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(Note: Since writing the essays below, I’ve left the academy and now work as a software engineer. Nevertheless, I’m keeping these around for posterity.) Wheaton College Graduate School (2017 - ) (Here’s the elevator pitch for my dissertation proposal: “Scriptural, But Not Religious: Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and a Biblical Critique of Religion.”) The Guilt of Karl Barth: Strengths and Weaknesses of Barth’s Römerbrief Reading of Romans 9:30–10:21 The Tree of Religion: Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis 2:4–3:24 When will Thy Kingdom Come? The Timing and Agency of the Kingdom of God in the Lord’s Prayer Theological Hermeneutics Essay: The Hermeneutical Implications of Scripture’s Theological Location ℹ️ Note More About Me: About • CV/Resume • My Story • What I’m Doing Now • Sermons • Philosophy of Ministry Beeson Divinity School (2013-2016) To Be or Not To Be Religious: A Clarification of Karl Barth’s and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Divergence and Convergence Regarding Religion A Crucicentric Credo What Does It Mean To Be Human? Divided Desires? Or Divine Discourse? Disunity as Ecclesiological Impossibility: A Barthian Analogy Dogmatic Essay on Scripture Cedarville University (2009-2013) Reconciliation and the Lack Thereof: Atonement, Ecclesiology, and the Unity of God Creation and Doxology: A Portrait of Biblical Creation Theology Exposition Paper: Deuteronomy 6:1-15 Yahweh’s Rîb Against Israel: Gerichtsrede and the Message of Micah Exposition Paper: Micah 6:1-16 Romans 13:1-7 - A Contextually-Appropriate Reading The Argument/Story of Romans Exegetical Paper: Hebrews 10:19-25

The best way to keep up with what I publish is the email newsletter. RSS and social links are below if you prefer those. Email Newsletter Subscribe to Steele Notes for new posts and occasional updates: Enter your email Powered by Buttondown. Feeds Blog RSS Notes RSS Notes JSON Feed Saved Links RSS Saved Links JSON Feed Social And Elsewhere Bluesky (@joshuapsteele.com) GitHub LinkedIn Mastodon Micro.blog Threads Thanks for reading. Choose the method that fits how you already use the web. ...

Friends, in light of recent political developments in the United States and around the world (rising authoritarianism and, yes, fascism), I’ve compiled a list of resources and strategies for resisting tyranny and defending democracy. This is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a good starting point for anyone looking to get involved. First and foremost, we must know and want to know the truth. Mainstream media and social media have let us down by seeking to keep us angry, divided, and misinformed. We must seek out reliable sources of information and be willing to change our minds when presented with new evidence. ...

“Devs in the Details: Devs Who Give a Damn” A new version of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense for the 21st century. A new version of Karl Barth’s Theological Existence Today for the 21st century. A new version of the Barmen Declaration for the 21st century. Amazon affiliate link AI assistant for inserting affiliate links into blog posts. ℹ️ Note This /ideas page is just one of my many “slash pages.”

ℹ️ Note This /interests page is just one of my many “slash pages.” Here are some of my interests, hobbies, and things I like to do in my free time. This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good idea of what I’m into. Things I’m Interested In Books Tools Home repair Auto repair DIY projects Soccer Chess Coffee Craft beer Rucking Typewriters Writing instruments (pens, pencils, etc.) Stationery (notebooks, paper, etc.) Language learning Travel Relaxing television shows (This Old House, Great British Bake Off, etc.) Things I’m Not Interested In Crypto Culture wars Right-wing propaganda Guest posts on my blog

ℹ️ Note This /lists page is just one of my many “slash pages.” This is a /lists page, where I keep track of the lists I’m working on! Last Updated: 2025-06-30 20 Ways to Fight Tyranny The following 20 “lessons” are taken from Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (paid link). Here’s a video of John Lithgow reading the 20 lessons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXR5HLodsT8. 1. Do not obey in advance Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do. ...

ℹ️ Note This /posse (AKA “Publish Own Site, Syndicate Everywhere”) or /tech-stack or /techstack page is just one of my many “slash pages.” Here’s my current personal tech stack. For other recommended tools and resources, visit my /resources page! Personal Website: joshuapsteele.com Domain registrar: Porkbun Hosting: GitHub Pages Static website generator: Hugo Hugo theme: PaperMod Saved Links: links.joshuapsteele.com Link blog app: LinkLog Runtime: Go Database: SQLite Hosting: DigitalOcean droplet behind Caddy Capture workflow: Drafts on iOS Feeds: RSS and JSON Feed Email: Fastmail Email provider: Fastmail Custom DNS settings for joshuapsteele.com over at Porkbun, my domain registrar Social Media: micro.blog My main social media hub is through Micro.Blog Premium ($100/year) for social.joshuapsteele.com, which is an alias of micro.blog/joshuapsteele Short posts and long posts Photo hosting Podcast hosting Cross-posting to Mastodon and Threads Custom themes Publish from the web or native apps Up to 5 blogs Email newsletters Private and shared notes Strata mobile app for notes Bookmark archiving and highlighting Short video hosting My AT Protocol identity and Bluesky profile is @joshuapsteele.com

