Conversations That Matter

This week on Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris sits down with Troy Miller, president and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters, for a wide-ranging conversation about the upcoming midterms and the role of Christian voters.

Miller discusses the dynamics shaping the 2026 elections, the growing divisions on both the right and left, the changing priorities of Christian conservatives, and why moral issues such as abortion, family, and sexual ethics should not disappear from the political conversation. They also discuss Christian voter turnout, the future of the American coalition, Miller's understanding of a Judeo-Christian foundation, and the changing influence of Christian media.

The conversation ultimately asks a larger question: What kind of country are Christians going to pass on to the next generation? Miller's answer is direct: Christians need to be courageous, engaged, and willing to act rather than merely comment from the sidelines.

00:00 — The Christian Vote and the 2026 Midterms

01:38 — What Is Really at Stake?

03:19 — Why These Midterms Could Be Different

07:42 — Are Christians Forgetting the Moral Issues?

12:17 — What Does the Next Generation Want From Christian Media?

18:25 — Could Christians Decide Every Election?

26:19 — The Changing Influence of Christian Media

41:49 — Christians Have a Responsibility to Vote

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America is losing its hunters.

The number of Americans who hunt has been declining for decades, and that trend raises questions that go far beyond hunting itself. What happens to conservation when fewer people hunt? What happens to our relationship with land, animals, food, and the outdoors? And what does the disappearance of hunting tell us about the broader changes taking place in American culture?

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines the decline of hunting in America and why the loss of hunters could have consequences that most Americans have not considered.

Hunting is not simply a recreational pastime. It has historically connected generations of Americans to the land, provided food, supported local economies, and played an important role in funding wildlife conservation. The question is whether those traditions can survive when fewer young Americans take them up.

The 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation recorded 14.4 million hunters age 16 and older. At the same time, researchers and wildlife organizations have raised growing concerns about declining participation and the difficulty of replacing older hunters with younger generations.

So why are Americans hunting less? And what are we losing when the American hunter disappears?

Join Jon Harris for another episode of Conversations That Matter.

#Hunting #America #Conservation

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In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines what happens when truth becomes a team sport. Why are we so quick to defend our political or ideological side, even when the facts may point elsewhere? We look at tribalism, bias, and the growing difficulty of pursuing truth in an increasingly polarized culture.

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n this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines one of the most controversial questions surrounding Martin Luther: Did Luther’s writings inspire Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust?

Luther unquestionably wrote deeply troubling things about Jews later in his life, particularly in On the Jews and Their Lies. But the historical story is considerably more complicated than simply drawing a straight line from Luther to Hitler.

We look at Luther’s earlier writings and his efforts to evangelize Jews, the change in his views, the German Christian movement, the Volkish appropriation of Luther, Hitler’s actual references to Luther, and the ways Nazi Germany used Luther’s image.

The question is not whether Luther had serious faults. He did. The question is whether we should understand Luther as a spiritual ancestor of Nazism, or whether later movements distorted and selectively appropriated his legacy.

The episode ultimately argues for taking Luther’s entire theology and historical context seriously rather than allowing either his defenders or his critics to reduce him to a caricature.

00:00 Introduction: Did Luther Inspire Hitler?

04:50 Why the Luther-Hitler Connection Matters

06:17 How Luther’s Legacy Was Reinterpreted

10:29 Luther’s Early Views of Jews

14:14 Why Luther’s Views Changed

19:53 On the Jews and Their Lies

21:00 Luther, Conversion, and Medieval Christianity

31:59 How the Volkish Movement Appropriated Luther

34:25 What Did Hitler and the Nazis Actually Think of Luther?

59:31 The Historical Debate and Luther’s Legacy

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Thomas Sowell is one of the thinkers I have recommended for years, particularly for his criticism of simplistic explanations for racial disparities. But I think one of the central arguments in Black Rednecks and White Liberals does not hold up as well as many conservatives assume.

In this reaction, I respond to Hunter Matz's discussion of Sowell's thesis on the Joe Rogan Experience and examine the argument that Southern “redneck” culture was largely responsible for the cultural problems of black Americans.

