The Protestant Libertarian Podcast

In this episode I address the popular misconception that the apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was personally responsible for the killing of Christians before his Damascus Road experience. In popular Christian imagination, Paul was the ‘persecutor and killer' of Christians before his dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus. While Paul did indeed viciously persecute the church, there is no New Testament evidence that any believer actually died by Paul's hand. I look at all the New Testament texts which address Paul's pre-Damascus attitude towards believers. In Acts, he endorses the killing of Stephen, binds and imprisons Christians, and even breathes threats of murder against them, but is never portrayed as doing the deed himself. The Roman provincial system left capital punishment, known as the ‘imperium', in the hands of Roman rulers, and extrajudicial lynchings such as happened to Stephen were dangerous for local political leaders because they could draw the ire of Rome. Paul was too smart to play into that trap. Paul refers to himself as a zealous defender of Judaism in Galatians 1 and Philippians 3, and I explore the traditions of ‘zeal' and “Judaism' as a willingness to commit violence to defend Israel's ancestral traditions, demonstrating that while Paul fit into that framework it did not result in the direct murder of believers by his hand before Damascus. I hope this episode helps dispel a popular myth about Paul and sets the record straight.  Media Referenced:Biography of Paul with Frank Thielman interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-202-paul-apostle-of-grace-with-frank-thielman/  The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I discuss how the covenant God made with Israel in the Old Testament was a form of an ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaty. Building from the fantastic work of Sandra Richter's ‘Epic of Eden' book, a suzerain vassal treaty is one in which a king or imperial power, the suzerain, makes a treaty with a lesser kingdom or people, the vassal. They are asymmetrical in the sense that the suzerain clearly holds the power but also reciprocal in that both parties are contractually obligated to one another. Generally, the vassal offers loyalty and taxes to the suzerain while the suzerain grants military protection in peace. Seen in this light, the covenant God makes with Israel depicts him as the rightful king, and in the climax of the Pentateuch, Deuteronomy 27-32, the blessings and curses of covenant faithfulness are laid out clearly. If vassal Israel honors suzerain YHWH by obeying His Law, God will bless Israel, keep them safe and well-fed in the land, protect them from outsiders, and allow them to be a light to the pagan nations. If Israel breaks covenant, God will withhold his protection. This logic, found already in the giving of the Decalogue in Exodus 19-24 and Leviticus 26, can be understood through the framework of suzerain-vassal treaty, depicting God as the true king. For Christians seeking to derive political principles from the Old Testament, this is one important aspect of ancient thought to consider.  Media Referenced:Epic of Eden: https://a.co/d/0hZfe5ZZDru Johnson on OT Politics: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-263-the-torah-the-old-testament-and-christian-politics-with-dru-johnson/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk once again with Old Testament scholar Dru Johnson, who recently hosted a conference about Christianity and politics entitled “Bible First”. I ask him a wide range of questions about the political themes and consequences of the Torah and Old Testament. We explore the relationship between creation and human agency in Genesis 1-11, the patriarchal narratives and their role as shepherds of Israel, the Law as God's covenantal contract with Israel, how Deuteronomy defines the unique role of Israel's king, the failure of Israel and their king to keep covenant, particularly with Israel's desire to have a king like the nations around them in 1 Samuel 8, God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 that one of his descendants will establish an eternal kingdom, how the prophets deal with Israel's failures and future hope, and how this relates to the kingship of Jesus in the New Testament. This is a wide-ranging and engaging conversation which reframes our perspective on the Old Testament and its impact on Christian political theology.  Media Referenced:Dru's Website: https://drujohnson.com/X: @Dru_JohnsonBiblical Law Episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-239-understanding-biblical-law-with-dru-johnson/Genesis 3 Episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-232-genesis-35-and-the-problem-of-power/1 Samuel 8 Episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/1-samuel-8-biblical-critique-of-monarchy/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I discuss why Thomas Massie is the right choice for Kentucky. Thomas Massie is a real Constitutional, America First conservative and has been great on every issue that really matters to conservatives and libertarians including COVID, foreign policy, deficits and government spending, Epstein, guns, abortion, and more. In fact, Trump's 2024 campaign was extremely similar to Massie's policy platform and voting record. Trump, however, is trying to primary Massie, supporting Israel lobby funded Ed Gallrein, a man who believes that loyalty to Trump is more important than conservative principles. In fact, Trump has completely sold out his base, ignoring every significant campaign promise he made in 2024. Like Trump, Gallrein is more concerned about the Israel lobby than American citizens and endorses a socialist policy platform. Trump has always been a New York Democrat, and conservatives who place principle over party must support Massie over Trump. The future of freedom and American values depends on it.  Media Referenced:My Case Against Trump: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-156-the-libertarian-case-against-donald-trump/ Neither Trump nor Harris: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-160-i-cant-support-trump-or-harris/  The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I explore the Christology of Romans and explain how it must condition our reading of Romans 13:1-7. I discuss how many interpreters correctly read Romans 13 within the context of Romans 12 but fail to account for the wider context of Romans, Paul's other letters, or his historical context. I argue that the high Christology of Romans, in which Paul unequivocally proclaims Jesus as the promised Davidic Messiah who, by virtue of his death, resurrection, and ascension, currently rules over all creation, must condition our reading of Romans 13. I examine five passages, including Romans 1:1-5, 15:7-12, 16:25-27, 8:31-34, and 10:9, in which Paul makes sweeping claims about the universal, objective, and historical lordship of Jesus, and how his gospel results in faithfulness and obedience to him as king. There is no legitimate reading or Romans 13 that does not account for that high, royal Christology and I offer a reflection on how it helps us to better contextualize Romans 13.  