A cry for help
gofund.me/d2e53750d I’ve been absent from this platform for some time. I was presented with a number of challenges that required … Continue reading A cry for help
The Sword and the Stoning: Toward a Liberative Reading of John 8
**Content warning: this post contains discussions of sexual violence** Most people who have grown up in the church are familiar … Continue reading The Sword and the Stoning: Toward a Liberative Reading of John 8
“Mere Christendom”: White Nationalism in the Theology of Doug Wilson
On October 12, 2017, I published “A Theology of Hate.” In this post, I argued in detail why it is … Continue reading “Mere Christendom”: White Nationalism in the Theology of Doug Wilson
Lies
This will represent the fourth in a series of posts on the recent conflict that has engulfed Exvangelical Twitter, and … Continue reading Lies
Accusations
This post represents the third in a blog series breaking down a number of red flags that have emerged during … Continue reading Accusations
Questions
In my last post, I explored two threads written by a well-known Exvangelical who operates on Twitter under the name … Continue reading Questions
Patterns
On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, a group of individuals calling themselves the Magdalene Collective published a lengthy statement with the … Continue reading Patterns
New Podcast Interview: Exvangelical Pod 5/3/19
Today, Blake Chastain of the Exvangelical Podcast released an interview I did with him on the influences of misogyny and … Continue reading New Podcast Interview: Exvangelical Pod 5/3/19
Receipts on The Ezer Rising Story
On December 12, 2018, several persons who had formerly held positions of leadership within Ezer Rising brought allegations that the … Continue reading Receipts on The Ezer Rising Story
Examining a Defense of Ezer Rising
On December 12, 2018, I reported that several former members of the leadership and admin teams of the self-described Egalitarian … Continue reading Examining a Defense of Ezer Rising
Former Ezer Rizing Team Members Speak Out
A couple months ago, I was sitting down to dinner with a friend, Tabi, when the conversation turned an abusive … Continue reading Former Ezer Rizing Team Members Speak Out
Parenting Interview on Bad Ass Dadcast
As many who follow me on social media know, I’ve been navigating quite a bit of loss and trauma in … Continue reading Parenting Interview on Bad Ass Dadcast
A Theology of Hate
Doug Wilson’s history of promoting hate is well documented. Whether it be his disturbing views on gender, his vitriolic rhetoric … Continue reading A Theology of Hate
Injustice Ignored: an Open Letter to The Gospel Coalition
Nate Sparks nate.sparks130[at]gmail[dot]com natesparks130.com Council Members Tim Keller, Don Carson, John Piper, et al. The Gospel Coalition thegospelcoalition.org To … Continue reading Injustice Ignored: an Open Letter to The Gospel Coalition
Julie Anne Smith and Brad Sargent bring New Allegations Against and Further Insights into Tullian Tchividjian Scandal
The scandal surrounding defrocked pastor, and alleged serial sex predator, Tullian Tchividjian has once again taken a new turn. Julie … Continue reading Julie Anne Smith and Brad Sargent bring New Allegations Against and Further Insights into Tullian Tchividjian Scandal
Rhetorical Questions: Frank Turk
On Friday, December 9, 2016, I had quite the troubling exchange with blogger Frank Turk, a regular contributor to Phil … Continue reading Rhetorical Questions: Frank Turk
GRACE Issues Statement on Tullian Tchividjian and Abuse in the Church
Today, December 8, 2016, the board of directors of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) issued a … Continue reading GRACE Issues Statement on Tullian Tchividjian and Abuse in the Church
Several More Pastors and Leaders Call Tullian Tchividjian to Repent
Today, 12/5/2016, eight pastors and leaders, who self-identified as friends of Tullian Tchividjian, issued the following statement: Dear Friends: We … Continue reading Several More Pastors and Leaders Call Tullian Tchividjian to Repent
Apology and Abuse
**Content Editor: Lauren R.E. Larkin** As my reader is likely aware, on November 23, 2016, Tullian Tchividjian issued a public … Continue reading Apology and Abuse
Law, Gospel, and Tullian Tchividjian (a Conversation with Ezer Uncaged)
Today, December 2, 2016, my good friends Lauren Larkin (who served as content editor for my survivor narratives) and Sarah Taras … Continue reading Law, Gospel, and Tullian Tchividjian (a Conversation with Ezer Uncaged)
Pastor Kevin Labby Calls Tullian Tchividjian to Repentance
At approximately 8:30 PM on Thursday, December 1, 2016, the following statement from Pastor Kevin Labby – on behalf of … Continue reading Pastor Kevin Labby Calls Tullian Tchividjian to Repentance
Tullian Tchividjian: Further Accusations and Important Resources
My readers are no doubt aware that I have dedicated significant time to analyzing the many abuses of Tullian Tchividjian. … Continue reading Tullian Tchividjian: Further Accusations and Important Resources
Master of Manipulation
**Content Editor: Lauren R.E. Larkin** In the last post, I introduced the reader to Lisa. Lisa allows me to tell … Continue reading Master of Manipulation
Do Unto Others…
