Podcast appearances and mentions of Christian ethics

Luke 6:43–49 // Nathan MillerLuke 6:43–49 contrasts healthy trees with bad trees and wise builders with foolish ones. Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, explaining that the words and actions that flow out of us reflect what is stored in our hearts. He concludes his sermon on the mount with the parable of two builders: the one who hears his words and puts them into practice builds a house on solid rock that withstands severe floods, while the one who disobeys builds on sand without a foundation. This sermon breaks down how obedience to Christ builds an unshakable life.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/49668098 PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2542/responses/new26.09.27

Luke 6:43–49 // Ben BeasleyLuke 6:43–49 contrasts healthy trees with bad trees and wise builders with foolish ones. Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, explaining that the words and actions that flow out of us reflect what is stored in our hearts. He concludes his sermon on the mount with the parable of two builders: the one who hears his words and puts them into practice builds a house on solid rock that withstands severe floods, while the one who disobeys builds on sand without a foundation. This sermon breaks down how obedience to Christ builds an unshakable life.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/49668099 PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2509/responses/new26.09.27

Luke 6:43–49 // Jacob NannieLuke 6:43–49 contrasts healthy trees with bad trees and wise builders with foolish ones. Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, explaining that the words and actions that flow out of us reflect what is stored in our hearts. He concludes his sermon on the mount with the parable of two builders: the one who hears his words and puts them into practice builds a house on solid rock that withstands severe floods, while the one who disobeys builds on sand without a foundation. This sermon breaks down how obedience to Christ builds an unshakable life.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/49668100 PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2553/responses/new26.09.27

Luke 6:43–49 // Nathan MillerLuke 6:43–49 contrasts healthy trees with bad trees and wise builders with foolish ones. Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, explaining that the words and actions that flow out of us reflect what is stored in our hearts. He concludes his sermon on the mount with the parable of two builders: the one who hears his words and puts them into practice builds a house on solid rock that withstands severe floods, while the one who disobeys builds on sand without a foundation. This sermon breaks down how obedience to Christ builds an unshakable life.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/49664687 PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2546/responses/new26.09.20

Luke 6:43–49 // Jacob NannieLuke 6:43–49 contrasts healthy trees with bad trees and wise builders with foolish ones. Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, explaining that the words and actions that flow out of us reflect what is stored in our hearts. He concludes his sermon on the mount with the parable of two builders: the one who hears his words and puts them into practice builds a house on solid rock that withstands severe floods, while the one who disobeys builds on sand without a foundation. This sermon breaks down how obedience to Christ builds an unshakable life.SERMON NOTES (YouVersion): https://bible.com/events/49664683 PRAYER REQUESTS: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2574/responses/new26.09.20

Join Robert Ellsberg, publisher of Orbis Books, in this One On One interview with David P. Gushee as they discuss Job In Exile: A Guide for Spiritual Refugeeshttps://orbisbooks.com/products/job-in-exile-a-guide-for-spiritual-refugeesNoted ethicist David Gushee reveals Job as a model of moral agency and courage, wrestling honestly with unjust suffering while his community's religious orthodoxy, and perhaps even his God, fails the moment. As Job refuses to deny what he knows—or silence what he must say—he risks both divine and human condemnation.David P. Gushee, widely regarded as one of his generation's most significant Christian moral thinkers, earned his PhD in Christian ethics from Union Theological Seminary and serves as Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University as well as Chair in Christian Social Ethics at Vrije Universiteit (Free University), Amsterdam.Get your copy today: https://orbisbooks.com/products/job-in-exile-a-guide-for-spiritual-refugees#OrbisBooks #RobertEllsberg #ethics #DavidGushee #Morality #Christianity

Today on Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, I'm clarifying something about where this show is headed and what I am, and am not, here to do.Over time, people have tried to attach my voice to all kinds of movements, causes, and political factions. I'm not a mouthpiece for anybody's movement. My focus is moving back to the two subjects that have always been at the center of my work: Christianity and America.I'm again addressing my position on Palestine and the Middle East. I still support the Palestinian people, while also believing that Palestinians have to take responsibility for supporting and building their own society. Being opposed to the actions or policies of the Israeli government does not mean that I have adopted every belief, political position, or religious identity associated with the Palestinian cause.The Middle East has experienced conflict for generations, and my audience should not expect me to become a Muslim or pretend to be a Palestinian simply because I oppose particular actions of the Israeli government. My Christian faith and my commitment to America remain central to how I understand the world.We'll also discuss updates on Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the Ed Sheeran vs Macklemore drama.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