Media Referenced:Government as God's Servant: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-243-government-is-gods-servant-romans-13-isaiah-10-and-jeremiah-25/ Revisiting Romans 13: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-210-revisiting-romans-13/ 1 Cor. 2:6-8: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-257-the-rulers-of-this-age-are-passing-away-1-corinthians-26-8/ Ascension in Ephesians: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-248-far-above-all-rule-and-authority-ephesians-115-23/ Matthew Bates: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/the-gospel-and-allegiance-to-king-jesus-with-matthew-bates/ Teresa Morgan: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-164-atonement-trust-and-reconciliation-with-teresa-morgan/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I respond to John Barclay's contribution to the book New Testament Ethics (out now on Eerdmans) entitled Wealth: The Deep Challenge of the New Testament. Much of Barclay's arguments are excellent. He contends that the question of wealth is a major theme in the New Testament which has been overlooked by Western scholars and that the treatment of wealth is a distinctive feature of Christian discipleship. He argues that wealth is inherently dangerous and can compromise Christian faithfulness and result in injustice, and that the writers of the New Testament were operating within an eschatological framework which calls for a radical disinvestment of wealth, using it for the sake of the kingdom, which is a sharing in the grace of God. While I agree wholeheartedly with Barclay's assessment, he overstates his conclusions. He argues that the only good wealth is given or shared and implies that believers should not be concerned about financial management, passing wealth onto children, investments, or savings. I think he pushes these conclusions too far, and I respond by discussing how capital accumulation is the most effective method for alleviating poverty, the problem of the Jerusalem church in the New Testament, the many characters in the New Testament that do not give all of their wealth, and the responsibility for work and financial stewardship found in passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 3. I suggest that the great churchman John Wesley has a better model for thinking about wealth; while recognizing the dangers of wealth, it is also an effective means of building the kingdom when used for God's glory. Wesley suggested that believers earn all they can, save all they can, and give all they can, and that Wesley's approach to wealth corresponds with the Biblical witness and is the proper response to the otherwise excellent scholarship in Barclay's contribution.  Media Referenced:1 Thessalonians 4 episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-186-work-with-your-hands-1-thessalonians-49-12/2 Thessalonians 3 episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-187-no-work-no-food-2-thessalonians-36-13/Jesus and Capitalism: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-180-jesus-and-capitalism/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I explore how Christ defeats all powers who are opposed to God, both in heaven and on earth. I recently finished Michael Heiser's book The Unseen Real, which is a provocative analysis of divine council theory in the Bible. God created lesser spiritual beings, such as angles, many of which rebelled against him, as well as humans who also rebelled against him. The writers of the Bible all share a worldview that there are spiritual entities, some aligned with God and some opposed to Him, as a foundational assumption. Despite Heiser's excellent exegesis, he claims that Ephesians 1:21, in which Paul lists several forces over which Christ now rulers, refers only to spiritual beings, contradicting a claim I made in a recent episode on the passage. I counter by reviewing how the Greek terms Paul employs in that passage, as well as its larger rhetorical context, suggest that Paul is arguing that Jesus rules over both the kings of this earth and all spiritual beings, including those opposed to God. In fact, there is a Scriptural basis for this argument found in Isaiah 24:21, where Isaiah depicts God ultimately defeating all his enemies, both worldly kings and spiritual authorities which are in opposition to him. Paul believes that this eschatological prophecy is being fulfilled in Christ. Check out the original episode on Ephesians 1 and enjoy the conversation! Media Referenced:Ephesians 1: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-248-far-above-all-rule-and-authority-ephesians-115-23/Cody Cook on Divine Council in Paul: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-245-galatians-41-7-and-deliverance-from-this-evil-age-with-cody-cook/ 1 Corinthians 2:6-8: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-257-the-rulers-of-this-age-are-passing-away-1-corinthians-26-8/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Max Botner about his brand-new book How Then Shall We Read? A Students Guide to Interpreting the New Testament, out now on Eerdmans. In this book Botner introduces readers to the fundamentals of New Testament interpretation, discussing the pitfalls of biblicism and fundamentalist, non-contextualized readings of the Bible and showing how we need interpretive methods and hermeneutics. He explains that we need to let the Bible be the Bible, how theology and Biblical studies relate to one another, why history, genre, and translations are important and how they work, and why we must read the Bible both canonically and communally. He then gives advice for readers who are new to the Bible. This conversation is an excellent introduction to Biblical interpretation! Media Referenced:How Then Shall We Read: https://a.co/d/082S6pB2Center for Bible Study: https://jessup.edu/academics/schools-institutes/school-of-theology-and-leadership/center-for-bible-study/On The Way YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.maxbotnerThe Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I discuss Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 that “the rulers of this age…are passing away”. I explain how the Corinthians were Paul's problem church and that the believers in Corinth were compromising with worldly values and causing divisions in the church. Paul seeks to challenge their pagan values and warn them of the dangers of disunity. Paul operates within a framework of inaugurated eschatology, where the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Davidic Messiah has ushered in the end of history. Paul also unambiguously hails Jesus as Messiah, calling him ‘the Lord Jesus Christ' at several points in the opening verses. The rulers of this age, like the divisive and worldly Corinthians, failed to understand the wisdom of a crucified Messiah and are, as a result of the inaugurated eschaton, currently in the process of passing away into obscurity. The church, God's temple through faith and the Spirit, must not place their hope in these temporal rulers whose time is nearly up. Paul's christology, ecclesiology, and eschatology challenges the church to be the church and rise above the rulers of this age who are passing away. Media Referenced:James Ware on 1 Corinthians 15: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-192-1-corinthians-15-and-the-resurrection-of-jesus-with-james-ware/Ephesians 1: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-248-far-above-all-rule-and-authority-ephesians-115-23/Philippians 2: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-255-philippians-25-11-and-christology-politics-and-ethics/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I discuss how Christians need to think critically about collateral damage in war. Inspired by the recent outbreak of war in Iran, in which many believers flippantly dismiss the deaths of innocent noncombatants, including little girls, there is no Biblical, ethical, or theological justification for collateral damage. I explain how my views on this issue developed over time and how Christians must embrace the post-national identity of Abraham's family and the obvious consequences of Genesis 1:26-28 in which all humans are created in God's image and likeness. Being born on the wrong side of an imaginary line doesn't change that reality. I talk about the problems of just war theory with respect to modern warfare, the hypocrisy of Americans who will justify the death of foreign women and children while claiming we must always defend American women and children, the problem of war in the Old Testament, and how Christians must be morally and intellectually consistent, always defending the rights and value of all human life. In short, there is no Christian justification for collateral damage.  