The Cory Truax Show

On This Episode:

TWO SOCIAL QUESTIONS: HOW TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS? SHOULD AT LEAST ONE PARENT STAY HOME WITH THE KIDS? (0:00-17:22)

Don't blame me. A listener asked me to weigh in on the questions of education and household organization. Many conservatives and Christians are advocating leaving the public school system altogether. My take is mostly that not all schools are the same, so each individual family needs to make their own individual decision -- having the child's spiritual and ethical formation as the top priority.

I also use this time to clarify what the "traditional" family structure looked like at home. It's probably not what you think.

ROBIN DEANGELGO PERFECTLY ILLUSTRATES THAT WOKENESS IS RELIGION (17:22-25:00ish)

The "White Privelege" author recently talked about how she realized she was white. It sounded like someone "sharing their testimony." You have to hear this.

IS "HANDING OUT TRACTS" STILL AN EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM METHOD (25ish-33:22)

I deeply admire the Christian who specifically spends time on evangelism. I just want to revisit our methods briefly.

A TERRIBLE ARGUMENT ON TWO OPPOSING SIDES (32:22-39:10)

Pro-shutdown and pro-masking-children people tend to tell you stories and anecdotes about people who get sick or die to make their point. You know who else does that? Anti-Vaccine people. Both are terrible arguments. Data suggests both of their positions are dubious, and if we'll be data-driven instead of emotion-driven, we'll have a better country.

On this Episode:

QUICK WORD TO OPEN THE 7-YEAR-ANNIVERSARY (0:00-3:30)

The show just completed six years. Thanks to all who listen, review, share, and support monetarily the show.

THE SIMONE BILES STORY WAS COVERED ALL WRONG (3:30-15:30)

Some conservative media demonized her. Liberal media lionized her. Neither were helpful. The real story ends up being about the Leftist media reaction. They provide the modern narrative that everyone's #1 loyalty must be to themselves.

SELF has been the priority of our culture for decades now. Has that served us well? Or are we better off when we find meaning outside of ourselves?

RECAPPING THE START, FALL, AND RE-GROWTH OF THE SHOW (15:30-18:30)

My show started strong in 2015. Then a presidential primary came that decimated my audience. I re-tooled, stopped obsessing over stupid politics, and found a new audience. I like this audience better.

THE JANUARY 6TH COMMISSION (18:30-25:00ish)

I'll say it: the January 6th Commission is a political stunt with no real, practical use. I'll prove it.

THE ILLOGICAL SURROUNDING COVID IS BREATHTAKING (25:00ish-35:00ish)

The messaging and fear around Covid at this point is psychosis for some people. I'll provide details on how very little makes sense for those still in fear and panic over this virus.

LEFT AND RIGHT MEASURE DIFFERENTLY (35ish-end of show)

I have found that the Left measure policies by INTENTIONS -- how they felt, their empathy, and what they wanted to happen.

The Right measures policies by RESULTS.

One method is mature and rational. The other is childish and emotional.

On this Episode:

THE SERVANT LEADERSHIP TREND IS A BIBLICAL ONE (0:00-7:05)

With books like "Leaders Eat Last" and business schools teaching "servant leadership," it is worth noting that the entire idea is one Jesus gave us. Greatness through service is a Jesus-taught concept.  Even in an unbelieving world, when Biblical practices and values are enacted, it's good and right for human flourishing.

DID JESUS LOVE THE POOR OUTSIDER MORE? (7:05-15:45)

I heard a sermon recently from a typically incredible Bible teacher that was not INCORRECT -- it was incomplete. It seemed to allege that Jesus pursued and valued the culturally marginalized BECAUSE of their lowly estate. That's not true, though.

Cultural obscurity and personal weakness it EASIER for people to see their own need for a redeemer. The rich and powerful struggle to see their own problem. Both, however, come to Jesus totally by his grace alone -- not their earthly status.

I LOVE THIS NEW SPACE RACE (15:45-33:58)

I saw some folks -- typically Leftists -- bemoaning that billionaires are spending their money on space exploration instead of ... . To be kind, it's childish, short-sighted thinking -- on top of it being insanely arrogant to think they know better how to spend SOMEONE ELSE'S money.

Let me talk you through how the unintended inventions and developments from space exploration are going to make ALL our lives better in the coming decades. Let me further explain how this new space race is being funded by the virtuous circle of commerce where consumers get what they want, producers makes profit, and then use that profit to explore -- instead of the government just taking our money to do it.

7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHOW (33:58-35:40)

Next week is the seven-year anniversary of my show. You didn't get me anything? That's fine. It's fine. No big deal.

