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:

 🤝 Connect with Domenic Scarcella:

📖 For Full Show Notes: thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-147

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Key Episode Moments:

(0:22) Judas: the OG Christian nationalist?

Previous episode with Domenic: Christianity Unpacked in "Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen" with Domenic Scarcella

(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:

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

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-146

🤝Connect with Jake Doberenz:

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

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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:

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:

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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

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

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🤝Connect with Matt Mouzakis:

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

(1:09:00) Why This Matters to Matt

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project

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

Jeb's Books:

Fanmail and Hate mail via email: [email protected]

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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

What happens when a Christian stops voting and starts questioning everything?

Craig sits down with musician Ancap Tim to trace his journey from a Republican poster child (yes, he really had George W. Bush on his birthday cake) to a Christian challenging empire through music, faith, and bold conversation. 

Tim shares how his journey through politics, theology, and touring Christian musician led him to a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Christ alone: no party, no empire, no king but The King.

They talk about:

This conversation moves from heavy to hopeful, with honest reflections on war, government, discipleship, and how modern politics often feels more like pro wrestling than public service.

Whether you're deep into Christian anarchism or just starting to question what you've always believed, this episode offers a refreshing mix of conviction, creativity, and clarity.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Tim’s latest album—and his life—makes the case for putting Christ above every other power.

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-142

💕 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) Guest Introduction: Musician Ancap Tim

(2:06) Tim's Background and Journey

(5:02) Evolution of Political Views

(7:50) Reconciling Christianity and Anarchism

(10:27) Conversation with a Baptist Pastor

(12:52) Tim's Musical Journey

(15:15) Critique of Modern Christianity

(20:37) Universal Restoration and Doctrinal Differences

(23:56) Tim's New Album: "The State's Just a Mafia"

(36:35) Album Cover Design

(47:55) Tim's Music Style and Future Plans

(49:34) Where to Find Tim's Music

(52:38) Conclusion and Support

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project

Curious about turning your backyard into a mini-Eden? This episode's for you. We're chatting with Corey Ellerbe, the green thumb behind Old 37 Homestead on YouTube. He's gone from rookie gardener to homestead pro, and he's spilling the dirt on how you can too.

But we're not just talking tomatoes here. Corey and Craig dig into how growing your own grub can be a sneaky way to stick it to the state. Plus, they explore how getting your hands dirty can actually bring you closer to God.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or can barely keep a cactus alive, you'll walk away with practical tips to start your own little slice of paradise. And who knows? You might just find that the path to independence starts in your own backyard.

Craig and Corey take you through:

Listeners will gain insights into sustainable living, spiritual growth through gardening, and practical tips for growing their own food. This episode is valuable for anyone interested in self-sufficiency, organic gardening, or exploring the intersection of faith and nature.

So grab those gardening gloves and tune in. Trust us, your future self (and taste buds) will thank you.

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-141

💕 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:

(0:44) Gardening and Agrism Discussion

(1:01) Background on Corey's Gardening Experience

(3:38) Craig's Gardening Journey

(6:46) Gardening Advice from Corey

(13:39) Corey's Gardening Philosophy

(25:04) Gardening as a Way to Subvert the State

(45:35) Gardening and Relationship with Christ

(54:55) Old 37 Homestead YouTube Channel

(1:06:27) Advice for New Gardeners

(1:15:07) Gardening Zones and Regional Considerations

(1:19:39) Closing Thoughts

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project

Ever wondered how someone goes from being a die-hard statist to embracing a "no king but Christ" worldview? Patrick Green, creator of the 100 Fold Testimonies podcast, shares his journey from a statist Christian to embracing "no king but Christ (King Jesus)". 

Patrick's journey is a rollercoaster of faith, doubt, and revelation. He opens up about his Catholic upbringing, his struggles with infertility, and the three-phase process that led to his spiritual awakening. It's a raw and honest account that'll have you questioning your own beliefs.

Patrick's journey unfolds in three distinct phases:

But this isn't just a feel-good testimony. Craig and Patrick dive deep into the thorny issue of state worship. They tackle questions like:

Drawing from biblical passages like 1st Samuel 8, they challenge listeners to reconsider their relationship with political institutions. It's a conversation that'll make you squirm, think, and maybe even change your mind.