Media Referenced:Calhoun on the Just War Theory: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/critique-of-the-just-war-theory-laurie-calhoun/ Ballard on Old Testament Violence: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-193-the-problem-of-old-testament-violence-with-jordan-ballard/ Genesis 3: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-232-genesis-35-and-the-problem-of-power/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I take a first extended look at Philippians 2:5-11, the famous Christ hymn in which Paul exhorts his audience to embody the “attitude of Christ” by emulating his sacrificial disposition. In the hymn Paul explains how Jesus did not selfishly hold on to his divine status but sacrificed himself twice, both in the incarnation and on the cross. Paul maintains that it was the humility of Christ which led to his exaltation at the right hand of God, because of which everyone will someday acknowledge his universal lordship. This passage has massive implications for Christology, Christian political theology, and ethics, and it is one which every believer should take seriously. I explain how believers should adopt the sacrificial mindset of Jesus, completely reframe the way we think about the nature of political power, and how Paul, only a few years after the resurrection of Jesus, believed in the incarnation. It's an important passage! Media Referenced:Ascension Theology in Paul: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-248-far-above-all-rule-and-authority-ephesians-115-23/ Ascension, Kingdom, and Eschatology: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-235-ascension-kingdom-and-eschatology/ Ascension w/ Ross Hastings: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-233-the-ascension-of-jesus-with-ross-hastings/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this Easter special, I explore Jesus' enigmatic final words in Mark 15:34, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me”, a direct quotation of Psalm 22:1. Far from being a cry of despair, Psalm 22 is actually a song of vindication which begins with the psalmist in distress and ends with the final justice of God. Mark's passion narrative, particularly 15:22-39, is rife with allusions to Psalm 22, suggesting that the author is communicating to his audience that what looks like a hopeless situation for Jesus will end in triumph, precisely what happens on Easter morning. Spoiler alert: the episode on Philippians I referenced at the beginning of the episode will be released as Ep 255; I had the wrong dates on my schedule! Look for it next Tuesday!  Media Referenced:Episode on Mark 10: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-244-mark-10-wrecks-modern-economic-and-political-assumptions/ Episode on Luke 15: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-246-wicked-shepards-and-lost-sheep-luke-15-jeremiah-23-and-ezekiel-34/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Jason Borges, associate director of the Asia Minor Research Center in Antalya, Turkey. He lives in Turkey and has traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean and is the author of the brand-new book Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City: The Civic and Architectural Contexts of Early Christianity, out now on Baker Academic, where he discusses the significance of city life and architecture for early Christianity and introduces his audience to some key features of Greco-Roman cities. We talk about the way in which ancient cities and architectural features shaped the perspective of early Jesus-believers and thus the New Testament, and Dr. Borges walks us through some of the features which defined ancient cities including the agora, temple, prisons, bathhouses and more. We then discuss why Christians should take architecture seriously and how we can learn more about the impact of ancient material culture.  Media Referenced:Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City: https://a.co/d/027bQY4OJason's Website: https://www.biblicalturkey.org/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Christopher Chen, author of the brand-new book Evil Empire? Government Officials as Proponents of the Gospel in Luke-Acts and Beyond, out now on Wipf and Stock, where he argues that there is a place for believers to hold positions of power even in hostile governments. In this conversation Christopher explains how God's people often attained positions of power in the Old Testament, how the original recipient of Luke-Acts, Theophilus, is likely a government official, the prominent role centurions and government officials play in Luke's writings, and the New Testament evidence for government officials advancing the gospel. He then reviews the varying perspectives held by leaders in the early church about Christians in government service, how this has played out in Chinese history, and how Christians who find themselves as government officials today can navigate the complex relationship between their faith and their position in government.  Media Referenced:Evil Empire?: https://a.co/d/04y1sz9GChris on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csychenBrother Kevin Chen on Messiah in the OT: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-152-the-old-testament-and-the-messiah-with-kevin-chen/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk once again with the great Dr. James McGrath, who has authored the brand-new Beyond Deconstruction: Building a More Expansive Faith, out now on Eerdmans, where he discusses the process of deconstruction, changing one's mind about issues of faith, and how to rebuild. In this conversation James defines deconstruction, describes his own personal experience of spiritual transformation, the dangers of fundamentalism and the need to rebuild a faith which avoids the trappings of fundamentalism, and how dogma can become idolatrous. We then talk about the politics of deconstruction, his identity as a liberal Christian, why people generally deconstruct from the political right to the political left, and why we need to have better conversations about our differences.  