The Bad Roman: Christian Politics for Modern Times

By Craig HarguessReligion & Spirituality Christianity Government History

The Bad Roman: Christian Politics for Modern Times episodes

January 15Renee Nicole Good: Should Christians Defend the Government? with Larken Rose
Was the shooting of Renee Nicole Good murder or self-defense? We use this case as a clear, real-world test of state power. Craig and Larken Rose ask how far a badge can go before our Christianity must say “stop.” The point is not to chase outrage, but to measure authority by the words of Jesus. God first, always.
You’ll hear a step-by-step look at the key moments on video, why the second and third shots matter most, what “watch his feet” reveals, why a doctor was turned away, and how “Have you not learned?” exposes a culture of fear. We connect those details to why people defend obvious wrongs, how training can overpower conscience, and a simple, repeatable test for Christians: one moral standard for everyone, no special pass for uniforms, God over government.
Listen to get a clean framework you can use the next time the state uses force. You will leave with plain language, Scripture touchpoints, and the courage to put God first when the badge and the Bible collide.
🤝Connect with Larken ROSE:
The Jones Plantation Film
Platforms: Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Xmou Play, The Roku Channel, PLEX
The Rose Channel
Book: The Most Dangerous Superstition
YouTube
Candles in the Dark
Facebook
Try this week: serve one neighbor; tell the truth with kindness; pray for an enemy by name; refuse to excuse violence because “it’s my side”; choose presence over outrage.
Their conversation digs into:
Self-defense vs. murder in real time
“Badges don’t make new morals” ethics for Christians
Milgram’s obedience study and authority conditioning
Romans 12 before Romans 13; one standard for all
“Have you not learned?”—coercion and fear tactics
Video cues: position, feet, proportionality, imminence
Why many Christians defend state violence (and how to stop)
📖 For Full Show Notes:www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-152
Key Moments:
(0:00) Framing the question: murder or self-defense? Larkin returns for “Swearing Sunday.” Christian allegiance vs. state power.
(0:41) Banter and burden: the week’s exhaustion and why it still matters to speak.
(1:26) Why people cheer evil: authority myths and plantation logic.
(3:40) When evil shows itself, some finally wake up.
(7:01) COVID parallels: neighbors revealed their true loyalties.
(10:00) Badges and gangs: why morality cannot change with uniforms.
(13:00) Craig’s Memphis test: you won’t stop to check a badge when guns are in your face. First agent opens the door; second moves in front of the car.
(14:17) “That was murder.” Why shots two and three indict the shooter.
(16:20) The physician they turned away; the shooter who fled.
(17:40) “Few bad apples?” Where are the good apples denouncing murder.
(20:00) “Have you not learned?” Obedience by threat is not freedom.
(21:15) Milgram: training vs. conscience and why people excuse murder.
(24:13) No other gods: when Christians side with Caesar over Christ.
(33:34) “Was it murder?” clarified.
(34:29) Watch his feet.
(41:17) Tactics vs. morals: unwise choices don’t justify cages or bullets.
(47:17) Bootlicking theology called out.
(55:55) Constitutional limits & ICE.
(1:06:56) Prosecution theater.
(1:10:04) Signs of moral progress.
(1:12:37) Keep saying stuff + outro.
💕 Want more episodes that keep loyalty with Jesus, not politics?
Donate at thebadroman.com/donate. Anything helps, and everything past production costs goes to local charities in Memphis, TN.
🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE
Prefer tasty support? Grab Bad Roman Salsa at badromansalsa.com. Every jar fuels more mercy-forward conversations.
FREE: Share & Start a Conversation
Send this episode to a friend and ask:
Does my public faith look like help or hype?
Where can I trade outrage for presence this week?
Who could I serve quietly—by name—today?
Listen first. Love well. No King but Christ.
🔗 Stay Plugged into the Project 🔗
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
1 hr 15 min
January 01How Do Christians Behave: “I Follow Jesus...” with Deacon Gerri Endicott
Judge faith by the neighbor who gets help, not the hype of our politics. Episcopal deacon Gerri Endicott shows how preaching turns into rides, meals, and quiet care. She explains why she leads with “I follow Jesus,” a simple line that lowers walls and points to a Person, not a brand. Judge faith by the neighbor who gets help, not the volume of our politics.
Craig and Gerri test faith by its fruit. They sort out what happens when Christianity gets pulled into national politics. Gratitude for a country is good; loyalty belongs to Jesus. Gerri also names a pre-Advent practice from her church’s calendar that helps her community rehearse that loyalty (Christ the King). Not every church observes it, but the posture fits anywhere.
Try this week: serve one neighbor, tell the truth with kindness, pray for an enemy by name, choose presence over outrage. If you want a public faith that looks like Jesus, start here.
Their conversation digs into:
What a deacon does: service over stage, church facing outward.
“I follow Jesus” language that lowers walls.
Christian nationalism vs. the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5–7).
Christ the King (her practice): a simple loyalty reset.
Nations (peoples) vs. modern countries—why words matter.
Presence over outrage: small acts, kept promises, steady love.
📖 For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-151