This week, we sit down with our good friend Robert Cunningham—pastor, writer, speaker, and founder of Christ for Kentucky. We kick things off with a crucial parenting debate: can YouTube piano tutorials replace traditional music lessons? Then, Robert gets honest about making a massive career pivot away from a comfortable pastorship with four kids and zero financial safety net to launch his own ministry. We also dig into his incredible work erasing $250 million in medical debt for Kentucky families, why future generations might judge our smartphone habits like lead paint, and how we can approach complex cultural debates around faith and identity with disarming humility. It's a funny, honest, and thought-provoking conversation on raising boys, trusting God, and navigating major life transitions. Grab your favorite cup of coffee and join us in Dadville! Visit Christ for Kentucky: https://www.christforky.org/ All Things Dave: https://www.davebarnes.com/ All Things Jon: http://jonmcl.com Topics 00:00 – Welcome to Dadville & The Great Piano Lesson Debate 03:45 – Introducing Robert Cunningham 07:30 – Navigating the Career Pivot Without a Safety Net 18:15 – Reimagining Wealth Stewardship & Kingdom Investment 26:00 – Erasing $250 Million in Medical Debt for Kentucky Families 36:30 – Public Strategy, Age Verification, and Protecting Kids from Tech Addiction 46:15 – Moving Beyond Online Echo Chambers 53:00 – The Beauty of Christian Ethics & Theology of the Body 1:01:30 – Deconstructing the Modern Identity Fallacy 1:18:00 – Grace, Complexity, and Wholehearted Discipleship 1:30:00 – Wrapping Up in Dadville Thanks to Our Sponsors! Boll & Branch - Get 15% off plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bollandbranch.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Exclusions apply. Quince - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! SEEDS: ⁠⁠Download the free SEEDS app⁠⁠ and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. HeyPolo: Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to ⁠https://heypolo.com/dadville⁠ or use code DADVILLE and get 70% off your first year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Lesson 42 of Christian Ethics and the Old Testament, Dave Rich turns from the duties children owe their parents to the duties parents owe their children. He lays out five dimensions of parental duty: love, provision, instruction, modeling, and discipline.Rich shows that Scripture assumes parents will love their children as a gracious gift from God, and he traces how that love shows up in providing for a child's intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social growth, not just their material needs. He works through the biblical case for instructing children in the Lord and walks through the arguments for public school, Christian school, and homeschooling, weighing each against the parent's God given responsibility for a child's education.The lesson also covers modeling godliness for children who will imitate their parents whether they intend it or not, and it closes with a careful look at discipline. Rich explains what the rod refers to in Proverbs, why discipline must be free from anger, and how correcting a child's behavior becomes an opportunity to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ.Parents raising children in a Christian home will find a clear, biblical framework for thinking through everyday decisions about love, provision, teaching, and correction. ★ Support this podcast ★

Dave Rich turns to the fifth commandment in Lesson 41 of Christian Ethics and the Old Testament, examining what it means to honor father and mother in Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16. He traces the Hebrew word kavod back to its root meaning of weight and substance, showing why honor calls for treating parents as significant rather than dismissing them.Using John Calvin's framework, Rich breaks honor into three parts: reverence, obedience, and gratitude. He distinguishes between honoring parents, a lifelong obligation for every child, and obeying parents, which applies most directly to children still living at home. From there he addresses gratitude in concrete terms, including the biblical case for adult children providing financially for aging parents and respecting parental property, drawn from the parable of the prodigal son.Rich also considers the promise attached to the commandment, weighing its original corporate meaning for Israel against its application today, and closes with the limits of parental authority. Since parents hold derived authority under God, children are never required to obey a command to sin.Listeners walk away with a clearer framework for honoring parents at every stage of life, along with practical direction for navigating difficult family relationships with biblical wisdom. ★ Support this podcast ★

Do Christians have to take one day off a week, or don't they? Lesson 40 wraps up the fourth commandment series by laying out the two major Christian views on Sabbath observance.Teacher Dave Rich presents Sabbatarianism and non-Sabbatarianism as summarized by Wayne Grudem, tracing Sabbatarianism through the Westminster Confession's strict rest and worship requirements, and non-Sabbatarianism through Luther and Calvin, both of whom saw the fourth commandment as fulfilled in Christ rather than binding in its Old Testament form. Rich frames the debate around three questions, whether Sabbath rest is a creation ordinance built into Genesis 2, whether the law of Moses still legally binds Christians, and whether New Testament silence on the Sabbath means it was repealed or simply never repeated.Rich lands on the non-Sabbatarian side, arguing the Sabbath was not a creation ordinance and was specifically addressed and set aside in the New Testament, while noting how much common ground the two views actually share in practice, worship, rest, and works of mercy. He closes with a lighter look at how Christian liberty applies to holidays like Easter, Christmas, Independence Day, Halloween, and even birthdays.This lesson gives listeners a clear framework for thinking through a commandment that divides sincere, careful readers of Scripture. ★ Support this podcast ★

This lesson was taught by Kyle Fitzgerald on 8/30/2026. We are a confessional church based on the London Baptist Confessional 1689 whose ultimate authority is God's Word. Bible Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone, to the Glory of God Alone. Please Visit us online at https://www.bbcstockton.church https://www.sermonaudio.com/source_de... https://www.facebook.com/bbcstockton