ℹ️ Note I first wrote this summary of my story when I was in seminary at Beeson Divinity School. Some of it is a bit outdated, but I’m leaving it here for posterity and have updated it with more recent sections toward the bottom. More About Me: About • CV/Resume • What I’m Doing Now • Essays • Sermons • Philosophy of Ministry From Childhood to College God’s faithfulness to me is linked with his faithfulness to my parents. They both grew up Roman Catholic. When I came along, they had recently left the Roman Catholic Church for conservative evangelicalism. And yet, their departure from the Roman Catholic Church was still recent enough that my grandmother persuaded them to have me baptized as a baby. This was when the first seeds of faith were sown into my life. ...

Crypto Culture wars MAGA Right-wing propaganda Trump USA Evangelicalism Guest posts on my blog ℹ️ Note This /nope page is just one of my many “slash pages.”

This is what has most of my attention right now. ℹ️ Note This /now page is just one of my many “slash pages.” More About Me: About • CV/Resume • My Story • Essays • Sermons • Philosophy of Ministry These days, I’m: Raising three young kids with my wife Growing as a software engineer in cybersecurity, especially around backend systems, IAM, and AI-assisted development Rebuilding healthier routines around food, strength, mobility, and sleep Working through home repair projects and trying to become more practically competent Reading theology, software engineering, and practical-skills books Playing coed rec soccer when the schedule allows Learning my way around smoking meats with an Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco smoker (This is a now page, and if you have your own site, you should make one, too.) ...

ℹ️ Note More About Me: About • CV/Resume • My Story • What I’m Doing Now • Essays • Sermons A Note on the Irony of This Title There’s an obvious irony in keeping this page titled “Philosophy of Ministry” when I resigned from active ministry in 2023 and now work full-time as a software engineer. I remain technically an ordained priest in Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I did not renounce my Holy Orders. But I am not licensed to serve anywhere, and I have no current plans to return to professional ministry. The institutional church and I, particularly the conservative evangelical world I grew up in, have gone our separate ways. ...

These are my most popular posts based on site traffic from the last 30 days. Data is pulled from my public analytics dashboard. Based on traffic from the past 30 days. 14 Characteristics of Fascism: Umberto Eco on Ur-Fascism (493 views)Exploring Umberto Eco's 14 characteristics of Ur-Fascism, from the cult of tradition to the impoverishment of language that limits critical thought. What Color is My Parachute? The Flower Petal Exercise (333 views)A walkthrough of the seven-part Flower Petal self-assessment from *What Color Is Your Parachute?*—and my own results from working through this classic job-search exercise. ...

ℹ️ Note This /questions page is just one of my many “slash pages.” Last Updated: 2026-06-16 Questions I’m Asking (These are in addition to these “self-elicitation” questions, which are always worth asking yourself!) What are the most helpful resources (books, podcasts, shows, exercises, etc.) for teaching young children how to have good manners? What’s a good “budget” version of a Veto Pro Pac TP-LC tool bag (paid link)? What are the most useful lengths and kinds of rope to have on hand? What are the most useful dimensions/kinds of lumber to have on hand? On a deeper level: ...

