In this landmark 400th episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, hosts Doug Stuart and Cody Cook welcome back Jim Babka for a reflective conversation on the state of the libertarian movement today. Babka, a significant figure in the libertarian movement, shares his journey to libertarianism dating back to 1996 and recounts his transformative experiences working with liberty icon Harry Brown. As they celebrate this podcast milestone, the discussion delves into the evolving landscape of libertarianism, from the consistent core values to the shifts influenced by cultural and political changes like the escalation of the culture war.

Additional Resources:

• Liberty from A-Z, by Harry Browne
• Harry Browne’s 9/12 article, “When Will We Learn?”
• Harry Browne’s 1996 acceptance speech (video)

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Doug Stuart dives into a thought-provoking conversation with pastor, chaplain, and missionary Benj Giffone. As they discuss Benj's new book, A House Divided: Technology, Worship and Healing the Church After COVID, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 on church communities and the essential role of worship, liturgy, and epistemology in restoring connection and faith. Benj shares his experiences as a professor and pastor during the pandemic, highlighting the challenges of transitioning to digital worship and the broader implications for church leadership. This episode explores the importance of reconciling past missteps through humility and repentance, and how a renewed commitment to truth can foster healing and unity in the church. Join Doug and Benj as they navigate these crucial discussions, encouraging churches to reflect on their actions and seek a path toward restoration and renewal. Whether you're a church leader, congregant, or someone interested in the intersection of faith and technology, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for moving forward.

Order A House Divided: https://housedividedbook.com

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Host Cody Cook welcomes David Ritchie, author of Why Do the Nations Rage?: The Demonic Origin of Nationalism. Ritchie notes how sin can manifest in corporate and systemic structures, employing Paul's writings and John's triad of the flesh, world, and Satan to highlight these spiritual and societal dimensions.

The conversation addresses the contemporary relevance of nationalism and its potential to distort Christian faith. Ritchie, a pastor, reflects on his own pastoral journey, the challenges of addressing political idolatry, and the importance of spiritual discernment in positions of authority.

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Doug Stuart welcomes back Dr. Cal Beisner, founder and national spokesman of the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation. Dr. Beisner discusses his book Prosperity and Poverty: The Compassionate Use of Resources in a World of Scarcity, originally published in the late 1980s. The conversation delves into how the principles outlined in the book remain relevant today, addressing issues such as the compassionate use of resources, economic justice, and the role of stewardship in a biblical context.

Dr. Beisner provides a critique of Ron Sider’s influential book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger, analyzing how economic principles have been interpreted within Christian circles. The episode explores the notion of social justice, differentiating between biblical and contemporary interpretations, and offers insights into effective responses to poverty through a Christian lens. Dr. Beisner's discussion is enriched by historical perspectives and his own experiences in the economics committee of the Coalition on Revival. He also offers suggestions for Christians and church leaders on how to actively address poverty through stewardship and charity, emphasizing the need for proper economic understanding aligned with biblical teachings.

Listeners interested in learning more about Dr. Beisner’s work can explore resources available through the Cornwall Alliance and are encouraged to read his detailed exploration of justice in both economic and social domains. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about how Christians can navigate and influence discussions on wealth, poverty, and stewardship today.

Additional Resources:

• Cornwall Alliance website (cornwallalliance.org)
• Social Justice vs. Biblical Justice available from Cornwall Alliance
• The Book that Made Your World by Vishal Mangalwadi
• When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

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Host Cody Cook engages economist and author of The Economic Condition of Black America in the 20th Century, Germinal Van, in an enlightening discussion on significant socio-economic and historical issues affecting Black Americans. The episode dives deep into topics like selection bias among highly educated Asian immigrants and the economic conditions of Black Americans from emancipation through the civil rights movement to the present day.

Through historical anecdotes like the successes of Black Wall Street and prominent figures such as Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois, Germinal Van unpacks the complex interplay between market reliance and systemic barriers. The conversation critically examines the impact of 20th-century political and economic shifts, notably the detrimental effects of welfare programs and policies like the 1994 crime bill, which perpetuated racial disparities.

This episode maintains a thoughtful balance, recognizing systemic issues while also advocating for personal responsibility, skill development, and market-based solutions to achieve true economic emancipation for Black Americans. Join us for an engaging and intellectually stimulating conversation that challenges prevailing narratives and explores paths to a more equitable society.

