In this episode of Out of the Question, Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts examine diplomacy from a biblical perspective, arguing that true peace and just international relations can never be built on political pragmatism, compromise, or humanistic power struggles. Instead, they contend that God’s law is the only objective standard for justice, whether between individuals or nations.

The conversation explores the relationship between diplomacy, war, and civil government, showing how modern states often use diplomacy as a tool of manipulation, self-interest, and global control rather than truth and righteousness. Drawing heavily on the work of R. J. Rushdoony, the hosts contrast the “warfare state” with the biblical vision of nations under God, accountable to His law and called to pursue justice, peace, and obedience.

Rather than accepting conflict, propaganda, and globalism as inevitable, this episode calls Christians to recover a distinctly biblical view of statecraft. The central message is that peace does not come through compromise with evil or elite management of the nations, but through regeneration, covenant faithfulness, and submission to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

In this episode of Out of the Question, Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts argue that many of society’s deepest problems are rooted in disobedience to God’s law. Using passages such as Psalm 19, Psalm 127, and 1 Samuel 8, they trace how areas like taxation, state education, welfare, and civil government have moved away from biblical standards and produced widespread social disorder.

The discussion explores how the modern state increasingly assumes responsibilities God assigned to family, church, and local community, especially in education, care for the poor, and the stewardship of resources. Drawing on the work of R. J. Rushdoony, the hosts contend that public policy, taxation, and government schooling are not neutral arrangements but religious expressions of a broader worldview.

Rather than ending in despair, the episode points listeners to the hope of Christian Reconstruction: returning to God’s Word as the standard for personal, family, and social life. The central message is simple but far-reaching: if we want blessing, health, and cultural renewal, we must do things God’s way.

Here is a shorter version if you need it for tighter podcast fields:

Why are so many young conservatives flocking to Rome? Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts dig into the trend of political conservatives converting to Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy — and argue that the real problem isn't the attraction of ancient liturgy, but the failure of Protestant churches to present the full scope of biblical faith. Drawing on their own experiences inside the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, they make the case that only a robust Reformed understanding of God's kingdom over every area of life can answer what these converts are actually looking for.

Every relationship you have — with your employer, your spouse, your children, your nation — is either governed by God's law or governed by you playing God. There is no third option. In this episode, Andrea Schwartz and Chalcedon Vice President Martin Selbrede trace the catastrophic consequences of what Rushdoony called "direct, unmediated relationships" — from wage fraud hiding in plain sight to the collapse of marriage to the inevitability of socialist tyranny. If you think God's law is just about personal piety, this conversation will dismantle that assumption. Listen now.

Is war ever justified — or is it, as the famous song declares, "good for nothing"? In this episode of Out of the Question, Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts examine the subject of war through the lens of biblical law, asking the question that too few Christians are willing to ask: by what standard do we evaluate military conflict?

Drawing on Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 20 and 28, and the writings of R.J. Rushdoony and Greg Bahnsen, Andrea and Charles lay out what a truly just war looks like — defensive in nature, covenantally grounded, and accountable to God's law rather than the ambitions of politicians or the profits of the military-industrial complex.

From Vietnam to Iraq to the current conflict involving Iran and Israel, they trace a consistent pattern: wars prosecuted on humanistic rather than biblical foundations, propped up by propaganda, and paid for in the blood of young men whose leaders would never set foot on the battlefield themselves.

They also tackle hard questions — what about the conquest of Canaan? What does Matthew 26:52 actually mean? And what does it say about the church when supposed Reformed scholars dismiss Old Testament law as "basically harmless"?

This episode is essential listening for any Christian serious about applying God's word to all of life — including the hardest questions of statecraft, national faithfulness, and what it means to truly seek peace.

#OutOfTheQuestion #JustWar #BiblicalLaw #Theonomy #ChristianReconstruction #Rushdoony #GregBahnsen #Deuteronomy28 #BiblicalWorldview #ReformedTheology #ChristianPolitics #GodsLaw #ByWhatStandard #Chalcedon #NationalReformation #WarAndPeace #ChristianMen #FaithAndCulture #BiblicalJustice #CovenantFaithfulness #OutOfTheQuestionPodcast

In this episode of Out of the Question, Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts tackle an issue that quietly corrodes the health of the body of Christ: the failure to act when something isn't right.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 22:1–4 and R.J. Rushdoony's exposition on the liability of the bystander in The Institutes of Biblical Law (Eighth Commandment), Andrea and Charles explore how God's law places a clear obligation on believers — not merely to avoid wrongdoing, but to actively respond when they witness it.

