Kingdom and Culture

In this episode of Kingdom and Culture, we welcome Parker Settecase, a multidisciplinary content creator known for his work in philosophy, theology, fiction writing, and more. Parker shares his journey from blogging about philosophy and theology to creating multiple channels and writing extensively on various topics. We discuss the integration of Christian philosophy and theology, the challenges of reconciling different philosophical and theological viewpoints, and the practical steps Christians can take to engage in philosophical thinking. Parker emphasizes the importance of intellectual humility, journaling, and continuous learning, encouraging Christians to ask deep questions and seek answers while remaining grounded in their faith.

Follow Parker online:
https://substack.com/@parkersponderings
https://www.youtube.com/@ParkersPensees
https://www.youtube.com/@parkernotes
(and many other places, just Google 'Parker Settecase')

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In this episode, we are joined by Joffre Swait, a poet, teacher, missionary, and pipe enthusiast from Moscow, Idaho.  We discuss the importance of poetry in cultivating a rich Christian life and offer practical advice for those interested in exploring poetry. Joffrey recommends starting with poets like Rudyard Kipling, Robert Service, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, John Donne, George Herbert and more. The conversation touches on how pipe smoking can serve as a meditative practice and a social activity. The episode wraps up with discussions on blending artistic and spiritual pursuits.

Follow Joffre's work:
https://substack.com/@joffreswait
https://www.youtube.com/@joffrethegiant

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In this episode we talk with Jacob Allee, founder of Study The Great Books. Jacob describes his organization, which provides resources for classical Christian education and explains his journey through ministry, apologetics, and how he discovered the transformative power of the Great Books. The discussion covers the definition of the Great Books, their historical and cultural significance, and how reading them can deepen one's understanding of the Bible and Christian theology. Jacob shares insights on how even reading non-Christian works by authors like Aristotle and Plato can enhance one's biblical literacy. He also offers practical advice for newcomers on where to start with the Great Books and introduces the resources available through Study The Great Books.

Follow Study the Great Books:
https://stgb.substack.com/
https://studythegreatbooks.com/

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In this episode, we are joined by Doug Wilson, Senior Minister of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. Doug, an influential author and cultural commentator, shares insights into how he maintains joy and mirth in the midst of cultural conflict. Drawing on lessons from his father, the bible, and great literature, Doug discusses the importance of being a cheerful warrior, discerning righteous anger, and the role of festivity in building a robust Christian culture. The conversation also covers practical advice on accepting criticism constructively and the significance of joyous community gatherings like Sabbath dinners.

Doug's recommended reads:
A Taste of Sabbath by Stuart Bryan
A Primer on Worship and Reformation
Chesterton and Calvinism

Follow Doug at his blog:
dougwils.com

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In this episode of episode, we are joined by Joel Settecase, the President and Executive Director of The Think Institute. Joel shares his God-given calling as a Christian apologist and his passion for equipping believers to become leaders in their families and churches. He delves into his journey from childhood debates to a career in theology and apologetics, emphasizing the importance of a scripture-first approach. Joel outlines a three-step presuppositional apologetics method and discusses how it helps believers defend their faith effectively. He also introduces the Hammer and Anvil Society, a discipleship community for Christian men. This episode is packed with insights, practical advice, and resources for anyone interested in strengthening their faith and apologetics skills.

Find more of Joel's content:
thethink.institute
The Bible Based Worldview, Joel Settecase

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In this episode of Kingdom and Culture, we discuss the concept of 'negative world' with Will Spencer, host of the Will Spencer Podcast and creator of 'The Renaissance of Men.' Will shares his journey from the New Age and exploration of global masculinity to discovering Reform Theology and becoming a committed Christian. The conversation delves into the cultural shifts surrounding masculinity, the role of patriarchy, and the positive and negative aspects of each ideology. Will highlights the importance of genuinely transformed hearts in men and the role of Christianity in addressing societal problems. Additionally, Will discusses his men's counseling and coaching business, and the concept of the 'men's life map,' which integrates physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health. The episode underscores the need for men to focus on building their lives offline, within their households, and within their local communities to effect lasting cultural change. 

