Cantus Firmus

It’s rare in our current cultural climate that a debate over biblical interpretation becomes a topic of discussion in major media outlets. It was therefore something of a surprise when Attorney General Jeff Sessions sought to silence evangelical criticism of President Trump’s immigration policy by citing Romans chapter 13, sparking a national conversation about this passage:

The primary criticism in the media of this citation from Sessions was, interestingly, not that he had misread the passage, but that its significance in American history is found in its defense of slavery. Does a faithful reading of Romans 13 require that we assent to power at all times, even when it appears to be acting immorally, as it did in its defense of American slavery? Is it always the case that, as White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders “it is very biblical to enforce the law” and that “it’s a moral policy to follow and enforce the law?” The answer to that question may be found in close readings of the passages which Paul alludes to in this section to support his argument…

Audio:

Music:

Work referenced:

I had the pleasure of talking with author Dr. Stephen R. Haynes about his new book The Battle for Bonhoeffer: Debating Discipleship in the Age of Trump. We discussed the “real” Bonhoeffer in light of how he has been co-opted by various groups, his uncompromising attitude toward truth and justice in the face of Nazi persecution, and what lessons Christians might learn from him today when there is so much pressure to compromise our values to hold on to privilege and political influence.

You can buy his book at https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Bonhoeffer-Stephen-R-Haynes/dp/0802876013/

Download:

Music:

Jackson can be found writing dope posts about the Bible every weekday at www.chocolatebook.net

Audio:

Music:

Dr. Andrew Graham was my guest for a discussion about the 2013 film Saving Mr. Banks. Dr. Graham’s background in counseling shed some light on how this film about Walt Disney’s tense negotiations for movie rights with Mary Poppins author P. L. Travers depicts relationships between parents and children. We also talked about narratives of redemption and why our need for them is so deep and universal.

Dr. Graham is a licensed mental health counselor, nationally certified counselor, and board-certified professional Christian counselor providing professional counseling and consulting from a Christian perspective. He serves as the Chair of Counseling at Hobe Sound Bible College and as adjunct faculty at several other undergraduate and graduate institutions. Dr. Graham and his wife Lisa live in Hobe Sound, Florida with their 8 children.

Audio:

Music:

This is the eighth Patreon-only podcast I’ve done, and to give some of the free podcast subscribers a taste of what I do on Patreon, I’ve decided to let them hear this one as well. If you enjoy this episode and want to hear more, as well as get behind the scenes updates of new book projects and free access to digital copies of my books, and even paperback at the higher tier, you can visit www.patreon.com/cantusfirmus or click the link to Patreon on www.cantus-firmus.com

The topics for this podcast include a prominent feature of Jesus’ famous prodigal son parable that Americans tend to miss and my reflection on Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Was Luke right to isolate himself from the force and seek to destroy the Jedi way?

Audio Download:

Music: