On This Episode:

THE CHRISTIAN AN PATRIOTISM

I want to re-visit this topic with categories. We can trade in America First and "proud to be an American for "Kingdom first" and humility that God placed us in the most prosperous, safest, most stable place in human history. Let's be grateful for where we are, use its opportunities for the Gospel -- all without making the country an idol.

HOW TO REPOND TO COUNTRY IDOLATRY

The American story is beautiful. That's why it has patriots and followers. The Christian story is even better. The Christian story is better than the stories of our families, ethnicities, ideologies, countries or anything else. So, let's tell the beautiful story of Jesus.

SHEED DOGS VS. SHEPHERDS

In evangelicalism right now, there's a divide on how to present truth faithfully. I argue here that there's a role for sheepdogs -- snapping the flock into safety.  There's also a role for shepherds who more gently guide. Both types need to appreciate each other.

HARASSMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

We're in a season of people protesting at houses and restaurants. That's currently coming only from the Left. The Right will respond in kind if it continues. That makes for an ugly an contentious world.

On This Episode:

LOCAL UNIVERSITY DOES NOT RENEW LESBIAN PROFESSOR'S CONTRACT

A Baptist University is getting a little negative attention for letting a newly-open lesbian professor go. They made the exact correct decision, and I'll tell you why.

RAPID FIRE SECOND SEGMENT

-A reasoned response to our gender madness from... Bette Midler?

-Part of growing up is no longer letting our experiences tint our formulation of policy prescriptions.

-Another religious liberty win at a lower court. Now, what are we going to do with all this religious freedom?

-I think a listener convinced me that no person should say another person is going to hell.

THE SUPEREME COURT'S OTHER HUGE WIN

In the last year, the Supreme Court ruled:

-The CDC can't issue an eviction moratorium

-OSHA can't force employers to be vaccine police

-The EPA can't write specific regulation for carbon emissions without Congressional approval.

These are all good, important decisions that disempowers the executive branch, empowers Congress, and restores a lot of power to the States. We need that separation of powers if we're going to hold together. The Court is starting to put the federal government back in its box, and that's healthy.

POST-ROE REACTIONS

I want to respond to the good and bad responses I've seen since Roe was overturned.

On This Episode:

WHY THE LEFT TENDS TO BE UNPREPARED FOR ARGUMENTS

In the aftermath of rulings on abortion, guns, and religious liberty, I noticed the Left is bad at their arguments. I theorize that is because to be on the Left means your worldview is affirmed in school, on TV, in movies, in music, and the entire culture more broadly. To be on the Right is to be challenged by the world around you. That has left the Left unprepared and under informed on these topics.

PRAISE THE LORD: ROE AND CASEY ARE DEAD. WHAT NOW?

I want to spend some time equipping you to traverse the lies (and sometimes just ignorant claims) expressed regarding abortion the last couple of weeks. I want to recap the story of these 49 years and how we got to this momentous occasion. Finally, let's talk about how we serve our neighbors in a post-Roe world.

RULINGS ON RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

The Court also ruled that Christian schools can't be excluded from school voucher programs and that school employees don't have to drop their faith at work. These rulings have been a mercy, and I'm grateful for them.

JAPAN LOWER COURT RULES AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE

It's interesting that a totally non-Christian culture and government finds a very logical reason that marriage should be reserved to men and women. 

INDEPENDENCE DAY

I finish with a quick word ont he holiday and how we balance celebrating the country but keeping our eyes on the eternal home we get later.

On This Episode:

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION

-I found that we have a conservative vs fundamentalist divide over abortion, Critical Race Theory, Standards for Leaders and our general demeanor.

-I have a lot to say about all of those.

-Rick Warren bragged into a microphone, but it gives us a chance to examine the distinctions of the Church's governance. How is the Church to be run?

OTHER TOPICS

-The Supreme Court issues an encouraging ruling on religious freedom.

-Belief in God plummets on the Left and among Democrats. This divide is our most profound.

-Local  grandad finds LGBT propoganda children's books in the public library.