**Content Editor: Lauren R.E. Larkin** In my last post, I critically analyzed the recent public statements by Tullian Tchividjian. I … Continue reading Do Unto Others…
An Expastor’s Ego
**Content Editor: Lauren R.E. Larkin** On September 27, 2016, Tullian Tchividjian published a post on the Expastors website on September … Continue reading An Expastor’s Ego
Awareness and Appropriation
On October 25, 2016, The Gospel Coalition’s Christian Living blog, entitled “Befriend Those with Disabilities and Special Needs.” The author, … Continue reading Awareness and Appropriation
I’ve Met “Donald Trump” and I’m Sick of You Defending Him (Guest Post by Mandi Livingston)
*This post originally appeared at www.mandilivingston.com. * **Commenting Guidelines** The author of this post has chosen to share her personal experience of … Continue reading I’ve Met “Donald Trump” and I’m Sick of You Defending Him (Guest Post by Mandi Livingston)
Happily Ever Affirmed (Guest Post by Lakin Saucedo)
“I want adventure in the great, wide somewhere I want it more than I can tell And for once it … Continue reading Happily Ever Affirmed (Guest Post by Lakin Saucedo)
Willful Ignorance
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its … Continue reading Willful Ignorance
An Egalitarian Sacrifice
**edited by Lauren R.E. Larkin I talk to a lot of people in any given week. Whether it be mutual … Continue reading An Egalitarian Sacrifice
Are You Man Enough? (Guest post for Amy R. Buckley)
I was recently asked by Amy Buckley to contribute a piece to her series of satire pieces examining the absurdity … Continue reading Are You Man Enough? (Guest post for Amy R. Buckley)
Friendship and Feminism
Last week, my close friend Lauren Larkin posted an article reflecting on her own tenuous history with considering herself a … Continue reading Friendship and Feminism
Shame
My opinions of the New York Times best-selling book Love and Respect are well known. A few months ago, I … Continue reading Shame
Blame
A Facebook friend, Taffy Hunter Matheson, recently contacted me to ask that I watch a video on the Facebook page … Continue reading Blame
Blocked
At 10:36 PM on Thursday, August 25, 2016, I was blocked from the popular Facebook group, Christian Bloggers Network. At … Continue reading Blocked
Confessions: Anti-LGBT Rhetoric and the Dynamics of Abuse in Evangelical Christianity
Anyone who follows me on Twitter or Facebook is by now familiar with my saying: Everyone is polite and rational … Continue reading Confessions: Anti-LGBT Rhetoric and the Dynamics of Abuse in Evangelical Christianity
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (8/20/2016)
It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve put together a GBU post. I’ve simply had other things on my mind, … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (8/20/2016)
After Evangelicalism
Recently, Ed Stetzer tweeted the following: My initial reaction to this tweet was a mixture of emotions, but it all … Continue reading After Evangelicalism
How Jesus Saves the World from Us: an Interview with Morgan Guyton
Recently, Morgan Guyton contacted me and asked if I would be willing to read his book How Jesus Saves the World … Continue reading How Jesus Saves the World from Us: an Interview with Morgan Guyton
The Ego and the Evangelical
On July 28, 2016, Wayne Grudem declared his unequivocal support for Donald Trump. In doing so, he argued that anyone … Continue reading The Ego and the Evangelical
Danny Akin Responds to my Open Letter
As my reader’s know, I recently sent an open letter to Danny Akin. In this letter I asked Akin to … Continue reading Danny Akin Responds to my Open Letter
Repudiate? – An Open Letter to Danny Akin
Dr. Akin, You may or may not be familiar with me. I have, through various means, attempted to contact you … Continue reading Repudiate? – An Open Letter to Danny Akin
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/22/16)
As seems to be a developing trend, I really don’t know what to make of this week. After watching the … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/22/16)
Ezer Uncaged Interview
I was recently interviewed by two of my friends, Sarah Taras and Lauren Larkin, for their podcast, Ezer Uncaged. The … Continue reading Ezer Uncaged Interview
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/16/16)
What does a person say when the entire world seems consumed by hate? To be honest, I don’t know. I … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/16/16)
Nothing
On June 29,2016, popular Christian radio host and Christian Post contributor Michael Brown chose to post his tenth anti-LGBTQ+ article … Continue reading Nothing
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/8/2016)
There are times in a blogger’s journey where words seem entirely empty – where my attempts to form thoughts are … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/8/2016)
Father, Forgive Us
C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity[1], written over 50 years ago, remains one of the most popular and influential texts … Continue reading Father, Forgive Us
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/1/16)
Before I begin today’s post, I want to take a moment to wish all my US based readers a Happy … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (7/1/16)