Media Referenced:Beyond Deconstruction: https://a.co/d/08FTMyqWJames McGrath Blog: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionprof/James on Twitter: @ReligionProfJames on the Bible: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-104-what-biblical-scholars-want-everyone-to-know-about-the-new-testament-with-james-mcgrath/James on John the Baptist: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-134-john-the-baptist-with-james-mcgrath/James on Misunderstanding Judaism: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-230-why-we-misunderstand-judaism-with-james-mcgrath/  The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk about my goal for lent of taming my tongue. I discuss the controversy surrounding Lent and why sincere spiritual development should not be a cause for Christian division, how I intentionally work on growing in an area of weakness during Lent every year, and why I chose to focus on controlling my speech. I have been reading Ephesians 4:29 every day, which reads “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear”. I challenge everyone to strive for spiritual growth. Enjoy! Media Referenced:Don't Hate Your Enemies: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-227-dont-hate-your-enemies/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Gary DeMar, a Biblical scholar, long-time president of American Vision, and host of the Gary DeMar show. Gary discusses eschatology and economics. He explains his own eschatological perspective, preterism, which is the belief that many of the Biblical prophecies were fulfilled in the first century. We discuss the difference between partial and full preterism, Matthew 24 (and parallels) the antichrist of 1 and 2 John compared with the ‘man of lawlessness' from 2 Thessalonians 2, Daniel and Revelation, and what the future holds for believers. Gary then explains why Christians should take economics seriously and why so many Christians misunderstand free market economics.  Media Referenced:American Vision Website: https://americanvision.org/Check out The Gary DeMar Show on all podcast platforms!Episode on the Antichrists: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-237-the-antichrists/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

I had the flu and Streamyard defaulted to my computer microphone, so I apologize for my voice! In this episode I discuss Paul's comments in Ephesians 1:15-23, particularly 1:20-22, that Jesus by virtue of his resurrection, ascension, and enthronement currently rules over all authorities and that the church shares in his cosmic victory. We discuss the major themes of Ephesians, particularly Christ and the church, and how Paul believes that those who have received the Spirit through faith in Israel's Messiah are now members of God's eschatological family. Jesus has already been installed as the cosmic king, and the list of powers over which Jesus is “far above” includes both earthy political rulers and malevolent spiritual powers. I look at two Greek terms Paul uses in Ephesians 1:21, arche and exousia, and show how their usage in other passages, notably 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 and Romans 13:1-3 clearly denote human political authorities. I conclude with some final thoughts about how the church must take Jesus's enthronement over all powers seriously.   Media Referenced:Government as God's Servant: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-243-government-is-gods-servant-romans-13-isaiah-10-and-jeremiah-25/Cody Cook on Paul and evil forces: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-245-galatians-41-7-and-deliverance-from-this-evil-age-with-cody-cook/  The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

This episode is a recording of a debate I had with Jacob Winograd in the fall of 2025 about whether history or theology should take priority in Biblical interpretation. I argue that our starting point for Biblical exegesis must be the historical context of Scripture while Jacob defends the need to think about the text theologically. Both of us maintain that history and theology are important. Enjoy the conversation! Media Referenced:The Biblical Anarchy podcast: https://libertarianchristians.com/shows/biblical-anarchy/Jacob on X: @BiblicalAnarchyHistory and Biblical Interpretation with Drew Holland: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-226-history-and-biblical-interpretation-with-drew-holland/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I explore the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:1-7 in which Jesus, directly responding to his critics, explains how his audience would leave ninety-nine sheep in the pasture to find one who had wondered from the flock, rejoicing when the wayward sheep is found. Jesus isn't telling a simple pastoral parable about God's grace, but drawing on powerful imagery from the Old Testament prophets, particularly Jeremiah 23:1-2 and Ezekiel 34, about the wicked shepherds of Israel who had led God's people astray and the promise that God would rescue his people from the curse of the covenant by sending a good shepherd, the promised son of David, to rescue the whole house of Israel. Luke believes the promises are being fulfilled in Jesus, the son of David bringing about the kingdom of God. I also discuss the need for Christians to keep wicked political leaders, modern false shepherds, at arm's length and how the modern nation-state called ‘Israel' only comprises members of two of the twelve tribes of Biblical Israel, meaning it is in no way a fulfillment of God's promises in the prophets.  Media Referenced:Mark 10 and Political Assumptions: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-244-mark-10-wrecks-modern-economic-and-political-assumptions/ Government is God's Servant: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-243-government-is-gods-servant-romans-13-isaiah-10-and-jeremiah-25/ Old Testament Prophecy w/ John Walton: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-109-understanding-old-testament-prophecy-with-john-walton/  The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Cody Cook about his new book Delivered from This Present Evil Age where he argues that Galatians 4:1-7 portrays Christ defeating the spiritual powers which enslave humanity and inaugurating a new creation in which ethnic, national, and political divisions are abolished through Jesus. He discusses the influence of the apocalyptic school of Pauline interpretation on his work, the importance of Paul's opening statement in Galatians 1:3-4 that Jesus has “rescued us from this present evil age”, the wider context of Galatians, and how the stoicheia enslaved humanity before Christ. He then explains the dynamics of Galatians 4:1-7, the inauguration of the new creation, and its impact on Christian identity, revealing that Paul is effectively undercutting nationalism, ethnic divisions, and political identities. We then have a conversation about our differing interpretations of the Paul within Judaism and apocalyptic schools of Pauline interpretation and how we understand the role of the Law in the new creation.  Media Referenced:https://anarchistanabaptist.com/https://www.cantus-firmus.com/Cody on X: @CantusFirmusCCDelivered From the Evil Age of the Present: https://a.co/d/0gGK466vCody on Annihilationism: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-238-hell-yes-or-hell-no-annihilationism-vs-ect-with-cody-cook/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I explore the economic and political consequences of two passages in Mark 10. I explain how modern progressive and conservative Christians implicitly assume the nineteenth-century nation state model of political authoritarianism while undervaluing the role of the New Testament for ethical transformation. The church is supposed to be shaped by the teachings of Jesus, and we cannot explain them away. I return to the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10:17-27, showing how Jesus allows the man to walk away with his possessions. Jesus doesn't follow after him or attempt to confiscate his property through political coercion but prophetically announces eschatological judgement. Modern Christians who want to follow Jesus should reject economic arrangements based  Media Referenced:Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-105-jesus-and-the-rich-young-ruler/Helen Bond on Gospels as Biography: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-167-the-gospels-as-biography-with-helen-bond/Cornelis Bennema on Imitation: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-206-imitation-in-early-christianity-with-cornelis-bennema/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I