A Response to Sean McDowell and Dr. George Yancey

Last updated on: September 13, 2021 at 12:00 pm By Matthew Distefano

A few weeks ago, my friend Keith Giles asked me if I would watch a YouTube video by Sean McDowell and Baylor sociologist George Yancey, so that we could respond to it. Our reaction video can be found here. The topic of McDowell’s interview was about whether conservative Christianity and progressive Christianity are different religions. The conclusion was essentially “yes,” and thus conservatives are the de facto correct faith. During this discussion, one thing, among others, that stood out to... Read more

5 Books That Can Change Your Life

Last updated on: September 4, 2021 at 8:00 am By Matthew Distefano

I love books. I have a lot of them. Most I’ve read, but I’ll be honest, I’m one of those people who buys a used book, knowing full well that I probably won’t get around to it for a while. But of the many I’ve read, I want to touch on 5 of them that impacted me in a big way. I think they’ll impact you as well, if they haven’t yet already. I. The Inescapable Love of God... Read more

The Bible Clearly Says: Put Others First (Even During a Pandemic)

Last updated on: August 25, 2021 at 7:10 am By Matthew Distefano

Too many American Christians are approaching this pandemic as if the only thing that matters is their so-called “personal freedoms.” I hate to make too many assumptions about them, but I don’t think they read the same Bible I do. If they did, wouldn’t they stumble across the following swath of verses about putting others first? Wouldn’t they then have to apply this litany of data to their approach to this current COVID crisis? But they’re not. They are still... Read more

Freedom is Overrated

Last updated on: August 23, 2021 at 2:06 pm By Matthew Distefano

This isn’t a “free” country. Nor should it be. Nor do you want it to be. Trust me, I’ve been thinking about a lot of so-called freedoms that I guarantee no rationale person would actually want. But still, plenty of conservative American snowflakes are all whining about how their freedoms are being taken away because they have to place a thin piece of fabric over their faces. You know, because, in spite of the fact that millions of humans have... Read more

No Hell? Then Why Care About Jesus?

Last updated on: August 13, 2021 at 8:36 am By Matthew Distefano

I affirm universal reconciliation. Meaning, even if there is a hell, it doesn’t last forever. To put it this way, I believe that when it is all said and done, we will all be reconciled to God and to each other. Naturally, many Christians want to then retort, “Well, then, Jesus is pointless.” But is he? Is he really? I don’t think so. For one, there are many universalists who believe that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled... Read more

Religious Exemptions?

Last updated on: August 12, 2021 at 8:37 am By Matthew Distefano

Beginning in September, the state of California will be requiring all medical professionals to get the COVID vaccine if they want to continue working in the field. This is big news, and say what you want about government mandates, I’m kind of happy about it because my wife is an RN, which means she’ll be safer at work. Some people, however, aren’t so happy about it. In fact, the other day, my wife overheard someone from our former church asking... Read more

“The Holy Spirit Told Me . . . “

Last updated on: August 11, 2021 at 7:33 am By Matthew Distefano

Is there a better way to shut down a conversation than by saying, “The Holy Spirit told me . . . ?” I don’t think so. You could be talking about anything and as soon as your conversation partner utters these words, what else can you say? The most recent edition of this tactic I saw happened during a conversation about the COVID vaccine and Delta variant cases. Johns Hopkins recently ran a report comparing unvaccinated and vaccinated people and... Read more

The Olympics According to Angry, White, Conservative Men

Last updated on: July 31, 2021 at 12:27 pm By Matthew Distefano

Simone Biles, perhaps the greatest gymnast of all time, withdrew from the overall team event after faltering on the vault. According to angry, white, conservative men with television and radio shows, this makes her a loser. As we all know, the best people to listen to when it comes to athletic performance are angry white dudes on Fox News. After all, I’m sure most of them played on their JV baseball teams, and perhaps even hit .250 with 3 homeruns... Read more

“What If You’re Wrong?”

Last updated on: July 27, 2021 at 7:48 am By Matthew Distefano

As someone who believes in universal restoration, I’m often asked the question, “What if you’re wrong?” Meaning, what if you’re wrong and some people are lost to an eternal hell or snuffed out of existence altogether? Well . . . Then that’s gonna suck. It’s gonna suck because that means all of us who “make it” are going to have at least some of our loved ones snatched from our lives for all eternity. Husbands, fathers, sons, wives, mothers, daughters... Read more

Owen, Strachan, Doesn’t, Know, About, Commas?

Last updated on: July 23, 2021 at 7:42 am By Matthew Distefano

Owen Strachan has a legit PhD. He teaches at Grace Bible Theological Seminary. He knows the Bible. He knows the ancient languages. He’s intelligent (I’m assuming). And yet, there is something really, really wrong going on with, not only Owen himself, but people like him. Last week, Strachan tweeted the following: “Just so you know: There is not a single edit you could make to Scripture to improve it. Anything you would do to amend so much as a biblical... Read more