Why is the fourth commandment the only one of the Ten never repeated in the New Testament? Lesson 39 argues that its complete fulfillment in Christ is exactly the reason.Teacher Dave Rich works through the key apostolic passages on the Sabbath, the Jerusalem Council's silence on Sabbath keeping in Acts 15, Paul's treatment of the observance of days as a disputable matter in Romans 14, and his warnings in Galatians 4 and Colossians 2 that observing special days can become a dangerous return to law rather than grace. Taken together, Rich argues, the New Testament epistles do not support treating Sabbath observance as binding on Christians.Rich then turns to Hebrews 3 and 4, showing that the rest God offers is ultimately rest from working for salvation and resting instead in Christ's finished work, which is why the fourth commandment alone goes unrepeated, its symbol is fulfilled. From there he traces the New Testament evidence for why the church shifted its regular gathering from the Sabbath to the first day of the week, Christ's resurrection, the early church's practice in Acts and Corinthians, and John's reference to the Lord's day in Revelation.The lesson closes on a point every view agrees on, whatever day is chosen, Christians remain obligated to gather regularly for worship. ★ Support this podcast ★

In today's episode, Claire is speaking with Dr. Ashley Moyseabout his book Resourcing Hope for Ageing and Dying in a Broken World Wayfaring Through Despair which came out in 2024. For those captive to the broken world of late modernity,wherein ageing and dying persons become vulnerable to despair, this book offers a diagnostic of such despair. It also resources the practices of a realistic, humanising hope that might enable a strength for person to journey with and forothers, together, through such despair. Thus, by addressing the aetiology of despair experienced by people confronting ageing, frailty and dying, and drawing upon the writings of Gabriel Marcel, among others, Ashley Moyse reveals the problematic life of a broken world with its functionalising metaphors, instrumentalising reasoning and objectifying desires that offer no hope at all. It is a broken world where despair generates behaviours that anticipate harm or other, often tragic, outcomes that impede or greatly curtail or even completely inhibit human flourishing. Resisting despair, but living through it, Moyse presents the activity of the moral life, demonstrating a way persons might be resourced through an intersubjective and reflective pedagogy, with its habits or practices that enable a humanising hope, liberating human beings to become those readied to confront the actualities of human living and dying, and encouraged to grow and develop as 'wayfarers', hopefully.Dr. Ashley Moyse is a Canadian (born and raised in Estevan, Saskatchewan) whose scholarly work tends to be found at the intersections of theology, philosophy, and medicine/health care. At present, he is the Associate Professorof Bioethics in the Department of Religion at Baylor University. Dr. Moyse is concurrently a Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, a Research Associate at Vancouver School of Theology, and a Fellow withthe James M Houston Centre for Humanity & the Common Good at Regent College. Previously, he was the Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics and McDonald Scholar in the Center for Clinical Medical Ethics (directed by DrLydia Dugdale) at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons in NYC. At Columbia Dr. Moyse was the intellectual curator and director of the Columbia Character Cooperatives (medical students) and the co-director with Dr Beatriz Desanti de Oliveira of the Character and Clinical Ethics Pathway (internal medicine residents), which were both novel educational programming in ethics education and professional/ moral formation. He also had the privilege of serve as the McDonald Postdoctoral Fellow in Christian Ethics and Public Life with the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics and Public Life at the University of Oxford, where he was also a senior member of Christ Church College. Dr. Moyse was alsoappointed a humanities and healthcare fellow with a Wellcome Trust ISSF funded project, 'Advancing medical professionalism: integrating humanities teaching inthe University of Oxford's medical school'. In addition to these recent roles, his academic background includes training in theology, bioethics and health policy, and applied physiology.

##Episode Description:## (214 words)Jesus broke more Sabbath rules than he kept, and that's exactly the point. Lesson 38 continues the study of the fourth commandment by turning to what Jesus himself taught and did on the Sabbath.Teacher Dave Rich starts with a recap of the Old Testament material, then previews the rabbinic Mishnah's 39 categories of forbidden Sabbath activity, oppressive extra-biblical rules governing everything from tying knots to closing a door on a stray deer, to show the burden Jesus was actually confronting. Rich then works through Jesus's own Sabbath practice, his regular attendance at synagogue, his declaration that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath, and his repeated Sabbath healings that provoked murderous opposition from the Pharisees and scribes.Rich draws out several conclusions from Jesus's teaching, that ordinary work was restricted but works of necessity and mercy were not, that man-made additions to the law were not clarifications but distortions, and that Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, holds final authority over how the commandment should be understood. Rich is careful to note that Jesus never explicitly commands ongoing Sabbath observance in its Old Testament form, setting up next week's look at what the apostles taught.This lesson reframes the Sabbath not as a burden but as a gift. ★ Support this podcast ★

Several years ago, Dr. Mark Liederbach, senior professor of ethics, theology, and culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Dr. Evan Lenow, president of the ERLC, collaborated on a book titled “Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship,” which released in 2021. On today's episode, ERLC Director of Research, Dr. RaShan Frost, speaks with Dr. Lenow and Dr. Liederbach about the process of writing this book together and their approach to teaching about a biblical view of ethics that places worship of God as the primary motivation and goal, and how that shapes the way we live. In addition to his role as senior professor at Southeastern, Dr. Liederbach also serves as dean of students and vice president for student services. He received his bachelor's degree from James Madison University, his M.Div. from Denver Seminary, and his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. Now, let's turn to our conversation with Drs. Evan Lenow and Mark Liederbach. Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

