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Articles by Eric Sentell
Why I’m an Adoptive Parent Who Supports Abortion Rights
Pro-life advocates often point to adoption as the solution for unwanted pregnancies. It sounds perfect, doesn’t it? You don’t want the baby. Someone else wants a baby. Supply and demand. Adoption is not so simple. People are not so easily commodified. We have the most perfect adoption story you can imagine. Lifetime would make a movie about it. A family member put us in touch with a 16-year-old who was pregnant and seeking an adoption.
The Cracks in Trump’s Coalition Are Multiplying and Widening
From the Epstein Files to healthcare subsidies to Rob Reiner Press enter or click to view image in full size Photo by Luis Villasmil on Unsplash For most of the past decade, it seemed like Donald Trump really could have shot someone on 5th Avenue without losing any supporters. He put the Republican party in a headlock in 2015, and conservative office-holders still do not dare to squirm. Until now.
Cain, Abel, and Charlie Kirk
What an ancient story reveals about a modern murder Press enter or click to view image in full size Sadly, murder is as old as humanity. Genesis 4 recounts Cain’s murder of his own brother, Abel, due to jealousy and a perversion of self-defense. Tyler Robinson recently shot and killed conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, due to anger and a perversion of defending others.
How Jesus, the Disciples, and We Practice the New Testament’s Core Teaching
Jesus and the Disciples show us the way Press enter or click to view image in full size The New Testament contains the most important idea in the history of humanity. No, I’m not talking about Jesus dying for our sins. I’m talking about the radical inclusion demonstrated by Jesus and his disciples.
Seven Research-Backed Principles that Save Marriages and Relationships
Emotional intelligence develops deep friendship, which in turn leads to "positive sentiment override." Each spouse's positive thoughts about the other supersede any negative feelings, and it takes a much more significant conflict to disrupt their happiness.
Why the Book of Job Is My Favorite Bible Story
You might be surprised to learn that I love the Book of Job. The Book of Job is long. It's repetitive. It's hard to understand at times. We often look to Job's story when experiencing or explaining suffering, but the Book of Job doesn't provide clear, simple answers. Yes, Job remains faithful to God despite his loss, pain, and suffering, and he receives blessings in the end. But the Book of Job doesn't explain why he, or we, inevitably experience suffering.
Why Church Attendance Reduces Acceptance of Diversity
Ryan Burge is a political scientist, a former pastor, and author of the excellent Substack newsletter, " Graphs About Religion." His latest post, " Who Embraces Diversity in America - and Who Doesn't," should give every church-going Christian pause. Burge slices the data from the latest Pew Religious Landscape Survey and determines that attending church decreases acceptance of both racial and religious diversity, regardless of age and political affiliation. What explains this finding?
Christian Militants and the Problem of American Masculinity
The apparel company Kill Evil offers clothing, headwear, and accessories for the Christian man who wants to perform masculinity. You can buy a black t-shirt for $35 that says, "Christ World Order," in bold red letters. Or for the same price, you can opt for a "Prayer Against Demonic Snares" t-shirt. Don't sleep on the "I Hate the Anti-Christ" hoodie.
Is Social Media Our New Version of "Church"?
Religion and Spirituality There's been much discussion of America's gradual transition from a religious to a secular society, the projected closure of one-third of U.S. churches, the decline in trust in religious institutions, the demographic shifts affecting rural churches, and the disturbing reasons with rigid gender hierarchies. But have we missed one of the main culprits for the U.S. church's decline? Have people replaced church with social media? It sounds reactionary, doesn't it?
Male NFL Cheerleaders and Gender Boundaries
The first NFL team to include men as cheerleaders, the Los Angeles Rams, welcomed Quinton Peron and Napoleon Jinnies in 2018. Twelve NFL teams now have men on their cheerleading squads, up from seven in 2024. Yet a pair of male cheerleaders for the Minnesota Vikings, Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn, have drawn outrage as the 2025 season begins.
