Christian nationalism demands Christianity be privileged by the State and implies that to be a good American, one must be Christian. It often overlaps with and provides cover for white supremacy and racial subjugation. We reject this damaging political ideology and invite our Christian brothers and sisters to join us in opposing this threat to our faith and to our nation. | Signed: Tony Campolo - Christians Against Christian Nationalism

Sadly, Christian Nationalism has become (to many) an axiom, much like racism, fascism, xenophobia and other unwarranted attacks on Christians and conservatives. But not all of this is hype. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green recently said: "The Republican Party's primary focus this year should be on making the political party one of Christian nationalism".

Pilgrims, America is not—nor has it ever been—a Christian nation. However, American Christians should not only have a vested interest in doing our part to see America become a nation of Christians, but we should celebrate all occasions where the Gospel of Jesus Christ—and the practice of Christian principles—are celebrated and elevated in the public realm and the things which dishonor God and bring shame upon people and a nation are repudiated.

Christianity is not a blessing that is exclusive for Christians. It is a blessing for all people and all nations, as sinners are saved from the bondage of sin and set free to live in newness of life; a life that no longer feeds the passions of their flesh but instead glorifies God and points other’s to him. As Christians are transformed by the gospel, it’s impact should have collateral blessings on their neighborhoods, their cities, their states, and their countries. This is all part of the power of the Gospel.

Jesus charged his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. This was not a passive command, nor is it a suggestion for how to live out the gospel in our private lives. This was a directive, given by Jesus, on how Christians must walk out their faith; in public, in politics, and in every day life. For a Christian, there should be no distinction between how we choose to live publicly and how we choose to live privately. And as American Christians, we have a responsibility to the world to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ; honoring the Gospel ABOVE all false religions and idols.

What is Christian Nationalism and should Christians be alarmed, encouraged, enraged, or indifferent about it? Today, Mike and I kick off a multi-part series on Christian Nationalism, its history, and how it is commonly understood and misrepresented today.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

“My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right”. | President Abraham Lincoln

A nation without God is a nation without a future. More specifically, a nation without Christ is a nation with no hope; regardless how important, influential, or imperialistic that nation may be.

Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, asked him “how can we know the way”…to which Jesus responded—in John 14:6—“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

As Christians, we hold firmly to the exclusivity of the gospel. There is only one way into a restored relationship with God, and that is through the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. However, as American Christians we also understand that our nation and our culture—as they currently exist—are not rooted in the truth of the gospel.

Should this bother us? As citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, our future rests secure in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Nations will rise and nations will fall, as they have for thousands upon thousands of years, but the Kingdom of Heaven will remain forever. So as American Christians, are we supposed to live with indifference towards the nations of this world, or are we supposed to live in such a way as to cultivate and create families, neighborhoods, cities, states, and nations built on the tenets and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ; acknowledging that when the gospel wins, everybody wins?

Pilgrims, as we continue on with the second episode of our series titled “Christian Nationalism”, we are grateful to have the opportunity to have another brother-in-Christ join us in the conversation this week.

Dave Herring, is a man of many talents but also a man who loves Jesus and desires to pour his life out living into the greatest of all the commandments; namely to love God and love his neighbor as himself. But Dave also believes that Christian Nationalism is an evil idolatry, and is the greatest threat to the Christian faith and nation.

We’ve asked Dave to unpack this assertion and help us understand why he feels so strongly and passionately about his positions; and why he encourages other Christians to examine and potentially reject many of the things that America (and the American culture) represents.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

Christian nationalism demands Christianity be privileged by the State and implies that to be a good American, one must be Christian. It often overlaps with and provides cover for white supremacy and racial subjugation. We reject this damaging political ideology and invite our Christian brothers and sisters to join us in opposing this threat to our faith and to our nation. | Signed: Tony Campolo - Christians Against Christian Nationalism

Sadly, Christian Nationalism has become (to many) an axiom, much like racism, fascism, xenophobia and other unwarranted attacks on Christians and conservatives. But not all of this is hype. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green recently said: "The Republican Party's primary focus this year should be on making the political party one of Christian nationalism".

Pilgrims, America is not—nor has it ever been—a Christian nation. However, American Christians should not only have a vested interest in doing our part to see America become a nation of Christians, but we should celebrate all occasions where the Gospel of Jesus Christ—and the practice of Christian principles—are celebrated and elevated in the public realm and the things which dishonor God and bring shame upon people and a nation are repudiated.

