PCUSA Pastor Faces Scrutiny Over Sermons Questioning Resurrection

Rev. Jim Rigby, pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Austin, Texas, has drawn public attention following the circulation of past sermons on social media. In an Easter 2023 message, Rigby questioned the historicity of the bodily resurrection of Jesus, suggesting that the empty tomb could be explained by the body being stolen by disciples or Roman authorities. He framed the resurrection as a symbolic narrative rather than a literal historical event, encouraging congregants to seek deeper meanings within the text.

Rigby, who has served his congregation for nearly 40 years, based his theological arguments on textual criticism regarding the ending of the Gospel of Mark. He suggested that the absence of certain verses in the earliest manuscripts allows for interpretations rooted in ancient mystery traditions. The pastor, who serves as a spiritual mentor to U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, has also faced criticism for previous comments comparing the Lord’s Supper to imagery associated with Gnostic deities. These resurfaced remarks have sparked debate regarding the boundaries of theological teaching within the Presbyterian Church (USA).