Walk out like you know the King.
Author: Rick Tryon
Watchdog Alert: What Are The Protestants Up To?
I chose the image of a run-down church building for this post because it represents the spiritual state of many of the so-called ‘leaders’ and their congregations in modern American Churchianity – decrepit, decayed, and in need of some serious repair and revitalization.
As described further down in this Watchdog Alert, “Compared with 97–99% certainty among evangelicals and others, only 68% of mainline pastors affirm belief in God’s existence, and just 65% affirm belief in Jesus’s bodily resurrection.”
That is disgraceful and cause for major alarm among followers of Jeshua, our Messiah.
Southern Baptist Convention activists push conservative resolutions
At its June 2025 annual meeting in Dallas, the Southern Baptist Convention (the largest U.S. Protestant denomination) debated and advanced several conservative resolutions calling for a legal ban on pornography and reversal of same-sex marriage rights. Other stances included restrictive sports betting laws and encouraging pro-natalist policies opposing “willful childlessness.” The meeting also revisited internal controversies like potentially banning churches with women pastors and funding cuts to its Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
From AP News
Mainline pastors less likely to hold traditionally orthodox beliefs
A new survey from the National Survey of Religious Leaders found that clergy in predominantly white mainline Protestant churches (such as Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal) are far less likely than their evangelical, Black Protestant, or Catholic counterparts to affirm belief in core doctrines. Compared with 97–99% certainty among evangelicals and others, only 68% of mainline pastors affirm belief in God’s existence, and just 65% affirm belief in Jesus’s bodily resurrection.
From thebaptistpaper.org
Reformed Church in America navigating divisions and departures
At its June 2025 Synod, the Reformed Church in America highlighted how it has entered a “season of change,” choosing to “live together in disagreement” over issues like same-sex relationships. Since adopting a “generous separation” process in 2021, the RCA has lost 254 congregations. Some have formed new bodies like the Alliance of Reformed Churches or the Canada Reformation Network.
From thebanner.org
Denominational staff cuts and experimentation amid decline
Several historic mainline Protestant denominations—Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist—continue to face shrinking membership and budgets. In response, they’ve implemented staff reductions and are piloting new strategies to stay relevant. This follows broader trends of institutional skepticism and the rise of unaffiliated or nondenominational churches .
Watchdog Alert: Latest From Israel/Gaza
Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on events from around the world of interest to people of faith and brings that content to our readers.
At least 73 Palestinians killed seeking aid across Gaza
Palestinian health authorities report that on July 20, 2025, Israeli forces killed at least 73 Palestinians who were trying to collect humanitarian aid at multiple locations across Gaza—67 of them near the Zikim crossing—while more than 150 were wounded. – From the AP
- These fatalities are the deadliest single-day toll from aid-seeking since the conflict began.
- The violence took place amid deepening hunger and widespread displacement.
- Israeli evacuation orders are disrupting aid delivery, affecting civilians between Deir al-Balah and southern areas.
- Israel claims its forces only targeted those posing threats and disputes the casualty numbers.
New forced evacuation order in central Gaza
The Israeli military has dropped leaflets in Deir al-Balah, ordering civilians to relocate south to al-Mawasi, labeled a “safe zone” but repeatedly bombed. – From Al Jazeera.
- Thousands of displaced families in tented areas are being told to move immediately.
- Locals say there’s no viable place to go—al-Mawasi is already overcrowded, and safe areas have also been struck.
- The order aims to clear the way for intensified military activities but raises concerns about forced displacement and humanitarian access.
Hostage families in Israel express mistrust toward their government
Families of remaining hostages—about 50 individuals held in Gaza for over 21 months—are increasingly critical of the Israeli government, accusing it of inaction and a lack of transparency in negotiations. – From DW
- Frustration stems from weeks without progress and minimal communication about hostage status.
- There’s growing pressure on PM Netanyahu to secure returns through diplomatic engagement.
- The situation underscores the personal and national strain behind ceasefire discussions.
