Mary Magdalene Wasn’t a Prostitute; She was an Apostle

Last updated on: December 20, 2017 at 8:03 am By Andy Gill

“The problem lies in the alternate image of Mary Magdalene as the fallen and redeemed woman, as the epitome of sensuality and spirituality—an image that has become ingrained in the imaginations of centuries of Christians and one that continues to be fostered through depictions in art, literature, and even movies[1].” Smear campaigns, believe it or not, they’re a thing. When I think of these types of campaigns I normally think of modern-day mischaracterizations of politicians or even hero’s such as... Read more

Revolution of Niceness: Differentiating Between Good and Nice

Last updated on: December 20, 2017 at 3:13 pm By Andy Gill

I’m not sure anyone else within white Americanized Christianity, is saying it so I will: The predominantly white Christian institution is terrifyingly bigoted. Within the Church racial caste has not come to an end; it has only been redesigned. Unfortunately, many will selfishly be taken back by this statement, offended by my blunt acknowledgment of racism within white privileged churches. Inevitably, I will be accused of furthering division, being a reverse racist, and many other things in which I can’t yet fathom until... Read more

Equitable Unity in the American Church: How Can We Better Empower People of Color?

Last updated on: December 18, 2017 at 7:39 am By Andy Gill

Welcoming a stranger into your home and allowing them to shift things around in order that they’ll also feel as if it’s their home… this is never an easy thing to do. While knowing, remembering and understanding Christ never called us to do only what’s easy or most comfortable. If a Church is Gospel-centered and it’s not centered the oppressed person, it’s safe to say your church is not centered on the gospel. Martin Luther King Jr. is famously known... Read more

Hillsong and The End of Evangelicalism

Last updated on: January 3, 2018 at 5:30 pm By Andy Gill

Mid-October of 1949 William Hearst, then publisher of the LA Times, infamously gave a two-word directive to “Puff Graham.” The front-page article of Billy Graham instantaneously catapulted him into a celebrity like status. Graham went from tent revivals to stadium filled “crusades.” He took advantage of radio and television to become the first notable televangelist. He dined with celebrities, highly publicizing his interactions and conversions of these celebrities. Not only did Billy open up his own movie studio in Hollywood... Read more

The Problem of Loving the Sinner but Hating the Sin

Last updated on: November 29, 2017 at 2:46 pm By Andy Gill

The Problem of Loving the Sinner but Hating the Sin “JESUS NEVER SAID, ‘LOVE THE SINNER, BUT HATE THEIR SIN.’ RATHER JESUS SAYS, ‘LOVE THE SINNER, AND WORRY ABOUT OUR OWN SIN.’” – Tony Campolo We’ve all heard it before: “God wants us to love the sinner but, hate their sin.” It sounds great. Which is usually why too many of us so freely accepted and then [unknowingly] internalized this as a defining mantra moving forward in life. But, as... Read more

Is Premarital Sex Sinful?

Last updated on: November 15, 2017 at 7:35 am By Andy Gill

I highly doubt that having safe and consensual sex, before marriage, is something God would hold against you; or, anyone for this matter… If you’re an evangelical, the chances are, you’ve had a conversation that went something like this: You: Hey bro, I’m struggling again… Small Group Leader: How’s your prayer life going…? You: I mean, it’s mediocre I’m praying every day but I’m not, like, “unceasingly…” Small Group Leader [Shaking his head, interrupts, and puts his hand on your shoulder]: Broseph,... Read more

The Pastor’s Salary: Should Pastors Make 500K?

Last updated on: November 10, 2017 at 8:26 am By Andy Gill

If this were a paper for a class, my thesis would say something along the lines of, “It’s unethical for a pastor to receive half a million dollar salary that is comprised of lower-income congregants tithes and not made readily available as public information.” – also, this isn’t an academic paper so #grace. But, as our nation is changing economically the evangelical’s salary has moved to the forefront of the news, in one instance, revealing that a “bible based” pastor has spent 1.7 mill. on... Read more

White Christian Exceptionalism: The Painful Irony of a Prideful Death

Last updated on: November 16, 2017 at 1:33 pm By Andy Gill

White Christian Exceptionalism: The Painful Irony of a Prideful Death It’s a bizarre thing, in that, when I tell my story to evangelicals, or American Christians, many will think or ask out loud, “Why’d you leave the Church…?” Again, “like a musicians ear being trained to pick up on subtle nuances, others can’t hear, there’s a training necessary in order for one to pick up on these types of toxic theological and/or ecclesiological subtleties.” This, considering the contexts, is usually... Read more

Was Jesus Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?

Last updated on: November 2, 2017 at 2:50 pm By Andy Gill

Was Jesus Pro-Life or Pro-Choice? Outside of race, two of the most divisive terms out there are “pro-life” and/or “pro-choice.” Understandably, most tend to avoid these conversations because of just this… a topic clouded with emotion, there’s far too much risk in nobody winning; all the while the both of you walk away having destroyed (or irreparably set back) your relationship. What’s most bizarre to me as a Christian having grown up within “Christendom” (so I’ve heard it called) is... Read more

When Is It Okay to Deport Immigrants?

Last updated on: February 5, 2018 at 7:52 am By Andy Gill

Let’s Talk About Deportation… Recently, there were 500 undocumented citizens arrested around the U.S. within 10 of our “sanctuary cities.” Here in Philadelphia over one-fifth of these 500 arrests took place. It makes one think that these “sanctuaries” are simply concentrated areas designated for the purpose of making these raids a possibility (i.e. worth ICE’s time and money). Needless to say, immigration and deportation have recently been on the forefront of my mind. Trump is, in fact, following through on... Read more