Key Moments with Gerri:
(00:00) Farmers market hello: How they met
(02:00) Memphis roots & call to serve: Gerri’s context
(05:49) Scripture & strong women: Big story, not proof texts
(06:50) A changed mind: Book + sermon
(08:10) Easter’s first witnesses: Why this matters
(12:30) “Follower of Jesus:” Language that lowers walls
(13:59) Loyalty & the Sermon on the Mount: Allegiance check
(14:29) Taking Scripture seriously: How to read
(18:45) Christ the King (her church calendar): A yearly reset
(22:11) The big story: Creation to new creation
(24:31) Nations vs. countries: Words matter
(38:47) No new kings: Craig’s practice
(39:56) Sermon preview: How Gerri will name it
(46:56) Borders, ICE, neighbor love: Dignity in action
(48:00) Stay in touch: What’s next

💕 Want more episodes that keep loyalty with Jesus, not politics?💕Donate to the project at thebadroman.com/donate. Anything helps, and everything past production costs goes to local charities in Memphis, TN.
🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️
Prefer tasty support? Grab Bad Roman Salsa at badromansalsa.com. Every jar fuels more mercy-forward conversations.
FREE: Share & Start a Conversation
Send this episode to a friend and ask:
Does my public faith look like help or hype?
Where can I trade outrage for presence this week?
Who could I serve quietly—by name—today?
Listen first. Love well. No King but Christ.

🔗 Stay Plugged into the Project 🔗
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
50 min
December 18, 2025Make Church Like Jesus Again with Tasha Heath
Do non-Christians see Jesus, or politics, when they look at us? Tasha Heath doesn’t identify as a Christian but has been around the church her whole life. She also worked inside party politics and saw enough behind-the-scenes behavior to step back. From the outside, her read is simple: basic kindness and steady presence change more than ballots and online fights ever will.
Craig and Tasha ask the hard question: how do non-Christians perceive Christians, and is our politics-first posture helping or hurting the gospel? They dig into hypocrisy, homelessness, prisons, and why the church must find a way to look like Jesus, not the state.
They dig into:
Optics of church vs. state and public witness.
From activism to opting out & local care.
Teens, algorithms, and outrage-discipleship.
Prisons, plant “crimes,” and decriminalization.
Early church imagination vs. modern nationalism.
📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-150

💕 Support the Project 💕
If this convo with Tasha Heath showed how church can mirror the political system—and why kindness matters. Help us make more episodes like this at thebadroman.com/donate. 100% above production goes to Memphis charities.
🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️
Prefer tasty support? Grab Bad Roman Salsa at badromansalsa.com. Every jar fuels Jesus-first, neighbor-first stories—Vegas homelessness, mercy over cages, and everyday kindness.
FREE: Share & Start a Conversation
Send this episode to a friend and ask:
Do folks see Jesus or a political brand when they meet us?
Do my posts sound like Christ or a pundit?
Where could I trade pressure for presence (names, meals, socks, water)?
Listen first. Love well. No King but Christ.