The fourth commandment might be the most debated of the ten. Lesson 37 launches a multi week study of the Sabbath, starting with the text itself before any application.Teacher Dave Rich compares Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 side by side, showing that the shift from remember to observe reflects timing rather than any real difference in meaning, and that the two different rationales given for the command, creation in Exodus and redemption from Egypt in Deuteronomy, actually work together rather than in competition.Rich then works through Genesis, the giving of manna, and a series of Old Testament examples, including the man stoned for gathering wood on the Sabbath and Nehemiah's confrontation with merchants trading on the Sabbath, to establish the two essential elements of the commandment, rest from ordinary work and worship through holy convocation. He also raises the long list of questions the class will eventually address, including how the Sabbath applies under the new covenant and what day, if any, Christians are bound to observe.This lesson deliberately holds off on application, laying the Old Testament foundation before next week's look at what Jesus and the apostles taught about the Sabbath. ★ Support this podcast ★

Shela Chan joins us to discuss her journey to faith and the research that now shapes her work at the intersection of queer theology, ethics, and social science. Drawing on her own story and doctoral research, Shela examines how theology and empirical insights can inform Christian understandings of human flourishing, belonging, and trauma while challenging the ways churches can unintentionally marginalize LGBTQ people.Note: This episode uses the terms “Side A” and “Side B” as shorthand quite a bit. If you're new to the conversation, you might find it helpful to check out episode #3, where we talk through the four “sides”: ⁠#3 - A-B-Y-X | 4 Sides on SSA/Gay Sexuality⁠★ About Our Guest:Shela Chan is a Ph.D. student of Theological and Social Ethics at Fordham University in New York. Her background includes mission work in Afro-Eurasia, and she holds a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Her academic research focuses on holistic human development and flourishing at the intersection of sexuality and attachment theory. You can find her on Instagram @shechannnnn.—★ Timestamps(00:00) #85 - Shela Chan: Reflections on Social Science and Christian Ethics(02:17) Shela's story: From queer liberation to finding yourself in Jesus(18:18) Post-conversion: Queer experience, spiritual growth(41:57) How we interpret the Bible determines where we end up(47:00) Can Adam and Eve be archetypes for us today?(58:15) The archetype of the eunuch and the “ideal male”—★ Links and References* The Romance of Innocent Sexuality, Geoffrey Rees (2011)* About Tim Keller's gay brother: https://ap.org.au/2024/10/01/timothy-kellers-brother/—★ Send us feedback, questions, comments, and support!Email: communionandshalom@gmail.com | Instagram: @newkinship | Substack: @newkinship | Patreon: @newkinship—★ CreditsCreators and Hosts: David Frank, TJ Espinoza, Tyler Parker | Audio Engineer: Carl Swenson, carlswensonmusic.com | Producer: Elena F. ★ Get full access to New Kinship at newkinship.substack.com/subscribe

For Catholics seeking accurate information about the church's teachings on sex ethics, the internet can be a perilous place. One might get plenty of opinions from influencers, and far more personal information about people's sex lives than one bargained for—but not so much accurate source-based content on Catholic teaching. Some influencers have even told women that the church says they have to have sex with their husbands whenever their husbands want it, regardless of their own feelings. Clearly, this is a coercive and dangerous approach to sex and relationships.    Yet the Catholic Church does view sex as important in marriage. Canon law even states that a marriage isn't valid without consummation. But does that mean sex is, in some sense, obligatory? What about if one partner doesn't want it? What do we make of the marriage of Mary and Joseph? And what makes sex so important anyway?   On this episode of Glad You Asked, guest Kate Ott talks about the role of sex in a Catholic marriage, and what goes into a healthy sex ethic. Ott is a professor of Christian Ethics at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary outside of Chicago, as well as an author and religious education curriculum designer. Her books include Sex + Faith: Talking with your Child from Birth to Adolescence (Westminster John Knox Press) and Sex, Tech and Faith: Ethics for a Digital Age (Eerdmanns).   Learn more about this topic using these links.   Sex + Faith: Talking with Your Child from Birth to Adolescence, by Kate Ott   "Does Catholic rhetoric about sex line up with reality?" by Don Clemmer   "It's time to wrestle with church teaching on sex. Here's how." by Don Clemmer   "The harmful myth of the 'marriage debt'," by Mindy Robinson   "Marriage prep programs are failing some Catholic couples," by Jenn Morson   "Canon law on marriage and annulments needs updating," by H. L. Norwich  

Looking good isn't a sin—but when does self-improvement become self-worship? In this episode, we wrestle with one of the most relevant questions Christians face today: from BBLs and Botox to braces, veneers, and hair transplants, where should followers of Jesus draw the line? Join us as we explore what Scripture says about our bodies, our motives, and whether we're pursuing God's glory or the world's approval.John 7:241 Samuel 16:7Esther 2:7Genesis 29:17 Genesis 39:6 1 Samuel 9:2 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 1 Kings 6–7 2 Chronicles 3–4 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 1 Corinthians 10:31 1 Corinthians 8:9  1 Peter 3:3–4 Proverbs 31:30 Philippians 2:3–4 Galatians 1:10