ON THIS EPISODE:

KAVANAUGH ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

The only feature of the tumult of the 1960s we haven't had is the assassinations. We are a people standing on shaky ground. We can't handle a major assassination. We can learn a lot from this plot and from whence it came.

THE CHURCH AND BIG DATA

Some churches are now using the same tactics that major digital media and digital advertisers use to target potential members or target people in need. Are you okay with churches using the same tactics as Google, Amazon, and other tech giants?

WE HAVE A WEIRD TAKE ON AGE IN THE US

As we've discussed raising the age on when someone can buy certain guns, it has occurred to me that we have an almost schizophrenic view of age. Alcohol, smoking, maybe guns, and other items are too sensitive for 18-years-olds. At the same time, we say 18-year-olds are mature enough to vote, take on large amounts of debt, or change their "gender." There is no cohesion.

RAPID FIRE:

-A way to fix social security

-Funny but also crazy End Times "prophet" on YouTube

-AOC misunderstands our government

-Thoughts on the January 6th hearings

ON THIS EPISODE:

LIVING AS A CHRISTIAN DURING THE SECULAR HOLY MONTH OF "PRIDE"

It occurred to me that all religions have a calendar. The Christian calendar just recently celebrated Ascension Day and Penteost.

In our secular progressive humanist religion -- the dominant religion in America -- Pride month is starting to seem like their Advent or Passover. That recognition prompted this question: how does a Christian behave when the secular church is celebrating its holy month. I have some ideas.

REVISITING THE SBC SEX ABUSE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

The SBC should adopt a lot of what has been recommended. I have a couple words of caution on how this process should work.

A LOT MORE

On This Episode:

A DEBATE ON RACIAL INJUSTICE

The first 2/3 of the show is dedicated to covering a Gospel Coalition debate regarding the church's response to racial injustice. I'll play many sound clips, respond, and synthesize an answer.

WHO NEEDS THAT GUN?

I keep hearing this argument like it's a debate-ender. It's not. The response is practical, philosophical, and even theological.

RAPID FIRE TO FINISH

I spent almost the entire show providing details of the report regarding how the SBC has handled sexual assault/abuse allegations over the past 20 years.

It's ugly, sad, and we'll work through the entire thing together.

ON THIS EPISODE:

RHETORIC, VIOLENCE, AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM

We've had a spate of politically or ideologically motivated violence in the last decade or so.  I have noticed that the zeitgeist of the moment does not equally apply the standard of how much media, rhetoric, or ideas motivate this violence. I'm going to equally apply the standard and then encourage some steps on how to protect our own minds and our kids from being taken in by destructive ideas.

TERRIBLE COUNTRY SONG

In short, Kane Brown has a song out that is the prime example of romantic idolatry. I'll provide details.

JOHNNY DEPP, AMBER HEARD, AND OUR CULTURE OF RECORDING

One of the weirdest part oft he Depp-Heard saga is how much they recorded each other. That's also a habit I've seen on social media. Let me walk you through why this is a negative phenomenon.

GREAT DEBATES TO WATCH

The Gospel Coalition recently hosted debates on gun culture and wokeness. They're excellent, and I recommend them.

On This Episode:

THE BIBLE AND STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS (0-13:00)

I've seen a few memes and people trying to use the Bible to argue for student loan forgiveness. While I oppose student loan forgiveness, I most vehemently oppose twisting Scripture. That's what I want to address.

WAR ABOUT POLITICAL TACTICS INSIDE THE AMERICAN CHURCH (13:00-40:00)

I find it inexpressibly hard to take a side in an argument where people on every side are people I admire and highly regard. That's the exact position I'm in right now, though, with an argument regarding if/how Christians should engage with politics and civics. Let me walk you through the conflict, and let's decide on where we land.

WHY WE SHOULDN'T REGARD "THE AMERICAN VOTER."

I recently saw data on Roe. vs. Wade and on inflation that showed most American voters just don't know enough to provide informed opinions. So, let's stop being swayed by polls and public opinion.