Why I Decided to Part Ways With Patheos

Time for a New Era

Crux Sola (Blog) has been retired

So: about a week ago, I decided to part ways with Patheos, where I had a blog (Crux Sola) for five years.

The backstory: I started a blog in 2007 (!), I was part of the second wave of bibliobloggers, at first it was short book reviews and insights into the life (and failings!) of a PhD student (me). I blogged in waves, quite a lot from 2007-2012, and then a significant drop off. But in 2019 I approached Patheos and they brought me onto their family of blogs. I liked the branding, the cross-promotion with their other theological blogs, and the money was a factor (it wasn’t much money in the end tho).

Fast-forward to 2023-2024: My blog was in major decline and neglect. To be honest, I got busy with book projects, and what I wanted to say “on the fly” I basically just said on social media (like FB and Twitter). But in late March/early April, a set of life circumstances led me to want to turn a new page in my life. So: Voila! “Engaging Scripture” Substack was born.

Why I decided to focus on Substack:

Part of the reason I decided to dive in was because my good friend AJ Swoboda started a Substack, and I’m never one to be outdone (just kidding!). He did inspire me.

Here are some other factors

• A clean style of writing and great writer interface

• No ads: that was huge. I got so many complaints about my blog ads. It was distracting and messy, and off-putting. No ads is the way to go.

• Interaction: There appears to be a robust Substack community. I love that.

• Email dispersion. It seems like people have different social media lanes, so it was hard to get blog content out to everyone. Duh: everyone has email. So email is a great way to get news and opinions to folks. Brilliant.

• Clarity on who is reading: Substack provides clear information to me about subscribers, and great stats and metrics information.

• Direct payment/personal support: I had an original plan to wait six months before doing limited/paid-only posts, assuming no one wanted to pay money for my posts, but immediately I got several paid subscribers, and my Substack writer friends tell me the paid supporters want full access and to encourage and lift up good writers. I’m honored! I love that money doesn’t need to go to and through ads.

Thank you, Patheos

I don’t have a personal beef with Patheos, I am appreciative of the partnership they provided for

several years. It was beneficial to both of us at the time, but I need a fresh start with something new. My blog (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/cruxsola/) remains archived at Patheos, I am happy with that arrangement. My work is still in the same place.

Thanks to Subscribers

Thanks for joining me in this new adventure. I have been posting a lot to attract initial base of subscribers, in May 2024 and following I will settle into a 3-4 posts a week rhythm. I am energized and excited for great conversations to come!