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Cody Cook is back for a deep dive into the complexities of interpreting Romans 13. Cody challenges traditional readings of these passages, suggesting that the Apostle Paul may have employed irony or even sarcasm when discussing the role of magistrates and the obedience due to them. Are rulers always to be obeyed, and do they consistently execute good? Cody argues otherwise, referencing external literature and historical context to support his claim.
Throughout the conversation, both Doug and Cody shed light on the responsibility of Christians to live a non-violent life, fueled by love that overshadows or catalyzes the judgment against oppressive rulers. They explore the nuanced Greek language and bring to the forefront the scholarly perspectives of T.L. Carter, along with thoughts from NT Wright and Michael Bird, suggesting a more ironic take on Paul's words.
Listeners will be invited to reconsider what it means to honor the magistrate and reflect on the broader implications of a duty-bound Christian conscience in the face of authority. This is a critical examination of libertarian and potentially anarchist views on governance, questioning if the state is indeed the sole model for societal order.
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In this thought-provoking episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, our host Doug Stuart and special guest Cody Cook delve deep into the intricate balance between Christian duty and libertarian principles in the context of taxation. Drawing from the insights from Cody's book, we explore the controversial story in Matthew 17, where Jesus addresses the temple tax and lays the groundwork for a Christian understanding of fiscal obligations.
Guided by the Gospel's wisdom, we unpack the statement "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's," and its relevance for libertarian Christians today. Cody Cook challenges the mainstream interpretation of divided allegiance between God and Caesar, arguing that the passage is not inherently contradictory for libertarians. As Jesus adeptly navigates the trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians, we learn the subtleties of non-confrontational tax compliance and the avoidance of unnecessary offense.
The duo also tackles broader questions of ownership and property rights, dissecting passages like Psalm 24 and Job 41:11, to contrast divine and human claims. Cody and Doug offer different hermeneutical perspectives, cautioning against simplistic readings and highlighting the historical and economic contexts of the scriptures.
This episode includes references to "Render unto Caesar," Psalm 24, Job 41:11, Matthew 17, and Matthew 22:15-22.
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How does the Economic Way of Thinking affect view of human flourishing? Can we really understand what it means for ourselves and our world by only thinking about economics? Russ Roberts joins us to talk about the ways in which economics can and cannot aide in our ability to pursue and achieve human flourishing.
(Re-Mastered for Re-Issue.)
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Renowned theologian and biblical scholar Michael F. Bird joins us to explore the complex interplay between Jesus, Christianity, and the political powers that govern our world. His latest book, with N.T. Wright, is titled Jesus and the Powers, so this discussion delves deep into the foundations of political authority, the role of checks and balances in liberal democracy, and how Christians have historically engaged with—and at times transformed—political discourse.
Bird discusses his and Wright's views on government, and examines what it means to govern wisely as a Christian in today's diverse political landscape.
The episode doesn't shy away from tough questions and theological debates. Does Paul's gospel possess an anti-imperial lean, and how does this shape our understanding of Christian allegiance? What does it look like to be a Christian in politics without succumbing to the temptations of nationalism or authoritarianism? Bird provides insightful analyses into these questions, exploring the biblical perspective on government, justice, and the tricky balance between divine authority and human institutions.
Can one be both a faithful Christian and a political leader in a predominantly secular government? How do we navigate the tension between Jesus' claim to lordship and the demands of earthly states? With Bird's scholarly perspective, we probe into the relationship between the kingship of God and concrete expressions of power in the world.
Additional Resources:
Michael's interview on religious freedomMichael Bird’s SubstackAmazon link to Jesus & the PowersRead Cody Cook's Review of Jesus and the PowersAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Randy England joins us to talk about his book, Free is Beautiful, a tremendous work on the foundations of libertarianism from a biblical and Church history perspective.
(Re-Mastered for Re-Issue.)
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Doug Stuart sits down with liturgy scholar Drew Keane to delve into the ancient Christian practice of scripted worship through the lens of the Book of Common Prayer. As a co-editor of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer international edition and coauthor of How to Use the Book of Common Prayer, Keane brings a wealth of knowledge and a personal passion to the discussion.