🔗 Stay Plugged into the Project 🔗
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
49 min
December 04, 2025Is Your Christianity Just Patriotism? The Cross & the Flag with Misty Hubbard
Craig and Arkansas friend Misty Hubbard trace their journey from “vote harder” conservatism to No King but Christ. They talk about propaganda, “paid patriotism,” online Christian rage, compassion that crosses borders, and why the solution isn’t a better party but a deeper allegiance to Jesus and His Kingdom.
How Mike Gaddy shattered Misty’s sense of civic religion, with the haunting question “When have you ever voted yourself more free?”, and what happens when your faith starts sounding more like a campaign ad than the Sermon on the Mount.
In the end, this isn’t a call to find a better party; it’s an invitation to step out of the culture war and into small, local communities where people quietly learn to look, and love, more like Jesus.
What’s Inside this Episode:
How “vote harder” patriotism discipled them more than Jesus
The path Misty took that broke her founding myths and civic religion
Propaganda, “paid patriotism,” and how getting back to Jesus expands compassion
Online Christian rage vs. everyday kindness at work (and what Jesus has to say about it)
Why the solution isn’t apathy, but deeper allegiance to Christ’s Kingdom
Power and importance of small, local groups (like Misty’s in Russellville) as quiet deprogramming from empire
🤝Connect with Misty Hubbard:
Facebook
📖 For Full Show Notes: thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-149
Key Episode Moments:
(00:25) Meet Misty: Arkansas, restaurant, and kindness over hate
(01:22) The Chris Ann Hall rally and early constitutional days
(12:29) “Good candidates” and the lost cause of electoral politics
(14:24) Owning neocon votes and paid patriotism
(15:31) “Vote harder” and the salsa break
(16:25) The class that wrecked Misty’s civic religion
(18:00) When have you ever voted yourself more free?
(39:29) None of us were born anarchists
(47:40) Compassion that outgrows the flag
(52:16) A daily Jesus lesson at work
(54:06) Spotfund, “No King but Christ,” and Memphis charities
(55:48) “Founded on Christian values?” vs cursing your enemies
(57:04) You’re pushing people away from Christianity
(58:00) Take it offline: Face-to-face hits different
(59:10) The solution: Be more like Jesus
(1:04:12) Misty’s local Russellville group
(1:06:12) How to connect with Misty
(1:08:08) Stepping back from social media and cat memes
(1:10:21) Outro
💕 Support the Project 💕
If this conversation with Misty Hubbard about “vote harder” Christianity, civic religion, and untangling patriotism from following Jesus helped you see your own loyalties differently, please consider supporting The Bad Roman Project at thebadroman.com/donate. Your support keeps stories like Misty’s in the feed, calling out flag-wrapped faith, online Christian rage, and party-first discipleship, and keeps pointing people back to No King but Christ. As always, 100% of donations above production costs go to local Memphis charities.
🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️
Donations are awesome, but salsa is hands-on neighbor love. Every jar helps us create episodes that confront flag-first, party-first “faith” and call us back to a Jesus-first, neighbor-first way of living. That's a lot of firsts... so grab your first jar at badromansalsa.com and snack your way into more Kingdom conversations about patriotism, discipleship, and what it really means to say, “No King but Christ.”
FREE: Share the Episode, Start a Conversation with a Fellow Christian
Know a friend whose Christianity might just be patriotism in a Jesus jersey? Send them this episode with Misty Hubbard and ask:
Are we following Jesus… or just cheering for “our side” with Bible verses attached?
Do my posts and conversations sound more like Christ, or more like my favorite pundit?
What would it look like to let Jesus, not America, define what “faithful” means?
Let the questions do the work. Then listen, don’t just lecture.
🔗 Stay Plugged into the Project 🔗
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
1 hr 11 min
November 20, 2025Jesus the Freedom to Move in God's Creation with Chris Polk
Are borders tyrannical or necessary? Returning guest Chris Polk helps us dismantle the political theater around immigration and ask what allegiance to Jesus looks like when the state shows up with masks and rifles. From truck-stop stories to John 4, they explore why restricting movement may be the worst tyranny and how ordinary neighbor love beats team-red/blue fear.
Chris argues both parties fed the ICE machine, shares a Cuban car rescue story that needed no papers, and reminds us that Jesus walked through Samaria, not around it. If Mary and Joseph fled Herod today, would we demand their passports?
They dig into:
Why “do something!” turns into state violence
Borders as cages that keep you in vs. others out
The Good Samaritan as the “Good Immigrant”
Cop-aganda and qualified immunity
“Would Jesus follow the law?” when the law crushes the least
🤝 Connect with Chris Polk:
Blue Ribbon Logistics Website
Blue Ribbon's YouTube, Facebook, Tik Tok
Previous Bad Roman Episodes with Chris
Lessons from the Trucking Industry with Chris Polk (Episode #77)
Home School: 2021 Year End Round Table (Episode #47)
Your Rights with Chris Polk & Jacob Daniel (Episode #38)
God's Country or Jesus’s Kingdom? Navigating the Nexus of Nationalism and Faith in America (Epsiode #99)
📖 For Full Show Notes: thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-148
Key Episode Moments:
(01:00) Framing the Question: Christ vs. Caesar
(04:00) The Machine Called “Do Something”
(10:30) Fear Cycles & Border Theater
(18:00) Borders as Cages (Keeping You In)
(23:00) The Cuban VW & Neighbor Love
(27:00) Jesus Through Samaria
(35:00) The Worst Tyranny: Blocking Movement
(44:00) When “Our Guys” Get Power
(50:00) Cop-aganda & Qualified Immunity
(57:00) Would Jesus “Follow the Law”?
(1:02:00) Sowing Violence, Reaping Blowback
(1:08:00) Repentance, Friendship, & “No King but Christ”

