Just a Thinker

What if we could end the cartel’s reign of terror and related gang violence, minimize loss of life from fentanyl overdoses, and instead put our attention on the heart or spiritual issues that lead to substance abuse in the first place? 

What if ending prohibition would do this? What if allowing the legal production and sale of such things would accomplish this?

Today, in Episode 0007 of the Just a Thinker podcast we ask this question: Would ending prohibition on narcotics and other currently illegal drugs harm the church? I am your host, Bryan Bootka.

Do we, as believers, support public policies that are incongruent with a biblical worldview? And if so, how would we know?

How should a biblical worldview inform our approach to Criminal Justice, Education, Immigration, (Prohibition) Illegal Drugs, Taxes, and more from a public policy standpoint? We are all capable of thinking critically about these subjects even if we are not an expert in a specific area, but are we thinking biblically about them?

Or, is it possible, as believers with a biblical worldview, that we have not fully considered our approach to these subjects in light of how Jesus handled the relevant situations of His day? 

Should we not at least consider the possibility that our approach is influenced more by the world’s norms and ethics than those of Jesus?

Is it possible that what Jesus said then, could still have a powerful impact upon today’s politics: in precisely the place where ethics meets public policy and elsewhere? 

I think so.

Let’s ask ourselves what is the end goal that we had in mind with these laws. Was it to create the cartel and related violence, or was it to increase the tax burden to pay for the militarized police required to fight off the gangs and cartels? Was it to see more men imprisoned for non-violent offenses?

What does thinking two rather than one generation out look like? 

What if the legalization of vices we currently outlaw would enhance our capacity to reach those Jesus expects us to care for? 

How often do we challenge our thinking and reflect on our societal norms as followers of Jesus?

Why do we as believers find it challenging to accept that legality doesn't always align with morality, and why is it difficult to be at peace with this realization? 

Do we, as believers and followers of Jesus, support public policies that are incongruent with a biblical worldview? And if so, how would we know without discussing it with others?

We will discuss this today on episode 0005 of The Just a Thinker podcast. I am your host, Bryan Bootka.

Today, let’s consider why confusing legal with moral hinders us from carrying out the Lord’s work. As believers, we often grapple with the incongruity between legality and morality. Why is it difficult to accept this misalignment and find peace with the realization? 

Let’s do a thought experiment: Imagine that on your job site, the city inspector seems to have invented 107 new violations today that were not there yesterday, which could cost many thousands of dollars per day in delays. That’s easy for many to imagine because something like that has happened to them, or maybe it is right now. 

Now imagine praying for that inspector’s well-being and her highest good. 

Why would you even consider doing so?

Jesus said “But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven.”

Maybe you are considering this quote from the great rock and roll philosopher Meat Loaf: “I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that.”

Welcome to episode 0003 of The Just a Thinker podcast. I am your host, Bryan Bootka. I wonder if Jesus would refer to illegal aliens, the legal term, as “Invaders,” or would he have told us they were our “Neighbors?”

In episode 0001, we discussed citizenship and our identity in Jesus. As his followers, we are part of the church, called out from among the world, and that should inform all we do. Perhaps we should see ourselves as the Jews who were carried off to Babylon, exiles in a foreign land.

If you were born in Venezuela or a country facing similar upheaval, what would you do? Would you venture to the United States of America and why? Join us to consider this issue in a way you have not likely done so before.

Brahm French, host of Brahm's Show, and Bryan Bootka, host of Just a Thinker, discuss why the Just a Thinker podcast exists. It is slightly better than the first episode because of the guest.

If you were asked about your national identity, would you say without hesitation, a Christian, or would you say American? If you answer “Christian” have you considered how that should shape your view on public policy?

This is episode 0001 of The Just a Thinker podcast and today let’s talk about  Kingdom Citizenship: Examining National Identity from a Biblical Perspective

Is it possible that we, as Apostolics, support public policies that are incongruent with our professed identity? And if so, how would we know?

A 2-minute introduction to the topics we will be discussing on the Just a Thinker podcast, which is part of the Of God and Men Network.