Not all cursing is sin, and not all oaths are forbidden. Lesson 35 continues the study of the third commandment and moves into cursing and swearing.Teacher Dave Rich distinguishes between sinful cursing, calling for someone's harm out of personal anger or vindictiveness, and the legitimate cursing found in Scripture, including the imprecatory psalms, Paul's warnings against false teachers, and church discipline. Rich shows that a curse becomes sin when it serves personal vengeance rather than God's glory, and that treating words like damn and hell lightly undermines the seriousness of what they actually mean.Rich then turns to swearing and oath taking, working through Matthew 5 and James 5 to argue that Jesus and James were not forbidding all oaths but the dishonest, manipulative oath taking common among the Pharisees. He traces examples of legitimate oaths from God's own promise to Abraham, Christ's testimony before the high priest, and Paul's letters, then walks through categories of prohibited swearing, including dishonest oaths, oaths to sin, and foolish oaths like Jephthah's vow.The lesson closes with practical guidance on the vows Christians do take, including wedding vows, baptism, communion, and oaths of office, and the call to take our own words seriously before God. ★ Support this podcast ★

Send us Fan MailFollowing Jesus has always been more than identifying as a Christian—it means embracing the way of Christ.In this episode of Summer Series 2026, Tim Stewart sits down with Dr. Obery Hendricks—New Testament scholar, professor, and acclaimed author—to explore what it looks like to move beyond cultural Christianity and recover the radical vision of the Gospel.Together they discuss the Kingdom of God, justice, discipleship, wealth, poverty, and why Jesus consistently called His followers to love their neighbors through tangible action. Dr. Hendricks invites listeners to reconsider what it means to faithfully follow Christ in a world that often adopts the language of Christianity while neglecting the teachings of Jesus.Whether you're rethinking long-held assumptions or simply longing to follow Jesus more faithfully, this conversation offers a thoughtful challenge to rediscover the heart of the Gospel and live it out every day.In this episode: Following Jesus beyond cultural Christianity  The biblical meaning of the Kingdom of God  Justice as a central theme of Scripture  Loving our neighbors through action  The Church's responsibility beyond its own walls  Faith that transforms communities  Living out the teachings of Jesus today Featured Resources

Difference exposes our tendency to rank people as “better” or “worse.” Theologian Brian Brock, PhD, joins Amy Julia Becker to explore a life rooted in connection, creatureliness, and love. They consider:Social hierarchy and disability stigmaDietrich Bonhoeffer, community, and moral responsibilityHuman worth and personhoodJoining Creation's PraiseS10 E8:00:00 Introduction: Joining Creation's Praise04:35 Human Beings Are Creatures11:57 Human Exceptionalism and Disability16:00 Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Disability, Moral Responsibility, and Community21:19 Euthanasia and Historical Context24:07 Creation, Redemption, and Human Worth32:22 Understanding Personhood in Modern Ethics40:59 Reimagining the Good Life Through CreationMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness by Brian Brock_SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comWATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Brian Brock (DPhil, King's College, London) is Chair of Moral and Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He has written scholarly works on the use of the Bible in Christian ethics, the ethics of technological development, the theology of disability and the doctrine of creation. He is founder and managing editor of the academic monograph series T&T Clark Enquires in Theological Ethics, is Managing Editor of the Journal of Disability and Religion and President of the Society for the Study of Christian Ethics. He is also a husband and father of three children, including Adam, who is 21, a delightful human being with Down's Syndrome and autism. His most recent book is Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness.Professor Brian Brock | The University of Aberdeen__We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me:InstagramFacebookYouTubeWebsiteThanks for listening! 

The third commandment does not just forbid a four letter word substitute. It forbids treating the name of God as empty, meaningless, or vain.In this lesson, teacher Dave Rich moves the Christian Ethics and Old Testament series into the third commandment, You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain. Rich walks through the Hebrew words behind the command, nasa, meaning to lift up or carry, and shav, meaning an empty or false thing, to show that the prohibition reaches far beyond careless speech alone.Rich explains why God shifts to the third person in this commandment and what that shift reveals about the weight of his name. Since a name in Scripture represents a person's very being and reputation, to misuse the name of God is to lie about who he is. Rich argues the commandment ultimately prohibits all sin, since every person bears God's image, then narrows the focus to specific violations, including irreverent exclamations, careless profanity, and the substitutes and euphemisms Christians often reach for instead.This lesson calls listeners to examine their own speech and to consider what it truly means to hallow God's name rather than treat it as something ordinary. ★ Support this podcast ★

Send us Fan MailNEW EPISODE: This is where our conversation takes an even deeper turn.Caleb shares the story of his personal confrontation with Christian nationalism—how an invitation to participate with Turning Point USA forced him to take a much closer look at the movement and the version of Christianity it was promoting. That investigation eventually led him to write his remarkable book, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor.We also explore the rich biblical imagery behind the title. In Scripture, Leviathan represents the mysterious forces of chaos that only God can ultimately tame. Caleb uses that ancient symbol as a powerful metaphor for Christian nationalism itself—a force fueled by fear, political idolatry, and cultural anxiety over demographic change, political marginalization, and the perceived loss of traditional values.But this isn't simply a critique. It's an invitation to faithful engagement. Caleb challenges us to respond not with condemnation but with empathy, courageous conversations, genuine listening, and radical hospitality.For anyone struggling to relate to friends or family who have been drawn into the MAGA movement or Christian nationalism, Caleb offers thoughtful, practical wisdom that I believe you'll find both hopeful and deeply challenging. Listen to Part 1 - From Neo-Nazi to Lead  Pastor: Caleb Campbell's Extraordinary JourneySHOW NOTES - including links to Caleb's book and the When the Wolves Came PodcastSupport the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you!Ken's Substack PageThe Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

