I’m Thankful For…

November 24, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

I’m thankful for all the people in this world who work toward ending systemic racism in whatever capacity they can. I’m thankful for everyone who is affirming of gender and sexual minorities. I’m thankful for people who take climate change seriously and do everything they can to stem the tide. I’m thankful for health professionals who have saved countless lives during this pandemic. I’m thankful for scientists who develop vaccines that help save billions. I’m thankful for clergy who denounce... Read more

“The Genesis of Violence,” Now Available

November 12, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

Today is the day! A book that is nearly 5 years in the making is now available, and we couldn’t be more proud of this one of a kind project. So, what is this book all about? Here’s the elevator pitch: In The Genesis of Violence, author Matthew J. Distefano offers his readers a uniquely creative interpretation of the biblical book of Genesis, while artist Zak Parsons provides the hauntingly beautiful illustrations. Like the first book of the Bible, this... Read more

Addressing the Elephant in the Room: The Bible

November 11, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

I don’t read the Bible nearly as much as I used to. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I sat down and read it for pleasure. I continue to read in-depth commentaries on certain passages, but even that has diminished over the years. I just don’t find it as interesting, nor authoritative. And that’s where the proverbial rubber meets the road; the Bible has no authority over my life. I don’t use it as a moral guidebook. I... Read more

“4 Causes of Deconstruction”: A Response

November 10, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

“Deconstruction is a symptom, not the root cause,” says Joshua Ryan Butler of The Gospel Coalition. On the surface, and I’m not entirely certain, but this statement could make sense. However, unlike Joshua Ryan Butler, I don’t view deconstruction as a negative thing. To riff off the medical analogy, I don’t see deconstruction as the symptom of a disease process. Rather, it is the symptom – if you want to even use that word – of a sincere and forthright... Read more

I’m Getting Pretty Sick of Keith Giles

November 9, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

You know, that Keith Giles is really starting to grind my gears. He’s already got 6 books in the “Jesus-Un” series, and now he has the audacity to publish one more? And look, his books are good. Don’t get me wrong. But what makes him think he can just go and be a more prolific author than me? What gives him the right? Does he think that just because he has talent that he can soak up our publisher’s time... Read more

Taking No Sides Is Taking A Side

November 8, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

I recently got booted from a Facebook group I was a part of for roughly 5 years. The allegations? There were a few. Primarily, it was because I shared my latest article in the group. You know, the one no one will be able to disprove. In it, I simply stated that it requires some semblance of financial privilege to “go green.” Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t do as much as I can to help heal the world –... Read more

Going Green Requires Privilege

November 5, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

I love eating organic. I love the idea of everyone having an electric car. I wish I saw solar panels on every home, and front-yard gardens starting to replace water-loving lawns, and chicken coops in the backyards. But here’s the deal: There is a certain level of privilege needed in order to do these things. Have you ever shopped 100% organic? Ever filled a cart (or trolley, if you’re in the UK) at a local co-op? I haven’t, because the... Read more

Dust Your Feet Off, Homie

November 4, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. ~ Matthew 10:14, NRSV I’m going to use this passage out of context. Not because I generally play fast and loose with Scripture, but because I feel it’s well within my right as a creative person to do so. I’ll be perfectly honest with y’all: Being a content creator can be quite tiring. Not because... Read more

How To Perform An Abortion According To The Bible

November 3, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

I don’t turn to the Bible in order to determine what is right, moral, good, just, or ethical. But a lot of Christians do. They talk about a biblical worldview this, a Bible-based decision that. Typically, in America, Biblical means right-wing; you stand for “traditional” marriages and against abortions. But what if I told you that the Bible not only condones abortion, it gives a recipe for how to perform one? Would you be surprised? Well, some of you wouldn’t.... Read more

A Critique of New-Age Prosperity Preaching

November 1, 2021 By Matthew Distefano

I am all for thinking positively. It is true that our words and our thoughts have consequences, for good or for ill. Thinking that the worst is always going to happen can induce dread and anxiety, both of which are not good on our bodies. That said, I am growing more and more tired of folks who think that everything comes down to intention. For just about every one of life’s issues, they will associate a thought pattern. Here’s how... Read more