Truce - History of the Christian Church

By Chris StaronReligion & Spirituality Christianity History Religion

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Truce - History of the Christian Church episodes

June 05, 2019 Embryo Adoption - featuring Nate Birt of "Frozen But Not Forgotten"
If life begins at conception, what do we do with all of the embryos left after in vitro fertilization? Author and journalist Nate Birt joins us to discuss embryo adoption and his book Frozen But Not Forgotten.

This is a Truce Podcast extra. Truce is a listener supported show. Donate on Patreon, GoFundMe, and on our website. Send us an email to let us know what you think of the show and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

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8 min
May 28, 2019 Fatty Arbuckle and the MPAA
Did Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle murder Virginia Rappe? That questions defined the film industry for thirty years. Upset with Hollywood's moral failures, Christians demanded changes. We took over, fighting until the studios decided to censor themselves.

This special episode of Truce ties into our last episode with Abby Johnson of the Unplanned movie.

This episode explores:
* Who was Fatty Arbuckle?
* Who was Virginia Rappe?
* Did Fatty Arbuckle murder Virginia Rappe?
* What is the MPAA?
* What started the Motional Picture Association of America?
* Did Christians really censor the golden age of films?

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23 min
May 21, 2019 Censorship
Freedom of speech. We all say we want it, but do we really? On this episode of the Truce podcast, we talk with Abby Johnson, the subject of the new film "Unplanned" which hit theaters in March. Abby shares her story of having worked for Planned Parenthood and how she quit after witnessing an abortion for herself.

Please note: this episode may not be appropriate for all listeners.

We also speak with Dr. Richard Land about his thoughts concerning censorship.

The interviews in this show (including American Family Radio, The Museum of the Bible, and more) were recorded at the 2019 Proclaim Conference, hosted by the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Anaheim, CA. Special thanks to their team for allowing Chris to attend for free with a press pass.

Topics discussed in this episode:
Did Twitter block the account for the Unplanned movie?
Do we really want unregulated freedom of speech?
Why were conservatives so upset when NFL players knelt during the national anthem?
Are Christian and conservative messages blocked on social media?
Who is Abby Johnson?
What did Abby Johnson see?
What is Planned Parenthood?
How big is Planned Parenthood?

We work hard to create the best Christian podcasts in the world. We can't do that without your help! Please donate on GoFundMe.com, Patreon, or on our website at www.trucepodcast.com.

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38 min
May 07, 2019 How Multi-Level Marketing Targets Christians (4 of 4)
Did you know that Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump have all stumped for the multi-level marketing industry? MLMs, direct sales, and network marketing have powerful friends. But what about Christian "celebrities"?

On this, our fourth and final episode on MLMs, we're going to demonstrate how the gospel is used to sell an illegitimate business model. People like Josh McDowell have spoken for Amway. But does that make his actions wrong? He is, after all, there to preach the gospel to a captive audience. Who can blame him?

Ideas explored in this episode:
* What was the Trump Network?
* Did Bill Clinton speak at Amway events?
* How was George Bush involved with MLMs?
* Who is Terri Savelle Foy?
* Can we mix the gospel and business?
* Why do Christians and people of faith sell for pyramid schemes?
* How do pyramid schemes target Christians?

Want more information and links? Visit our website at www.trucepodcast.com.

Truce is a listener supported show. Donate now on Patreon, GoFundMe, or at www.trucepodcast.com.

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24 min
April 30, 2019 The Amway Decision (feautring Robert Fitzpatrick of Pyramid Scheme Alert) (3 of 4)
The Amway Decision. The Federal Trade Commission decided that Amway was not an illegal pyramid scheme, but a legitimate business. How did that happen? Why is it important. This week on the Truce Podcast we're joined once again by Robert Fitzpatrick of Pyramid Scheme Alert (https://pyramidschemealert.org/), author of Ponzinomics to explore the history of MLMs.

Also in this episode is a brief history of the founders of Amway: Richard DeVos and Jay VanAndel. The DeVos name probably sounds familiar. Our current Secretary of Education is Betsy DeVos, daughter-in-law to Richard. She's made a lot of news in her position because of her stances on charter schools and arming teachers in public schools.

A lot of information for this episode came from the book "Dark Money" by Jane Mayer (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/215462/dark-money-by-jane-mayer/9780307947901/). It is an excellent read and raises a lot of good questions about money in politics.

Did you know that the Truce Podcast is listener supported? Find out how to help at http://www.trucepodcast.com/donate

Here is a link to the FTC website explaining the characteristics of a pyramid scheme: https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/1998/05/pyramid-schemes

Topics explored in this episode?
* Is Amway a pyramid scheme?
*Are pyramid schemes legal?
*What makes a pyramid scheme legal?
*Am I in a pyramid scheme?
*Who is Betsy DeVos?
*History of Amway
*Why is Richard DeVos?
*What happened to Blackwater?

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14 min
April 23, 2019 The Human Cost of Multi-Level Marketing (featuring Robert Fitzpatrick) (2 of 4)
We know that tying business to religion can be tricky. Think about recent stories involving Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, or In-N-Out Burger. But what happens when we tie our religion to a business model that just doesn't work?