discuss Paul's statements in Romans 13:1-7 that governing authorities “are established by God” (Rm. 13:1) and that “rulers are servants of God” (13:6). I explain the need to understand the function of Romans 13 before drawing any conclusions regarding its meaning, and how it must correspond with the rhetorical context of Romans and Paul's thought generally. I then explore the promises of a coming Messiah made in the Old Testament, particularly 2 Samuel 7, and argue that Paul believes those promises have been fulfilled in Christ. I then examine two passages in the Old Testament in which the prophets refer to pagan emperors as “servants of God”. In Isaiah 10, the Assyrians are God's servants for the purpose of punishing Israel but will be destroyed, and in Jeremiah 25 Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, also execute God's justice before being himself judged by God. The final two oracles of woe in Jeremiah 50-51 envision the destruction of Babylon, and both Isaiah and Jeremiah proclaim the future day when David's house will be restored and a Davidic king will sit on the throne forever. Paul knows this tradition and is not legitimizing human government as an eternally valid institution. In fact, Paul is suggesting, ala 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, that time is running out for the authorities believers must pragmatically obey.  Media Referenced:Everyone is Wrong about Romans 13 episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-130-everyone-is-wrong-about-romans-13-including-me/ Ascension, Kingdom, and Eschatology: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-235-ascension-kingdom-and-eschatology/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

This episode features a debate I had with Cody Cook on LCI's Greenroom, moderated by Jacob Winograd, where Cody and I debate whether libertarianism is compatible a right-wing or left-wing phenomenon. I take the position that modern libertarianism should rightly be classified as right-wing while Cody argues it is more compatible with left-wing ideology. Enjoy the friendly debate! The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Cody Libolt, writer, podcaster, and co-author of the new book Redeeming the West: A Christian Defense of Reason and Individualism. Cody defines both ‘reason' and ‘individualism', demonstrating how these terms are often misused in modern discourse. He discusses the dangers of collectivism for Christianity, the Biblical basis for individualism, why Christians need reason and common sense, and how the church can redeem this important Western tradition. Media Referenced:Redeeming the West: https://a.co/d/dgTeJvlCody on X: @CodyLiboltCody's Website: https://www.codylibolt.com/For the New Christian Intellectual Website: https://christianintellectual.com/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode David Beito and Phil Saunders debate Walter Block on the Israel/Palestine conflict. David and Phil defend the proposition that a Swiss-style canton model of government could resolve the conflict, offering a decentralized political arrangement which incentivizes cooperation and economic growth. Walter Block thinks the Palestinians are to blame for the conflict and need to be removed from the land. Dr. David Beito is a professional historian and proposed the Swiss-canton model. Phil Saunders lives on the border between Israel and Palestine and works for several peace-promoting NGOs. Walter Block is an accomplished Austrian economist and author of numerous books and articles.  Media Referenced:David Beito on FDR: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-229-the-real-fdr-with-david-beito/David Beito on the New Deal: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-118-the-new-deals-war-on-the-bill-of-rights-with-david-beito/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode Dr. Dru Johnson returns to discuss his new book Understanding Biblical Law: Skills for Thinking Through and With the Torah, out now on Baker. Dr. Johnson explains how modern people have misunderstood the Law, reading it through our contemporary legal and theological frameworks, and busts several myths about Biblical Law. We then explore how the Law must be understood in in ancient legal context, how intersects with narrative, its role in community formation, its movement from specific instances to general principle, and its overall concern with righteousness and human wellbeing. We also discuss the need to understand the Law in its ancient context, its impact on New Testament interpretation, and its enduring relevance for Christians today. Media Referenced:Understanding Biblical Law: https://a.co/d/ccRVa7UDru on X: @Dru_JohnsonOnScript Podcast: https://onscript.study/Biblical Mind Podcast: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I am joined once again by the great Cody Cook, this time to discuss the recent controversy regarding Kirk Cameron's changing views of hell. Cameron defended the annihilationist position, also known as ‘conditional immortality', and castigated by many evangelicals who hold to eternal conscious torment. We talk about the fallout of Cameron's remarks and explain the differences between eternal conscious torment (ECT), annihilationism, and universalism. We then argue in favor of the annihilationist perspective, discussing the Biblical and theological evidence, and explain what is at stake in the debate.  Media Referenced:https://anarchistanabaptist.com/https://www.cantus-firmus.com/Cody on X: CantusFirmusCCClass on Hell: www.udemy.com/course/three-views-on-hell/Gospel of the Resurrection Book: https://a.co/d/fQjQSoGUniversalist Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-124-hell-eternal-damnation-and-universalism-with-derek-kubilus/TPLP 212: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-212-why-anabaptists-arent-like-other-protestants-with-cody-cook/TPLP 183: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-183-anabaptist-anarchy-with-cody-cook/TPLP 155: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-155-christianity-and-nonviolence-with-cody-cook/  The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I discuss “the antichrists”, a group of people who appear exclusively in 1 and 2 John. John describes “the antichrists” in 1 John 2:18-25, 4:1-6, and 2 John 1:7-11. Despite many popular eschatological interpretations which a singular antichrist figure who signals the end of time, John specifically defines what he means by the term. The antichrists (John uses the plural) are literally “against Christ”; they were once a part of the believing community but chose to leave and are not an individual but rather a type of person. They are characterized by denying two beliefs: one, that Jesus is the Messiah, or “Christ” (hence antichrist) and two, denying that Jesus came in the flesh. The term ‘antichrist' appears nowhere else in the New Testament. I discuss how modern statist Christians are essentially denying the Messianic identity of Jesus, denying that which makes him Christ, and are in danger of following down the path of those John labels antichrists.    