What does the Bible say about patriotism?As Americans celebrate Independence Day, many Christians find themselves reflecting on an important question: How should believers balance love for their country with their ultimate allegiance to the kingdom of God?In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard explores the relationship between patriotism and Christian faith. Drawing on biblical principles, he explains how believers can appreciate and support their nation while ensuring that their highest loyalty remains with Jesus Christ.Dr. Bernard discusses the difference between healthy patriotism and misplaced devotion and offers practical guidance for navigating the tension between national identity and heavenly citizenship.Whether you are celebrating Independence Day, wrestling with questions about faith and politics, or seeking a biblical perspective on Christian citizenship, this episode provides thoughtful and balanced insight grounded in Scripture.Apostolic Life in the 21st Century is the weekly podcast where Dr. David K. Bernard answers questions about Scripture, theology, Christian living, and current issues from an Apostolic Pentecostal perspective.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

 Today, Leslie sits down with David Gushee, a Pastor and Professor of Christian Ethics who is also a writer of one of the most influential books of Leslie's deconstruction process—Changing our Mind. Leslie invites David to share his journey with us all trough being a Southern Baptist convert to a progressive Christian Scholar. David openly shares about his gradual theological broadening from accepting women in ministry to ultimately affirming LGBTQ inclusion in 2014, which cost him his standing in the evangelical world. They talk about the problematic clobber passages that are used to alienate and judge the LGBTQ community and the brittle nature of fundamentalist biblical interpretation. You'll want to take notes on this one, folks! Also - if you are interested in being in the book study with Leslie for “Job in Exile: A Guide for Spiritual Refugees” by David Gushee in September, please send Leslie an email and let her know! leslienease@gmail.com. To check out David's books and pre-order his new book about Job, click here. Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease.Pick up Leslie's book, Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian here.Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.comIf you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team on Substack, click here! You can find her work and also support her financially if you desire.Would you like to leave a voicemail for Leslie? Click here!If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community! Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dave Rich continues his study of the Second Commandment in this lesson, tackling a question every believer eventually faces: if God forbids images of Himself, why does Scripture describe Him as a lion, a lamb, a light, and even a moth?Rich walks through the Bible's own use of figurative language for God, showing how these pictures teach us about His character without becoming objects of worship themselves. He also examines anthropomorphic language, God's "arm" and His "ear", and what it does and does not mean about God's nature.From there, Rich turns to the doctrine of the Imago Dei, tracing how mankind's status as God's image bearer was distorted by the Fall, renewed in conversion, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ, "the image of the invisible God."The lesson closes with a survey of Second Commandment violations across religious history, from Mormon theology and the prosperity gospel to Roman Catholic relics and cargo cults, along with a careful comparison of how C.S. Lewis's Narnia differs from the heretical portrayal of God in The Shack.This lesson gives listeners a clear framework for thinking rightly about God, guarding against idolatry in both thought and practice, while learning to see Christ as the perfect and only worthy image of God. ★ Support this podcast ★