That's what many multi-level marketing (MLM) companies do every day. They saddle distributors with debt and product they can't sell... often in the name of Jesus. We're joined once again by Robert Fitzpatrick of Pyramidschemealert.org, author of Ponzinomics.

Questions answered: (well... we put this here to help search engines)
What is an MLM?
Is this company a scam?
What is a pyramid scheme?
Do people lose money on MLMs?
Is direct sales for me?
How do people get rich in direct sales?
Is this a Christian company?

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27 min
April 16, 2019 Multi-Level Marketing, Pyramid, and Ponzi Schemes (1 of 4)
What is multi-level marketing? It turns out, it is a very popular business model that targets Christians and other people of faith. But... it is almost guaranteed to fail. Because MLM's and direct sales companies are not designed to sell a product but to sell the business itself.

Joining us for this episode is Robert Fitzpatrick. He's the president of Pyramid Scheme Alert and the author of the new book “Ponzinomics: The Untold History of Multi-Level Marketing and How Direct Sales Became an American Swindle”.

Also mentioned in the episode is the podcast The Dream. Season one talks in great detail about pyramid schemes. Please be aware that some of the episodes use strong language.

Topics covered in this episode:
What is multi-level marketing?
What is a pyramid scheme?
What is a Ponzi scheme?
Who are Ponzi schemes named after?
Who was Charles Ponzi?
Is multi-level marketing the same thing as a pyramid scheme?
What is the difference between a pyramid scheme and multi-level marketing and a Ponzi scheme?
What is a good book about pyramid schemes?
Will I lose money with multi-level marketing?
Is Amway considered multi-level marketing?
Is Herbalife multi-level marketing?
Do pyramid schemes target Christians?
Should I join an MLM?
Which MLM should I join?

Looking for the Amway stats we mentioned? You can find them here: https://pyramidschemealert.org/half-of-amways-products-are-retailed-really-plus-other-wacky-numbers-3/

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30 min
April 10, 2019 Prosperity and Reformed: Follow the Money
We're taking a week off from releasing a full episode of the Truce podcast, but I wanted to give you a little something to think about. Where is your media coming from? Your audio sermons? Your curriculum? Let's start a conversation! You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @trucepodcast.com. God willing, there will be a new episode next week.

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3 min
April 02, 2019 The Prosperity Gospel (featuring Brandon Kimber from American Gospel)
The Prosperity Gospel. It goes by a lot of names. Prosperity, name it and claim it theology, The Secret, the word of faith movement... but how did it begin? Who came up with the ideas that are now spreading throughout the world?

This week on the Truce Podcast we interview Brandon Kimber, director of the new film American Gospel. The film takes a deep dive into the world of the prosperity gospel, and what the gospel is in the first place. The film is 2.5 hours long, and covers a lot of ground. I recommend watching it in 2-3 chunks as a small group with discussion after each chunk.

Interviews within the movie include Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, John MacArthur, Jackie Hill Perry, Costi Hinn and many others. There are many clips of famous prosperity teachers explicitly preaching in opposition to the Bible, including Benny Hinn, Joel Osteel, Victoria Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and Bill Johnson of Bethel Church.

Discussed within the episode:
What is the prosperity gospel?
Who founded the prosperity gospel movement?
Who is Phineus Quimby?
How did Phineus Quimby influence Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science religion?
Who is E.W. Kenyon and how did he shape our modern blend of New Thought and biblical living?
What is the Christian gospel?
How do I get to heaven?
What happens if God doesn't heal me?

The episode also features a number of gospel presentations that are at about 10 words each. Here are some of them, thanks to First Baptist Church of Jackson, WY.

Jesus' resurrection reconciles holy God and sinful people who believe.

Faith in Jesus is enough to be forgiven and received.

Faith in Jesus is enough to be forgiven and transformed.

God's gift of reconciliation offered to humanity.

Jesus' resurrection reconciles holy God and sinful people who believe.

Christ died so that we might live!

God's righteous wrath shall be averted pleading Christ's death alone.

Choose God’s grace through Jesus or default to God’s punishment.

The truth about God's plan of salvation for believers

Acceptance of undeserved blessings & atonement for yesterday, today, and forever.

Christ's perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection affords opportunity for a positive eternity for all who are willing to accept it.

Individuals can have peace with God through Jesus’ atoning death.

He died on the cross for my sins even though I constantly fall short.

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28 min
March 26, 2019 Leadership (featuring Mark Galli of Christianity Today)
This week we talk with Mark Galli, editor in chief of Christianity Today about leadership. Are we all called to lead or are just some of us? Does that mean we don’t have to lead if we’re not gifted in that way?

We’re also joined by Paul Wingfield of the One Man and His Wilderness podcast.

Our main Bible verse comes from Romans 12:3-8.

Things we explore in this episode:
* Are all Christians supposed to lead?
* Are all Christians leaders?
* How should Christians lead?
* All members of Christ’s body have different gifts.
* What are the gifts of the spirit?
* Servant leadership
* How to lead in your church
* Why do so many Christian leaders fail?

The Truce podcast is a listener supported show.

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20 min

About Truce - History of the Christian Church

From the publisher's feed

Truce explores the history of the evangelical church in America, from fundamentalism to pyramid schemes to political campaigns. Host Chris Staron uses journalistic tools to investigate how the church got here and how it can do better.