On this Episode:

I sat down to talk with Nathan McDowell, soon heading off to a PhD program at he University of Illinois at Chicago, about the last year in the US.

We talked about Covid, mask-wearing, racial justice issues, whether or not we're a "racist country," policing, election uncertainty, the Qanon riots, individualism vs. collectivism, vaccines, the value differences between liberals and conservatives, climate change, how to teach American history and more.

We find some common ground along the way, but maybe most importantly, we model healthy conversation.

On This Episode:

ANOTHER DECONVERSION STORY --THIS ONE FROM "CHRISTIAN ARTIST" DC TALK (0:00-13:55)

Kevin Max from 1990s Christian subculture fame recently announced he is an "Exvangelical" but that he still follows the "Universal Jesus" -- whatever that means. He also offered a lot more of nonsensical word soup that demonstrates whatever Jesus he's following, it isn't the Biblical one. I'll provide details and respond.

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT THE MOST RECENT CONFLICT IN ISRAEL (13:55-27:06)

I'm sure this segment won't make anyone angry... but I do need to respond to how I see Christians on social media responding to the nation of Israel regarding geopolitical matters. 

WHAT ARE THE MORAL VIRTUES (27:06-35:37)

Jonathan Haidt and other social scientists from the University of Virginia surmised almost ten years ago that the difference in political Right and Left emanate from the two sides focusing on different factors that make up morality as a whole. I recently came back across their system and have some thoughts to share.

A MAJOR RIGHT-LEFT DIVIDE (35:37-37:35)

While talking about the segment above, I got distracted and took two minutes to talk about one major reason Right and Left differ. Rightism recognizes that the natural state of nature is disorder, destitution, poverty, and striving to survive. Leftism supposes the state of nature is actually good and plenteous -- there are just powerful people wrecking it.

BACK TO THE MORAL VIRTUES (37:35-45:27)

We finish off the talk on care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and sanctity.

LISTENER QUESTION ON FACING IRRATIONAL FEARS (47:27-End)

On this Episode:

I HAVE SOME THOUGHTS AS AMERICANS TAKES OFF THEIR MASKS (0:00-17:40)

I suspect the vast majority of Americans saw mask-wearing as a temporary, necessary step and felt it at various levels of annoyance. Another group hated them and refused. Still another imbued them with almost mystical powers or simply aren't mentally/emotionally ready to let them go.

Now that the masks are coming off, there are groups to considers and to be considerate of, as they re-enter a maskless world. I'll also offer some thoughts on Covid policy in our new reality.

WHY DID MASKING POLICY CHANGE (17:40-29:06)

The CDC guidance on masking changed, seemingly, quite suddenly. I don't like assuming anyone's motives, but I will offer some theories as to why the policy changed dramatically and quickly.

LESSONS FROM LIZ CHENEY (29:06-39:03)

Liz Cheney is out as a leader of the House GOP Caucus. For me, this is a classic case of being able to recognize two truths simultaneously. Cheney might be mostly right about her concerns and priorities AND her concerns and priorities are causing her to be a poor leader for the goals of her organization. We can also learn a lesson here in the value of just moving on with your life.

LIZ WARREN SAYS THE QUIET PART OUT LOUD (39:03-42:03)

Senator Warren recently told Stephen Colbert how delighted she is with the current state of affairs. There's a little bit of a surprise in that. I'll give brief details.

SADDLEBACK CHURCH, THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION, AND A COMING CONFLICT (42:03-50:10)

Saddleback Church, currently in the SBC, recently ordained women as elders. That's in contradiction of the standards for inclusion in the Convention. It doesn't mean they're outside the faith, but they're certainly no longer Baptist. I have a few thoughts on the coming conflict as well as why this distinction matters.

ON THIS EPISODE:

A COUPLE STUDIES SHOW AMERICANS ON THE LEFT OVER-ESTIMATE SOME PROBLEMS (0:00-14:00 

Here's the Story: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/briefing/atlanta-shootings-kamala-harris-tax-deadline-2021.html

Liberals over-estimated Covid severity. Here's another study, showing those on the Left vastly over-estimate police shootings on racial lines: https://www.skeptic.com/research-center/reports/Research-Report-CUPES-008.pdf

Takeaway: before engaging in conversations (especially on the internet), kindly be sure everyone is on the same page on the facts.

AMERICAN LIBERALS REPORT HIGHER INSTANCE OF EMOTIONAL DISORDERS (14:00-29:00)

Here's one version of the source: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/apr/22/white-liberals-more-likely-have-mental-health-cond/

In a self-reported study, self-identified liberals report appreciably higher diagnoses of depression and anxiety. There could be 1,000 reasons for this. I'll offer some theories.

CONSERVATIVE MEDIA FIGURE TAKES HEAT FOR SOME COMMENTS ON EMOTIONAL/MENTAL DISORDERS (29:00-35:00)

A fairly popular conservative recently argued that we totally over-medicalized things like anxiety and depression in people. While, we might over-prescribe drugs for these, the conditions are real and requires meds and care. I want to offer some nuance to his comments.

Also: talk to doctors, not show hosts, for mental health advice.

DON LEMON THROWS A HYSTERICAL FIT (35:00-45:55)

Don Lemon threw a hysterical fit on the air recently. In that fit, he made some absurd comments on the founding of the US. I will correct those claims.

INFLATION IS STARTING (45:55-50:10)

Inflation has started. I'm sure you can feel it. I'll explain why, and why it's going to be harder than a lot of experts think to control it.

On This Episode:

MEANINGFUL LESSONS FROM THE CENSUS (0:00-13:07).

I love the Census; I'm a demography nerd. Here's one lesson from this Census showing we're at an historically low growth rate: we're an unhealthy people. Healthy things -- organizations, organisms, churches, businesses -- grow. We're soon to be shrinking, meaning we're not healthy.

Our values are rotten. Our national goals are in disunity. Our trust in each other is broken. Our ideas are backward. As a result, there is decline. In this segment, though, I do have a word of hope.

POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS FROM THE CENSUS (13:07-19:30)

The Census also offers some political insights and practical changes to our political maps. I'll provide details.

BLAKE SHELTON'S NEW "BIBLE" SONG (19:30-31:02)

Blake Shelton's new song lays a heavy burden on you that you don't have to carry. Ironically, Justin Bieber recently released a gospel album that responds to the "earn it and strive" message Shelton offers.

In short, when there's a message about the Gospel of Jesus floating around in the culture, I want to be sure we take the opportunity to clarify what the true Gospel is.

SIGNS OF POLITICAL BACKLASH (31:02-34:40)

Democrat Senator Mark Kelly is complaining about what's happening at the border. Democrat Senator Joe Manchin is rejecting Statehood for Washington DC and rejecting some spending. Democrat Senator Kristen Sinema is set on keeping the filibuster. In a healthy move for the country, some politicians can feel Leftist overreach and potential political consequences.

TIM SCOTT, JOE BIDEN, AND KAMALA HARRIS AGREE (34:40-45:00)

In a 48 hours period, Republican Senator Tim Scott, President Joe Biden, and Vice-President Kamala Harris all said that America is not a racist country. That sort of unity is something to build on. We also know that we have ethnic disparity in the present. So, if we are not currently a racist country, what are we and from where do ethnic disparities emanate? I have a theory.

CONGRESSWOMAN IS JUST A TERRIBLE PARENT (45:00-49:00)

I have audio of a Congresswoman whose ideology gets her dangerously close to emotionally traumatizing her own daughter. It's maddening, and you should hear it.

On this Episode:

MAJOR CHRISTIAN FIGURE'S SON BECOMES ANTI-CHRISTIAN TIKTOK PERSONALITY (0:00-16:24)

I don't want to gossip, so I'll leave the names out of it. A beloved Christian figure's adult son has been making anti-Christian content on TikTok. While the son has some valid points and some stupid ones about the institution of Christendom, I have a different concern: how do we prevent the heartbreak of seeing our kids fall away?

Ultimately, we rely on God's provision for this, but I also have some ideas:

-Present your kids with all the best arguments against Christianity. Don't shelter them from those.

-Point towards Jesus and Jesus alone. Personalities fail. Affections waiver. The Gospel of Jesus is the only power of God unto salvation.

-As best as we can, live consistently with the things we say we believe.

STOP LETTING [conservative] MEDIA FREAK YOU OUT (16:25-23:30ish)

I recently saw the BREATHLESS headlines about proposals to add D.C. as a State and to pack the US Supreme Court. These are indeed atrocious ideas that emanate from evil intentions. They're also not going to happen. There is zero chance of either taking place, so calm down. Conservative media seems to be okay with getting clicks and streams off of your fear. I'm not okay with it, and I'd like to be a voice for more calm.

QUICK THOUGHT ON THE CHAUVIN TRIAL JURY (23:30ish-26:00ish).

It's not fair to assume the jury on the Derek Chauvin trial was motivated by some fear of social ostracization or of social unrest. They're adults just like you. They're intelligent people. They saw all of the evidence, whereas most of us saw a limited amount. If you disagree with their verdict, that's reasonable. But their verdict is also absolutely reasonable. We have the institution of the criminal justice system. Casting doubt on this institution further strains the social fabric.   

TAX FACTS (26ish-33:07)

Did you know the top 25% of income earners earn about 69% of the dollars earned and pay about 88%(!!!) of all income taxes paid. We have an extremely progressive tax system already, and I'll provide further stats to establish that. I'll also analyze the current administration's tax plan and explain why it will harm growth, incomes, jobs, and the economic "little guy."

IS THERE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW ON TAXES AND ECONOMICS? (33:07-44:50)

Well, sort of. We do know some concepts: property is a gift of God to steward, but it's not collectively owned. We know that both work and thrift are attributes celebrated in the Bible. We know the Lord demands justice on those that cheat others or take advantage of people economically.

Outside of that, we have several centuries now of human history, looking at organized economies which ones achieve the most human flourishing. All of these are worth considering.

TREVOR LAWRENCE WITH A POWERFUL LESSON WE ALL NEED TO LEARN (0:00-13:30)

Trevor Lawrence recently took some flack for defining success as something other than winning football games.  First, we can learn from this young man. We all tend to define success by something external: earning a certain amount of money, marrying a particular person, getting approval, power, or comfort. We let those define us, but we can learn from Lawrence here the Biblical lesson of being defined by eternal matters.

I will also compare Lawrence to another quarterback who said in the past that his winning is all that defines him. We can a learn a lot when we compare these two men.

WHAT CAN A CHRISTIAN EXPECT IN THIS WORLD? (14:10-29:00)

I’m finding some Christians think the world is terrible, it must be terrible, and we should never expect the secular world to adopt or accept Christian thinking. Conversely, there is a theology that calls on Christians to conquer the institution of society and impose the faith.

What’s the balance? What should a Christian expect in a fallen world? Victory? Defeat? Let’s talk about it.

BLM MARXIST EXPOSED (29:45-40:00ish)

One of the founders of the BLM ORGANIZATION (remember that the organization isn’t the movement or the sentence) described herself as a Marxist. Her recent real estate behavior shows she was indeed a Marxist…. Until the moment she got some money.

LEARN THIS ON POLICE SHOOTINGS: LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT THE SAME TIME (40:00ish-50:10)

Listening to discussions about police shootings can be frustrating for me. In these uncomfortable ten minutes, I endeavor to ask you to think clearly and draw clear lines. Not all shootings are created equal.

George Floyd isn’t Ahmaud Arbery who isn’t Adam Toldeo who isn’t Tamir Rice who isn’t Daunte Wright who isn’t Breonna Taylor. Every case has its own unique fact pattern, and we would be wise to realize that.

On this Episode:

BE CAREFUL OF HAVING YOUR MIND CAPTURED (0:00-12:48)

Colossians 2 warns Christians not to have their minds taken captive by secular, worldly, deceptive philosophies and ideologies. Our culture presents plenty of them: Woke-ism, Qanon-ism, and dozens of gradients in between. Colossians also gives us the solution: be rooted in the faith as Scripture describes it, take every thought captive, and measure against Scripture.

THE CULTURE MATTERS MORE THAN GOVERNMENT (12:38-31:45)

Folks obsess over what happens in capitol rotundas or on the nightly news. While a few million people watch and pay attention to these matters, though, literally hundreds of millions of people are having their minds and ideologies shaped on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Consider this: it's not that hard to find a YouTuber you've never heard of with 25 million regular viewers while the combined viewership of cable news will top out around 10 million. If we want to be change agents in the culture, we should recognize that and strategize around it.

In that vein, I have examples of how a Disney+ show and the latest Taylor Swift album endeavors to disciple our minds.

CHANGE THE LANGUAGE; WIN THE ARGUMENT (23:21-37ish)

Framing arguments for one own's advantage isn't new. However, I noticed that secular progressivism has been doing this lately insidiously -- and effectively. Secularism is winning the culture, in part, because they change the language, and we acquiesce to their changes. I'll provide details.

MORE MEDIA MALFEASANCE (35:34-37:30)

I have one quick thought on how the national media's agenda is made obvious in how they covered 4 recent violent acts.

VACCINE THOUGHT (37:30-41:20)

I have a brief thought on the Covid-19 vaccine. One spoiler: it's not the "Mark of the Beast.:

THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL (41:20-47:30)

I have one piece of audio from an activist threatening violence and destruction if the trial doesn't go her way. That's evil, and cities should prepare to mitigate against that possibility.

I attempt here to prepare everyone for every possible outcome on what might be the most prominent criminal trial since the OJ Simpson case.

On this Episode:

GEORGIA VOTER LAW

I'll take a full 20 minutes to look at the provisions on the bill that is being called "Jim Crow on steroids." In short, there is no good reason for the hysterics around this bill. It's fully in line with other state rules regarding voting, and some of what you've heard isn't even true. So, I take a truly objective look at the facts of what the law does. Then, you can judge.

After that, I do some judging -- judging the histrionics that came in response to the bill.

RAPID FIRE TOPICS

-Complaining on Jill Biden's bad Spanish doesn't help with credibility on topics that matter.

-A Professor sues his college over a conflict about a transgender student's pronouns.

-A teacher gets angry at a high school student for NOT seeing ethnic differences as crucially important.

-A journalist says the George Floyd/Derek Chauvin trial is a trial on the entire country. That's incorrect, and it's the exact wrong message we need right no.

-Lester Holt says fairness in journalism is overrated. He might be right, but that's a dangerous game.

-A Chicago middle school is trying to change its name. Leftists there are protesting against naming after president Obama because... he wasn't woke enough.

-Some thoughts on the Biden tax plan and how corporate taxes work.