Was America's founding a genuinely Christian project, or has that idea been read backward into history by people who want it to be true? Dr. Ben Carson, famed neurosurgeon, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and founder of the American Cornerstone Institute, joins Joshua Lewis to make the case that the founders' faith wasn't incidental to the American project, but was foundational to it.ABOUT THE EPISODE:Carson walks through the well-known stories: George Washington's providential survival during the French and Indian War, Benjamin Franklin's call to prayer at the Constitutional Convention, John Adams' conviction that the Constitution was built for "a moral and religious people." Carson recounts these as evidence that the founders understood their rights as God-given rather than state-granted and argues this conviction is what allowed the young nation to move as fast as it did.But this episode tackles some of the harder questions about America's Christian roots. In fact, many Christians today are wrestling with where the line falls between honoring faith's role in government and slipping into theonomy or Christian nationalism (using the Bible not just to inform conviction, but to enforce practice). Josh and Dr. Carson walk through the difficult cases, including Thomas Jefferson's private letters calling Paul "the first corruptor" of Christ's doctrine, the Treaty of Tripoli's explicit statement that the U.S. government is "not in any sense founded on the Christian religion," and the uncomfortable reality that some founders held views far messier than the Sunday-school version of American history.What emerges is a conversation about the difference between a Christian moral framework shaping a leader's conscience and a Christian theocracy shaping a nation's laws and why the founders, having fled state-enforced religion in Europe, were careful to avoid recreating it here. Dr. Carson also addresses the founders' inconsistencies head-on, including slavery, and how a constitution "inspired" by Christian conviction could coexist with such a profound moral failure.If you've ever felt caught between two unsatisfying camps with "America was a secular Enlightenment experiment" on one side, and "America should be governed by biblical law" on the other, this conversation gives you a third way to think about it: historically honest, theologically grounded, and avoidant to both extremes.0:00 – Introduction0:51 – Built on Faith Children's Book1:00 – Washington's Providence Stories4:34 – Christianity Twisted by Marxism6:09 – Founders and Deism Debate8:00 – Declaration vs Constitution11:06 – Theonomy and Theocracy12:47 – Christian Ethics and Lawmaking19:12 – Washington's Christian Faith20:50 – Jefferson's Mixed Beliefs26:49 – Benjamin Franklin's Faith33:39 – Treaty of Tripoli Question35:32 – James Madison and Constitution38:05 – Christian Political Involvement RESOURCES MENTIONED:- Dr. Ben Carson's children's book, Built on Faith (co-authored with Kirk Parrish): https://www.amazon.com/Built-Faith-Ben-Carson/dp/1967002711- American Cornerstone Institute: https://americancornerstone.org- Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West: https://www.crossway.org/books/remaking-the-world-hcj/- Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: https://www.crossway.org/books/rise-triumph-modern-self-hcj/- Treaty of Tripoli (1797), Article 11 (full text): https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/bar1796t.aspSubscribe to The Remnant Radio newsletter and receive our FREE introduction to spiritual gifts eBook. Plus, get access to: discounts, news about upcoming shows, courses and conferences - and more. Subscribe now at TheRemnantRadio.com. Support the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: The Remnant Radio exists to equip believers who are hungry for the radical middle of both Word and Spirit. Subscribe for twice-weekly content on theology, church history and the gifts of the Spirit.

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As Christians, we need to stay informed about the rapidly changing world of fertility treatments, genetic testing, and IVF before making decisions or forming opinions. Join C.L. as we explore the powerful story behind the Boozer family, wrestle with difficult questions about life, embryos, technology, and God's will, and seek biblical wisdom for navigating one of the most important ethical conversations of our time.

To listen to the extra innings portion of this episode, where David discusses why it's okay for faithful Christians to identify as gay, head over to https://patreon.com/theologyintheraw to become a member of the Theology in the Raw community.Dr. David Bennett (DPhil, Oxford) is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics at the University of Oxford and Associate Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall. He is the author of the bestselling memoir A War of Loves --the story of his journey from atheistic gay activist in Sydney to celibate gay Christian—and a member of the Archbishop of Canterbury's College of Evangelists. His Oxford doctoral thesis, Queering the Queer in Contemporary Theology: An Augustinian Ethics of Same-Sex Desire and Gay Celibacy, is in press with T&T Clark/Bloomsbury (2027), as is his second popular-level book, Beyond Compromise: Reclaiming a Biblical Vision of Love, Sexuality, and the Kingdom of God (Tyndale House). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Second Commandment raises questions that don't always yield easy answers—and Lesson 32 of Christian Ethics and the Old Testament leans into that tension honestly. Dave Rich picks up where he left off, first addressing mental images of God, then turning to one of the more genuinely contested questions in Reformed ethics: may Christians use images of Jesus?Rich walks through the relevant biblical and theological foundations, establishing what is beyond dispute—images of any kind may not be worshiped—before working through six arguments commonly raised against pictures of Jesus in artistic or instructional contexts. He engages each argument carefully, drawing on Calvin, Packer, Frame, Grudem, Douma, and others, neither dismissing the concerns nor accepting every conclusion. The key turning point is the Incarnation itself: the biblical rationale for prohibiting images of God rested on the fact that Israel saw no form at Horeb. Jesus, as the depictable God who took on genuine human flesh, changes that calculus.Rich distinguishes between portraits designed for devotion—which he views with serious caution—and historically grounded artistic or instructional depictions, which he finds less clearly prohibited. He closes by reading Matthew 4 and Revelation 1 aloud and asking whether the mental images those texts inevitably produce are themselves a problem—and what that means for the broader question. ★ Support this podcast ★

Support for the death penalty is going down in America. But is this a sign of moral progress or moral decay? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes debate this question with political theologian and ethicist Dr. J. Daryl Charles.  References and resources American support  for the death penality going down: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/religious-statements/opinion-polls-death-penalty-support-and-religion? Religious-secular divide on the death penalty: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/06/15/unlike-other-u-s-religious-groups-most-atheists-and-agnostics-oppose-the-death-penalty/ Dr. J. Daryl Charles Recommended Resources J. Daryl Charles, van den Haag, Ernest, “On Deterrence and the Death Penalty.” Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology and Police Science 60, no. 2 (1969): 141-47. idem, “The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense”; accessible at the PBS “Frontline” website. idem and John P. Conrad, The Death Penalty: A Debate. New York: Plenum Press, 1983. J. Budziszewski, “Capital Punishment: The Case for Justice.” First Things (August 2004); accessible the First Things website J. Daryl Charles, “Outrageous Atrocity or Moral Imperative?: The Ethics of Capital Punishment.” Studies in Christian Ethics 6, no. 3 (Fall 1993): 1-14. idem, “Crime, the Christian, and Capital Justice.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 38, no. 3 (1995): 429-41. idem, “Toward Restoring a Good Marriage: Reflections on the Contemporary Divorce of Love and Justice and Its Cultural Implications.” Journal of Church and State 55, no. 2 (2013): 367-83. idem, “Capital Crime and Punishment: Reflections on Violating Human Sanctity.” Touchstone (September 2002): 29-35. idem, “Lethal Rejection: Is Capital Punishment Barbaric, Uncivilized and Always Wrong?” Touchstone (September 2016): 30-36. idem, “Capital Crimes and Capital Punishment.” Public Discourse (March 14, 2023); accessible at the Public Discourse website idem, “Capital Crimes and Punishment.” Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy (September 22, 2025); accessible at the Providence website Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkers.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes Dr. J. Daryl Charles: https://crcd.net/fellow/j-daryl-charles-phd/  