Grace, Good Works, and Koine Greek
Most of my high school classmates believed in Jesus, and we had actual debates during class time about salvation. Were we saved by grace? If so, what was the point of being a good person? It was a vital question to Baptist teenagers wondering if they could follow Jesus and party. Drinking alcohol was just below fornication and murder in our subculture’s hierarchy of sin. We believed in salvation by faith, but we couldn’t help but feel confused as we tried to live out that faith.
How We Can See Ourselves in the Samaritan Woman at the Well
And how Jesus lived out radical inclusion Press enter or click to view image in full size We could not possibly have much in common with a Samaritan woman who lived between Judea and Galilee 2000 years ago, right? But when we look at the story of “the Woman at the Well” with fresh eyes, we can see at least one crucial similarity between ourselves and the woman who chatted with Jesus.
The Subversive Gender Ideology of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement”
The classic 1990s sitcom, Home Improvement, was recently added to Netflix, and our 10 year-old son has been binge-watching the series. It’s complicated. On one hand, he loves the show’s comedy, and each episode has a positive message in the end. On the other, the show reinforces traditional gender stereotypes. But the show also subverts those stereotypes. Home Improvement was one of the most successful, beloved television family sitcoms of all time.
God, Creation, and Cooperation in Genesis
Open and Relational Theology in the Bible Q: What existed when God began creating the universe? A: Nothing, of course. The Judeo-Christian God famously created ex nihilo, or out of nothing, “in the beginning.” Oh, I’m sorry, but you failed the pop quiz! It’s not really your fault, however, if you learned the Christian creation story from certain Bible translations.
How I Advocated for LGBTQ Inclusion at My Church
How I Advocated for LGBTQ Inclusion at My Church LGBTQ+ inclusion is not a simple matter for any church. Some will read that sentence and recoil in horror. “What do you mean?” they might ask. “LGBTQ+ inclusion is justice! What could be simpler?” Even considering the possibility of exclusion is an affront. Others will read it and feel outraged in the opposite direction. “Of course it’s simple!” they might say.
I Attended a Baptist Ordination. We Debated Gender Roles Afterward.
One pastor after another encouraged the pastor-to-be-ordained to “preach God’s Truth,” warning that the Truth might be unpopular and could invite some backlash from people who prefer comfortable messages. They dressed up their grievance as courage, their hostility to difference as holiness. I sat in the pew, trapped by social convention. Eventually, I pulled out a bible and read to tune out the speakers. They exemplified conservative, fundamentalist Christianity as practiced in America.
Are Superhero Movies a Cause or a Symptom of Misunderstanding God?
Are Superhero Movies a Cause or a Symptom of Misunderstanding God? God is not a hero. He does not impose His will upon others, like a Marvel superhero battering enemies into submission. He does not reshape entire societies by being the biggest, toughest sheriff in the world, who can effectively dictate to others “or else.” God exerts strength in a very different way. He engages in the difficult, messy work of relationships — influencing, guiding, encouraging, supporting, calling.
The Epstein Jail Footage Might Be a Real Conspiracy
Where is the “missing minute”? Jeffrey Epstein’s Mugshot From Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department, 2006. Wikimedia. Conspiracy theories are never true — except for the Watergate scandal, the Pentagon Papers, and these eleven secret government programs. How can we distinguish a potentially true conspiracy theory like Watergate from the ludricous theories like QAnon? For conspiracy theorists, the absence of evidence is evidence. “They” cover up the truth, so of course, we can’t find any evidence.
I Confessed I Couldn’t Feel God’s Presence at My Church.
It Ended Poorly. Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash Some years ago, I confessed to my wife and mother-in-law that I never felt God’s presence at our church. Their response? Try harder. We had recently moved from the Washington, D.C., suburbs and a wonderful church where I felt God’s presence every service and most of the small group meetings in between. There was a certain shared energy among everyone during the services, and our small group bonded as a surrogate, but chosen, family.