Peace talks hint at possible end to Gaza war—discussions underway in Doha
For the first time, the prospect of an actual end to the Gaza war is being openly discussed in the current round of indirect negotiations in Doha between Israel and Hamas. – From Haaretz
- Israeli negotiators arrived with a firm mandate, although mediators describe the talks as “complex and interconnected.”
- Meanwhile, Israeli leaders are engaging in parallel efforts, including behind-the-scenes approaches to Hamas.
- Despite active discussions, major sticking points remain, and no breakthrough has yet been announced.
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Our Mission at Bible Rebel
- To monitor current news and events related to faith and culture.
- To provide an alternative viewpoint to the world’s pervasive climate of darkness, nihilism, and hopelessness for those seeking truth, light, and purpose.
- 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’.
- 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.
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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.
June And July Highlights
Rethinking The Rapture: What Does Delivered From Wrath Mean?
Rethinking The Rapture: What Does Delivered From Wrath Mean? Part 2
They Said It: Quotes About Luther And The Reformation (A new feature from Bible Rebel)
Who Cares: One-Minute Video Message
Ten-episode Bible 101 video series completed
Watchdog Alert: Biblical Archaeology News
Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 4
Coming in July and August
Continuing the “Rethinking The Rapture” series.
More in-depth content on deeper biblical studies and theological issues.
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.
We’ll also be continuing our regular features and guest articles and series:
- Rethinking The Rapture
- They Said It
- Guest articles
- And more…
Watchdogs
As always, we’ll be keeping a watchdogs eye on all of the latest political, religious, biblical archaeology, and cultural news and events from around the world and bringing to you in bite-size chunks to keep you informed.
Finally, are you interested in contributing content to Bible Rebel?
Bible Rebel is always looking for interesting, compatible content for our biblerebel.com website/blog. We are accepting writing and video submissions for review and possible publication on our platform.
If you have a teaching series, opinion piece, research piece or other content that fits with the Bible Rebel mission we’d like to see it!
If your content fits our mission and creed, included below, then email it to us at in**@********el.com. Written pieces should be no more than 500 words and video content no longer than 7 minutes – either can be submitted as part of a longer series for consideration.
Thanks, and stay tuned for the next newsletter in August.
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Rick Tryon
Editor/Publisher
Bible Rebel & biblerebel.com
Cease Not To Pray: Part 2
Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 2 in a new series on prayer called ‘Cease Not To Pray’ by Steve Sann.
THE MOUNTAIN PASS
B.G. Leonard, one of the great 20th-century evangelists, once related the account of a woman who loyally prayed in the spirit, interceding for others. Seldom, when called upon by God to pray, would she comprehend what she was called to pray for; speaking in tongues, she was unable to understand her prayer.
One afternoon, however, while lifting in prayer an urgent burden God had placed on her heart, she asked: “Lord, I’ve often thought of this, and it’s in my heart now and I might just as well be honest and tell you, Lord… I often wonder, what am I praying about? I know our understanding is supposed to remain unfruitful, but just this once, I’d like to know. Because sometimes the thought comes to me that maybe I’m just kidding myself.”
On this occasion, a vision was immediately unfolded before her eyes—a scene illustrated with childlike stick-men. God began to reveal to her, in a cartoon-like depiction, a large stick man working on a funny-looking stick truck. Soon he was joined by three other stick-men donning triangle stick hats. One of them stood out, wearing a peculiar mark down his side at an angle.
As she watched and prayed, confronted by the three, the large stick man fixing the truck stopped, turned, and began handing over his personal goods. However, an argument soon erupted among the three. But placing his hand on the peculiar stick by his side, the other two backed away. The woman was continuing to pray in the spirit when suddenly the scene around the men was filled with stick angels! The three-stick men hastily took flight. The big stick man then fell to his knees, and the woman ascertained he was thanking God. The curious vision came to an end, and many weeks went by.