Will's recommended reads:
1. 'Simply Christian' by N.T. Wright
2. 'Holiness' and 'Thoughts for Young Men' by J. C. Ryle
3. 'The Sin of Empathy' by Joe Rigley
4. 'No Time to Be Dumb' by Rachel Jankovic
5. 'The End of Women' by Carrie Gress
6. 'Occult Feminism' by Rachel Wilson
7. 'Father and the Family' by Jared Longshore
8. 'Propaganda' by Edward Bernays 

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In this Alehouse episode, we are joined by Brad Littlejohn to discuss his insights on AI and its implications for humanity. Littlejohn delves into how technologies, especially AI, reflect our ideals and reshape our concept of humanity. The conversation explores philosophical questions about human nature, the role of technology, and how our reliance on AI could blur the lines between human and artificial forms. Littlejohn also shares about his upcoming projects, emphasizing the need for a conservative vision in approaching technology. He discusses his essay, 'Stop Hacking the Human Person,' which critiques the market-driven approach to technological solutions and advocates for innovations that enhance human potential without undermining long-term health. Additionally, Littlejohn introduces Angel AI, a company aimed at providing age-appropriate internet experiences for children, as an example of technology used rightly. The discussion brings to light the critical issue of understanding human fulfillment in work and technology's role in either enhancing or detracting from it.

Recommended read:
Begotten or Made by Oliver Donovan

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In this episode of Kingdom and Culture, we welcome Joshua Haymes, known for the Reformation Red Pill podcast, to discuss navigating faith in 'negative world.' Joshua discusses his journey from church planter in Los Angeles to a theological transformation that led him to embrace postmillennialism. They explore theological shifts during 2020, the impact of cultural Christianity, and the strategic move from Los Angeles to Tennessee. Joshua emphasizes the importance of proper worship, community engagement, and loving one's neighbor as foundational steps for cultural reformation. Key takeaways include understanding the influence of eschatology on mission work and the role of kingdom-oriented evangelism.

Joshua's recommended reads:
Ken Gentry’s Postmillennialism Made Easy
RC Sproul’s The Last Days According to Jesus

Check out our Patreon for exclusive interviews with our guests:
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In this episode of Kingdom and Culture, we sit down with Lennox Kalifungwa, a communicator deeply involved in Christian worldview formation and apologetics. Hailing from Zambia and currently based in Moscow, Idaho, Lennox brings a unique global perspective to the discussion. The conversation explores the concept of 'Negative World' as defined by Aaron Renn and asserts that this phenomenon is universal. Lennox argues that the church's current state of apathy and limited theology has contributed to societal chaos, proposing a return to recognizing Christ's sovereignty in all aspects of life. He stresses the need for Christians to be ambitious, build distinct institutions, and engage joyfully and optimistically in cultural transformation. The episode concludes with practical takeaways on how to live and thrive in a negative world, emphasizing the importance of joy, optimism, and robust Christian living.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:14 Journey to Moscow
03:34 Connecting with New St. Andrews College
04:34 Podcast and Theme Discussion
05:02 Understanding the Negative World
06:05 Global Perspective on Negative World
08:05 Church's Role in Negative World
12:06 Impact of Secularism and Pietism
13:58 Theology and Cultural Influence
21:05 Practical Steps for Christians
28:04 Ambition and Christian Influence
29:30 Ambition and Risk in Christianity
30:24 Challenges in Third World Countries
30:41 The Role of Ambition in Christendom
31:03 Reformed People and Online Arguments
31:57 Donald Trump's Election and the Church
33:41 Building Christian Institutions
41:10 Countercultural Christianity
48:09 Christian Colonialism and Civilization
53:54 Joy and Optimism in Negative World
56:08 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow

Follow Lennox on Substack:
https://substack.com/@lennoxkalifungwa
The Flames and Crowns podcast:
https://youtu.be/2vlLaDvMLE0?feature=shared

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In this episode of Kingdom and Culture, we engage with Eli from Tbilisi, who talks about his life and work with the Unsung Arts Collective. Eli shares his experiences living cross-culturally in various regions like Romania, West Africa, Kazakhstan, Russia, and now Georgia. The discussion navigates the complexities of Aaron Renn's 'Positive, Neutral, Negative World' framework and how it applies to Christians living in societies that may be hostile to their faith. Key points include how Christians can maintain faithfulness whether in positive or negative cultural settings, practical cross-cultural skills, and emphasizing family and local church efforts in a changing cultural environment.
 
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:45 Eli's Background and Work in Tbilisi
04:33 Discussion on Aaron Renn's Framework
05:49 Cross-Cultural Experiences and Insights
09:35 Challenges and Strategies in Hostile Cultures
23:14 The Role of Family and Local Church
29:06 Understanding the DNA of a Church
29:50 Living Fearlessly and Facing Suffering
30:41 Faithfulness Over Societal Change
32:03 The Role of the Church in Society
35:27 Navigating Positive and Negative Worlds
53:15 Cross-Cultural Lessons for the Church
58:06 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Find more about Eli's ethnoarts discipleship course at https://www.unsungarts.org/

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