Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)

Howdy!

The world is crazy. (I know. I should warned about spoilers.)

The first week of June 2025 has proven to be interesting. Here are some thoughts:

Michael Tait

In January, Michael Tait suddenly announced he was stepping down as front man of the band Newsboys. On June 4, Julie Roys released her investigations of his abusing cocaine and alcohol with various 22-year-old men whom he also inappropriately touched between the years of 2004-2014, possibly more being involved. On June 10, Tait put out a confession owning to the truth of the allegations.

My Take

The whole thing is horrible. His confession looks legitimate and repentant, but we still need time to know for sure.

Firstly, we need to keep Tait and the Newsboys band members in our prayers, as well as his victims and all of their families and friends.

Secondly, let us remember that “but for the grace of God, there go I.” In other words, let’s not cast major judgment and say so many “holier-than-thou” statements like “I always thought/knew …” or “this just goes to show …” This is an example of someone falling into temptation. There are several prominent Christians (in entertainment or otherwise) who remain faithful and humble. There are many fakes out there.

Instead of the I-knew-it’s and This-goes-to-show’s, let’s focus on proclaiming truth and loving the lost and hurting. To do otherwise is to engage in gossip and judgmentalism. If someone gets rid of all of their Newsboys stuff, that’s up to them. If they only listen to or keep pre-Tait Newsboys stuff, that’s up to them. If they choose to continue listening to all Newsboys stuff, that’s … also up to them.

Live for Christ and proclaim truth. Deal with this issue in a godly manner with those who ask, and then leave it at that.

Immigration Protests/Riots & Trump

This last week we saw several cities dealing with anti-ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) protests. People have been upset with how the Trump administration has been handling illegal immigration, and the protests began in major cities, resulting in Trump sending in the National Guard and Marines to LA. To no one’s surprise, this has caused controversy.

My Take

I do believe President Trump and his administration have been mishandling immigration. (I think every administration of the past 40 years at least have been mishandling immigration.) I do believe there is good reason for protests against how immigration is handled.

At the same time, damaging property, throwing molotov cocktails and stones/bricks, and attacking people is wrong. The mayor and governor not even trying to stop them is wrong. Complaining about the president stepping in when the city has become a war zone due to inaction is wrong.

To be fair to immigrants, the US system is severely messed up, and the current administration is not helping matters. However, violence is not the answer, especially when people who had nothing to do with the issue get hurt either physically or financially. That is terrorism, not protest.

When another country’s flag is flown, especially with violence, that is not protesting; that is invasion, insurrection, and a statement of war.

This is a very complex issue, and both sides are currently over-simplifying and villifying. As Christians, we should not do either.

If all immigrants are the problem, you are a bigot.

If the president does nothing good, you are hateful.

If you see violence as a “mostly peaceful protest,” or you think the current administration is doing nothing wrong, you are deceived.

We are called to obey laws AND fight against injustice. Both sides have injustice at this time.

Humans are not illegal, true, but only humans can do illegal things. Let us be careful how we handle our fellow humans and stop villifying our fellow image bearers.

Talk about these matters, but be civil, be Christlike, and be willing to actually listen to each other.

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. — Romans 12:18, CSB