Eric Vanden Eykel

Eric Vanden Eykel is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Ferrum College. Opinions expressed in this article are his own and may not necessarily reflect those of Ferrum College or others in the Ferrum College community. You can find him on Bluesky at: @evandeneykel.bsky.social

Articles

Religion Dispatches

Charlie Kirk’s Death Makes Visible What Gun Advocates Would Prefer to Deny: That This Violent Culture Spares No One

A shooting is never something to trivialize. Bullets rip through walls, through flesh, and through families. Even when they miss their mark, even when they spare life but not the body, they leave a…

Eric Vanden Eykel

September 11, 2025

Article

Religion Dispatches

Progressive Christian Election Response 'Give us Barabbas' May Be Well-Meaning — But Functions as Anti-Jewish Dogwhistle

In the wake of the 2024 United States presidential election, “Give us Barabbas” emerged in progressive Christian social media circles as a pithy critique of those who voted for Donald Trump. But…

Sarah Rollens

Eric Vanden Eykel

Meredith Warren

November 15, 2024

elections

Article

Religion Dispatches

Conservative Evangelical Eric Metaxas, Doing Twitter Theology, Claims 'Jesus Was White'

When Eric Metaxas tweeted that “Jesus was white” on Monday the small corner of Twitter in which Metaxas is sometimes a conversation piece erupted quickly, and with wild speculation. Is he looking for…

Eric Vanden Eykel

July 29, 2020

Article