Chris Reighley

Founder of Shoe Leather Gospel and fellow pilgrim on the journey of faith. I teach Scripture with clarity and warmth to help believers put truth in their shoes and walk with Christ through every step of life.

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Civic Theology

How should Christians think about government, law, and public life? Civic theology explores the biblical foundations of justice, authority, liberty, and citizenship. In a culture shaped by expressive individualism and political polarization, these articles equip believers to engage the public square with theological clarity and moral courage. Rooted in Scripture, this section addresses vital questions about church and state, religious liberty, and Christian responsibility in society.

  • Is banning the Ten Commandments from schools true neutrality—or is secularism the new state religion? Explore the history, law, and worldview clash.

    Which Religion Rules the Classroom? The Ten Commandments, Secularism, and the Battle of Worldviews

    Are public schools neutral when they ban the Ten Commandments yet teach secular philosophies as truth? This article explores the constitutional debate, historical context, and worldview clash shaping the future of education.

  • Representative Brian Harrison’s call to fire Texas A&M President Mark Welsh reveals an irony: cancel culture tactics are being used to fight Critical Theory. This article explores why Welsh’s leadership reflects Aggie values, why accountability differs from cancel culture, and why Christians must resist fighting ideology with its own tools.

    Power Tested: Brian Harrison and the Politics of Aggieland

    In Power Tested, I critique Rep. Brian Harrison’s handling of the Texas A&M controversy. While I agree with his policy ends, his political bullying and cancel-culture tactics betrayed Aggie Core Values and…

  • Representative Brian Harrison’s call to fire Texas A&M President Mark Welsh reveals an irony: cancel culture tactics are being used to fight Critical Theory. This article explores why Welsh’s leadership reflects Aggie values, why accountability differs from cancel culture, and why Christians must resist fighting ideology with its own tools.

    Leadership Tested: General Welsh and the Fall of an Aggie President

    General Mark Welsh’s resignation as Texas A&M’s president marked another turning point in Aggieland’s leadership crisis. This article evaluates his strengths, weaknesses, and legacy — and considers what Christian leaders can learn…

  • America’s Founders warned that liberty cannot survive without virtue—and virtue cannot endure without God. This article traces how we lost that foundation, why it matters, and how biblical truth points to recovery.

    Can a Republic Stand Without God?

    Can a republic survive once it forgets God? America’s Founders insisted that liberty depends on virtue and virtue depends on faith. This chapter-length article explores the Christian roots of America’s freedom, the…

  • When Words Become Bullets: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Crisis of Our Age

    Charlie Kirk’s assassination marks another moment when opinions turned deadly. History shows this pattern is not new — from Cain and Abel to the assassinations of Lincoln, MLK, and beyond. In this…

  • Representative Brian Harrison’s call to fire Texas A&M President Mark Welsh reveals an irony: cancel culture tactics are being used to fight Critical Theory. This article explores why Welsh’s leadership reflects Aggie values, why accountability differs from cancel culture, and why Christians must resist fighting ideology with its own tools.

    The Spirit Tested: Texas A&M, Gender Ideology, and the Call to Integrity

    As an Aggie and Bush School EMPSA student, I write not to attack Texas A&M but to call us back to our values. The ENGL 360 incident was more than a syllabus…

  • Standard Bearers: What the Stars, Stripes, and Soldiers Still Mean

    On Flag Day and the Army’s 250th birthday, we reflect on the symbols of banners and battles through the lens of Scripture. What does it mean to honor the flag without idolizing…

  • On June 14, 2025, two visions of America clashed—military celebration in Washington and anti-authority protests across the nation. But beneath the flags and fury lies a deeper crisis: not political, but spiritual. This article explores the theological roots of rebellion and the hope of Christ’s unshakable Kingdom.

    ”No King” you say – I think I see the Problem

    On June 14, 2025, two visions of America clashed—military celebration in Washington and anti-authority protests across the nation. But beneath the flags and fury lies a deeper crisis: not political, but spiritual.…

  • Discover how the Bible, Samuel Rutherford, and Reformation theology shaped the American view of law and liberty. A powerful exploration of Lex Rex and biblical justice.

    Lex Rex and the Law Above Kings – Christianity and the Rule of Law

    When Samuel Rutherford declared “the law is king,” he echoed a biblical truth: no ruler is above God’s justice. This post explores Christianity’s profound influence on the rule of law.

  • Explore how the Bible and Reformed covenant theology shaped America’s federal system. This post traces the journey from Old Testament covenants to the U.S. Constitution.

    From Covenant to Constitution – Biblical Federalism and the American Mind

    America’s layered government structure didn’t just come from Enlightenment thought—it was born from covenant theology, biblical justice, and the Reformed tradition.