💕 Support the Project 💕
If this conversation on borders, ICE, and the freedom to move helped you fix your eyes on Jesus, not the state, not a party, please consider supporting The Bad Roman Project at thebadroman.com/donate. Your support keeps “No King but Christ” in the feed and resists the urge to baptize coercion. As always, 100% of donations above production costs go to local Memphis charities.

🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️
Donations are awesome, but salsa is hands-on neighbor love. Every jar helps us create episodes that challenge border-first thinking and call us back to person-first, Jesus-first Faith. Grab yours at badromansalsa.com and snack your way into more Kingdom conversations about freedom, hospitality, and hope.

FREE ACTION: Share the Episode, Start a Conversation with a Fellow Christian
Know a friend who thinks “law and order” equals righteousness? Send them this episode with Chris Polk and ask:
Are we viewing immigration through the eyes of Christ or Caesar?
Do borders keep “them” out, or keep us in?
What would it look like to love the traveler first and let the paperwork be second?

🔗 Stay Plugged into the Movement:
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
1 hr 12 min
November 06, 2025Judas the OG Christian Nationalist: Why Imposters Are Worse Than Opponents with Domenic Scarcella
What if Judas wasn’t just a betrayer, but the first to politicize Jesus? Judas’s story exposes a much older problem: the temptation to make Jesus “fit” the system. Domenic Scarcella (author of the book and Substack Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen) returns to argue that Judas tried to make the Messiah more respectable to rulers, trading costly faithfulness for public influence. From the temple clashes of Holy Week to today’s culture wars, they trace how disciples drift when we ask Jesus to fit the system instead of following Him out of it.
Domenic explains why anti-Christ means impostor (not merely opponent) and how post-Constantine Christianity flipped from persecution to privilege, and why coercion never appears in Jesus’ toolkit for discipling nations. From Caesar to modern politics Domenic and Craig trace how compromise creeps in when disciples trade the cross for influence,and faithfulness for respectability. Constantine’s empire did to the Church’s soul, and how grace keeps the Gospel alive even when the Church gets it wrong.
“Judas didn’t hate Jesus…he just wanted Him to be more compatible with the government.”
If you’ve ever wondered what it means to follow Jesus in a world addicted to power, this conversation will challenge and comfort you. The Kingdom of God still runs on love, not control.
We cover:
Judas was the “normal” disciple, and that’s what makes him dangerous
The difference between Antichrist and Contra Christ (imposter vs. opponent)
Why Jesus never used coercion or political force
How Constantine flipped Christianity from persecution to privilege
Hope for the remnant: good neighbors, bad citizens under “No King but Christ”
🤝 Connect with Domenic Scarcella:
Book: Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen
Audio Content: Sunday Buffet Podcast & The Friday Meditation Radio
Substack: Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen
Twitter (X) @GoodNeighBadCit
📖 For Full Show Notes: thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-147