First they discuss liturgy and its role in the Church, examining the conservative nature of language in Christian liturgy, the theological depth found within traditional phrasing, and the transformative power of structured prayer. Keane shares his fascinating journey with the Book of Common Prayer, from his high school days to his extensive doctoral research, revealing the significance of this historical text in guiding public worship and personal devotions.
Keane also sheds light on the historical context of the prayer book, dating back to the16th century, and how the 1552 edition brought new demands on laity participation, marked by a call to prayer via church bells.
Listen in as Keane explains how the Book of Common Prayer is designed to help individuals humble themselves before God, engage with scripture, and pray expansively, following the scriptural mandates to pray even for one's enemies. We discuss the practical aspects of using the Book of Common Prayer for morning and evening prayer, enabling believers to read through the scriptures annually and expand their spiritual practices.
Keane closes with heartfelt encouragement for listeners to discover the benefits of this ancient practice for themselves.
Dive into the enduring legacy of the Book of Common Prayer and how it continues to shape faithful lives today. For those interested in exploring this topic further, How to Use the Book of Common Prayer is available through various retailers, including IVP's website and Amazon, and will be coming soon to Logos Bible software. Visit drewkeane.com to learn more about Drew Keane's work.
Whether you're looking to understand the basics of liturgical worship or seeking to enrich your current prayer life, this episode offers a compelling guide to integrating the wisdom of The Book of Common Prayer into your spiritual journey.
Additional Resources
Drew Keane's website: https://www.drewkeane.com/ 1662 Book of Common Prayer: https://www.amazon.com/1662-Book-Common-Prayer-International-ebook/dp/B08CQVKPCR/ How to Use the Book of Common Prayer: https://www.amazon.com/How-Use-Book-Common-Prayer/dp/1514007479/Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Libertarians are known for their advocacy of free choice, free association, and free movement. But are there boundaries or limits to this openness? Dr. Jason Brennan of Georgetown University joins us to talk what it means to advocate for global justice, and why it means being open borders and free trade. In the book he makes a rigorous defense for positive-sum interactions because global justice demands it.
(Re-Mastered for Re-Issue.)
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Doug Stuart sits down with Domenic Scarcella, author of Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen: Reflections on the Core Social Conflict Revealed by Jesus Christ's Way of the Cross, to dive into the complex relationship between faith, being a good neighbor, and the expectations of citizenship. Scarcella unpacks the provocative themes of his book, crafted to challenge and enrich the reader's spiritual journey in under an hour, making it an ideal companion for devotion or quiet contemplation during Passion Week.
Throughout the episode, Scarcella discusses the significant shifts in Christian thought since Constantine’s era, highlighting how these changes have blurred the lines between ecclesiastical loyalty and civic duty. Citing the Good Samaritan parable, he emphasizes Jesus' teachings on the juxtaposition of societal roles and personal empathy, urging a return to the gospel's raw truths over societal impositions.
Listeners will engage with Scarcella's critique of modern Christianity's approach to scripture, his advocacy for deep and cognitive consideration of the Bible, and the importance of "insourcing ethics" rather than outsourcing them. His insights into the cognitive empathy presented in biblical narratives, and the competing loyalties faced by believers navigating being a good neighbor against being a good citizen, furnish a thought-provoking discussion.Additional Resources:
Amazon (paperback & Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/Good-Neighbor-Bad-Citizen-Reflections/dp/B0CL36FXWS/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=Barnes&Noble (paperback & Nook): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144379266?ean=9798855665802Lulu (paperback): https://www.lulu.com/shop/domenic-scarcella/good-neighbor-bad-citizen/paperback/product-je56729.html?page=1&pageSize=4Domenic's Substack: https://GoodNeighborBadCitizen.substack.comConnect with Domenic on X: https://twitter.com/GoodNeighBadCitConnect with Domenic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domenicscarcella/Connect with Domenic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dom.scarcella/Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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What explains the wealth of the modern age? Was it capital? Institutions? Slave-holding? Why do some countries seem to have an economic advantage over others? Are the fears of progressives about wealth inequality worth paying attention to? Economist, historian, and prolific author Deirdre McCloskey joins us to talk about the key factor that precipitated the wild success of the modern world.