The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this fourth edition of my annual Christmas series I discuss six of the most important books I read in 2025. The list includes: FDR: A New Political Life by David BeitoThe Struggle for Liberty by Ralph Raico, edited by Ryan McMakenInterpreting Jesus by Dale AllisonThe Fourth Synoptic Gospel by Mark GoodacreThe Place of The Past by Drew HollandJesus and the Law of Moses by Paul Sloan I highly recommend all of them. Treat yourself to something nice this Christmas! Links and interviews below. Media Referenced:FDR: A New Political Life: https://a.co/d/2inp1TyBeito Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-229-the-real-fdr-with-david-beito/ The Struggle for Liberty: https://a.co/d/id17KtN Interpreting Jesus: https://a.co/d/69u7ZLNAllison Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-201-interpreting-jesus-with-dale-allison/ The Fourth Synoptic Gospel: https://a.co/d/dClhNR5Goodacre Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-224-johns-knowledge-of-matthew-mark-and-luke-with-mark-goodacre/ The Place of The Past: https://a.co/d/3lwgM3iHolland Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-226-history-and-biblical-interpretation-with-drew-holland/Jesus and the Law of Moses: https://a.co/d/6UwDMxe Six Books 24: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-171-six-essential-books-of-2024/ Six Books 23: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-97-six-essential-books-of-2023/Six Books 22: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/six-books-that-shaped-my-political-thinking-and-theology/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I reflect on the relationship between the ascension of Jesus, his status as king over all creation, and inaugurated eschatology. The resurrected Jesus was taken up into heaven during his ascension and currently sits at the right hand of God, ruling over all creation as king and presiding over the cosmic temple as priest. Because of this, the promised ‘final days' have already arrived. God's kingdom grows through the empowering Spirit which the ascended Jesus poured out upon his church to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. The eschatological end has been inaugurated and will be completed upon the return of Jesus. I explore how passages like Acts 1:1-11, Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 1, and Psalm 110 attest to this reality, why we often ignore the dangerous political ramifications of the ascension, and the impact on Biblical studies and theology. The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Eric Schansberg, professor of economics at Indiana University (Southern) about his brand-new book Gen Men: What the Men of Genesis Can Teach Us Today. We discuss the crisis of masculinity in our culture today, the false caricatures about men promoted outside of the church, and why the church has failed to address this issue. We then explore how the men in Genesis reveal what it means to be truly masculine through both their successes and failures, and how men should take initiative, be responsible, serve others, and love God. We also talk about how the American culture is shaping men in very unhealthy ways and the need for authentic discipleship in the church, which is the only way we will ever be able to cultivate true Biblical masculinity.  Media Referenced:Gen Men: https://a.co/d/geryPb1Getting Equipped Discipleship: https://gettingequipped.life/Thoroughly Equipped Discipleship: https://thoroughlyequipped.org/The Word Diet: https://thoroughlyequipped.org/the-word-diet/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Ross Hastings, Professor of Theology at Regent College, Vancouver, about his brand-new book “The Glory of the Ascension: Celebrating a Doctrine for the Life of the Church”, out now on IVP. Dr. Hastings explains the ascension, why it matters for everyone and everything, why it is often neglected by Christians, what it tells us about Jesus as king and priest, the Trinity, and the church. We also explore the political consequences of Jesus as the ascended king over all creation, the inauguration of the eschaton, and how the ascension should transform the way we worship God and serve others.  Media Referenced:The Glory of the Ascension: https://a.co/d/5YVqwUcDr. Hastings Bio: https://www.regent-college.edu/faculty/hastings-ross/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In Genesis 3:5, the woman eats from the tree because the serpent promised she would be “like God”. This reveals the fundamental sin of humanity: trying to grasp for a power they weren't intended to have. I discuss the historical and literary context of Genesis 1-11, the relationship between myth, history, and truth, and the purpose of these chapters. I then explain Genesis 1-3, showing how God created a good world, made humans in his image and gave them power to rule over creation (but not each other!), and how the human desire to become like God is the root of our problems. I reflect on how Genesis should shape our understanding of human power and why we should be skeptical of political systems.  Media Referenced:John Walton Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-109-understanding-old-testament-prophecy-with-john-walton/Carmen Joy Imes Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-69-being-gods-image-with-carmen-joy-imes/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes about her brand-new book Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters. We discuss the rich theology of God's family in both the Old and New Testaments, particularly the significance of all people being created in the image of God, the calling of Abraham's family to rescue the world, the failures of Israel, and the restoration of God's family through Jesus. We then discuss how the modern church has become divided over theology, politics, and culture, and why understanding our identity as members of God's family can help us overcome the divides which plague the church. Dr. Imes also discusses how people have been hurt by the church and gives advice to those who want to walk away. This is a theologically rich and extremely relevant conversation which proves that the church will always matter.  Media Referenced:Becoming God's Family: https://a.co/d/bxoUHEqDr. Imes on YouTube: @CarmenJoyImesPhDDr. Imes on Substack: https://substack.com/@carmenjoyimesDr. Imes on X: @carmenjoyimesInterview for Being God's Image: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-69-being-gods-image-with-carmen-joy-imes/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I welcome back Dr. James McGrath. We talk about his contribution to the book Judeophobia and the New Testament, where he discusses contemporary negative attitudes towards Jews and Judaism. We discuss the problem of Judeophobia, how Jews are often marginalized in Christian theology, and how the Jewish Jesus movement lead to rampant anti-Judaism during the Middle Ages. McGrath explains the supposed division between the Old and New Testaments, how scholarship has clarified the relationship between Christianity and Judaism, how to better understand the New Testament in its Jewish context, and, very importantly, how debates about the modern state of Israel have contributed to Judeophobia. We also talk about the social problems which inevitably result from unclear thinking about Judaism and how we can avoid them.   