In this episode of the Riff Session, we dive headfirst into a hilarious and nostalgic chat about our favorite childhood cartoons, the wild evolution of animated shows, and the delightful chaos of parenting—especially when it comes to naming our little ones. We also find ourselves in the middle of a comedic showdown between GPS apps during family road trips, showcasing the quirks of modern tech and our relationships. As we navigate the intricacies of naming kids and pets, we share personal stories and humorous insights, pondering the significance of names and the whims of our family members. Oh, and let's not forget our detour into the fascinating world of insects, particularly love bugs, where we draw some questionable parallels between their antics and our own relationships. Through laughter and a bit of self-mockery, we uncover the complexities and joys of naming in both human and animal realms.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Thiessen, Pastor Nate Wright, and Dr. Joe Boot discuss the implications of Charlie Kirk's death and the church's response to it. They express concern over the reluctance of many church leaders to acknowledge Kirk's martyrdom and the broader cultural implications of this silence. The conversation delves into the truncation of the gospel, the political nature of the Christian message, and the need for the church to engage with cultural issues rather than retreating into silence. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the gospel as a transformative force in society and the necessity of addressing violence and injustice from a biblical perspective.

Chapters:
00:00 Cold Open
00:25 Podcast Intro
00:46 Introduction and Welcome
01:09 Discussing Charlie Kirk's Assassination
02:24 Christian Response to Tragedy
03:30 Critique of Gospel Coalition and Christianity Today
05:09 The Role of the Church and the Gospel
07:28 The Power and Scope of the Gospel
14:06 Forgiveness and Justice in Christianity
31:41 Secular and Christian Cultural Reactions
34:44 Dissecting Paul's Article: Initial Criticisms
36:22 The Downplaying of Cultural Moments
37:49 The Role of Worship in Church
39:46 Permissibility Structures for Violence and Apathy
41:10 Historical and Biblical Parallels
45:26 The Political Nature of the Gospel & the Church
01:00:39 Hope in the Midst of Heartbreak
01:05:32 Podcast Outro

NEW!!! PRE-ORDER Dr. Boot's latest book, Think Christianly: Developing an Undivided Mind, today!:
https://ezrapress.ca/products/think-christianly-developing-an-undivided-mind;

Get your copy of the NEW, updated, and expanded version of Dr. Boot’s Mission of God with a brand-new study guide today!:
https://ezrapress.ca/products/mission-of-god-10th-anniversary-edition;

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Ezra Conferences:
Ezra Conference WEST | September 26–27, 2025: https://brushfire.com/ezrainstitute/ezraconference2025west/607143;
Fall Bible Conference: https://brushfire.com/ezrainstituteusa/fall-bible-conference2025/593863/details;
 Ezra Conference EAST | November 01, 2025: More Information Coming Soon...

For All Ezra Events: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/events/;

Think Christianly about politics with the help of Dr. Boot’s latest book, “Ruler of Kings:” https://ezrapress.ca/products/ruler-of-kings-toward-a-christian-vision-of-government;

Got Questions? Would you like to hear Dr. Boot answer your questions? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us at https://www.ezrainstitute.com/connect/contact/;

For Ezra’s many print resources and to join our newsletter, visit: https://ezrapress.com.

Stay up-to-date with all things Ezra Institute: https://www.ezrainstitute.com;
Subscribe to Ezra’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVvQDHHrOOjziyqUaN9VoA?sub_confirmation=1;
Fight Laugh Feast Network: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/8297;
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ezra-institute-podcast-for-cultural-reformation/id1336078503;
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dW1gDarpzdrDMLPjKYZW2?si=bee3e91ed9a54885;
Subscribe to our Rumble Channel - https://rumble.com/c/c-6444461.

Wherever you find our content, please like, subscribe, rate, or review it; it truly does help.

WHY is "free speech" so important, beyond just saying it is or “it’s in the Constitution"“ And WHY did Jesus say (Matt. 12:37) "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." This is my 4 minute stab at answering these "why" questions.

What Does biblical justice look like for Charlie Kirk? Iryna Zarutska? Where are we as a country and who's really to blame?

From our affiliate channel Covenant Matters

Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Last but not least, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us!

Why did I begin the Prison Pulpit series? 

The goal is to remind everyone to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“Remember those in prison, as bound with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”). I’ve done this by sharing imprisoned Pastor Wang Yi’s writings in China, as well as anecdotes from other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand. 

Charlie Kirk on the Efficacy of Prayer

In late August, just two weeks before his death, Charlie talked about prayer on his podcast in the aftermath of the Minneapolis church/school shooting in a conversation with Michael Knowles… 

https://thecharliekirkshow.com/podcasts/the-charlie-kirk-show/where-is-god-when-evil-happens-reacting-to-the-minneapolis-tragedy (9:53-10:51)

Now I want to return to one of Richard Wurmbrand’s Sermons in Solitary Confinement…

Talk With My Son Mihai (Dying Father Admonishes Son)

From Wurmbrand’s book, Sermons in Solitary Confinement…

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/ssc-english.pdf

In God's Underground: Christ in the Communist Prisons

https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf

Follow China Compass

Subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use, including Apple Podcasts! You can also contact me anytime on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

With the assassination of Charlie Kirk and other extreme acts of violence at the top of the news, Tony Perkins joins the podcast to explore how Christians can navigate violence and cultural turmoil through the lens of Scripture. While anger may be the natural response, God calls us toward a higher path.  Tony and host Casey Harper discuss the call to “love your neighbor”, America’s trajectory, and the challenge of standing firm in biblical values even when it leads to persecution.

Send us a text

With our third installment of the Blue Collar Confessionalism Conference coverage, Greg sat down with William Wolfe. William is the Executive Director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, Speaker, and Author. Greg and William discussed local politics, how to get involved, the looming 2026 mid terms, and speculated on who will take the mantle of Trump in 2028. Enjoy! 

Covenant Real Estate: "Confidence from Contract to Close"

Facebook: Dead Men Walking Podcast
Youtube: Dead Men Walking Podcast
Instagram: @DeadMenWalkingPodcast
Twitter X: @RealDMWPodcast
Exclusive Content: PubTV App
Support the show

Get your free consultation with Dominion Wealth Strategists today! The only distinctly reformed Wealth Managment company! CLICK HERE!

Check out out the Dead Men Walking snarky merch HERE!

Build something for God's glory through Real Estate! Greg Moore Jr. can help you buy, sell, and invest! Call him at (734) 731-GREG

Profit is feedback from the market. Don't ignore it. It's not just a number. It's a conversation. You need to understand what is being said, and respond accordingly. If you can't speak the language, and want to be in the business of business, you'll have to learn to interpret.

That's because profit is communication.

In this episode of CrossPolitic, Gabe and Toby address the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and deliver a wake-up call to the American church. They argue that the church has catastrophically failed in its duty as shepherds, receiving an "F minus" grade for allowing wolves to infiltrate education systems while pastors refuse to warn their congregations about the dangers of public schools. They critique the humanistic unity message being promoted in response to Kirk's murder, explaining how this false religion, which elevates humanity rather than God as the ultimate standard, actually breeds the very violence it claims to oppose.

The conversation takes a hard turn toward biblical truth, with the hosts drawing from 2 Corinthians 6 to emphasize that there can be no unity between light and darkness, between Christ and those who hate Him. They challenge the "thou shalt be nice" mentality that has captured much of American Christianity, calling instead for believers to recognize the fundamental war between Christianity and humanism that has raged for over 150 years.

Fight Laugh Feast School Wars Conference (October 16-18, Nashville) - Register HERE: https://flfnetwork.com