In July, Doug Stuart and Nick Gausling attended the Young Americans for Liberty 2017 National Convention on behalf of LCI. This episode is our talk from the LCI breakout session, plus some additional Q&A recorded at the LCI booth. We cover some key points in how to engage and reach Christians with the message of liberty, and also answer some common (and some not so common) questions. Though originally delivered to college students who are active proponents of liberty on their campuses, this information is useful to anyone wondering how to better advocate for liberty to Christians.

Nearly every libertarian has heard the classic objection, “But who would build the roads?” This question is so common that it has become a point of ridicule by libertarians to mock weak arguments for why libertarianism supposedly can't work in practice (as if the state's nearly-endless track record of failures hasn't proven its method dysfunctional).

In this episode, renowned libertarian Christian economist Bob Murphy joins us to discuss the economics and practical functions of society in the absence of the state. Beyond roads, Murphy walks us through how anything --- even national defense and the law itself --- can work better when fully-privatized. You might say that where this episode is going, we don't need roads...

Nearly every libertarian has heard the classic objection, “But who would build the roads?” This question is so common that it has become a point of ridicule by libertarians to mock weak arguments for why libertarianism supposedly can't work in practice (as if the state's nearly-endless track record of failures hasn't proven its method dysfunctional).

In this episode, renowned libertarian Christian economist Bob Murphy joins us to discuss the economics and practical functions of society in the absence of the state. Beyond roads, Murphy walks us through how anything --- even national defense and the law itself --- can work better when fully-privatized. You might say that where this episode is going, we don't need roads...

As part of our summer lineup, we're revisiting several of the most popular and informative talks given at Christians for Liberty conferences in previous years. Though instead of just reposting those talks, we've filled them with some extensive supplemental commentary, so even listeners who have heard the original talks with get all new material. In our final Annotated Talk for the summer, we work through Jason Rink's analysis of the ways in which nationalism, hyper-patriotism, and state devotion are forms of idolatry. Pervasive in much of contemporary American Christianity --- and elsewhere throughout Church history at various times --- worship of the state clashes with God's command that we worship Him alone. Yet in our songs, symbols and even reverence for historical figures and documents, a healthy appreciation for ones' country can quickly become an idol. We probably won't be closing out this episode with any karaoke to Lee Greenwood music.

As part of our summer lineup, we're revisiting several of the most popular and informative talks given at Christians for Liberty conferences in previous years. Though instead of just reposting those talks, we've filled them with some extensive supplemental commentary, so even listeners who have heard the original talks with get all new material.

In our final Annotated Talk for the summer, we work through Jason Rink's analysis of the ways in which nationalism, hyper-patriotism, and state devotion are forms of idolatry. Pervasive in much of contemporary American Christianity --- and elsewhere throughout Church history at various times --- worship of the state clashes with God's command that we worship Him alone. Yet in our songs, symbols and even reverence for historical figures and documents, a healthy appreciation for ones' country can quickly become an idol. We probably won't be closing out this episode with any karaoke to Lee Greenwood music.

Theologians have struggled for almost the entire history of the Church to analyze and explain the violence attributed to God in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. As libertarian Christians, this issue is often raised regarding the compatibility of libertarianism and Christianity. Some ancient theologians resolved the conundrum using allegorical interpretation. Many others have argued along the lines of the sovereignty of God and the enigma of certain elements of the divine plan. In this episode, theologian and pastor Greg Boyd gives us his take on the issue as described in his new book Cross Vision (a layman's edition of his larger academic monograph, Crucifixion of the Warrior God). If you're not a fan of this episode, you can try to allegorize it.

Theologians have struggled for almost the entire history of the Church to analyze and explain the violence attributed to God in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. As libertarian Christians, this issue is often raised regarding the compatibility of libertarianism and Christianity. Some ancient theologians resolved the conundrum using allegorical interpretation. Many others have argued along the lines of the sovereignty of God and the enigma of certain elements of the divine plan. In this episode, theologian and pastor Greg Boyd gives us his take on the issue as described in his new book Cross Vision (a layman's edition of his larger academic monograph, Crucifixion of the Warrior God). If you're not a fan of this episode, you can try to allegorize it.

As part of our summer lineup, we're revisiting several of the most popular and informative talks given at Christians for Liberty conferences in previous years. Though instead of just reposting those talks, we've filled them with some extensive supplemental commentary, so even listeners who have heard the original talks with get all new material. This week, we review Norman's talk in which he walks us through some of the foundational biblical arguments for Christian libertarianism, interspersed with commentary and discussion on everything from the practical elements of civil disobedience to intellectual property law. You should feel free to copy and redistribute this podcast; just don't try to use Acts 4 to say you're doing it because of socialist 'redistribution' (we cover that topic, too)!

As part of our summer lineup, we're revisiting several of the most
popular and informative talks given at Christians for Liberty
conferences in previous years. Though instead of just reposting those
talks, we've filled them with some extensive supplemental commentary,
so even listeners who have heard the original talks with get all new
material.

This week, we review Norman's talk in which he walks us through some
of the foundational biblical arguments for Christian libertarianism,
interspersed with commentary and discussion on everything from the
practical elements of civil disobedience to intellectual property law.
You should feel free to copy and redistribute this podcast; just don't
try to use Acts 4 to say you're doing it because of socialist
'redistribution' (we cover that topic, too)!

Brian Zahnd is a pastor from Saint Joseph, Missouri, whose own thought journey mirrors that of many libertarian Christians: away from neoconservatism and nationalism, and towards skepticism of empire and the pursuit of peace. Though he doesn't self-identify as a libertarian and we have some differences, Zahnd's work does have substantial overlap with LCI's as it relates to militarism, nationalism, and how we view the kingdoms of the world. Today, Zahnd joins Doug and Jason as they discuss these themes. We also talk about his forthcoming book, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God.