💕 Support the Project 💕
If this conversation with Domenic on Judas as the OG Christian nationalist helped you refocus on Jesus, not party, not power, please consider supporting The Bad Roman Project at thebadroman.com/donate. Your gift keeps “No King but Christ” in the feed and pushes back against the impulse to baptize coercion. As always, 100% of donations above production costs go to local Memphis charities.
🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️
Donations are cool, but salsa is spicy (or mild, Judas 👀). Every jar fuels episodes that challenge Christian entanglement and call us back to Jesus’ way. Join the craze at badromansalsa.com and snack your way to more Kingdom conversations.
FREE ACTION: Share the Episode, Start a Conversation with a Fellow Christian
Know a friend who thinks “Christian nation” is the point? Send them this episode with Domenic Scarcella and spark a better conversation: Are we following Jesus, or asking Him to bless our politics? If Judas tried to make Jesus respectable to rulers, are we doing the same?

Key Episode Moments:
(0:22) Judas: the OG Christian nationalist?
Previous episode with Domenic: Christianity Unpacked in "Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen" with Domenic Scarcella
Domenic’s Judas Article
(1:05) “Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen”
(1:58) What Domenic’s been building
(4:02) Five years of The Bad Roman
(7:26) Judas as “the normal guy”
(11:42) “Judas 8:2” and the mercy of Jesus
(13:55) Setting the Holy Week scene
(20:16) Modern parallels
(21:35) The deal that wasn’t
(26:05) Antichrist vs. Contra Christ
(30:10) Coercion and the Kingdom
(34:03) Constantine’s inflection point
(38:16) Three models of church–state fusion
(47:50) The remnant remains
(53:25) Imperfect messengers, perfect Gospel
(56:42) Where to find Domenic

🔗 Plug into the Movement:
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
1 hr
October 23, 2025Jesus Centered Life, Not Left or Right: Christianity without Compromise with Jake Doberenz
When Christians step into politics, how much compromise comes with the territory? Can we preach about loving enemies on Sunday while voting to bomb them on Tuesday? Jake Doberenz, host of Christianity Without Compromise and author of the Smashing Idols newsletter, joins us to explore what happens when believers trade the cross for a ballot, and call it discipleship.
From a high school election that may have been rigged to the very adult reality of war-making, political idolatry, the allure of power, we ask: what happens to our witness when we outsource sin to Caesar?
Jake shares his journey from Republican Club president to his tug of war between faith and politics, highlighting the compromises often required in politics and presenting a firsthand look at how politics pulls Christians away from the teachings of Jesus.
Craig and Jake dive deep into the inconsistencies that arise when Christians prioritize political allegiances over Jesus' teachings, particularly in hot-button issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict. Together they revisit 1 Samuel 8, Psalm 146, the Sermon on the Mount, and why Romans 12 must shape any reading of Romans 13. The heartbeat: No King but Christ is a reminder that Scripture consistently warns us against putting our trust in rulers and systems that thrive on coercion.
Through it all, Craig and Jake call the church back to consistency, repentance, and allegiance to a Kingdom that doesn’t run on violence or votes. Jake explains the mission behind his podcast, emphasizing the importance of addressing modern idols (including politics and Christian nationalism) that often distract from true faith.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Christians can follow Jesus without compromise in a world obsessed with power, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you live out your loyalties. Because at the end of the day, there’s only one political statement that matters:
No King but Christ.
Highlights & Takeaways
Why “small” political compromises become soul-sized contradictions for disciples of Jesus.
The high-school election story that exposed politics’ deep messiness.
How participation can cause real harm (especially when the rulers we empower unleash violence)
1 Samuel 8: Israel demanded a king. God forecast the taxes, conscription, and sorrow that followed.
Psalm 146 as a Christian political manifesto: “Do not put your trust in princes.”
Read Romans 13 through Romans 12 (enemy-love before empire-law)
Why consistency (“love your neighbor/enemy”) draws seekers, while hypocrisy drives them away.
📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-146
🤝Connect with Jake Doberenz:
Article Discussed in this episode: I Think I Rigged an Election
Christianity Without Compromise Podcast: Apple, Spotify
Jake’s Website
Substack
Instagram
Twitter (X)
LinkedIn
Facebook
Company Website: Theophany Media
Key Moments:
(0:22) Introducing guest Jake Doberins
(1:00) From “Smashing Idols” to “Christianity Without Compromise”
(2:26) Standing firm on the words of Jesus
(4:07) Jake’s background and calling
(8:00) Early political experience
(15:22) Wrestling with faith and politics
(19:52) The cost of Christian political involvement
(24:12) Consistency as Christian witness
(28:51) 1 Samuel 8 and Israel’s demand for a king
(32:00) Reading Romans 13 through Romans 12
(35:35) The corrupting nature of power
(40:17) Psalm 146 — trusting God, not princes
(45:39) The mission behind Christianity Without Compromise
(50:28) Encouragement for Christian creators

