Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who often touts his faith on the campaign trail, is now facing intense scrutiny after an undercover investigation exposed his longtime church actively using a controversial 'Inclusive Bible.' This radical 'translation' is designed to strip away traditional Christian language and doctrine, revealing a startling departure from foundational faith principles.
According to exclusive undercover footage obtained by the Daily Caller, Rev. Jim Rigby, the head pastor at St. Andrew's Presbyterian in Austin for over 35 years and a self-proclaimed 'spiritual mentor' to Talarico, readily admitted the church 'typically' hands out copies of this so-called 'Inclusive Bible' to new members. Rigby, a figure Talarico has cited as a profound influence, offered a glimpse into the theological confusion at play, stating, "It's good on the gender stuff. The more, like, metaphysical stuff, it's not a very good translation, if that makes sense. I think it's really important to have a good translation so you can let go of the stupid stuff."
The 'Inclusive Bible' isn't just a minor tweak to scripture; its translators openly describe it as a 're-imagining' specifically crafted to find 'new and non-sexist ways' to express biblical language. This radical departure includes avoiding 'Son of God' for Jesus, opting instead for phrases like 'Only Begotten' or 'God's Own.' Even the traditional reference to God as 'Lord' is deemed 'sexist' and 'classist' by its creators. Because, of course, traditional faith must bend to modern woke sensibilities.
The undercover footage, captured in August 2026, vividly demonstrates this agenda in action. During a service, a new member named Larry was presented with a copy of the 'Inclusive Bible.' An unidentified woman at the church declared, "It's the Bible that we use at this church." She then explained its purpose without reservation: "It's been rewritten so that there is only inclusive language and that it doesn't use the gender-fueled language that the King James Version uses." The brazen admission speaks volumes about the priorities of St. Andrew's Presbyterian.
Talarico's connection to St. Andrew's and Rev. Rigby runs deep, extending back to his childhood baptism. Rigby even officiated Talarico's parents' wedding and delivered the invocation for his Texas House swearing-in. A Texas Monthly profile from 2025 highlighted Talarico's early affinity for Rigby, noting they attended political protests together. Talarico himself has publicly stated that Rigby taught him that "our love for God has to grow into justice and move us from the sanctuary to the streets," a sentiment that increasingly sounds like a justification for radical political activism disguised as faith.
Rigby's theological worldview is far from traditional. He reportedly avoids Christian creeds and prayers to be 'inclusive' of non-Christians, once described Jesus as closer to a 'loving atheist than an indifferent theologian,' compared fetal remains to 'extracted teeth,' and has appeared to deny fundamental tenets like the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection of Jesus. This isn't just progressive; it's a systematic dismantling of foundational Christian beliefs.
The apples, it seems, don't fall far from the tree. Talarico's own public statements echo the same radical bent. In a 2021 Texas House floor debate, he famously declared that "God is non-binary." While later dismissing the remark as "cringey" and "deliberately provocative," he still maintained that it wasn't "controversial theologically" because "God is beyond gender." He also once described himself as a "Christian who hates Christianity" on an 'Activist Theology' podcast and incredibly argued on Joe Rogan's show that "a lot of biblical evidence" supports being pro-abortion. These are not the words of a traditional man of faith, but rather a politician attempting to reshape faith to fit a radical agenda.
As Talarico campaigns for the Texas Senate against Attorney General Ken Paxton, with polling showing a tight race, these revelations demand serious consideration from voters. The embrace of a 'rewritten' Bible and the rejection of core Christian doctrine by his spiritual guide, coupled with Talarico's own deeply unconventional views on faith, raise critical questions about his values and judgment. Texans deserve a leader who stands on firm principles, not one who allows foundational truths to be 're-imagined' by the whims of radical progressive ideology. The integrity of faith, like the integrity of our nation, depends on it.
