Pastor Aaron examines the First Amendment, recent conservative religious commissions, and Texas’s new Bible curriculum; traces evangelical political influence from the Puritans to the modern Religious Right; and warns of the rise of Christian nationalism and its authoritarian tendencies.

Aaron begins with a Mahabharata tale about a king who refuses paradise while his family suffers, using it to examine whether faith allows us to love others above doctrine. He critiques biblical inerrancy, discuss Jesus’ ethic of sacrificial love, and urges choosing empathy and human flourishing, especially in how Christians treat LGBTQ people, while encouraging deconstruction and rebuilding healthier views or beliefs.

Rev. Julie Davis reflects on attending a conference where clergy, scholars, and activists gathered to discuss Project 2025, Christian nationalism, and the future of faith in public life. Drawing on the idea of a “third testament,” Julie explores how Christians are called to pursue justice, compassion, and truth in a deeply divided world.

A thoughtful reflection from Pastor Aaron Van Voorhis on what it truly means to “blaspheme the Spirit,” and why empathy, moral clarity, and courage are essential for living out faith in today’s world.

Aaron explores rising anxiety and the search for hope, turning to historical lessons from the Black community and the work of James H. Cone.

Aaron tackles the timeless question: what is the meaning of life? He outlines four overlapping ways people find meaning and explores how each can sustain us. He emphasizes our ability to create meaning, the importance of community, and offers a hopeful benediction to commit to love, justice, and the courageous embrace of life.

In December, we had the gift of welcoming our friend Peter Rollins back to Central Avenue Church in Pasadena. For those who have been part of our community for a while, Peter’s presence felt familiar, like a conversation picking back up rather than a one-off event. For others, it may have felt disorienting, challenging, or even unsettling. And honestly, that’s part of the grace.

We talk about navigating tense holiday gatherings with conservative family and friends, and explore recent brain research that suggests liberals and conservatives process moral and political issues differently.

We explore the story of Doubting Thomas and argue that doubt can lead to a deeper, more authentic encounter with the divine.

We are all connected at the deepest levels of our being, to everything and everyone…

The Bible does not actually prohibit modern same-sex relationships…

Deconstruction is a lot like chemo-therapy…