Christianity is not a blessing that is exclusive for Christians. It is a blessing for all people and all nations, as sinners are saved from the bondage of sin and set free to live in newness of life; a life that no longer feeds the passions of their flesh but instead glorifies God and points other’s to him. As Christians are transformed by the gospel, it’s impact should have collateral blessings on their neighborhoods, their cities, their states, and their countries. This is all part of the power of the Gospel.

Jesus charged his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”. This was not a passive command, nor is it a suggestion for how to live out the gospel in our private lives. This was a directive, given by Jesus, on how Christians must walk out their faith; in public, in politics, and in every day life. For a Christian, there should be no distinction between how we choose to live publicly and how we choose to live privately. And as American Christians, we have a responsibility to the world to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ; honoring the Gospel ABOVE all false religions and idols.

What is Christian Nationalism and should Christians be alarmed, encouraged, enraged, or indifferent about it? Today, Mike and I kick off a multi-part series on Christian Nationalism, its history, and how it is commonly understood and misrepresented today.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” | C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses

Pilgrims, one of the most difficult things about idolatry—in the American Church—is that our idols aren’t carved images in the cows, bulls, goats, rams, eagles, phallic symbols, or anything else. In fact, often times they are good things which Christians have turned into ultimate things. Meanwhile, worship of the giver has been replaced with worship of the giver’s gifts.

As Mike and I bring closure to our series titled, “Sheology”, we felt it was important and necessary to discuss the idea of idolatry. Whether it’s a spouse, a career, children, independence, abortion on demand, politics, the 2nd Amendment, or something else entirely…the reality is that for many Christians they have willingly settled for the lie which the culture has already embraced; namely, to be devoted to chasing a life filled with temporal pleasures and fading joys.

In this episode, we look at (3) short parables in Matthew 13. In these short stories, Jesus reminds his disciples of the true value of the Kingdom of Heaven and how a follower of Christ must make a choice. We can either sell everything we have—and pick up our cross daily to follow Christ into fullness of joy and pleasures evermore—or we can have everything that the world has to offer at the cost of eternity separated from God.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

Pilgrims, the bible isn’t primarily about men being masculine or women being feminine. The Bible is primarily about God. Faithful Christians, throughout the history of the church, have held to the conviction that man’s chief end is to glorify God and fully enjoy him forever. One way that this happens is when men and women live into the God-exalting and joy-invoking realities of Biblical manhood and womanhood and the unique and different ways God has created and called men and women to live.

A culture that rejects God’s good design, as it pursues joy outside of a relationship with him, will only be able to offer counterfeits, which always lead to disappointment and despair. True and lasting joy can only be found in God and the things which he has called good.

One of the significant issues with America and American Christianity is that people have been persuaded to embrace ideologies which run contrary to the Word of God and scriptures which should expose this reality are often ignored or avoided, because they are difficult and typically lead to controversy inside and outside the church.

In this episode of the Podcast, Mike and I make efforts to intentionally dive into these difficult passages, to try and understand why they are not only true but also how they actually point us to pathway to peace, joy, unity, and satisfaction…even as they strongly push against the philosophies and dogmas of a godless culture.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

“In large part the feminists have had all the victories they have had because Christians have not been thinking carefully about the issues, and we have just jumped on board with some stuff that we really never should have”. | Rebekah Merkle – Eve in Exile

Pilgrims, few things cause the kind of controversy or conflicts—within Christendom today—as the theology of Biblical womanhood and the roles for women within the culture, the home, and the church. But why is this?

American Christians, who have lived in a culture shaped by feminism for the past century, have casually embraced a feminist-ideology and allowed it to shape their minds, their homes, their lives, and their faith.

In today’s episode, Mike and I make appeals to men and women alike to look at God’s Word and God’s good and perfect design for women, in order to challenge the empty promises and painful consequences of feminism.

Christian women cannot learn what it means to be a woman from talk-show hosts, magazine articles, Instagram posts, or classes on self-esteem. A healthy, godly view of womanhood must be learned from the Scriptures and sadly, this is the last place many women (or men) choose to go to find help.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

"It is always improper to intentionally offend anyone; and if someone is offended by your actions or words, they are not necessarily right." | RJ Intindola – (Gandolfo) – 1981

Pilgrims, you have the right to be offended, or do you? American culture certainly wants you to believe you do. If anyone says or does anything that you find offensive, especially if they hold to conservative or Christian values, you not only have the right to be offended but also the responsibility to label these people bigots, misogynists, sexists, xenophobes racists or any other labels which will ostracize and chastise them in the court of public opinion.