Media Referenced:Judeophobia and the New Testament: https://a.co/d/idwmt3YJames McGrath Blog: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionprof/James on Twitter: @ReligionProfJames McGrath Eerdmans Page: https://www.eerdmans.com/author/james-f-mcgrath/McGrath on John the Baptist: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-134-john-the-baptist-with-james-mcgrath/McGrath on the New Testament: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-104-what-biblical-scholars-want-everyone-to-know-about-the-new-testament-with-james-mcgrath/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. David Beito about his brand-new book FDR: A New Political Life, which is a critical biography of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. We discuss his influences and upbringing, how he was shaped by Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and the Progressive Era, and his path to the presidency. We explore the New Deal, FDR's signature domestic policy legacy, and how it not only failed to solve the economic problems caused by the Great Depression but fundamentally expanded the scope of the Executive Branch. Beito explains how FDR leveraged New Deal policies to win elections and how the New Deal destroyed free markets. We also discuss FDR's abhorrent treatment of minorities, opposition to free speech, and political intrigue. Beito also examines FDR's foreign policy record, challenging the consensus view that FDR was the hero of WWII. We then reflect on FDR's legacy and how he is responsible for much of America's political dysfunction today. Media Referenced:FDR: A New Political Life: https://a.co/d/7RhTMcaDavid Beito on X: @davidtbeitoNew Deal episode: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-118-the-new-deals-war-on-the-bill-of-rights-with-david-beito/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Jennifer Houston McNeel about her brand-new book Under Her Wings: Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament, out now on Eerdmans, where she explores mothers and maternal imagery in the New Testament. We discuss the role of mothers in the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds, how they are portrayed in the gospels, Acts, and the rest of the New Testament, the legacy of Mary, Revelation's complex maternal imagery, and more. Moms are very important in the Bible!  Media Referenced:Under Her Wings: https://a.co/d/iUHcXITDr. McNeel's Website: https://thetextincontext.com/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

This episode gets a little personal. I talk about my own struggles with anger and hatred, why I have such animosity towards people in power, how it can damage relationships and compromise our Christian witness, and how God is helping me be a better person. I then examine the teachings of Jesus in Luke 10 and Matthew 5 where he explains how love for both neighbor and enemy is a moral imperative. I challenge my audience to check their motives and not allow hatred to consume them. Enjoy!Media Referenced:Episode on Love in the NT: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/what-does-the-word-love-mean-anyway/Interview with Leftist Phil Christman: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-222-why-christians-should-be-leftists-with-phil-christman/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Drew Holland about his new book The Place of the Past: Historical Criticism's Role in Biblical Studies. We explore the role of history in Biblical interpretation. He defines both historical criticism and the goals of history as a discipline. We then examine how the Bible has been interpreted throughout the ages, starting with the ancient conception of history and going through Patristic, medieval, and modern methods of interpretation. He explains how historical criticism became more prominent through the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment and why it became the dominant paradigm of interpretation in the 20th century. He then explains the pushback against historical criticism of the Bible both within and outside of the church, particularly by postmodernism, and how historical readings have endured critique. We then discuss the relationship between history and theology, the proper role of history in Biblical interpretation, and how historical criticism benefits the church. Media Referenced:The Place of the Past: https://a.co/d/daEDeFSDrew on X: @RevDrewHollandContact Drew: drew.s.holland@gmail.com The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with my friend Dr. Matthew Barber who is a licensed nutrition coach. We talk about our own health journeys, why American is very unhealthy, and why many Americans are simply don't understand nutrition or exercise. We then discuss why people should take control of their personal health. Matt explains how to plan a nutrition and exercise routine, balance macronutrients, and set attainable health goals. We reflect on why it is important to stay healthy and how it has positively impacted our lives and others.  Media Referenced:Matt on Instagram/Facebook: Matt Barber, mtbarber43Matt on X: MatthewBar42776Email: Matthew.Thomas.Barber@gmail.com The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Mark Goodacre, professor of religious studies at Duke University, about his brand-new book The Fourth Synoptic Problem: John's Knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, where he argues that John knew and used the Synoptic narratives when composing his gospel. Mark explains the problems with the Q theory and why so many scholars have built a firewall between John and the Synoptics. We then explore why he believes John knew the Synoptics. John seems to presuppose the Synoptic narratives, turns Synoptic stories into speech, and dramatizes the Synoptic presentation of Jesus. We also discuss how John's Christology is in continuity with the Synoptics, how Goodacre's work impacts our understanding of the date and authorship of John, and helpful resources for people who want to learn more about the Synoptic problem.  Media Referenced:Mark Goodacre Website: https://markgoodacre.org/The NT Pod: https://podacre.blogspot.com/Buy The Fourth Synoptic Gospel: https://a.co/d/1QlHsV6Mark Goodacre YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@podacreJames Barker interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-181-how-the-gospel-writers-copied-each-other-with-james-barker/Jesus and Divinity in the Gospels: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-213-jesus-the-divine-messiah-and-gospel-trajectories/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Jeffery Degner, economist at Cornerstone University and fellow at The Mises Institute, about the impact of inflation on American society. He explains how inflation is the artificial expansion of the money supply and is controlled by the Federal Reserve. This leads to higher prices and the business cycle but benefits the wealthiest asset holders. He describes the United States as having an ‘inflation culture' and explains how inflation hurts families, working people, and the poor. We explore how it has led to cultural degeneracy, a reliance on debt and credit, rampant consumerism, and other social evils. We discuss the impact of inflation on the church and why Christians should take this issue seriously. Media Referenced:Follow Jeff on X: @DrJeffDegnerInflation and the Family: https://a.co/d/8FvtJdABob Murphy Interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-215-the-federal-reserve-with-bob-murphy/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Phil Christman. Phil teaches writing at the University of Michigan and is author of the brand-new Why Christians Should Be Leftists, out now on Eerdmans Press. In this book he argues for the compatibility of left-wing politics and Christianity, making the case that Christians should be naturally inclined to leftism. We discuss his journey into leftist thought, deconstruction, the problems with both the Christian right and the DNC, his concerns about capitalism, liberalism, and libertarianism, why he thinks socialism is compatible with Jesus's teaching, and how leftism understands work and power. We also discuss, in light of the Charlie Kirk assassination, how Christians from different perspectives can learn to have better conversations. Media Referenced:Why Christians Should Be Leftists: https://a.co/d/cSwkKvcPhil's Website: https://philipchristman.com/Phil's Substack: https://philipchristman.substack.com/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks! 