LISTENER QUESTION: SHOULD WOMEN BE INCLUDED IN SELECTIVE SERVICE (THE DRAFT) (35:40-39:45)

I'm coming to the conclusion that in the West, war between humans might be obsolete. From here on, it's most likely that our machines will battle other machines, and humans will control those machines from many miles away -- out of harms way. 

It is an immoral people that would have women fight their wars. However, if we're going to have a draft at all, women could contribute in non-combat roles.

SECESSION IS MORE POPULAR THAN ANYTIME IN THE MODERN ERA (39:55-45:08)

Leftists, conservatives, and centrists alike have a higher approval of secession than ever in a recent poll. I hope the country is coming to the conclusion I came to ten years ago: one city and one set of laws shouldn't apply to us all.

Secession, in my opinion, should not be a radical idea. Britain just left the EU. Likewise, it shouldn't be a crazy idea for California or Texas to leave the union.

THE LEFT EMBRACE PERSONAL RESPONSBILITY FOR THE FIRST TIME -- BUT ONLY ON COVID (45:08-end)

Leftism largely does not want to allow people to feel the consequences of their own actions. However, there's been a recent exception. On Covid and Covid alone, the Left demonstrate the importance of personal responsibility. I'll elaborate.

On This Episode:

OUR OBSESSION WITH "THE SELF" IS MAKING US MISERABLE (0:00-14:26)

The Western world has largely conquered the problems that plagued most of history -- hunger, security, comfort, etcetera. In the absence of those struggles, we've become obsessed with the "self" and the emotional affirmation thereof. The results of that, though, have been soaring rates of all sorts of emotional disorders.  All of that is true. What do we do now? 

CLINGING TO CONSPIRACIES (14:30ish - 26ish)

We all know decent people who have been convinced of various conspiracies. An email from a listener prompted me to interact with the reality that some folks still cling to a conspiracy about the most recent election. I will try to establish that all of these can be true at the same time: the mass media is a biased, corrupt institution; there are politically driven, bad people throughout the institutions of power; governments used Covid to improperly change voting procedure; AND the outcome was fair and accurate.

DON'T IGNORE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CUBA (26ish-37ish)

Communism, its precursor socialism, and all other centralized systems are immoral systems that oppress and hurt human flourishing. Watching what's happening in Cuba got me thinking about a lot -- what it means to be free, and how Cuban-regime sympathizers in the US would take us down a dangerous path.

A WHOLE BUNCH (37ish-End)

-Why is my show experiencing a surge of growth?

-We got good news for religious liberty in court cases in both the US and in the UK

-The consequences of our Covid freakout last year continue to come into focus slowly.

-Ben Carson speaks a truth that gets him in trouble

On this Episode:

THE RISE AND FALL OF MARS HILL CHURCH (0:00-15:30)

I've been listening to a FASCINATING podcast about the rise and fall of Mark Driscoll and the church he pastored in Seattle. One lesson I know we can take from Driscoll is the importance of being teachable. Are you someone who can take criticism and counsel? Do you make it terrifying for anyone to question you? There is safety and wisdom in having counselors around you. 

I'll also offer here a Biblical model on how to GIVE criticism and how to receive criticism.

WHAT WOMEN WANT (15:30-33:38)

Here's the New York Post story: https://nypost.com/2021/07/10/why-progressive-women-want-to-date-men-who-act-conservative/

It's in the words of liberal, progressive, secular women: they prefer men who adopt traditional (conservative) roles -- despite the larger culture trying to bludgeon those values out of men for almost 4 decades now. 

There are certainly biological and sociological reasons for this attraction, but there's a deeper reasoning: it's Biblical.

The maker and men and women designed them for one another. These ladies can deny a God,-designed world and humanity, but their preferences betray them.

CULTURE WAR, ROUND 2 (33:39-End)

The catalyst for this is this post from a far-left blogger: https://jabberwocking.com/if-you-hate-the-culture-wars-blame-liberals/

In the last 30 years or so, conservatives have gotten SLIGHTLY more conservative, while liberals have gone off-the-wall Left. This made them the aggressor, and the VICTOR, in the Culture Wars around family, parenthood, sexuality, marriage, etcetera. 

Beyond this just being an interesting observation, it made me think about the next 30 years and beyond. Will anti-Biblical secular progressivism continue to dominate? Maybe so, at least in the West. But it doesn't have to, and I have some thoughts on that.

On this Episode:

WORRY AND FEAR AS A CULTURAL FIXTURE (0:00-14:53)

Putting aside actual anxiety disorders for a moment, I noticed recently that we are a culture almost dominated by fear. In conservative media, I recently saw BODY ARMOR being advertised. The home security systems have become ubiquitous, and we have companies selling us apps to constantly monitor our kids and even our pets. 

In a terrified world, the Jesus follower can live with a distinct faith and confidence. I have some thoughts on that.

