Undercover video shows St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin giving gender-neutral Bibles to new members. The footage features Reverend Jim Rigby and notes the church's connection to Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.
The 2007 Inclusive Bible and the removal of 'the Lord'
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin routinely distributes a specific translation known as the "Inclusive Bible," which was first published in 2007 by the organization Priests for Equality. According to the report, this version is designed to strip away masculine references to the divine to promote gender equality. The translation replaces the term "the Lord"—which the translators describe as "sexist and classist"—with neutral alternatives such as "Most High" and "Sovereign One."
The linguistic overhaul extends to the identity of Jesus. As the footage reveals, traditional titles like "Son of God" and "Son of Man" are substituted with phrases such as "Only Begotten," "God's Own," and "Eternally Begotten." Reverend Jim Rigby , the longtime pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, is seen in the video discussing the merits of this version, suggesting that removing gender stereotypes is more vital than the text's precision regarding abstract theological or metaphysical concepts.
James Talarico's lifelong ties to St. Andrew's
The religious practices at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church are intertwined with the biography of James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the Texas Senate. Talarico has a multi-generational connection to the congregation; he was baptized there as a child, and his parents' marriage was officiated by Reverend Jim Rigby. This relationship extends into the political sphere, as Reverend Rigby delivered the invocation during Talarico's swearing-in ceremony for the Texas House of Representatives.
The intersection of Talarico's political career and the church's "Presbyterian & Progressive" branding has drawn scrutiny from political observers in Texas. Because the church suggests that using masculine pronouns for God may be "the most sexist comment a person can make," the association provides a window into the theological framework supporting some of the state's most progressive political figures.
Babs Miller's claim that most members are agnostic or atheist
A striking revelation from the undercover footage is the apparent secularization of the congregation's self-identity. Minister Babs Miller is recorded claiming that "the vast majority" of the people attending St.. Andrew's Presbyterian Church identify as either atheist or agnostic. This suggests that the church's appeal may lie less in traditional dogma and more in its inclusive social and political alignment.
This internal demographic shift reflects a broader tension within modern American Christianity, where some institutions pivot toward a "spiritual but not religious" model to remain relevant. By embracing those who do not believe in a traditional deity, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church positions itself as a sanctuary for those alienated by the conservative religious landscape of Texas.
The 'sexist and classist' labels applied to traditional scripture
The move by St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to adopt the Inclusive Bible is part of a wider movement within progressive Protestantism to decouple faith from patriarchal structures. By labeling traditional biblical language as "sexist and classist," the church aligns itself with a theological trend that views scripture as a living document that must evolve to reflect contemporary values of social justice and egalitarianism.
This approach creates a sharp divide with traditionalist churches, who argue that altering the language of the Bible compromises doctrinal integrity. The clash between the "Inclusive Bible" and traditional translations is not merely a linguistic dispute but a proxy war over the definition of religious authority and the role of gender in the divine image.
Who is the undercover journalist behind the footage?
Despite the detailed nature of the report, several key pieces of information remain missing. the identity of the "undercover journalist" and the specific "investigative outlet" that released the footage have not been disclosed, leaving the motives behind the recording unverified. Additionally, it remains unclear if James Talarico has issued a direct response to the specific use of the Inclusive Bible within his home congregation, or if the church has provided a formal statement regarding the "vast majority" agnostic claim made by Babs Miller.
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