The conversation covers practical, real-world dynamics within churches: the difference between gossip and a legitimate concern, who should investigate when something seems off, how the misapplication of the "two witnesses" requirement silences people from raising red flags, and the damage done when church culture prioritises reputation over justice. Charles and Andrea discuss how rampant individualism and ignorance of biblical law have left many believers without the tools — or the will — to address symptoms of serious problems before they become full-blown scandals.

They also explore how families and church leaders can cultivate wisdom to navigate these sensitive interpersonal situations — from inappropriate physical contact to the more subtle signs that something isn't right with a child or a fellow member. The episode concludes with a call to study and apply God's law as the foundation for true fellowship, justice, and restoration within the body of Christ.

Related Resource: R.J. Rushdoony, The Institutes of Biblical Law, Chapter on the Eighth Commandment — "The Liability of the Bystander." Audio lecture available at Chalcedon.edu.

Fraud, riots, and unthinkable headlines are becoming commonplace. It is easy to dismiss this current state of chaos as just "part of the times," but Episode 377 argues that this collapse is the predictable result when authority ignores its limits. In this pivotal discussion, we examine how the State corrupts the very institutions it claims to save, and why only a return to a foundation built on God’s Word can restore order and stability. Is society beyond the point of no return? We discuss the blueprint for restoration.

If you think “exposing corruption” is the same as fixing it, this episode is going to challenge you.

Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts argue that the Epstein-file frenzy (and other headline “revelations”) can actually become a distraction—a way to feel morally awake while never returning to God’s standards. They walk through Ephesians 5:8–13 to show what “expose the works of darkness” really means: not just talking about evil, but judging it by God’s law and replacing it with obedient, fruitful alternatives.

Along the way they confront selective outrage (condemning trafficking while excusing prostitution, lamenting violence while tolerating abortion), explain why this rot isn’t new (ancient Rome looked shockingly similar), and warn that when a culture throws off biblical boundaries, the “unthinkable” doesn’t just appear—it progresses.

Their bottom line: pulling weeds is necessary, but if Christians never plant good seed—discipleship, Christian education, cultural obedience, and Great Commission-building—nothing changes. The answer isn’t despair or retreat; it’s rebuilding a God-honouring culture on purpose, for the long haul.

#ExposeDarkness #Ephesians5 #SelectiveOutrage #BiblicalWorldview #LawWordOfGod #FaithAndCulture #DiscipleTheNations #GreatCommission #ChristianDiscipleship #CulturalReform #NoNeutralGround #ChristianEducation #PlantGoodSeed #RejectCompromise #HopeForTheFuture #GenerationalFaithfulness

Studies show that roughly 95% of unborn babies diagnosed with cystic fibrosis are aborted. In this episode, host Andrea Schwartz sits down with her granddaughter Elliot, a 17-year-old senior and high-performing basketball player who has lived with cystic fibrosis since birth. Elliot shares what daily life looks like managing CF — from nebuliser treatments and vest therapy to enzyme protocols — and why she has never viewed her condition as a setback. Now approaching 2,000 career points and committed to play D2 college basketball, Elliot's story challenges the assumption that an adverse prenatal diagnosis means a diminished life. The conversation covers her journey to faith in Christ, recovering from a broken ankle, taking ownership of her own health, and what she would say to parents facing a difficult diagnosis. A powerful testimony to the sanctity of life, parental courage, and trusting God's design.

What does it really mean when Jesus says, “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:27–36)?

Is it emotional softness?

Is it becoming a doormat?

Or is it something far deeper — rooted in God’s law, God’s justice, and God’s mercy?

In this episode of Out of the Question, Andrea Schwartz and Pastor Charles Roberts unpack the biblical definition of love, the true meaning of “enemy,” and why modern humanism has distorted both. They explore Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, the wisdom of the catechism, and why overcoming evil with good is not weakness — it’s Kingdom strength.

If you’ve ever struggled with resentment, cultural hostility, or confusion about mercy vs. justice, this conversation will sharpen your worldview.

🎧 Listen and rethink what it means to obey Christ in a hostile world.

#OutOfTheQuestion #LoveYourEnemies #BiblicalWorldview #ChristianLiving #GodsLaw #MercyAndJustice #Rushdoony #KingdomEthics #Luke6 #ChristianDiscipleship #Reconstruction