💕Support the Project💕
If this episode helped you refocus on Jesus, consider supporting the work of The Bad Roman at thebadroman.com/donate. Thank you for helping us keep the message going.

🌶️SALSA THE LOVE🌶️
Donations are cool, but salsa is spicy (or mild if you like)? Every jar eaten helps keep us in your ears. Join the craze and get a jar at badromansalsa.com

FREE ACTION: Share the Episode, Share the Mission
Know a friend tangled up in red-vs-blue anxiety? Send this their way and start a better conversation: Flag or Cross: who gets your first allegiance?

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
54 min
October 09, 2025Charlie Kirk and the Cross: Little Charlies or Little Jesuses?
Is political loyalty pulling our hearts away from Jesus?
Craig speaks with Brian Drinkwine, a pastor and church planter who’s seen both the beauty and the brokenness of the American church. After one of Brian’s posts about Charlie Kirk’s death went viral, he found himself in the middle of a national conversation about faith, politics, and misplaced allegiance.
Brian shares his story, from growing up in a strict Baptist home to planting churches across the country, and how he learned that following Jesus means laying down every other flag. Together, he and Craig talk about what happens when believers confuse the Kingdom of God with the kingdoms of this world.
They dig into:
Why early Christians were persecuted for refusing to worship Caesar
How politics can sneak in and take the place of Christ
What real repentance looks like when we’ve mixed faith with empire
The freedom that comes when our only loyalty is to Jesus first
Brian also shares how he’s helping others recognize political idolatry and live out the words, “No King but Christ.”

Take a listen and ask yourself: where does your allegiance really lie…the flag or the cross?

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-145

🤝Connect with Brian Drinkwine:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://briandrinkwine.com/
Linkedin
X
Facebook
Instagram
Ministry at Breakthrough Church
💕 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: TASTE IT BAD ROMAN SALSA, ADD TO THE BAG thebadroman.com/donate, and share with a friend (it's free!)🌶️
Key Moments:
(0:22) Discussing reactions to Charlie Kirk's death
(0:48) Brian Drinkwine's background
(4:09) The viral post about Charlie Kirk
(10:45) Addressing the church's response
(23:52) Reflections on the memorial service
(29:19) The danger of political allegiance
(35:32) Early church perspective on empire
(41:34) The malaise in modern Christianity
(54:46) Christian nationalism and its impact
(1:06:56) Tools for self-reflection
(1:17:34) Conclusion and future discussions

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
1 hr 21 min
September 25, 2025Women, Scripture & the Church: Half the Image of God with Matt Mouzakis of Expendition 44
Matt Mouzakis returns to the podcast to wrestle with one of the most debated questions in the church: What does Scripture really say about women in ministry? From Genesis to Paul’s letters, we unpack how mistranslations, cultural assumptions, and bad theology have sidelined half the Body of Christ for centuries.
Was Eve really just Adam’s “rib”? Did Paul command women to stay silent in church forever…or was he correcting a local crisis in Ephesus? And what does “headship” actually mean when Paul calls Christ the head of the church?
Many of us were taught to see “male headship” as God’s design. But what if that’s really just the fallout of the Fall? And what if Jesus’ Kingdom has already undone that curse?

Spoiler: the resurrection was first preached by women, and that wasn’t an accident.