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Show Notes:
Deirdre's WebsiteBourgeois VirtuesThe Bourgeois DealAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Join us as host Doug Stuart welcomes Preston Sprinkle, accomplished author and president of Theology in the Raw. Together, they tackle the weighty topics of politics, allegiance, and the teachings of Jesus as explored in Sprinkle's latest book, Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire.
Dive into a discussion that journeys through the political implications wrapped in Jesus' teachings and their connection to contemporary issues such as power dynamics, citizenship, and nonviolence. Sprinkle dissects the often misunderstood statement about "rendering unto Caesar," unpacking the rich historical and contextual background that reframes this passage far beyond a simple lesson on taxation.
The episode further delves into the pressing question of what it means to give "allegiance" in a biblical sense. Listeners are invited to reflect on the concept of faith as not just intellectual assent, but a soul-deep commitment that challenges notions of political and national loyalty, especially within the American evangelical context.
Sprinkle and Stuart wrestle with the deep-seated views often conflating patriotism with faith, tackling the complex issues of submitting to government authorities, engaging with empire mentality, and what repentance looked like in the 1st century.
Prepare for a deep examination of the essence of being strangers and sojourners in God's kingdom as Preston provides a fresh understanding of Romans 13 and advocate for a life lived in the tension between respect for earthly governance and ultimate devotion to a higher King.
This episode is essential listening for those seeking to unravel the interplay between their Christian faith and political surroundings, urging believers to consider their true allegiance and what it means to be a part of a global, multi-ethnic body of Christ.
Additional Resources:
Theology in the Rawcenterforfaith.comLCP interview with Nilay Saiya: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/prophetic-witness-christian-nationalism-nilay-saiya/LCP Interview with Preston on LGBTQ: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/christianity-lgbtq-preston-sprinkle/Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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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.
(Re-Mastered for Re-Issue.)
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Special guest Corey Nathan joins us to talk about the art of navigating contentious political conversations with grace and understanding.
Corey Nathan shares personal stories and insights, including his own experiences with public figures and the importance of relational interactions over transactional debates in persuasion. He also discusses the challenges of discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging complexity and having empathetic conversations.
Throughout the episode, the conversation centers on engaging in civil dialogue, understanding the urgency people feel about political matters, and disarming contentiousness during conversations. The episode also covers Corey Nathan's personal journey of growing up in a Jewish family, becoming a Christian, and starting a podcast about discussing politics and religion without hostility.
Join us as we explore the wisdom and strategies for having respectful and empathetic conversations about politics and religion in this engaging and enlightening episode.
Additional Resources:
politicsandreligion.ushttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talkin-politics-religion-without-killin-each-other/id1536169792
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Beth Silvers from the Pantsuits Politics podcast joins us to talk about her book, I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations, where we discuss how to have healthy conflict in political discussions, why a sports metaphor doesn't work for politics, and whether or not this is the most important election of our lifetime.
(Re-Mastered for Re-Issue.)
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Preston Sprinkle recently invited Doug Stuart to be on his podcast, Theology in the Raw. Doug discusses his journey from conservative political beliefs to libertarianism, which was influenced by his doubts about American foreign policy post-9/11 and his exploration of economics, particularly the Austrian School of Economics. He emphasizes the importance of free individuals and agency in creating a moral and just society.
Doug and Preston discuss various topics, including the common misunderstandings of libertarianism and the range of views within the movement on issues like immigration and foreign policy. They agree on the need for a foreign policy that avoids war, the skepticism towards the military-industrial complex, and the benefits of free movement for immigrants.Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Justin Tosi is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Texas Tech University. He works on moral, social, political, and legal philosophy. Brandon Warmke is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University. He writes about ethics and politics. Today we discuss their book, "Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk."
(Re-Mastered for Re-Issue.)
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Arnold Kling, author of The Three Languages of Politics, joins us to discuss the complexities of political discourse and the tribalism that often underpins our beliefs and interactions. Throughout the episode, Klings dissects the challenges of communicating within the political sphere and the underlying motivations that drive these discussions.
Kling introduces a three-axes model of politics, shedding light on the beliefs and motivations behind the "oppressor-oppressed," "barbarism-civilization," and "coercion-liberty" axes. The conversation extends into the influence of education and the widening gap between different groups, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The episode explores the intricacies of using language and persuasion in political discourse, delving into the impact of motivated reasoning and the difficulty of applying the scientific method to political discussions. The hosts and guest also explore the evolving landscape of public discourse, where issues related to oppression and social justice activism take center stage.