The Abused and the Persecuted
In July, 2012, Saeed Abedini, a pastor and missionary living in the United States, was visiting his family in Tehran, … Continue reading The Abused and the Persecuted
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (6/24/16)
This has been an interesting week in the Sparks family. My son (6) officially became the first of our kids … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (6/24/16)
Love, Respect, and Abuse
Over the course of the last month, I have written three posts exposing the dishonest rhetoric of Emerson Eggerichs “Love … Continue reading Love, Respect, and Abuse
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (6/17/16) **Updated
This has been a difficult week for so many. Though there have been a number of amazing posts written this … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (6/17/16) **Updated
Love, Respect, and Science
As I have read Emerson Eggerichs book Love and Respect, I have offered arguments regarding the trustworthiness of this book. … Continue reading Love, Respect, and Science
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (6/10/16)
As several have pointed out to me, it has been a few weeks since I put out a GBU post. Life … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (6/10/16)
Love, Respect, and Consent
Emerson Eggerichs’ book Love and Respect is, in my opinion, a dangerous and damaging book.[1] In essence, the entire premise … Continue reading Love, Respect, and Consent
Love, Respect, and Proof-Texts
Several years ago, Sarah received the book Love and Respect, by Emerson Eggerichs,[1] as a Christmas present. At the time, … Continue reading Love, Respect, and Proof-Texts
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (5/20/2016)
This week has marked the end of a nearly month long research project, culminating in a post that I am … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (5/20/2016)
5 Reasons Not to Support New Calvinism
On April 21, 2016, the provost and executive vice president of Westminster Theological Seminary, Jeffrey K. Jue, wrote of his … Continue reading 5 Reasons Not to Support New Calvinism
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (5/13/16)
I’ve come across some excellent posts in the last week. I’ve also come across some exceptionally poor and damned near … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (5/13/16)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (5/6/16)
Greetings from my new home! We have officially moved and are now in the process of unpacking. Thankfully, I found … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (5/6/16)
Guest Post for Cindy Wang Brandt
I’m excited to have written a guest post for Cindy Wang Brandt’s site Unfundamentalist Parenting. Here is an excerpt: John … Continue reading Guest Post for Cindy Wang Brandt
Ashley Easter Tells Her Story of Being Sexually Preyed Upon by Rick Boyer, Sr.
Yesterday, my friend and fellow blogger Ashley Easter published a bold and admirable post. Ashley chose to detail the grooming … Continue reading Ashley Easter Tells Her Story of Being Sexually Preyed Upon by Rick Boyer, Sr.
A Letter of Encouragement to Darrin Patrick
Darrin, Hello, my name is Nate Sparks. You may or may not know me. While it is honestly of no … Continue reading A Letter of Encouragement to Darrin Patrick
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (4/9/2016)
This has been a long week. Sarah has been sick and we will be moving in two weeks. Stress is … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (4/9/2016)
Diversion: a Response to Melissa Kruger
**This post was updated on 4/8/2016. Added content is marked with the following symbol ° ** Melissa Kruger recently wrote … Continue reading Diversion: a Response to Melissa Kruger
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (4/2/16)
Due to the timing of my open letter to Thabiti Anyabwile, I decided it would be best to put out … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (4/2/16)
Silence: an Open Letter to Thabiti Anyabwile
Dear Thabiti, I’m not sure if you remember me. As part of an open letter to the council of The … Continue reading Silence: an Open Letter to Thabiti Anyabwile
The Lies and the Least
I take no pleasure in seeing a pastor fall into public disgrace. However great the ideological differences, these men are … Continue reading The Lies and the Least
The Good (Friday), the Bad, and the Ugly (3/25/16)
Today is Good Friday, a day of profound meaning. This is the day we remember that the divine Logos, who … Continue reading The Good (Friday), the Bad, and the Ugly (3/25/16)
Guest Post for Amy R. Buckley
Those who follow me on Twitter and Facebook may have noticed me teasing a guest post I wrote for Amy … Continue reading Guest Post for Amy R. Buckley
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (3/18/16)
This has been a truly amazing week in the blogosphere. There have been so many excellent articles and, to be … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (3/18/16)
Inviting Liberation: A Q & A with Michael Stark
I have known Michael Stark for nearly a decade – ever since our undergraduate days at Judson University. Recently Mike wrote … Continue reading Inviting Liberation: A Q & A with Michael Stark