THE IMPORTANT STORY BEHIND THE OLYMPIAN HER TURNED HER BACK ON THE FLAG (14:53-32:52)

I'm generally not offended and don't particularly care about this young lady's behavior at the playing of the national anthem at a recent Olympic trial event. However, I'm deeply interested in what we can learn from attitude. In interviews after the demonstration, it becomes clear that this girl is just a miserable person. If you listen closely, you can hear her misery emanates from a posture of entitlement. She's blown away that the world isn't exactly as she wants it to be, and until it's perfect, she's just going to be angry about it.

We can do that too. Some folks create a world (or a family, spouse, career, home, etcetera) that has never existed and will not exist. Then, they get disaffected that their fantasy world isn't real.

We have a choice to make. We can be grateful for the world we have, leading to happiness. Conversely, we can feel entitled to a world we didn't earn and doesn't exist, leading to misery.

PLAGIARISM IN SERMONS (32:52-47ish)

I'll provide details on a sort-of controversy in the evangelical world right now regarding pastors plagiarizing each other's sermons. The topic also allows some exploration on sermon generation and the nature of preaching.

SOME CLEANUP (47ish)

I re-visit some recent show content, respond to comments, and make clarifications.

On This Episode:

INDEPENDENCE DAY THOUGHT (0:00-7:26)

Happy Independence Day, all! Every year, I try to connect the people that celebrate the US totally uncritically and those that struggle to celebrate it at all. We are both the greatest experiment for human flourishing in the history of the planet AND a place with deep flaws -- all at the same time. We can, and should, recognize all those truths simultaneously.

If you live in the US, you live better and more opulently than 99.9999% of all the humans that have ever lived on this earth. You could take the kings and queens of antiquity, bring them to 2021 America, and they would think they were in heaven. We can choose to be grateful for our place compared to all of human history, or we can choose to compare the US to a fantasy land that doesn't exist and be dejected. It's really our choice.

DEGREES OF SIN (7:26-27:00)

Are all sins equal? Do Christians improperly focus on certain kinds of sin in the culture and ignore others? These questions are worth exploring. Using a full Bible hermenuetic, we find that, while all sin is eternally damnable before a holy God, not all sins are considered equal. I'll build that out for you.

BIBLICAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE (27:00-42:36)

A listener sent me a podcast that developed the idea that prisons are unbiblical. It didn't win me all the way over, but it required me to think about our broken and often irrational penal system. Our prison system is out of control, often dehumanizing to the criminal, not restorative to the victim, and produces an alarmingly high recidivism rate. 

This segment is heavy on itemizing the problems but also has some ideas for solutions near the end.

THE PRESIDENT'S "YOU NEED F-15s AND NUKES" TO RESIST THE GOVERNMENT COMMENT (42:36-End)

Of course, the president's comment here was bizarre and dumb, but this notion is common among certain critics of the 2nd amendment. I'll explain why it's a terrible argument against the 2nd Amendment's first purpose, which was defending the states and citizenry against a potentially tyrannical federal government.

On This Episode:

MATTHEW WEST'S SONG TO HIS DAUGHTERS AND THE REACTION THERETO (0:00-19:11)

Matthew West released a song that encouraged his daughters to dress modestly. Some critics said the song adds to a toxic culture of blaming women for male behavior. While the song is good-natured, it's worthwhile considering how we talk to girls about how they dress and the pressures we put on them. I have a lot to say on this one.

THOUGHTS ON JUNETEENTH (19:11-25:10)

If we should ever be able to unify on something, celebrating the end of slavery should be right near the very top of that list. That happened -- sort of. However, some folks ruined it by being reactionary and others ruined it by trying to use it for their on agenda and collection of power. Way to go, USA, you can even find ways to dislike each other while celebrating the end of slavery.

It's not secret I think the ACA is a terrible law and program. The numbers back me up. It has broken every promise made about it. It's original form fundamentally changed the relationship between human freedom and the government. However, technically, the Supreme Court got this one correct on the merits. I have several thoughts on this one.

THE SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY -- SORT OF (31:20-37:11)

It was technically a win for freedom when the Court unanimously ruled in favor of a Catholic agency discriminated against by the city of Philadelphia because they hold to Biblical sexuality. It's not nearly the win it could have been, though, and that's because John Roberts is just terrible. I'll explain.

BILL MAHER GOES AFTER HIS OWN SIDE (37:11-42:56)

Bill Maher goes after the Hamilton creator for bowing the cancel culture. It's foul-mouthed, but it's sort of important.

MEGHAN MCCAIN ON JOE BIDEN AND ABORTION (42:56-end)

Meghan McCain said some hard but true things recently about abortion and the current president. I have some thoughts to add.