James Talarico Called 'Dumb and Blasphemous' as 6 Heretical Theological Takes Resurface After Texas Senate Win

Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Under Fire for Controversial Theological Claims Including "God is Non Binary" and Using Gnostic Texts

Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico, 36, has ignited a firestorm of controversy following his decisive U.S. Senate primary win on Tuesday, March 4, 2026. Footage of past sermons and social media posts have resurfaced, revealing six deeply contentious theological positions that critics are calling "dumb and blasphemous."

Talarico, a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who is pursuing a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, first won election in 2018 to represent the liberal Austin area in the Texas House of Representatives.

Among his most controversial claims, Talarico cited the Gospel of Thomas, a second century Gnostic text rejected by the early church, to argue that "Jesus was a feminist." New Testament scholar Brant Pitre dismissed this, stating that "even skeptical scholars recognize that these documents are too late to be authentic."

During a 2021 legislative floor speech, Talarico declared that "God is non binary," claiming that "God is both masculine and feminine and everything in between." He also asserted that "modern science obviously recognizes that there are many more than two biological sexes; in fact, there are six."

Creation has to be done with consent. You cannot force someone to create.

Talarico used this argument on The Joe Rogan Experience to defend abortion, claiming the Annunciation narrative proves God sought Mary's consent before the Incarnation. Theologian Robert Gagnon called the argument "laughable" and described Talarico's theology as "dumb and blasphemous."

Additionally, Talarico has claimed that atheist colleagues are "more Christ like" than some Christian legislators, characterized racism as a "virus" spread by all White people, asked congregations "Did they teach you in Sunday school that Jesus Christ himself was a radical feminist?" and repeatedly invoked Jesus's temple cleansing to justify aggressive political tactics, saying "It's time to start flipping tables!"

Senate Candidate Talarico Faces Accusations of Heresy Over Six Theological Positions on God, Abortion, and Gender

Talarico has positioned himself as opposing "Christian nationalists" while invoking Jesus's example of "flipping tables of injustice." His platform makes his Christian faith a central pillar, yet the theological positions now under scrutiny stand in sharp contrast to orthodox Christian teaching.

The controversy has drawn responses from both sides. Right wing commentators have called Talarico "straight up demonic" and "blasphemous," while his supporters argue that his progressive theological views represent a legitimate tradition within mainline Protestantism. Talarico later admitted his "God is non binary" remark was "a little provocative" intended to make the theological point that "God is beyond gender."

The Crusader's Opinion

Let's be perfectly clear about what is happening here. A man who cites rejected Gnostic texts, calls God "non binary," uses Scripture to defend the killing of the unborn, and says atheists act more like Christ than Christians is not a theologian. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. The Gospel of Thomas was thrown out by the early Church for a reason, and no amount of seminary credentials can make heresy orthodox. When you twist the Word of God to justify abortion and deny the very nature of the Creator, you are not "flipping tables of injustice." You are building tables for the enemy. This is what happens when mainline denominations abandon biblical authority: they produce leaders who weaponize Scripture against the very faith they claim to profess. Christians in Texas and across this nation should be paying very close attention.

Take Action

• Contact your Texas state representatives and U.S. senators to express your concerns about candidates who misrepresent Christian theology for political gain. Find your representatives at usa.gov/elected-officials.
• Support sound biblical teaching and theological education by donating to orthodox seminaries and Christian organizations committed to doctrinal integrity.
• Share this article with fellow believers and start conversations at your local church about how progressive theology is being used to reshape political discourse.
• Pray for discernment among Christian voters in Texas as they face the general election. Pray that truth prevails over political manipulation of Scripture.
• Support persecuted Christians worldwide who are suffering for holding to orthodox biblical faith through The Shepherd's Shield, Open Doors USA, or Voice of the Martyrs.