One of the defining marks of the Pharisees was their pride. Yes, you could add love of money, love of honor in the eyes of men, and rank hypocrisy. But at the heart of it all is most likely pride. Even after crucifying the Messiah, they had no gut check moment. Zero humility. You'd think they would, but they didn't. They still claimed to be the only proper authorities and judges of righteousness. And so they persecuted the apostles and the early church. They scoffed that "untrained men" would be the future leaders of Christianity. They doubled down. They waged false propaganda wars, dragged Christians to court, had people dispossessed, and killed others. They tried to perform political hit jobs, and formed bands of mercenaries to murder Paul. What they desperately hated to lose was their seat of power and authority. In like manner, it's wild to me that after G3 collapsed, many of the major players who pushed that conference and set of leaders has had a shocking lack of humility or self awareness. Did they take a step back or look in the mirror? Did they ask themselves if maybe, just maybe, they'd gotten some critical things wrong? Apparently not. They still, in pride, consider themselves to be the only proper spiritual authorities. The defenders of "gospel purity." Even the fall of G3 proves, in their eyes, just how great and godly of men they really are. Stunning lack of self reflection or self awareness. Many of these men continue to lie about @JoelWebbon and Christian Nationalism. Fresh off the heels of their greatest defeat—a moment that should cause them to step away from the microphone and ask some serious questions about themselves—they continue to lie, attack, and slander good Christian men. Joel is simply echoing the words of Scripture when he says that such men, left in the hardness of their unrepentant pride, will face severe judgment. And he is right to do so. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). When Saruman was defeated at Orthanc, he did not, as you might suppose, repent. He doubled down. He accused Gandalf of folly, and blamed his vicious and unjust wars against Rohan on Theoden. His forked tongue did not stop spewing vitriol. But his words had also lost their charm. Saruman asked Theoden for peace, to which the wise (and enlightened) king responded: "Yes, we will have peace," [Theoden] said now in a clear voice, "we will have peace, when you and all your works have perished—and the works of your dark master to whom you would deliver us. You are a liar, Saruman, and a corrupter of men's hearts. You hold out your hand it to me, and I perceive only a finger of the claw of Mordor. Cruel and cold! Even if your war on me was just—as it was not, for were you ten times as wise you would have no right to rule me and mine for your own profit as you desired—even so, what will you say of your torches in Westfold and the children that lie dead there? And they hewed Háma's body before the gates of the Hornburg, after he was dead. When you hang from a gibbet at your window for the sport of your own crows, I will have peace with you and Orthanic. So much for the house of Eorl. A lesser son of great sires am I, but I do not need to lick your fingers. Turn elsewhither. But I fear your voice has lost its charm.”