One day, the popular missionary A.B. Simpson, founder of Christian Missionary Alliance, was slated to return from his most recent work in China. The praying woman traveled to the San Francisco Bay, eagerly anticipating hearing him address the waiting crowd from aboard his ship. As A.B. Simpson recounted his exploits in China, he described a new missionary work he was opening in a village across a mountain range, which cut it off from the rest of the country. Sending his family safely ahead aboard a train routed around the mountain, he loaded up his old charcoal-burning truck with the supplies needed for the new missionary station, and headed up the most direct route—straight over the pass.
At his very last stop before entering the pass, an innkeeper sternly warned Simpson of armed bandits ahead. Simpson swept the warning aside, declaring proudly, “God looks after me”. Venturing undaunted into the mountain pass, he found himself in a dangerous place just as his old charcoal burner cut out and the truck stalled. Struggling to relight the engine, without warning he found himself face-to-face with three bandits, one wearing a sword at his side. He handed over his watch and his wallet, thinking he was getting off quite lightly.
That’s just about the time the armed bandit reached for his sword, prepared to kill him. But rebuffing him, the two others argued that, if he killed Simpson, who would drive the truck with the supplies? They squabbled back and forth until the armed bandit had heard enough. Brandishing his sword, he made his move to kill not only Simpson, but his companions in crime, as well. Just then A.B. Simpson looked up in astonishment—the entire mountain pass was teeming with angels! The robbers were dumbfounded at the sight of this supernatural spectacle, the men fled, scared stiff, “screaming their heads off!”
Then Simpson recalled, “And I got down on my knees and I prayed, and I asked God to forgive me for tempting Him. I understood at last what I had done wrong.” He rejoiced, “From then on I had no trouble “
Later, regarding that woman of prayer, B.G. Leonard observed: “She knew then what she had been praying for. And after, when she spoke in tongues, she was twice the prayer warrior she had been before. If she told somebody, ‘Look, I’ll be standing behind you in prayer,’ she didn’t just say the words. She meant it.”
One-Minute Video Mini Message: Two Things
Two things you can do today to make your life a little better.
Watchdog Alert: What’s Happening With The Catholics
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.
Vatican green-lights closure of historic Wisconsin parish
The Vatican has authorized the Diocese of Green Bay to close St. Boniface, a parish founded in the 1850s, despite parishioners’ efforts—including raising $2 million and launching a GoFundMe—to save it. The building dates to 1886. From National Catholic Register
First Jubilee for Catholic “influencers” announced
Rome will host a “Jubilee” pilgrimage on July 28–29 specifically for digital missionaries and Catholic influencers, aiming to foster prayer, formation, and community among online faith leaders. From Vatican News
Solidarity visit by Christian patriarchs in the West Bank
On July 14, the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches visited Taybeh, West Bank, to support Christian farmers whose lands and holy sites are being attacked by extremist settlers, urging Israeli authorities to act. From Detroit Catholic
Chicago-area parishes get closure reprieve—murky future
Several Chicago‑area parishes slated for closing or merging on July 1—including Oakbrook Terrace and Wilton Center—have been unexpectedly kept open. Reasons and timelines remain unclear. From Chicago Sun Times
Watchdog Alert: Recent Discoveries In Biblical Archaeology
Rediscovery of Byzantine Christian settlement in Jordan
Archaeologists from Mu’tah University led by Musallam R. Al‑Rawahneh uncovered what is believed to be the lost Byzantine town of Tharais, near the Dead Sea. Finds include pottery shards, glass fragments, fossils, and architectural remains of a basilica‑style church with mosaic flooring and an olive‑oil press. Ancient inscriptions—possibly linked to Christian funerary rites—were also found. The site was likely abandoned in the 7th century due to shifting trade routes, environmental changes, and the region’s transition from Byzantine to Islamic rule. From the New York Post
Evidence for Jesus’s first miracle site in Galilee
Historian‑archaeologist Tom McCollough proposes that the real location of Jesus’s first miracle—turning water into wine—may be Khirbet Qana, not the traditional Kafr Kanna. Excavations revealed a 1,500‑year‑old complex of Christian veneration caves marked with crosses and inscriptions like “Kyrie Iesou”, as well as a stone altar and space for six ceremonial jars—matching the Gospel of John. McCollough’s findings align with early historical texts describing the area as a Jewish village. From the New York Post
