(Bruce ran the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon in July 2024 in 1:41:19. He’s trying to stay healthy so he can write this blog for many years.)
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Welcome to my blog on global Christianity, US politics, and overlooked spiritual issues.
I post once or twice a week from an informed evangelical perspective. I address issues in global Christianity by drawing on my experience and contacts within the World Evangelical Alliance (including 7 years as editor of the WEA’s journal and communication aide to two WEA secretaries general) and in other global organizations.
US politics has become pretty crazy since I launched this blog on January 20, 2025 (Trump’s inauguration day). As a result, I have begun devoting more posts to interpreting US politics. I have a long background in this realm, beginning in 1990 and including many campaigns, four years as a Republican congressional aide (back when the Republican party had principles), and 20 years of association with a university research institute. I also published a book on “dominion theology” in 1992. I bring a unique perspective to civil discourse, having been both a researcher and practitioner on issues of religion and politics. Find an example of my work here (see the last article in the pdf).
Some posts will focus on frequently overlooked aspects of building a mature Christian spiritual life. Many of these proved to be among the most popular posts during the blog’s first year.
I intend to amplify great voices in global Christianity that deserve more attention. To propose a topic or interviewee, please reach out to me at bruce.barron0@gmail.com.
Why subscribe?
Two reasons. First, you’ll get an e-mail every time I post. They will be highly readable, not densely academic. Each message will be fairly short (rarely more than 1,000 words, sometimes with extra details or interview Q&A following), gentle, provocative, and actionable. Christians should not duck tough issues, but we should always be respectful when engaging in public discourse.
Second, the more subscribers I have, the more I can persuade global leaders that talking to me is worth their time. So please subscribe and encourage others to do so. No one will spank you if you don’t read every post.
More about me
You may know little or nothing about me, so here are some relevant aspects of my background.
In my early career (dating back to 1981 when I was a 20-year-old college student), I studied controversial issues in the charismatic movement, including authoritarian practices and the prosperity gospel. I became known for rigorous analysis and low tolerance for abuse, but also for irenic, respectful approaches to disagreements between Christians in secondary matters.
My book Heaven on Earth? (1992), based on my Ph.D. dissertation, examined various streams of and reactions to dominion theology and was appreciated by various reviewers, including Harvard University’s Harvey Cox.
I shifted into political work for four years (1991-1994) after volunteering for the campaign of a young candidate for the US Congress who unexpectedly won. I asked to work in the district office near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania rather than relocating to Washington, DC and worked on both national and local policy issues.
In the 30 years since then, I have done a wide range of work in public policy, communications, and editing, including various nonpartisan reports and two short books for the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics.
In 2018, I helped to produce a book on great Christian events in the city of Pittsburgh. The two most famous topics covered are the Catholic charismatic movement (which started in Pittsburgh in 1967 and has had immense impact on the Catholic Church) and the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, which had a spiritual revival during its first Super Bowl championship season in 1974.
In 2015, I began volunteering for the World Evangelical Alliance, serving as editor and communications aide. For seven years (2018-2024), I was executive editor of the WEA’s theology journal. I also direct editorial services for the Society of Christian Scholars (an organization supporting Christians who work in secular academic institutions). I recently began assisting Global Trust Partners, which seeks to help Christian leaders around the world develop healthy patterns of governance, financial management, and fundraising.
Nancy and I raised three children, one of whom I homeschooled during his last year of high school so that he could travel for high-level athletic training. Trevor competed in the 2012 London Olympics, finishing in the middle of the pack in the 20-kilometer race walk.
In 2019, we relocated to Colorado Springs, on the edge of the Rocky Mountains. I can see the famous Pikes Peak out the window while working on my computer, and I run and bike frequently. Nancy teaches students with visual impairments at a local school and our second vehicle is a bike, so I have to stay in shape!
I welcome your ideas, feedback, or personal inquiries if I can be helpful to you in any way. We are blessed financially and feel called to share our blessings by serving others without charge as God leads us.
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