They tell us empathy is sinful. They twist doctrine into a weapon. They turn the Church into a fortress against the very people Jesus came to save. In this episode, The Faithful Citizen delves into the rise of online “shepherds” such as Dale Partridge, Doug Wilson, The Transformed Wife, Joel Webbon, and others who utilize WiFi pulpits to erode compassion and rebrand cruelty as conviction.

We trace the roots of this trend—from Joe Rigney’s infamous “empathy is sin” teaching to the orchestrated campaigns against justice, mercy, and truth—and reveal how their digital reach is shaping the faith of millions. This isn’t just about bad theology; it’s about wolves in WiFi clothing devouring the heart of the gospel.

With insights from our earlier episodes What Have We Become and The Myth of Neutrality, and building on the urgent call of Disarming the Saints, we unpack the theology, tactics, and consequences of this movement—and why the Church must respond with both clarity and courage.

Listen to this episode if you want to:

Understand the origins of the “empathy is sin” argument

Recognize the patterns of manipulation in online Christian influencers

See how these teachings intersect with Christian nationalism and authoritarianism

Learn how to respond without losing your Christlike posture

Join the conversation: Your voice matters in calling the Church back to the gospel of love, truth, and justice.