“The Protocol” - How U.S. Doctors Sowed the Backlash to Trans Rights
Reflecting on the new trans healthcare documentary podcast from the New York Times The “Dutch Protocol,” the standard of care for trans youth, was misapplied by some overwhelmed doctors in the U.S. and U.K., sowing the seeds of a backlash against trans rights. Now, many trans kids may lose access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy — treatments that many trans adults credit with saving them from anxiety, depression, and suicide.
I’m Bored at Church. Is It My Fault?
Consumerism and performance-based religion I love my church and my pastor. But God, they bore me to tears. Judging from the faces of my fellow congregants and the whispering of those nearest me, I am not the only person who could stand more engagement. I often find myself reaching for my phone, especially when the whispering starts. I already have trouble paying attention to the rambling sermon. The side conversations make concentration impossible.
Will Leitch Is Half-Right About the Harmful Rhetoric of Fox News
laments how Fox News warps its viewers realities. “ Fox News Is the Source of All This” begins with the story of a couple saying that Will Leitch looks like Sean Duffy, the former MTV reality show star turned Department of Transportation Secretary. I mean, if the star of The Apprentice can run the free world, twice, then why can’t a D-list star of a reality TV show aimed at teenagers and college students grow up to be a Cabinet Secretary?
Why We Should “De-Gender” Careers and College
Perceptions of “feminine” hold back everyone Half of humanity limits its potential because of gender stereotypes. Men could pursue many careers, except they’re “too girly.” More men could attain a college degree, but “college is for girls.” The solution is to de-gender careers and college.
Why We Should “De-Gender” Careers and College
Perceptions of “feminine” hold back everyone Half of humanity limits its potential because of gender stereotypes. Men could pursue many careers, except they’re “too girly.” More men could attain a college degree, but “college is for girls.” The solution is to de-gender careers and college.
The Rhetoric Of Fear
The rhetoric of fear is not new, but we are at the beginning of a terrifying new phase. President Trump, Congressional Republicans, and right-wing influencers want half the country to fear the other half, so that they will continue electing them to office and support injustice against that half.
No, God Does Not Have a Plan for Your Life
And that’s great news! Yesterday, our pastor delivered a sermon about God’s plan for your life. He quoted Max Lucado: “If you have a pulse, you have a purpose.” He cited Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for your, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I wanted to stand up and shout, “No! God does not have a plan for your life!” Wisely, I stayed in my seat and began composing this post in my head.
Five Hard Lessons Burnout Taught Me About People and God
Reflecting on the spiritual impact of workplace conflict I had a nightmare about a meeting that never happened — except it sort of did My colleagues and I sat in a circle of chairs in our business-casual attire. I presented a proposal to offer more classes online, arguing that it would benefit our English department. A colleague criticized both the proposal and me personally, assassinating my character.
The Christian Case for Evolution
How Letting Go of Genesis Literalism Made My Faith Stronger I once tried to out-argue a biology professor about evolution. In print. In public. As a college sophomore with a Bible in one hand and a Ken Ham quote in the other. I penned an op-ed in the local newspaper that openly criticized a biology professor’s earlier op-ed in the same paper. The professor wrote a critique of creationism and an argument for evolution. You can guess what my op-ed argued. To my surprise, the professor emailed me.
Senator Joni Ernst and the Weaponization of Eternal Life
The callous response to a constituent crying, “People will die!” American politics and religion are growing ever stranger as bedfellows. The 55 year-old Joni Ernst represents the rural, ruby-red state of Iowa in the U.S. Senate. A former military service member, she’s an Evangelical politician and a member of the MAGA faithful. At a recent town hall meeting with constituents, Ernst had a very callous response to one woman’s concerns about looming Medicaid cuts.
How to Connect with the Spirituality of Gen Z
Why do so few “spiritual” Gen Z attend church? The Springtide Institute, a “think tank” that surveys and interviews people aged 13–25 about their religious and spiritual beliefs, just dropped some encouraging and terrifying data about Gen Z. Among Gen Z, 68% of men and 63% of women identify with a religious tradition.