In this episode I talk with Dr. Beth Felker Jones. Dr. Jones teaches theology at Northern Seminary and is the author of the brand-new book Why I am a Protestant, out now on IVP. In this book she defends the Protestant tradition, explaining both its strengths and challenges. We discuss Sola Scriptura, debates between Catholics and Protestants, how many people get Protestantism wrong, and why she believes the label still matters. We also discuss how Christians from different traditions can engage in productive dialogue and what is unique about Protestantism.  Media Referenced:Why I Am Protestant: https://a.co/d/fUKy6r5Beth Felker Jones Substack: https://bethfelkerjones.substack.com/Why I am Catholic interview with Matthew Levering: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-149-roman-catholicism-the-pope-mary-the-eucharist-and-ecumenicism-with-matthew-levering/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk to Jacob Winograd about covenant theology and its impact on Biblical interpretation. We discussed my recent conversation with Stephen Angliss about dispensationalism, and Jacob argues for the alternative of covenant theology. He explains how God works through various covenants and their fulfillment, how it provides a hermeneutical framework for reading the Bible, how it is different than dispensationalism, and how it intersects both with the Reformed tradition and political readings of the text. We also discuss how covenant theology can help us think critically about the second Trump administration. Media Referenced:The Biblical Anarchy podcast: https://libertarianchristians.com/shows/biblical-anarchy/Jacob on X: @BiblicalAnarchyStephen Angliss on Dispensationalism: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-213-biblical-dispensationalism-with-stephen-angliss/Jacob and Alex on History vs. Theology in Interpretation: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/theology-first-or-history-first-making-sense-of-scripture-in-modern-times-with-alex-bernardo/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Mark Nanos about his recent contribution on Philippians to the book Judeophobia and the New Testament, out now on Eerdmans. Dr. Nanos is the leading proponent of the ‘Paul Within Judaism' school which reads Paul as a Jew who continues to understand his mission as an apostle within the framework of Judaism. He argues that the Christian interpretive tradition has marginalized and disparaged Judaism in unhelpful and unhistorical ways, and that Philippians 3 has often been used in anti-Jewish polemic. He situates Philippians 3 within its historical and rhetorical context, explaining how references to ‘dogs' and ‘stomachs' make more sense within the framework of Cynic philosophy and should best be understood as an attack against pagan culture instead of Judaism. We talk about Paul's Jewish identity and his belief that gentiles were incorporated into Israel through faith, as well as why modern Christians need to seriously reconsider Paul and his Jewish identity if we want to faithfully interpret the New Testament.  Media Referenced:Judeophobia and the New Testament: https://a.co/d/3pX4d1yMark Nanos Website: https://marknanos.com/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Jason Fry, author of National Divorce: A Plan for Peace, about how Christians should respond to everything going on in the news cycle today. We talk Israel/Palestine, the Trump economy, flag burning, and how Christians should interact with political leaders. Jason also explains how national divorce can solve many of these problems and why Christians should think critically about current events.  Media Referenced:Book Website: https://www.national-divorce.com/Jason on X: @JasonKFryFaith in the Folds Lipscomb episode: https://youtu.be/tfimNQAKRkg?si=tx4yyDaYQ3Bdxt09  The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Christy Cobb and Dr. Katherine Shaner about the new book they coedited entitled Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts, out now on Eerdmans. They explain the institution of slavery in antiquity, its pervasiveness in Greco-Roman society, and how Romans and Jews alike thought about slavery. Dr. Cobb explains her chapter on gender roles, noting how men and women experienced slavery differently, and Dr. Shaner explains her chapter on New Testament household codes and their complex presentation of slavery. We then talk about the conflicting instructions regarding slavery in the New Testament, the Bible's role in the abolitionist movement, and why Christians should seriously think about this issue. Dr. Cobb also wanted to refer curious listeners to the following article, which explores slavery in the Rabbinic tradition in greater detail: Hezser, Catherine. “Part Whore, Part Wife: Slave Women in the Palestinian Rabbinic Tradition.” In Doing Gender - Doing Religion: Case Studies on Intersectionality in Early Judaism, Christianity and Islam, edited by Ute E. Eisen, Christine Gerber, and Angela Standhartinger. Mohr Siebeck, 2013.  Media Referenced:Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts: https://a.co/d/bixo0LZChristy Cobb Bio: https://liberalarts.du.edu/about/people/christy-cobbChristy Cobb Academia: https://udenver.academia.edu/ChristyCobbKatherine Shaner Bio: https://divinity.wfu.edu/academics/faculty/katherine-a-shaner/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I discuss how the gospel writers develop both the messianic and divine identity of Jesus, building up from their sources. I discuss my preferred theory to the Synoptic problem, the Farrer Hypothesis. It postulates that Mark was the first written gospel, Matthew used Mark as a source and added his own material, and Luke used both Mark and Matthew as a source. I then explore a recent proposal made by James Barker who argues that John knew the Synoptic gospels. Advocating for the Farrer theory, he explores ‘Synoptic trajectories', showing how each successive evangelist developed their source material, and shows how the line runs through John, which was a creative rewriting of the Synoptics. I apply these theories to the opening verse of each gospel. Mark 1:1 acknowledges that Jesus is Messiah, possibly alludes to Genesis 1-2, and sets the beginning of Jesus' ministry with John the Baptist. Matthew agrees but pushes Jesus' origins back to David through Abraham while narrating the divine conception of Jesus. Luke further develops the divine and messianic Christology of Mark and Matthew, tracing Jesus' lineage back to Adam, boldly affirming his messianic status, and more extensively narrating Jesus' divine conception. John agrees with all of this and takes the final step, showing Jesus participating in creation while retaining his Davidic, Messianic Christology.  Media Referenced:James Barker interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-181-how-the-gospel-writers-copied-each-other-with-james-barker/Helen Bond interview: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-167-the-gospels-as-biography-with-helen-bond/Paul and Divine Christology: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-127-paul-believed-that-jesus-was-god-with-chris-bruno/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!

In this episode I talk with economist Dr. Bob Murphy about the Federal Reserve. Murphy argues that the Federal Reserve should be abolished. We explore the history of the Fed and how it has not only failed to produce economic stability but causes great economic harm. Murphy explains how the Fed devalues the currency, the impact Fed policy has on average Americans, and why Christians should be critical of the Fed. He also discusses why it should be abolished and how it can be reformed in the meantime. If you want a one-podcast introduction to the Federal Reserve, this is it! Media Referenced:Bob Murphy on X: @BobMurphyEconZeroHedge Debate: https://youtu.be/poymGXekiJs?si=ePSUljD-vWoIoRAeUnderstanding Money Mechanics book: https://cdn.mises.org/understanding_money_mechanics_with_cover_image_attached.pdfThe Bob Murphy Show: https://www.bobmurphyshow.com/ The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at theprotestantlibertarian@gmail.com.  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show's profile! Thanks!