I look at the West Indies comparison, the distinction between Appalachian and Southern plantation culture, the influence of the planter class, the history of slavery and Reconstruction, Northern education, Booker T. Washington, the Great Society, and the cultural changes that followed.

My argument is not that culture does not matter. Quite the opposite. Culture matters enormously. But history is complicated, and I do not think we can explain modern black American problems by simply pointing to Southern rednecks.

As I say toward the end of the video, I have not argued that anything is in anyone's DNA or blamed one group of white people for everything. I am arguing that the history is more complicated than this particular explanation allows.

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00:00 – Why I Am Reacting to Joe Rogan

02:43 – Thomas Sowell's “Black Rednecks” Thesis

04:00 – The Problem With the West Indies Comparison

06:35 – Are Ghettos and Black Culture Unique to America?

08:33 – Did Black Americans Simply Adopt “Redneck Culture”?

10:00 – The Cornwall and Ebonics Argument

12:10 – Who Actually Lived in the Southern Black Belt?

15:35 – Why Eugene Genovese Matters

16:58 – Reconstruction, Education, and Booker T. Washington

20:50 – The Great Society, Northern Influence, and Who Is Responsible?

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This episode tackles one of the most difficult questions surrounding pastoral ministry: Can a man who has committed serious sin ever become, or return to, the pastorate?

After my conversation with Justin Peters on pastoral qualifications and permanent disqualification, several men reached out to say that they were afraid they could never become pastors because of sins in their past. At the same time, there are men occupying pulpits who have no business being there.

So where is the line?

We examine the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3, the warning of James 3:1, Paul's language about being "disqualified," sexual sin and adultery, divorce, the early church's approach to serious pastoral sin, John Calvin's understanding of ministerial credibility, and the practical question of whether trust can ever be restored.

The key distinction is between sin, biblical qualification, disqualification, and prudential judgment. Not every past sin permanently prevents a man from pastoral ministry. But some sins can destroy the trust necessary for shepherding God's people.

And for men who are currently afraid to pursue ministry, there is an important word of encouragement: the question is not whether you still struggle with sin, but whether your present life demonstrates the pattern required of an elder.

The goal is not to lower the biblical standard for pastors. It is to apply the standard faithfully, wisely, and honestly.

00:00 Introduction

01:29 Why Some Men Are Afraid to Become Pastors

08:15 Some Men Should Never Be Pastors Again

09:38 The Biblical Qualifications for Elders

15:01 Does Permanent Disqualification Exist?

17:25 Sexual Sin, Adultery, and Pastoral Disqualification

20:25 How the Early Church Handled Fallen Ministers

28:05 When Trust Is Permanently Broken

33:16 Why Patterns of Life Matter

38:59 Encouragement for Men Who Believe They Are Called to Ministry

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In this episode of Conversations That Matter, we examine one of the biggest challenges facing America: the growing disconnect between ownership, virtue, and political stability.

Why are fewer young Americans buying homes? Is the affordability crisis creating the conditions for socialism? What role do housing, immigration, and local leadership play in the future of the conservative movement?

We also discuss the growing fractures on the Right, whether American conservatism has always been rooted in liberalism, and what the Founding Fathers can teach us about recovering a distinctly American political vision.

Topics include:

• The real homeownership crisis

• Why the trades may offer a better path for many young people

• The connection between property ownership and civic virtue

• The housing market and government regulation

• The SAVE Act and Republican resistance in the Senate

• The rise of the Muslim-Left political coalition

• Updates on the PCA and SBC

• What conservatives must do to rebuild strong local communities

Subscribe for thoughtful analysis on Christianity, culture, and politics from a conservative Christian perspective.

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00:00 Introduction

00:43 Today's Topics: PCA, SBC, and the Conservative Movement

03:41 Why Young Americans Cannot Afford Homes

06:52 Homeownership, Socialism, and Human Nature

12:05 Why Owning Property Shapes Conservative Values

13:01 Can Trump Solve the Housing Crisis?

14:45 John Thune, the SAVE Act, and Republican Roadblocks

17:51 What Is Really Driving Housing Prices?

