The Uncensored Unprofessor

Millions of Christians refuse to go out and vote. Among other reasons, they believe engaging in politics is being worldly. In this conversation Mark and I work through different understandings of worldliness, show what the Bible has to say (and model) about worldliness, and press out a Christian worldview on being salt and light in the realm of politics. For instance, is worldliness a physical-bodily thing? An isolated matter pertaining to idolatry? Narrowlly refusing economic greed? How does the Bible both portray worldliness and counsel believers regarding worldliness? Come and think (and laugh) with us about where and how to draw fitting boundaries.

Christians are called to be salt and light. Here at Uncensored University we believe that means being present even in the political realm. Does that then mean a Christian should automatically be a Democrat, a Republican? Mark and I talk through the pros and cons of politcal party affiliation. We both explain our approach to political engagement: evil is real, so are evil people; it and those need to be kept in check, as a Christian matter. Discussing the GOP versus the Democrats we talk about economic classes, immigration, and the ever-present government hunger for power; and it is a hunger always cast in terms of doing still more good. Come and think with us about a Christian perspective on political engagement.

This is the first in a series on Christians and politics I'll be doing with my friend Mark. Idaho, which has some of the most staunchly pro-life laws in the nation, presently has a proposition on the ballot to legalize abortion up to the moment just before viability. To discuss the topic, we read directly from the state's voter pamphlet to make known the arguments both for and against the proposition. Along the way we discuss things like, why is there such an impasse between the pro-life and pro-choice camps? Why has Christianity for two thousand years been staunchly pro-life? And, why do liberals and progressives prefer to use ambiguous language when it comes to abortion? Come and think with us through this never-ceasing crucial issue.

Since the October 7 attack Israel has been in the news. With the help of Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens there has been a fascinating turn against Israel inside the U.S. Even conservative pastors are joining the shift. So, in this cast o' the pod I discuss what is replacement theory—that the Church has replaced Israel as God's covenant people—and what is wrong with it from a biblical perspective. In the show's cultural-reflection I discuss recent fears about A.I. and delineate why I am now less concerned than I was a short time ago. Then, having just read two biographies of Karl Marx, I talk about what my big takeaways are for civilization. I never quite saw the mayhem for what it was until I read those two books. Come join me in thinking through life from a Christ-centered perspective.

I asked my Patreon posse for their theological questions. Pastor Steve came back with a beaut: why is Jesus called the Word of God? This resolutely theological episode unpacks the answers to Steve's great question. We explore not only pre-existing Hebrew and Greek concepts—Yahweh dabar and Logos—but we see how Jesus both fulfilled and surpassed those. I used to teach my theology students, "Jesus is always what you think of him, but so much more." Along the way we clarify the differences between Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus and other supposedly divine messengers, the errors of both Liberal and Progressive Christians, and learn why Jesus is both mysteriously beautiful and beautifully mysterious!

What's wrong with Socialism-Communism? From a biblical perspective, much; both epistemologically and theologically. But to my delight and surprise Catholics were decrying the horrors of Soc-Com ideology two years before Karl Marx even published his Manifesto. Clear back in 1846 Pope Pius IX was both watching what was lurking over the horizon and sounding the alarm. Subsequent traditionally Catholic Popes and Priests also had much to say about what they were witnessing with the embodied presence of Soc-Com. I work through some of their warnings and critiques. In this show I also reflect in humor-splashed ways on the outcome of a recent college football game, address a now-established meme that Jesus didn't think he was divine, talk about ongoing social media shaddow-banning, and work through whether I am a Catholic-o-phile. Come think and laugh with me.

The Catholic Church, for some 150 years, warned of the dangers of Socialism-Communism. But today massive chunks of the global Church are sympathetic to the claims and aims of Socialism. So it's a natural question, can a Christian be a Socialist? In this episode I work through the value system of Socialism to compare and contrast it with the biblical portrayal of reality. Within all that, fundamental to the Socialist system is the elimination of the traditional family. Why? Why is that such a constant through Socialism's history? I also discuss things like: today's Christian Emo music, the mascot of my High School, and the importance of not only looking through one's worldview (field of perception) but of looking at it. It is good to know why one believes (1 Pet. 3:15). Midway through the pod I discuss a development in Los Angeles that helps us understand the Socialist economy. Oh, I also note what Karl Marx did with regard to his own maid; he, the great Robin Hood for the working man, was a less than stellar boss. Come think and laugh with me!