Has Woke Gone Too Far? Original
Culture A plea for reasonable wokeness In fall 2019, I taught a group of graduate students how to be Teaching Assistants in our English department. The training involved reading example essays and discussing the feedback that we might give to the student writers.
A Steel Man Argument for Trump’s Tariff and Immigration Policies
Because John Polonis Asked For It I’m no fan of Donald Trump, Trumpism, or MAGA. I believe that Democratic policies, broadly speaking, better serve the national interests of America and the lives of average Americans than Republican policies. I also believe that Trump’s rhetoric and character matter very much. But it’s worth creating a “Steel Man argument” for the positions with which you disagree.
Republicans and Democrats Occupy Different Moral Universes Original
Judge their actions and stop “both-sidesing” politics Recent news reminds me why I swung from being a moderate conservative to a full-fledged progressive. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives pushed through a “budget framework” that sets the stage for cutting $1.1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP in order to justify some $7 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade. The Republican budget plan includes massive spending cuts to Medicaid in order to justify equally large tax cuts.
The Pros and Cons of 7 Christian Atonement Theories
Spoiler alert: 6 share at least one con In Christianity, “atonement” refers to the necessity of reconciling sinful humans to a Holy God. Christians believe their atonement occurs through the death and resurrection of the sinless Jesus Christ. Which begs all sorts of questions! The biggest question being, “Why did God choose to do it this way?” If God is all-powerful, then couldn’t God have created humans with the capacity to live sinless lives?
Headlines From 2025 That I Wish Were Fake
Life imitating satire You could be forgiven for mistaking many of the headlines in 2025 for satire from The Onion or some other satirical publication. Good satire reveals truths hiding in plain sight. It reminds us that the absurdity we stopped noticing at some point remains absurd. It calls us to rethink the status quo, to see things with different eyes, and to act, change, and grow. Here are the 2025 headlines that I wish were fake news. They read like sarcastic satire.
Elon Musk’s Actions Scream the Quiet Part Out Loud
Our system’s rigging has never been clearer Money and politics have always been bedfellows. But the billionaire class of America must be speed-dialing and group-texting Elon day and night, begging him to stop making the rigging of our political system by wealthy elites so damn obvious. Elon Musk spent $25,000,000 trying to sway an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
How Open and Relational Theology Helps Me on Hard Days
Member-only story Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Backyard Church · 7 min read · -- Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash The world is full of grief. Wars. Famine. Cancer. Divorce. Detentions. Deportations. Homelessness. Addictions. Injustice. Me and my fellow writers at The Backyard Church have written about all of these things recently. All of which produce shock, denial, anger, and sorrow toward God. We’ve grieved the tragedy of the events, but we’ve also grieved the loss of our ideas of God.
How Will History Remember America in 1500 Years?
Member-only story Surprises from thinking about today like ancient history Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Age of Awareness · 6 min read · -- Photo by Federico Di Dio photography on Unsplash The teaching of history focuses on the highlights and ignores large swaths of time and numerous events in between. Our understanding, then, tends to compress decades, even centuries, of gradual changes driven by numerous actors into a handful of transformative events caused by a few impactful leaders.
Jesus Might Arm Ukraine, But He Wouldn’t Invade Gaza
How Christians Justly Wage War Last week, Israel renewed its war against Hamas and the Palestinians living in Gaza. Airstrikes killed hundreds of Palestinians in the hope of maybe killing a handful of Hamas leaders. Then ground forces entered. I wrote recently that I believe Jesus would arm Ukraine in its war of survival against Vladimir Putin’s Russia. You might be surprised, then, to learn that I view the Israel-Hamas War completely differently.
My MAGA Dad May Be Changing His Mind Without My Help
Which shows persuasion is possible, but not how we think My MAGA dad and I learned long ago to avoid discussing politics. I thought, if I give him factual information, verifiable evidence, and carefully reasoned interpretations, then he will see the validity of my points and come to agree with them. He will trust my arguments partly because they’re clearly based on reason and logic and partly because they come from his own son. I know, I know.