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (3/12/2016)
I want to welcome you to this week’s day late “special Saturday edition” of The Good, the Bad, and The … Continue reading The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (3/12/2016)
Q & A with David Hayward (nakedpastor)
David Hayward is probably best known for his artwork. Through his website, nakedpastor, Hayward offers raw and poignant critiques of … Continue reading Q & A with David Hayward (nakedpastor)
Rhetorical Questions: Kevin DeYoung
If you follow my blog, it is quite likely you are already familiar with Kevin DeYoung’s recent article, “Our Pro-Woman, … Continue reading Rhetorical Questions: Kevin DeYoung
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (3/4/2016)
As is my Friday tradition, I offer my rundown of things – good, bad, and ugly – which caught my … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (3/4/2016)
A Q&A with Dr. Ruth Tucker
Dr. Ruth Tucker has written a new book, Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife. I have already written … Continue reading A Q&A with Dr. Ruth Tucker
The Racketeer
Readers familiar with my blog will remember my recent post “Fruit? (A Mark Driscoll Post).” Within that post, I argued … Continue reading The Racketeer
Abusive Headship: a Review of Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife
This is a review of Dr. Ruth Tucker’s new book: Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife. Continue reading Abusive Headship: a Review of Black and White Bible, Black and Blue Wife
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (2/26/16)
For those who missed it, I began a weekly rundown last week. Every Friday, I will be sharing a list … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (2/26/16)
Fruit? (A Mark Driscoll Post)
Mark Driscoll is about to establish a new church in Phoenix, he is engaging in regular public speaking gigs, but the question is, “Is there any fruit of repentance evident in his life?” Continue reading Fruit? (A Mark Driscoll Post)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (2/19/16)
As my blog grows, I find that I come across a lot of excellent resources that I’d like to share … Continue reading The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (2/19/16)
Ally: a Reflection on Privilege and Humility
Being a straight, white, cisgender MALE Christian ally for the LGBTQ+ community can often feel empowering. It is easy to … Continue reading Ally: a Reflection on Privilege and Humility
A Controversy of Propriety
As some of you may know, I recently sent an open letter to the TGC (here). Within that post, I … Continue reading A Controversy of Propriety
Injustice: an Open Letter to The Gospel Coalition
This post represents an open letter to the council members of The Gospel Coalition. It was posted to the TGC contact page at 12:30 AM on 1/31/2016.
I invite you to read this letter and judge my thesis for yourself. Continue reading Injustice: an Open Letter to The Gospel Coalition
Privileged: An Open Letter to Evangelicals
A thank you letter to the Evangelical Church Continue reading Privileged: An Open Letter to Evangelicals
When in Romans
Does Romans 1:26-27 prohibit same-sex sexuality? A post answering a reader’s comment. Continue reading When in Romans
Larycia Hawkins: Further Consideration
Wheaton College and their president, Philip Ryken, claim that their treatment Larycia Hawkins has nothing to do with her hijab. Continue reading to learn why I strongly disagree. Continue reading Larycia Hawkins: Further Consideration
Counting Sheep
What happens when we, as white American evangelicals, step beyond our own privilege and embrace the narrative suffering of our brothers and sisters of color? Continue reading Counting Sheep
Larycia Hawkins and the Christ of God
When considering the words and actions of Larycia Hawkins, what ought to be out paradigm for critique? Continue reading to see my proposition. Continue reading Larycia Hawkins and the Christ of God
Antagonism
A reflection on a personal failure. Continue reading Antagonism
Rhetorical Questions: Al Mohler
Often, Christian leaders will address difficult topics by telling us there is one absolute and unquestionable answer. Here I dare to ask, “Is anything is truly unquestionable?” Continue reading Rhetorical Questions: Al Mohler
Voices
If you consider no other argument against Complementarianism, please consider this post. Continue reading Voices
Modesty: a Redux
Does Evangelical Modesty Culture reflect the nature of God as revealed in the crucified Jesus the Christ? Continue reading Modesty: a Redux
International Men’s Day: a Reading List
Some suggested reading for International Men’s Day. Continue reading International Men’s Day: a Reading List
Not All Comps
At what point does defense of an idea become complicity in the abuses inherent to that ideology? Continue reading Not All Comps
Masculinity Lost: CBE Guest Post
Today, my article for the Arise e-newsletter from CBE, International was released. Link inside. Continue reading Masculinity Lost: CBE Guest Post
I Used to Think…
I used to think God was untouchable, now I believe I have touched him. Continue reading I Used to Think…
Sparking Conversation 