden

    From Crosswalk – Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, prompting prayers from leaders across the political spectrum.

    Baptize California Movement

    From Crosswalk – A pastor in California claims the U.S. is on the verge of a spiritual awakening, with plans for a massive baptism event.

    Brazilian Evangelicals and Politics

    From Christianity Today – Evangelical supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continue to back him despite accusations of an assassination plot.

    Decline of Christianity in the U.S.

    From Pew Research – Pew Research study suggests that the decline of Christianity in the U.S. has slowed and may have stabilized at around 62% of the population.

    G3 Ministries Controversy

    From Christianity Today – Pastor Josh Buice resigned after his church uncovered divisive online behavior, leading to the cancellation of an upcoming conference.

    Expect Some Discomfort And Controversy Here

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    Churchianity and the theological status quo should be scrutinized by all people of faith regularly. That is exactly how we got the Reformation.

    Is there a New Reformation brewing? It seems so. There is a difference between truth and tradition.

    Man-made Christian creeds and doctrines are no longer being blindly accepted as biblical truth just because the Protestant clergy or the Catholic Papacy say so.

    The nature of God, heaven, hell, sin, the apocalypse, predestination or free-will, the Rapture, the origins of the universe – all of these ideas and more need solid reexamination to see if the commonly accepted doctrines of men used to explain them measure up to the message of scripture.

    The Bible Rebel blog is a resource for those seeking original and curated content, including news and commentary, covering faith, biblical studies and interpretation, and the intersection of politics, culture, and the Bible.

    Our Mission

    1. To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
    2. To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
    3. To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.
    4. To present the Biblical truths which reveal God’s nature and purposes and proclaim the lifechanging, world-altering, radical message of Yeshua the Messiah – Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.

    At Bible Rebel, this is our one and only creed:
    Our living God is a loving God and the Bible is His revealed word and will.
    Our hope and eternal salvation relies entirely on the work of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

    So, expect some controversial viewpoints and uncomfortable ideas in some of the coming content from Bible Rebel.

    You can find all of the current Bible 101 episodes and One-Minute Mini Messages here on our YouTube Channel, and you can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

    Give us a follow on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) and subscribe to our monthly newsletter

    First American Pope – A Brief Biography

    Rick TryonLeave a comment
    Photo via Julius Silvers, pexels.com

    Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church and the first American-born pontiff. He was elected on May 8, 2025, following the conclave that selected him as the successor to Pope Francis.

    Early Life and Education

    • Born: September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
    • Citizenship: Holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru.
    • Education:
      • Villanova University (Degree in Mathematics and Philosophy)
      • Catholic Theological Union in Chicago (Theological Studies)
      • Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Canon Law)

    Religious Career

    • Joined the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in 1977.
    • Ordained as a priest in Rome on June 19, 1982.
    • Served as a missionary in Peru, working in Trujillo for over a decade.
    • Held positions such as judicial vicar, professor of Canon Law, and parish administrator.
    • Became Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global bishop appointments.

    Papacy

    • Elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, after a two-day conclave.
    • Known for his missionary work, social justice advocacy, and reform-oriented leadership.
    • Delivered his first speech in Italian, Latin, and Spanish, reflecting his global pastoral experience.

    Timeline of Key Events

    YearEvent
    1955Born in Chicago, Illinois
    1977Entered the Order of Saint Augustine
    1982Ordained as a priest in Rome
    1985Sent to Peru for missionary work
    1998Became judicial vicar and professor in Trujillo
    2018Appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
    2025Elected Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope

    A New Reformation?

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    Churchianity and the theological status quo should be scrutinized by all people of faith regularly. That is exactly how we got the Reformation.

    Is there a New Reformation brewing? It seems so. There is a difference between truth and tradition.

    Man-made Christian creeds and doctrines are no longer being blindly accepted as biblical truth just because the Protestant clergy or the Catholic Papacy say so.

    The nature of God, heaven, hell, sin, the apocalypse, predestination or free-will, the Rapture, the origins of the universe – all of these ideas and more need solid reexamination to see if the commonly accepted doctrines of men used to explain them measure up to the message of scripture.

    The Bible Rebel blog is a resource for those seeking original and curated content, including news and commentary, covering faith, biblical studies and interpretation, and the intersection of politics, culture, and the Bible.

    Our Mission

    1. To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
    2. To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
    3. To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.
    4. To present the Biblical truths which reveal God’s nature and purposes and proclaim the lifechanging, world-altering, radical message of Yeshua the Messiah – Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior.

    At Bible Rebel, this is our one and only creed:
    Our living God is a loving God and the Bible is His revealed word and will.
    Our hope and eternal salvation relies entirely on the work of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

    So, expect some controversial viewpoints and uncomfortable ideas in some of the coming content from Bible Rebel.

    You can find all of the current Bible 101 episodes and One-Minute Mini Messages here on our YouTube Channel, and you can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

    Give us a follow on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) and subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.

    Watchdog Alert: Pope’s Burial A Marketing Tool?

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    Atlanta Pastor Apologizes for Remarks on Police Killings

    A pastor in Atlanta issued an apology after controversial remarks blaming police killings on disobedience sparked backlash within his congregation and the broader Christian community.
    From Christianity Today

    Aaron Renn’s ‘Three Worlds’ Theory Sparks Debate

    Conservative commentator Aaron Renn’s framework for understanding Christianity’s transition from a socially desirable faith to one facing cultural opposition has ignited discussions among evangelicals and critics alike. From Baptist News

    Islamic State claims pope’s burial is ‘marketing tool in theological war’ as it gains renewed strength

    “The Islamic State has declared Pope Francis’ burial a “marketing tool in a theological war,” asserting that tributes paid to the late pope undermine Islamic beliefs. The terror group is concurrently experiencing a resurgence, raising concerns about its growing strength and influence in the Middle East.” From The Christian Post

    Religious ‘nones’ outnumber Catholics and Protestants in Germany

    For the first time in modern German history, more Germans identify as religiously unaffiliated than as Roman Catholics or Protestants, according to a new survey. From the Christian Post