Cave once thought to be Salome’s burial may belong to Herodian royalty
A cave southwest of Jerusalem, long believed to be the burial site of “Salome the midwife of Jesus,” may instead belong to a member of the Herodian royal family, possibly Herod the Great’s sister. The cave’s monumental architecture and ornate features typical of elite Herodian tombs support this claim. Hundreds of clay lamps—likely sold to Christian pilgrims—were also found, attesting to the site’s Byzantine-era veneration. Experts caution more evidence is needed to confirm identity. From Live Science
Ancient grape and olive traces at Golgotha support Gospel narratives
Italian archaeologists from Sapienza University uncovered 2,000‑year‑old grape pips and olive stones beneath the floor of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally regarded as Mount Calvary. Soil and pollen analysis suggest that vineyards and olive cultivation existed on the site before Emperor Hadrian’s time—consistent with Gospel descriptions of a garden at Jesus’s crucifixion locale. This restoration-linked discovery has support from both Israeli authorities and major Christian denominations. From The Times
They Said It: Quotes About Luther And The Reformation
Introducing a new regular feature from Bible Rebel – They Said It, highlighting quotes from various folks on various topics of interest and relevance to our readers.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German writer and statesman):
“The Reformation was a great act of emancipation by which man was restored to himself. Luther’s discovery of the Bible opened the door to the modern age.”
Thomas Carlyle (Scottish historian and essayist):
“Luther was the great Reformer, the man who alone could challenge the power of Rome and shatter the spiritual bondage of the age. His words were half-battles.”
Will Durant (American historian, The Story of Civilization):
“Martin Luther was the most powerful man of his century. He freed half of Europe from papal rule and gave birth to Protestantism, which would reshape the Western world.”
Rethinking The Rapture: N.T. Wright’s ‘Farewell to the Rapture’ Redux
In a previous piece in this ‘Rethinking The Rapture’ series I referenced New Testament scholar N.T. Wright’s 2001 essay, Farewell to the Rapture in the context of the Left Behind books and the pop theology of a secret Rapture.
Here, I’d like to return to Wright’s essay and offer a couple of more quotes from it in order to illustrate some of the thinking behind the views held by those who reject the evangelical, Left Behind, invisible Rapture interpretation of eschatology.
“It is Paul who should be credited with creating this scenario. Jesus himself, as I have argued in various books, never predicted such an event. The gospel passages about “the Son of Man coming on the clouds” (Mark 13:26, 14:62, for example) are about Jesus’ vindication, his “coming” to heaven from earth. The parables about a returning king or master (for example, Luke 19:11-27) were originally about God returning to Jerusalem, not about Jesus returning to earth. This, Jesus seemed to believe, was an event within space-time history, not one that would end it forever.”
You’ll need to open your Bible and put on your thinking cap for some serious, critical biblical exegesis as you consider what Wright is saying here.
And here:
“The Ascension of Jesus and the Second Coming are nevertheless vital Christian doctrines, and I don’t deny that I believe some future event will result in the personal presence of Jesus within God’s new creation. This is taught throughout the New Testament outside the Gospels. But this event won’t in any way resemble the Left Behind account. Understanding what will happen requires a far more sophisticated cosmology than the one in which “heaven” is somewhere up there in our universe, rather than in a different dimension, a different space-time, altogether.
The New Testament, building on ancient biblical prophecy, envisages that the creator God will remake heaven and earth entirely, affirming the goodness of the old Creation but overcoming its mortality and corruptibility (e.g., Romans 8:18-27; Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 65:17, 66:22). When that happens, Jesus will appear within the resulting new world (e.g., Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2).”
We’ll dive deeper into these ideas in coming ‘Rethinking The Rapture’ posts – for now, I hope you will take a hard look at what Wright is conveying here.