Would Jesus Send Weapons to Ukraine?
Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Backyard Church · 7 min read · -- Image source: Canva Pro Would Jesus send weapons to Ukraine? It’s a question that never crossed my mind — until now. Sending weapons to Ukraine seemed like the obvious at first. Vladimir Putin could not be allowed to invade a neighboring country without opposition. Otherwise, Ukraine could become merely the first of several conquests in Eastern Europe.
Survival Strategies for U.S. Churches Beyond Growing Congregations
When growth isn’t possible or enough Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Backyard Church · 3 min read · -- Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash One-third of U.S. churches could close in the coming decades. Or they can try to attract and retain the next generation through intentional, authentic relationship-building across generations.
RIP Liberal International Order: 1945-2025
Member-only story “America First” puts America last Eric Sentell · Follow Published in The Political Prism · 4 min read · -- Photo by the blowup on Unsplash I try to avoid hyperbole, but the berating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office seems to signal the end of the liberal international order that America and its allies created after WWII.
Social Media, Please Stop Sabotaging My Marriage
On “mental load,” “emotional labor,” and other therapy-speak My son’s pediatrician diagnosed him with “sweaty feet syndrome” once. The treatment? Wear cotton socks. The diagnosis didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know, but attaching the word “syndrome” to a benign bodily function did not sit well with me. Americans love to medicalize everything, turning normal human stuff into problems to feel bad about and to medicate. You don’t just have sweatier feet than average.
How Churches Can Attract the Next Generation
100K church closures loom Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Backyard Church · 4 min read · -- Photo by Eliott Reyna on Unsplash According to some estimates, over 100,000 churches could close in the U.S. in the next twenty or so years. Congregations are aging and literally dying off without replacing themselves, reducing their church’s financial resources as the costs of staffing and property increase. The solution is obvious — make the congregation younger.
100,000 U.S. Churches May Close by 2050. What Can Be Done?
30% of U.S. churches face “the brink of extinction” Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Backyard Church · 5 min read · -- Photo by Ben White on Unsplash In 2010, the United Methodist church where my family worships boasted some 250 members. That may not sound like much, but the church was a behemoth in our rural community. We had by far the largest congregation, the biggest and best facilities around, and the resources to pull off many things other local churches could only dream of.
Musk’s Attack on USAID Leaves Christian Charities in the Lurch
The problem with taking a sledgehammer to government Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Backyard Church · 3 min read · -- Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash Elon Musk and his “DOGE” team dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development over the past week. Apparently, neither the Department of Government Efficiency nor anyone in the Trump administration anticipated the impact on Christian charities. I wonder how the Evangelicals who voted for Trump feel about it. Why Is USAID Being Targeted?
To Change People’s Minds, Change Their Schemata
It’s your best, maybe your only, shot at political persuasion Schemata are organized conceptual frameworks. They bring together myriad details into a cohesive whole and affect how we perceive incoming information, how we feel about that information, and our responses. That’s how Donald Trump can blame — without evidence but with a straight face — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the fatal collision of a passenger airplane and a military helicopter.
What Philip Baptizing the Eunuch Means for Today
Member-only story The eunuch did not have to change to be accepted Eric Sentell · Follow Published in Backyard Church · 4 min read · -- Photo by Josue Michel on Unsplash Acts 8:26–40 tells the story of Philip converting an Ethiopian eunuch — a castrated person who did not fit into the categories of “male” and female.” The ancient Hebrew and Greek words translated as “eunuch” could refer to someone born with nonbinary traits, someone castrated, or someone serving a king or queen in a role...
American Id(iot)
Trump is our inner toddler, and we love it No shortage of words have been written and spoken trying to make sense of Donald Trump’s appeal to so many Americans. As his second administration gets underway, it’s becoming clear where most of his appeal comes from: he is the American “id” manifested. Sigmund Freud may have been wrong about most things, but he created a metaphor with some explanatory power.
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