However, God's Word invites Christians into a very different reality. One where our whining is never louder than our worship. If a Christian’s aim is to glorify God and fully enjoy him forever—which it is—the we must also do our best to walk in humility; understanding that “a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him”. (John 13:16)

Christians are called to overlook offenses as we gaze to the person and work of Christ and how he endured the greatest injustice in the history of the world; namely, dying a criminal’s death on the cross, in order to save the very people who demanded his death.

On today’s episode of the podcast, Mike and I talk about the balance between calling out offenses to the Gospel, while not allowing our personal offenses to cast a shadow on the message of hope, forgiveness, and salvation in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

"[Birth Control]...these two words sum up our whole philosophy... It means the release and cultivation of the better elements in our society, and the gradual suppression, elimination and eventual extinction, of defective stocks -- those human weeds which threaten the blooming of the finest flowers of American civilization." -- Margaret Sanger, (Founder of Planned Parenthood) "High Lights in the History of Birth Control," Oct 1923.

Over the past several weeks, as the culture of death has wept and gnashed their teeth—because of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade—a rip-tide of indictments have been hurled at Christians. These insults and false accusations are rooted in, what those who are hellbent on the right to kill children, see as a lack of generosity and compassion, from Christians.

But is there any substance to these claims? Are Christians really hypocrites when it comes to loving their neighbor, simply because they refuse to embrace things like Universal Healthcare, Universal Childcare, Universal Basic Income and other socialized government programs?

On today’s podcast, Mike and I discuss some of the major differences between how culture defines generosity and how the God’s Word does. We also look at Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, and how the current culture of death has attempted to white-wash her deeply racist roots; in both eugenics and white supremacy. And how the original intent of her efforts, which was ultimately to limit the population of those she determined to be “unfit” people and inferior races, is still being carried out in the mission and efforts of Planned Parenthood.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

As the culture war continue in America, there will be victories which Christians find to be worthy of praise. But there are people—both inside and outside the Church—who believe it is not Christlike for Christians to publicly celebrate and rejoice in these victories.

What is the right course of action for a Christian to take, when something praiseworthy occurs within culture that leaves others feeling angry, afraid, and discouraged?

Many times the accusations lobbed at Christians, in these moments from the culture, are not only uninformed but are also disingenuous and aimed to try and attack the character of Christians and paint them as uncompassionate hypocrites.

In some cases these accusations may have substance. However, the overwhelming majority of them do not. As Christian and Conservative pundit Allie Beth Stuckey eluded to, the gospel has consistently moved Christians to be some of the most generous and compassionate people in the history of the world.

Pilgrims, on today’s podcast, Mike and I look to address the false dichotomy which has been setup to try and silence Christians or paint them as gloating and blathering fools.

How should Christians live into the biblical command to rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn?

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.

Before heading to prison—and ultimately his execution—the Apostle Paul, Speaking to the elders of the Church in Ephesus, admonished them in this way:

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,5 which he obtained with his own blood.6 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. | Acts 20:26-31

Pilgrims, we have been led to believe that peace comes through compromise. But when it comes to mattes of Biblical truth, there is no compromise. God’s word is the authority and truth on which Christians stand, and truth does not negotiate with error nor does light negotiate with darkness.

Throughout history, as God’s people chose to negotiate with the godless cultures around them, it wasn’t the culture that was transformed. It was the church. Compromise, in the realm of biblical truth ALWAYS leads to a decline in morality and an acceptance and celebration of sin.

If the church desires to push back the darkness and transform our culture with the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must not only be willing to stand firmly on Biblical truth but must also be ready to welcome and battle the persecution that naturally comes with spiritual warfare.

If comfort—in a godless culture—becomes our primary aim, then our willingness to stand firm on God’s truth will naturally decline. However, if glorifying God and fully enjoying him forever becomes the our chief aim, we will not only walk in the boldness and confidence the Holy Spirit gives to the faithful, but we will also welcome the spiritual battles; as we fight with hopeful expectation of the transforming power and mercy of the Gospel.

Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.