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-144

💕 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: TASTE IT BAD ROMAN SALSA, ADD TO THE BAG thebadroman.com/donate, and share with a friend (it's free!)🌶️

🤝Connect with Matt Mouzakis:
Email: [email protected]
Book: Principalities, Powers and Allegiances
Previous Episodes with Matt:
"What about Romans 13?"
From Eden to Empire: Deuteronomy 32 & Christ’s Nature with Matt Mouzakis (Part 1)
From Eden to Empire: First Peter's Insights (Part 2)
From Eden to Empire: Romans 13 Line by Line (Part 3)
The Beasts and the Lamb of Revelation: From Eden to Empire (Part 4)
Expedition 44 podcast:
Website: expedition44.com
Co-hosted by Matt Mouzakis and Dr. Will Ryan
Key Moments:
(1:35) Complementarian vs. Egalitarian
(6:00) Craig’s Journey
(14:00) Genesis Re-Read: Not a Rib, but a Side
(19:00) “Helper Suitable”: God as Ally
(24:00) Genesis 3 and the Fall
(26:24) 1 Timothy 2 in Context
(31:00) Students, Not Silenced
(38:00) 1 Corinthians 14 and the “Silence” Verses
(41:00) Headship: What Does “Head” Mean?
(47:00) Husbands & Wives in Ephesians 5
(57:00) Women Leaders in Scripture
Junia, “outstanding among the apostles” (Romans 16:7)
Priscilla, teaching Apollos (Acts 18:26)
Phoebe, deacon and patron, carrier of Romans
Deborah (Judges 4–5), prophet and judge of Israel
Huldah (2 Kings 22), prophet consulted by King Josiah
(1:09:00) Why This Matters to Matt

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
1 hr 14 min
September 11, 2025Christians, Libertarians, and Voting: The Golden Rule Test with Jeb Smith
What if stepping into a voting booth is less about freedom and more about forcing your will on your neighbor?
Craig sits down with writer Jeb Smith to wrestle with a question many Christians and libertarians rarely stop to ask: Is voting consistent with the values we claim to hold?
Jeb, author of Is Libertarianism Consistent with Voting?, argues that casting a ballot contradicts the very heart of libertarian “live and let live” principles. And for Christians, the stakes are even higher. Jesus never told us to hand power over our neighbors to Caesar. He called us to serve, not to rule.
The conversation digs into how politics twists even kind and gentle people into something unrecognizable, why voting legitimizes a corrupt system built on coercion, and how stepping away from political participation might actually free us to love our neighbors better.
As Jeb puts it, “Since I stopped voting, I get along with people much better, even those with completely different political opinions.”
This isn’t just another debate about left vs. right. It’s a challenge to reimagine what it means to follow Christ in a world obsessed with power.
Tune in, and ask yourself honestly: are you serving Christ when you pull that lever, or are you just baptizing Caesar’s game with Christian language?

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-143
🤝Connect with Jeb Smith:
Jeb's Books:
Defending the Middle Ages: Little Known Truths About the Crusades, Inquisitions, Medieval Women, and More
Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About The Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy, And Liberty
The Road Goes Ever On and On : A New Perspective on J. R. R. Tolkien and Middle-earth
Fanmail and Hate mail via email: [email protected]
Jeb's Article: Is Libertarianism Consistent with Voting?

💕 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: TASTE IT BAD ROMAN SALSA, ADD TO THE BAG thebadroman.com/donate, and share with a friend (it's free!)🌶️

Key Moments:
(0:41) Libertarianism and Voting Consistency
(1:51) Guest Update: Jeb Smith’s Recent Work
(2:50) Libertarian Voting Paradox
(4:04) Historical Voting Patterns and Motivations
(5:43) Libertarian Electoral Success and Philosophical Consistency
(7:34) Voting as Legitimizing Corrupt Systems
(9:40) The Nature of Political Power and Authority
(12:07) Fear and Coercion in State Power
(14:37) Christian and Libertarian Approaches to Governance
(19:06) Democracy and Bullying
(22:23) Political Involvement and Dehumanization
(27:01) Disengagement from Politics
(30:28) Voting as Participation in War
(34:10) Secularization of Christianity through Politics
(36:16) The Corrupting Nature of Political Power
(40:08) Psychopathy in Politics and Business
(42:29) The Golden Rule and Political Non-Participation
(47:54) Additional Resources and Contact Information

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project
Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
50 min

About The Bad Roman: Christian Politics for Modern Times

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Are you a Christian who feels disillusioned by politics?

Do you see political systems—whether democratic, authoritarian, or otherwise—promising change but often leaving you unfulfilled? As…

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