The complex nature of political discourse is a challenge to fostering genuine understanding and communication. With an emphasis on nuanced thinking and a keen recognition of the multi-faceted nature of political perspectives, this episode promises to be an engaging exploration into the heart of political discourse.
Additional Resources: Buy The Three Languages of Politics Here: https://www.libertarianism.org/books/three-languages-politics http://arnoldkling.com https://arnoldkling.substack.com/ Martin Guri: Revolt of the Public Rauch: Constitution of Knowledge Jeffrey Friedman: libertarian who is constantly questioning libertarianismAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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Concern for social justice has become one of the most effective ways for Christians to signal that they care about the world's poor, yet below the surface of this virtue signaling are some important issues about justice itself – of social well-being – and understanding how to be a Christian concerned with the common good. It is important to understand just how the message of the gospel applies to the well-being of the world. Jason Jewell joins us to talk about why a libertarian view of the state, society, and human action are critical concepts to understand before one arrives at a viable pursuit of social justice.
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Chelsea Follett, author of Centers of Progress, 40 Cities That Changed the World, joins us to discuss the topic of human progress and how cities emerged as centers of progress for humanity. Chelsea's book takes listeners on an intellectual and historical tour of cities' golden ages, providing a fascinating exploration of the rise and fall of different cities, and their profound impact on progress and freedom. From lesser-known places to globally renowned metropolises, the conversation delves into the surprising innovations and achievements that have shaped our world. The discussion also uncovers the universal conditions for progress, challenging preconceived notions about the drivers of societal advancement. Through thought-provoking insights and engaging anecdotes, they shed light on the undeniable link between urbanization, autonomy, and the human experience. Join us as we embark on a journey through history, unraveling the intricate connection between cities, freedom, and progress, and uncovering the enduring influence of urban environments on the pursuit of prosperity and liberty.
Chelsea Follett is the managing editor of HumanProgress.org, a project of the Cato Institute that seeks to educate the public on the global improvements in well‐being by providing free empirical data on long‐term developments.
Additional Resources HumanProgress.org Centers of Progress Follow Chelsea on XAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
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On this episode, the always insightful (and frequently controversial) biblical scholar Dr. Peter Enns joins the show to talk to us about the journey of faith, trusting God, how to disagree with other Christians, pitfalls in biblical interpretation, and much more. Those familiar with Enns’ work typically have a strong opinion either for or against him. The listener is of course free to reach his or her own conclusions, though we will say that a number of us at the Libertarian Christian Institute — even those who strongly differ from Enns on some points — have greatly appreciated and benefited from his material over the years.
Sooner or later, we all go through uncertain times in the Christian life. Who among us hasn’t felt scared, uncertain, or confused, and unable to voice our thoughts from fear of being made into a church pariah? One permeating theme of Enns’ work is that biblical faith is about trusting in God and moving forward even during these times; another is that being faithful to the Scripture requires us to come to it on its own terms, not ours. And all of this has tremendous relevance for how we relate to other believers in a way that honors Christ and unifies the Church, rather than furthers division.
If you feel compelled to deconstruct this episode, please consider doing a grammatical-historical word study of the transcript first.
(Re-Mastered for Re-Issue.)
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This week's episode features Kelly Weinersmith, part of the wife-and-husband research team who are authors of A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought this Through? In the episode Doug and Kelly discuss what common misconceptions are about traveling to the moon, Mars, and space settlement in general. Most people's visions of space are given to us by Hollywood or sci-fi writers, so we have an unrealistic picture of what actual Mars colonization would even look like, let alone function as a species. Kelly explains how she and her husband Zach went into the project with enthusiasm for settling space, but during the project came away with a much more realistic frame of reference for what it would take to get there. Kelly also explains how much we really don't understand, how little we have researched, and how ambitious getting to space in the next decade would actually be. Explored at the end are the legal norms and international treaties regarding space resources and land, and Kelly reveals her favorite sci-fi series.
Additional Resources: Buy A City on Mars on AmazonAudio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com
- Visa fler
