The Fall of Sam Allberry and the Failure of Side B Christianity

This episode of The Ezra Institute Podcast for Cultural Reformation examines the fall of Sam Albury, a prominent Anglican pastor and advocate of 'Side B' Christianity, following his removal from ministry at Emanuel Church in Nashville due to an inappropriate relationship with an adult man. Hosts Pastor Nate Wright and Dr. Joe Boot analyze not just the scandal, but the theological framework that enabled Albury’s rise and the broader cultural accommodation within evangelical institutions. They critique the Side B movement for promoting a Gnostic-like dualism between body and soul, allowing same-sex attraction to be framed as a neutral, identity-forming orientation rather than a sinful desire in need of mortification. The hosts argue that this framework, while culturally palatable, undermines biblical anthropology, soteriology, and the doctrine of sanctification. They highlight how institutions like the Gospel Coalition and Desiring God quickly embraced Albury despite his personal struggles, revealing a deeper crisis of faith in the power of the gospel to transform lives. The episode concludes with a call for the church to recover a robust biblical worldview rooted in creational order, repentance, and the transformative power of Christ, rather than seeking cultural relevance through theological compromise.