Theopolis Institute

The heavenly city of God resurrects the cities of men.
Tweets on Bible, Liturgy, and Culture.
President: @pleithart

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

The Theopolis Podcast
Episode 882
The Sun of Righteousness
(Malachi 4)

https://t.co/8tozc8C1pW

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Join us for the 2026 Theopolitan Ministry Conference as we consider worship, labor, craftsmanship, AI, vocation, and the Church’s calling to offer the world back to God in praise.

Learn more:
https://t.co/Plz0SqSc6m

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Yes, the nations will obey the Law of Christ.

Yes, there will be prosperity and progress.

Yes, the “cultural mandate” will be fulfilled.

But it will not be fulfilled by self-confident, proud, fleshly, “positive thinking,” yuppie, “triumphalistic” believers.

- James Jordan

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

The church isn’t an escape pod, it’s a challenge to the world’s order.

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

What begins as “sour grapes” can become something far darker: the destruction of the very heroes whose excellence exposes our failure.

In today’s essay, Bogumil Jarmulak reflects on Aesop, Scheler, Girard, Cain and Abel, Saul and David, and the danger of reading Scripture through the eyes of ressentiment rather than admiration.

Read “From Poor Jumping Skills to Hero-Slaughter”:

https://t.co/4unIJFoSNS

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Christians do need sails for navigating the winds of technological and social change. But first, we need anchors.

Ben Peterson on AI, moral limits, faithful witness, and the weapons of the Spirit:

https://t.co/Aap1UML28S

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

What if your home is an image of the cosmic temple?

Jacob Tanner reflects on porches, tables, bedrooms, children, hospitality, and the household as a place where the praise of God takes domestic shape.

Read here:
https://t.co/xNVQgjLB86

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

The Cross as the Tree of Life (Psalms 1-2)
with: Alastair Roberts

https://t.co/fv9nBX5dYX

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Handraising in Worship: Questions
by: James B Jordan (2008)

"In recent years I’ve observed a number of Reformed-type churches trying to institute corporate handraising in certain sung parts of worship. This often does not seem to work very well.

Some people don’t do it.
Some do it half-way.
Some do it with one hand.
Some dramatically stretch to the ceiling with both hands.
Some put their hands out wide into the faces of their neighbors.

So I have some questions..."

https://t.co/oHNQAc6Z7S

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

The Theopolis Podcast
Episode 881
The Seventh Trumpet (Revelation 11:14-19)
with James Jordan

https://t.co/GpQmGxagPi

[Peter Leithart @PLeithart]

Still time to get the early bird discount for this summer's Theopolitan Ministry Conference, "The Work of the People."

https://t.co/vxqzYJJp5p

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Euphemism and Dysphemism in the History of Interpretation
by: Matt Albanese

How should Christians handle the Bible’s harsher speech?

Matt Albanese concludes our Conversation on biblical obscenity by tracing how interpreters have softened, translated, and sometimes sharpened the startling language of Scripture.

Read here:
https://t.co/BhKIgNzGfP

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Some of you might be inspired by the Theopolitan vision, but find yourselves in churches that are indifferent or hostile.

You want the church to sing Psalms, but the pastor and congregation prefer sappy but familiar hymns.

You want weekly communion, but the pastor is worried it will become rote.

You’re looking for a church where the congregation is vigorously active in the worship, but every church has a praise band that performs before a passive congregation.

What should you do?

If the church is faithful to the gospel, start by giving thanks for the congregation, pastor, and church you already attend. Thank God for their faithfulness, for their ministries and evangelism, for the truth that is communicated.

Thankfulness isn’t complacency. You can give thanks and also criticize and offer suggestions. But without thankfulness, even legitimate criticisms and suggestions will arise from an ungodly, embittered spirit. If you can’t find anything to give thanks for, you shouldn’t be there. If the church has betrayed the gospel, protest. If the protest fails, leave.

When you do criticize, do it directly to the church’s leaders. Don’t start talking to other members to form a sub-congregation of complaint, what Pastor Douglas Wilson (@douglaswils) calls a “fellowship of the grievance.”

Grievance is a powerful force for forming bonds, but the bonds are demonic.

Whatever criticisms or suggestions you offer to the pastor or other leaders, remember that they are your shepherds who are charged by Jesus to keep watch for your soul (Heb 13:17).

Remember that you are called to obey them and honor them (Heb. 13:17). You don’t have to agree with them. But you must honor them as Christ’s appointed shepherds. Appeal, don’t demand. Suggest, don’t give orders. And pray that the Lord will lead the leaders into a deeper appreciation of biblical worship. And remember that, however feeble the church seems, it is contributing to the work of building God’s city. However pathetic, it is the city of the living God, heaven sent to earth.

- Peter Leithart
The Theopolitan Vision

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Build something.

Build something big.

Start building something that will take centuries to finish. Start building a city within the city.

- Peter Leithart (State of the CREC address, 2022)

https://t.co/IN03CcImAF

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

The Theopolis Podcast
Episode 880: Vain to Serve God?
(Malachi 3:13–18)

https://t.co/2byDW30WrD

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

The Civitas Podcast
Episode 43
One Church, Many States
A Conversation with John Ehrett

Peter Leithart and James Wood talk with John Ehrett about Luther’s theology of antitrust, monopolies, predatory pricing, Gudina Tumsa, two kingdoms theology, and why the Church relativizes every regime.

https://t.co/1dvqzr6r6Q

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

Pentecost and the Coming of the Spirit

https://t.co/e8F9zF4gZo

[Theopolis Institute @_Theopolis]

The Theopolitan Ministry Conference + Trinity Feast are both open for registration.

Join us July 13–14 for teaching on labor, liturgy, vocation, communion, and Christian work - and then stay for our annual Trinity Feast on July 14.

Early bird registration is 15% off through June 1, automatically applied at checkout.

Theopolitan Ministry Conference:
https://t.co/mnrbZqd0yx

Trinity Feast:
https://t.co/zvS37oc9vC