Craig and Patrick don't shy away from their own past mistakes either. They share cringe-worthy stories of their former media consumption habits and political biases. Remember when you couldn't wait to get home and turn on your favorite news pundit? Yeah, they've been there too.

But it's not all heavy stuff. Patrick introduces his new podcast, 100 Fold Testimonies, and invites listeners to share their own Jesus stories. It's a reminder that amidst all the political noise, personal transformation is still at the heart of faith.

So, whether you're a political junkie, a skeptic, or just someone trying to figure out this whole Christianity thing, this episode's got something for you. It's a journey from statism to Christ-centeredness that'll challenge your assumptions and maybe even change your life.

Ready to have your worldview shaken up a bit? Tune in and prepare to see politics, faith, and yourself in a whole new light

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-140

💕 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!)🌶️

Starting Points and Key Moments:

(0:22) Guest Introduction: Patrick Green

(0:58) Patrick's Background and Testimony

(7:26) Political Idolatry and Awakening

(8:28) Overcoming Evolution as a Barrier to Faith

(10:31) Personal Tragedy and Faith Journey

(18:55) Turning to Scripture

(26:37) Lessons from Biblical Parables

(38:55) Transformation and New Perspective

(41:16) Secular Awakening

(52:48) Comfort and Government Dependence

(56:13) Both Sides of Politics

(59:04) Conclusion and Podcast Information

🔗For more on The Bad Roman Project

Explore a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Jesus' identity: his kingship. Duncan Palmer and Matt Mouzakis dive into the literal meaning of "Christ" (from the Greek Christos) as "King," revealing how modern translations have obscured this powerful concept.

Key points:

The discussion highlights how referring to Jesus as "King" more frequently, rather than "Christ," could transform believers' understanding of his role and their allegiance to him. This shift in language and perspective has far-reaching implications for Christian faith and practice.

Gain fresh insights into familiar Bible passages and be challenged to reconsider their relationship with Jesus as their true sovereign. This episode promises to be an eye-opening exploration of a foundational, yet frequently misunderstood, aspect of Christian faith.

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-139

Other Resources Mentioned:

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Starting Points and Key Moments:

(0:22) Discussing Jesus as King vs. Christ

(1:04) Duncan Palmer's return and personal anecdotes

(3:05) Matt Mouzakis's return and book announcement

(7:45) Greek translation issues and Bible interpretation

(13:22) Duncan's epiphany about the word "Christ"

(19:41) Antichrist as replacement for Christ

(22:58) Personal experiences with "King Jesus" terminology

(50:20) Exploring the concept of Jesus as King

(1:04:43) The church as God's method of ruling

(1:14:26) Call to recognize Jesus as the true King

(1:19:40) Closing thoughts and resource recommendations

🔗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

Ready for a deep dive into government, violence, and Christian ethics? Patrick Carroll, a seasoned libertarian thinker, is back to dissect the core beliefs of statists, revealing how even well-intentioned government supporters inadvertently endorse violence. This eye-opening conversation challenges listeners to reconsider their views on political power and its compatibility with Christian teachings.

Key topics include:

This episode promises to challenge deeply held beliefs about the role of government in society and offers a compelling case for embracing non-violent approaches to social organization.

Tune in for an intellectually stimulating conversation that might just change how you view government, freedom, and your role in shaping a more just society.

📖For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-138

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Starting Points and Key Moments:

(0:22) Patrick Carroll returns to discuss "The Anatomy of the Statist"

(0:58) Patrick's recent work and philosophical journey

(4:17) Discussion on Patrick's writing style and approach

(5:47) The appeal of libertarian philosophy

(7:45) Breaking the framing of political conversations

(10:37) The Anatomy of the Statist: 10 characteristics

(17:47) The utilitarian perspective on government

(23:17) The theocrat and Christian involvement in politics

(31:41) The risk mitigator and government regulation

(53:57) The megalomaniac and power dynamics of government

(56:24) The heart of the statist: intolerance

(59:52) Taxation as theft: beyond metaphor

(1:03:43) Free market principles and conservative inconsistencies

(1:05:31) Conclusion and resources

🔗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