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Host Cody Cook welcomed John Wrench from the Institute for Justice to talk about the history of the judiciary gutting the U.S. Constitution’s 14th amendment protections, as told in IJ's excellent podcast Bound By Oath. Tune in for a fascinating, and sometimes horrifying, look back.

Note: this episode was recorded prior to Trump's inauguration, so the controversy over the president's attempts to repeal birthright citizenship through executive order is not discussed. However, this discussion will provide a lot of the background necessary to understand this particular debate.

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Host Cody Cook is joined by Glen Scrivener, an ordained Church of England minister and evangelist, to discuss his book The Air We Breathe—a fascinating and very readable account of how Christianity has profoundly shaped Western thought and morality. In both the book and in this conversation, Glen demonstrates that Western values such as equality, compassion, consent, freedom, and progress are deeply rooted in Christian ethics.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how Christian principles have shaped—and continue to influence—our world today. This comprehensive dialogue not only offers a historical perspective but also provides a reflective view on the current intersection of faith and culture. Don't miss this engaging and thought-provoking episode.

Books referenced in this episode:

The Air We Breathe by Glen Scrivener

The WEIRDest People in the World by Joseph Henrich

The Case Against the Sexual Revolution by Louise Perry

Justice for All: How the Jewish Bible Revolutionized Ethics by Jeremiah Unterman

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Host Cody Cook sits down with Jacob Winograd, an LCI colleague and host of the Biblical Anarchy podcast, as Jacob revisits one of his earlier episodes on the question: "what is biblical anarchy?"

The conversation kicks off with a discussion on the evolution of anarchist thought, from left anarchists like Joseph Proudhon to 20th-century figures like Murray Rothbard, offering a comprehensive understanding of how anarchists approach issues like property rights, self-ownership, and capitalism.

Moving into the biblical justification for anarchy, Cody and Jacob debate the nature of governance during the period of the judges in Israel and whether it can be considered an anarchist society. They also explore the New Testament perspective, focusing on Romans 12 and 13, to tease out whether Christians are called to participate in or separate from civil governance.

Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation that promises to enlighten and challenge your perspective on governance from a biblical anarchy viewpoint.

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Host Cody Cook sits down with esteemed journalist and author Stephen Kinzer to delve into the shadowy world of CIA’s former mind control program, MK-ULTRA, as explored in Kinzer’s book Poisoner in Chief. The discussion focuses on the enigmatic figure of Sidney Gottlieb, the program's leader, and his dual personality – a torturer by day and a gentle, nature-loving bohemian by night.

Kinzer offers insights into the origins and motivations behind MK-ULTRA, revealing the agency's fears of Soviet and Chinese advancements in mind control during the early Cold War. The conversation explores Gottlieb's gruesome experiments, involving torture and chemical agents, and the recruitment of former Nazi and Japanese scientists.

Kinzer and Cook discuss the evolving concept of the "deep state" and the intersection of political interests and government actions, offering a thought-provoking examination of conspiracy theories and their plausibility.

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Host Doug Stuart is joined by Alex Bernardo, host of The Protestant Libertarian Podcast, to delve into the intricacies of historical Jesus research and its impact on Christian theology and libertarian beliefs. Together, they explore how understanding the historical context of the gospels of can help reconcile perceived contradictions, as well as the role of biblical scholarship in shaping modern faith.

Alex explains his passion for historical Jesus research, emphasizing the importance of anchoring beliefs about Jesus to historical facts rather than projecting contemporary values onto him. This conversation uncovers the tension between maintaining traditional theological beliefs and engaging with historical scholarship, revealing how pastors and congregations alike can benefit from a deeper historical understanding of Jesus' life and message.

They also examine how Jesus' kingship aligns with libertarian ideals, highlighting how libertarian Christianity bridges theological insights with political philosophy.

Listeners will gain new perspectives on the phases of historical Jesus research, the importance of reading the gospels intelligently, and the interplay between systematic and biblical theology. With echoes of NT Wright's critiques and references to notable scholars like Albert Schweitzer and Helen Bond, this episode promises to enrich your understanding of both historical and contemporary Christian thought.

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