Mr. Moderator, Brad Isbell, ruling elder, Tennessee Valley Presbytery. At the risk of sounding like a politician—or Mel Duncan, for that matter—I was against the study committee before I was for the study committee, but this is a speech in favor. Last summer, when presbyters first began talking about the need for a study committee, I was against it. I didn’t think it would pass. I didn’t think the problem was so widespread, and I didn’t think anyone understood it. And I was wrong—I’ll get to that.
I just didn’t think it was much of a problem in the PCA. I knew it was in some smaller denominations. There were no issues in my church or in the churches of nearly anyone that I knew. Also, I could not define Christian Nationalism. So, again, to evoke a politician from my native state of Arkansas, it depends on what the definition of Christian Nationalism is…is. I couldn’t define it, although I thought I knew a lot about it. I’m now convinced that this shifting, multifarious thing that Christian Nationalism is is a good reason for the study committee to help us figure out what Christian Nationalism is, to help define it, and to be a service to our pastors, sessions, and churches. I’m also quite confident that our moderator will appoint a committee that is fair and that is competent, and which will do good and helpful work. Read more»
Brad Isbell | “I Was Wrong” | June 28, 2025
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Brad Isbell
Brad Isbell is a ruling elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oak Ridge, TN, board member of More In The PCA, co-host of the Presbycast podcast, editorial member of Presbyterian Polity, and treasurer of the Heidelberg Reformation Association.
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Eh, not convinced. They are for racism when other pastors want worship spaces for certain people but “Christian Nationalism”, which they can’t define, when they can see the other racism right in front of them, is off the charts. Eh.
Why does only of those things have to be wrong? Couldn’t we say both are wrong, and that the denomination should focus on both issues?
To say one thing shouldn’t be focused on because another is not is a logical fallacy.
And to be clear, Christian Nationalism has been defined, is was by many on the floor this week, has been by faithful reformed men in publications etc…
My point, friend, is they are willfully ignoring horrific racism. Yes, they should do both if they do one.