Ezra Institute Podcast for Cultural Reformation

Christianity & the State: Freedom Tethered to Christ (Part 2)

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Dr. Michael Thiessen and Pastor Nate Wright get practical about what it means to build Christian culture at the national level. Picking up from last week, they argue that freedom is only secure when it’s tethered to Christ—and then work through the “messy details” Christians must think through: covenantal nationhood, immigration and oaths, public worship, courts and penalties, and the Lord’s Day.

In this conversation, they cover:

  • Why nations are covenantal, not merely ethnic, and why that matters for law and belonging (Ruth, Rahab, Kuyper, Rushdoony).
  • Immigration & citizenship: the biblical categories of sojourner/resident/citizen; why oaths to God and constitutional loyalty are essential; equal civil justice without parallel legal systems.
  • Public worship & free speech: protecting public order (no high places, no public idolatry or blasphemy) while safeguarding reasoned religious dispute.
  • Courts & penalties: replacing warehousing prisons with restitution and structured bond-service, reserving capital penalties for capital crimes.
  • Lord’s Day in public life: civil rest that protects worship without policing private piety.
  • Common objections (“Isn’t this illiberal?” “What about free speech?”) and why law is a teacher.

    • Events & Links:

    • Fall Bible Conference — Oct 23–25, 2025, Big Tree Inn, Upstate NY (with Dr. Joe Boot): https://www.ezrainstitute.com/fall-bible-conference/
    • Ezra Conference East — Nov 1, 2025, Ingersoll, Ontario: Think Christianly about Islam & Immigration: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/ezra-conference-east/
    • Explore and support the work at Ezra Media—new site, new shows, subscriber perks, and year-end giving opportunities: https://ezramedia.tv/
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      Ezra Institute Podcast for Cultural ReformationBy Dr. Joe Boot
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