On This Episode:

GOD, JUDGMENT, AND NATIONS

I recently heard someone say God was judging Ukraine and the West through Russia's aggression. I think that's incorrect, but it got me thinking about whether or not God judges nations or just people.

WE NEED THE SUPREME COURT TO SETTLE THE DEFINITION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

A recent case out of Washington crystalized something for me regarding religious liberty. The correct view is that humans are free to worship, and government must reach a high bar to interfere with that worship at all. The problem is this: many folks seem to think that the natural state of society should be secularism, and thus, the religious person should have to justify their public demonstration of faith.

MARYLAND ABORTION LAW

There was uproar recently about a demonically evil abortion law that was proposed in Maryland. The reaction to that bill is instructive on how we intake media.

WHAT HAPPENED TO DAVID FRENCH?

I liked David French. He has become a good lesson, though, on incentives in media. He has become a warning that we all need to watch our diet -- our media diet.

On this episode:

THE WAR, THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, AND CONSPIRACIES

I noticed recently some weird reactions to the war in Ukraine. I want to parse those out. Additionally, I found that this was is, in one way, a religious war.

ARE WE DUE FOR A MAJOR CRISIS?

I'll share a social theory that says people groups face one major crisis about every 80 years. If you count World War 2 as our last major crisis, we're due. If we are headed for crisis, I know this: we earned it.

LEARNING FROM DOLLY PARTON

Over the last few years, Parton has turned down two major honors. What can we learn from her about humility, confidence, and knowing who and whose we are?

On This Episode:

INCREDIBLE STORY OF PEOPLE CHANGING THEIR MINDS

People rarely change their minds on core issues. I have a story from NPR of people changing their minds. It's significant on a couple levels we'll cover.

GOVERNOR GETS PLAUDITS FOR BEING AGGRESSIVE WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS. I HAVE A DIFFERENT TAKE.

A popular Governor recently received adulation for aggressively telling college students to take off their masks. While I agree with the sentiment, I want to user the occasion to talk about how needless aggression is largely off-putting. I want to bring in some other Christian voices who often say correct things, but say them in ways that's hard to take. There's always a call to speak the truth. How we speak that truth matters, though.

THERE IS NO "DON'T SAY GAY" BILL

The public relations campaign to bemoan this bill in Florida has been as effective as it has been dishonest. What you've heard from legacy media is a lie. I'll give the details. In short: if you're fighting for the right of government employees to have sexual conversations with 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-years-olds, you're actually being REALLY creepy.

11-POINT PLAN TO SAVE AMERICA

Senator Rick Scott recently released a document by this title. I want to give you the details and measure the ideas.

On This Episode:

LEARNING FROM WAR

We can learn a lot from this invasion. We learn that policy matters. When you intentionally diminish your fossil fuel production and spend all your money on social programs (instead of military/military) defense, you empower some terrible people and are weak to their attacks. I think we learn that prosperity and ease aren't the goals of every people group. We can learn that Americans probably aren't like Ukranians in a very unfortunate way.

POLITICAL HATRED IS HIGH -- WHAT HAPPENED?

In my lifetime, the American political Right has mostly stayed static on policy positions. The American political Left, though, has wildly radicalized. I will prove that. I also think that radicalism is one of the root causes of our caustic social environment.

LISTENER FEEDBACK

I got something wrong on gambling last week, and a listening asks about Hate Crimes bills. In short, I find them unnecessary, inequitable, and make an assumption of government power that we shouldn't assume.

SNL VIDEO ON COVID ATTITUDES

Attitudes are shifting my way on Covid QUICKLY. Many who let the situation drive them insane or coming back to rationality. An SNL video recently demonstrated how uncomfortable that is for them. I'm just going to call it a win -- even if it's an imperfect win.

On This Episode:

AN ENGAGEMENT, A STORY, A LESSON (0:00-13:00ish)

You probably saw: I'm engaged and thrilled about. The day after, I had a really sweet experience at church. Let me tell you the story in a way that I think will benefit you too.

LISTENER ACCUSATION ON GAMBLING (13:00ish-23:00ish)

A listener emailed me to complain about a picture of me sitting at a poker table to friends and family. He called gambling a sin and wanted me to reconcile my poker playing with Christianity. I take these things seriously. I don't want to be wrong one second longer than I have to be. So, let's work through the theology of gambling.

DISAPPOINTING KELLER TWEET (23:00-33:00ish)

Tim Keller, one of my favorite Bible teachers, recently tweeted that no earthly political or economic system will be perfectly Biblical. That's, of course, true. It allows too much room, though, and fails to disqualify unbiblical systems. I'll elaborate.

FINISHING STRONG WITH TWO STORIES (33:00-End of Show)

A study recently found a doubling of people who identify as non-heterosexual over the last 15 years. It also found 20% of Generation Z identify as somewhere on the LGBT spectrum. Do we think something fundamentally has changed in our biology or has something changed the culture?

After that, there's a troubling rally that's touring churches. I have a warning.

On This Episode:

-Matt Chandler recently preached a sermon we all need to hear.

-AOC tries to use religion in an argument. It's not good.

-I have some deeper thoughts from the Super Bowl.

On This Episode:

TIM KELLER, STEVEN COLBERT AND PARAMETERS OF COMPLIMENTS (0:00-16:25)

Recently, Tim Keller commended Steven Colbert for how Colbert articulated his Catholic faith. Other Christian thinkers expressed their displeasure at Keller at this. While I have some nuanced criticism on what Keller FAILED to say, it's important that we do get his core point.

THE CANADIAN TRUCKER FREEDOM CONVOY (16:25-35:33)

I affirm most of the sentiments expressed by this movement -- while also recognizing some terrible people with evil ideas are trying to attach themselves to it. However, it's important that we're all consistent about positions regarding the method of expression. I find hypocrisies abound on every side about this one. I have a Third Way to think about it.

BILL MAHER CONTINUING TO BE ONE OF THE FEW SANE VOICES LEFT OF CENTER (35:33-End of Show)

Bill Maher is saying things about Covid policy that many of us have been saying for two years. He just does it with more humor. I'll play his thoughts and respond.

I'm in a giant rush, uploading this, so.... just thanks for listening!

There's a lot on this show, but I'm short on time, so here are some key words:

-Oklahoma legislator tries and fails to dunk on pro-life people.

-Listener feedback on Encanto and on fallen pastors

-Political Quiz on being for truth over tribe

-Lecrae's controversial Tweet.