21:30 Why Communities Need Local Ownership

26:00 The Trades vs. College Debate

33:00 Is the Right Actually Liberal?

42:30 The Founding Fathers on Liberalism

53:15 PCA Update

1:05:30 SBC Update

1:18:45 Michigan, Muslims, and the New Left Coalition

1:31:00 Final Thoughts

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How should Christian men think about ambition, success, influence, and vocation? In a culture obsessed with fame and personal achievement, Scripture points us toward something deeper: faithfulness.

In this episode, I discuss why ambition is not the enemy, but why it must be directed by virtue, responsibility, and God's calling. We explore the importance of faithful men, local community, vocation, influence, contentment, and how to discern what God would have you build during your lifetime.

This discussion is based on my latest Substack article, What Should I Do? A Christian Man's Guide to Ambition, Influence, and Faithfulness.

If you have ever wrestled with questions about career, purpose, legacy, or whether you are making the most of your life, I hope this conversation helps.

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00:00 Why Ambition Matters

05:36 Defining Success

10:42 Faithfulness Over Fame

16:08 Vocation and Calling

21:54 Building What Lasts

28:17 Influence and Responsibility

34:06 Accepting Your Limits

39:11 Planning for Legacy

43:28 Final Exhortation

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In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris revisits the COVID era through the lens of Anthony Fauci’s public statements and congressional testimony—including his decision to plead the Fifth. The discussion examines how many evangelical leaders and institutions responded at the time, the frequent use of Romans 13 and “love your neighbor” arguments, and which churches and pastors actually stood firm.Harris shares the key lessons he believes Christians should take from 2020–2021: good theology is only proven under pressure, the importance of thinking independently, and the value of leaders who refuse to bend conviction for social approval. The episode also covers current cultural observations on immigration and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, the surprising success of country artist Ella Langley, recent Trump administration actions, listener questions, and a clear call to maintain integrity regardless of the cultural winds.

00:00 Fauci Clips Montage

02:00 Welcome & Why This Still Matters

05:50 What Evangelical Leaders Said About Fauci

10:00 Lessons from COVID: Theology Meets Reality

13:50 Churches That Stayed Open – The Real Heroes

18:00 Elites, Platforms & Parachurch Failures

21:00 Thinking for Yourself & Finding Courage

59:00 Immigration, Nigeria & Western Democracies

1:02:30 Ella Langley’s Chart Success

1:09:00 Trump Administration Updates

1:10:30 Listener Questions & Personal Notes

1:16:30 Final Takeaways from COVID

1:21:00 Closing & ETP Coffee

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Should a pastor who commits adultery, habitually views pornography, or commits another serious moral failure ever return to ministry?

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Peters to discuss one of the most controversial questions facing the evangelical church today. We examine the biblical qualifications for elders, the meaning of being "above reproach," whether sexual sin permanently disqualifies a man from pastoral ministry, and how Christians should think about restoration.

We also discuss examples frequently raised in these debates, including Steve Lawson, Mark Driscoll, Tullian Tchividjian, King David, and the Apostle Peter, while examining passages such as 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Corinthians 6, Proverbs 6, and 2 Corinthians 7.

Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation aims to drive listeners back to Scripture and encourage careful thinking about holiness, church leadership, repentance, and biblical accountability.

00:00 Introduction

00:57 Why This Conversation Matters

02:30 What Is Permanent Disqualification?

03:12 Qualifications for Elders and "Above Reproach"

05:17 Why Justin Peters Says Sexual Sin Permanently Disqualifies

08:12 Are Other Sins Also Permanently Disqualifying?

10:11 Mark Driscoll and Public Ministry

12:12 Patterns of Anger vs. Isolated Failures

13:26 Internal and External Consequences of Sexual Sin

15:32 Reputation, Reproach, and Public Ministry

17:03 What About David and Peter?

19:05 Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow

20:53 Encouragement for Christians Struggling with Sin

22:02 Pornography and Personal Responsibility

23:39 Is Permanent Disqualification Explicitly Taught in Scripture?

25:00 Final Reflections

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