A “tool” is “anything that can make your life better.” I love tools, whether physical or digital. And I love books, because they’re some of the best tools out there! (For my personal “tech stack” recommendations, including what I use for email, social media, etc., see my /tech-stack page.) ℹ️ Note As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only list things I actually use and recommend. DIY/Home Repair Tools Toolbox: AWP TrapJaw 3-in-1 Electrician Tool Pouch (paid link) Previous: Hyper Tough 16-inch Open Top Tool Tote Drill and Driver Set: BOSCH CLPK22–120 12V Max Cordless 2-Tool 3/8 in. Drill/Driver and 1/4 in. Impact Driver Combo Kit (paid link) Utility Knives: Gear Infusion GhostTi Utility Knife Milwaukee Fastback 6-in-1 48-22-1505 OLFA 25mm Utility Knife (paid link) OLFA 18mm Utility Knife (paid link) Hammers: ESTWING 12 oz Straight Rip Claw - E3-12S (paid link) ESTWING 16 oz Straight Rip Claw - E3-16S (paid link) Screwdrivers: WORKPRO 12-in-1 Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver (paid link) Wera 838 RA-R M Ratcheting Screwdriver (paid link) HOTO 24-in-1 Precision Screwdriver (paid link) Pliers / Wrenches: KNIPEX Tools - Pliers Wrench, Chrome (8603250), 10-Inch (paid link) KNIPEX Tools - Cobra Water Pump Pliers (8701250),10-Inch (paid link) In addition to the “250mm” size above, I also own the Pliers Wrench in 100mm and 180mm sizes, and the Cobra Pliers in 100mm and 180mm sizes. Measuring Tapes: Stanley FatMax 25-foot Measuring Tape (paid link) Stanley Powerlock 25-foot Measuring Tape (paid link) FastCap Standard Reverse Measuring Tape (paid link) FastCap Metric Reverse Measuring Tape (paid link) Stud Finder: C.H. Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder (paid link) Pry Bar / Nail Puller: ESTWING Pro Claw Moulding Puller - 10" Pry Bar (paid link) SMALL Pry Bar: Lisle 35100 1/4" Pry Bar with Strike Cap (paid link) Ridiculously Useful Pry Bar: 4140 Pry Tool (paid link) (I guess these are used for sheet metal and airplane work, but you can use them for a TON of other stuff, too.) Hex / Allen Wrenches: TEKTON Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set, 26-Piece (paid link) Tire Pressure Gauge: ETENWOLF Digital Tire Pressure Gauge, 2 Pack (paid link) Home Coffee Maker: OXO 9-Cup Coffee Maker Coffee Grinder: Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder (paid link) Manual Coffee Grinder: Water Bottle: Owala FreeSip, 24oz (paid link) Previous: Iron Flask, 64oz (paid link) Nail Clippers: Muji Nail Clipper (paid link) Cleaning Wipes: Tub O’ Towels Heavy Duty Cleaning Wipes (paid link) Health/Fitness Squat Rack: REP Fitness PR-1100 Power Rack Previous: Valor Fitness BD–9 Squat Stands (paid link) Bench: Amazon Basics Flat Weight Bench (paid link) Barbell and Weights: Fitness Gear 300lb. Olympic Weight Set Kettlebell(s): CAP Barbell Cast Iron Kettlebells (paid link) Steel Mace(s): Retrospec Steel Macebells (paid link) Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training (paid link), by Mark Rippetoe Kettlebell Simple & Sinister: Revised and Updated Edition (paid link), by Pavel Tsatsouline Darebee: https://darebee.com/ Office Computer: Mac Mini (2024, Apple M4 chip) Previous: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) Notebook: Leuchtturm1917 Medium Size Hardcover A5 Notebook - Dotted Pages (paid link) Pocket Notebook: Field Notes (paid link) Pen: Uni-ball Power Tank 0.7mm, Blue or Black (paid link) Password Manager: 1Password Notes / Personal Knowledge Management: Obsidian Task Management: Apple Reminders (used to use Todoist) and Jira Thinking and Learning Resources How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading (paid link), by Mortimer J. Adler The Personal MBA, by Josh Kaufman The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User’s Manual (paid link), by Ward Farnsworth Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models (paid link), by Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann Untools: https://untools.co/ James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/ Farnam Street: https://fs.blog/ Your Logical Fallacy Is: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/ Your Bias Is: https://yourbias.is/ Productivity and Time Management Resources The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (paid link), by Stephen Covey Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (paid link), by Brian Tracy Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World (paid link), by Cal Newport Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (paid link), by David Allen Software Development Resources Software Terminal: Warp IDEs: IntelliJ IDEA and VS Code Database Management: Datagrip Version Control: Git and GitHub Containerization: Docker and Rancher Desktop API Testing: Postman Books Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction, Second Edition (paid link) by Steve McConnell (old, but still good!) Cracking the Coding Interview: 189 Programming Questions and Solutions (paid link) by Gayle Laakmann McDowell Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems (paid link) by Martin Kleppmann The Effective Engineer (paid link) by Edmond Lau The Missing README: A Guide for the New Software Engineer (paid link) by Chris Riccomini and Dmitriy Ryaboy The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering (paid link) by Frederick P. Brooks Jr. (again, old, but still very good!) The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery (paid link) by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt The Software Engineer’s Guidebook (paid link) by Gergely Orosz System Design Interview (paid link) and System Design Interview, Volume 2 (paid link) by Alex Xu Understanding Distributed Systems, Second Edition (paid link) by Roberto Vitillo Other “The Pragmatic Engineer” newsletter by Gergely Orosz “How to Do Great Work” by Paul Graham “Get your work recognized: write a brag document” by Julia Evans ByteByteGo, especially the ByteByteGo Youtube channel Stack Overflow: https://stackoverflow.com/ O’Reilly: https://learning.oreilly.com/ roadmap.sh: https://roadmap.sh/ cheat.sh: https://cheat.sh/ DevHints.io: https://devhints.io/ Learn X in Y minutes: https://learnxinyminutes.com/ Baeldung (for Java/Spring): https://www.baeldung.com/

ℹ️ Note More About Me: About • CV/Resume • My Story • What I’m Doing Now • Essays • Philosophy of Ministry ( Click here to view all posts that have been categorized as sermons on my blog.) Why Haven’t You Torn the Sky Open Yet? Your browser does not support the audio element. Isaiah 64. November 28, 2020 (First Sunday of Advent). Preached at Church of the Savior in Wheaton, IL (via Zoom). Who Really Cares about the Trinity? Matthew 28:16-20. June 6, 2020. Preached at Church of the Savior in Wheaton, IL (via Zoom). ...