What's actually prohibited in "you shall not make for yourself an idol"? Dave Rich works through the Second Commandment verse by verse, and the answer is more precise than most people assume.Lesson 31 in this verse-by-verse study examines Exodus 20:4-6, comparing it carefully against its restatement in Deuteronomy 5. Rich breaks down the Hebrew terms behind "idol" and "likeness," then makes a case from the tabernacle's own furnishings (the lampstand, the cherubim) that images of created things were never the problem. The real prohibition, he argues, is worship and service directed at an image, whether of a false god or of Yahweh himself.From there, Rich traces the pattern through Aaron's golden calf, Jeroboam's calves at Bethel and Dan, and the worship of an ephod during the judges, before tackling the harder question of why Israel specifically couldn't picture God the Father. His answer rests on a simple historical fact: at Sinai, they saw no form. He also takes on what "visiting the iniquity of the fathers" really means, clearing up a phrase many readers misunderstand.This lecture sets up next week's harder question: what about images of Jesus? ★ Support this podcast ★

As Christians, we are called to be generous, but what does that look like when someone asks for money on the street? Should we give? Is there a better way to help? On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Dr. David W. Jones explore the ethics of giving to homeless people. They also share how to show compassion without causing harm. Then it’s on to your calls. That’s on Faith & Finance Live, where biblical wisdom meets today’s finances—weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio. Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio. To join our team of supporters, click here.To support the ministry of FaithFi, click here.To learn more about Rob West, click here.To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” — Proverbs 19:17 As Christians, we're called to care for the poor. But what should we do when someone asks us for money on the street? Should we give cash? Offer food? Keep walking? And how do we show compassion without causing harm? Dr. David W. Jones joins us to help answer those questions. He's a senior professor of Christian ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has written extensively on moral, theological, and financial issues. He also completed his PhD with a focus on Christian financial ethics. According to Dr. Jones, the Bible is clear: God's people should never be indifferent to poverty. Jesus says, “Give to the one who begs from you” (Matthew 5:42), and 1 John 3:17 warns against closing our hearts to a brother in need. But the harder question is not whether we should care. It is how we should care wisely. Start With the Heart When we see someone asking for help, our first instinct may be suspicion. We may assume the person is lazy, addicted, unwilling to work, or responsible for their situation. But before deciding what to give, we should examine our own hearts. Dr. Jones describes this as the danger of being “middle class in spirit”—quietly believing we have what we have because we worked hard, while the person in need must have failed. But Jesus calls us to be “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). The gospel reminds us that God did not wait for us to deserve His mercy. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That does not mean every request should be met with cash. But it does mean every person should be met with dignity. Compassion Requires Wisdom Giving cash directly to someone on the street is not necessarily wrong, but it may not always be the best way to help. If the money is used to support addiction or another destructive habit, our gift could unintentionally cause harm. Christian love seeks the good of the other person. That means generosity should be guided by wisdom, not guilt or impulse. One practical option is to offer non-cash help. You might keep granola bars, bottled water, or other simple items in your car. When possible, you could offer to buy a meal. These small acts can meet a real need while reducing the risk of enabling harm. The goal is not to create a rigid rule, but to ask: What is the most loving and responsible way to help in this situation? Do What You Can With What You Know In a brief encounter, you probably will not know someone's full story. You may not know whether their poverty is connected to job loss, addiction, illness, abuse, poor choices, or circumstances beyond their control. God does not require us to know everything. He calls us to be faithful. That means preparing ahead of time, responding with compassion, and helping in the wisest way available. Sometimes that may be food. Sometimes it may be a meal. Sometimes it may be directing someone to a local ministry or shelter equipped to provide deeper care. Think Beyond the Moment Some needs require immediate aid. Others require long-term involvement. If someone is suffering because of a disaster or emergency, immediate help may be exactly what is needed. But when poverty is tied to addiction, exploitation, family breakdown, or long-term instability, a developmental approach is often more effective. That may involve relationships, accountability, recovery, job assistance, counseling, and support from a local church or ministry. Most of us cannot meet every need on our own. But we can support trusted ministries that serve the homeless and poor with both compassion and structure. Start With What Is Closest The needs around us can feel overwhelming. Hunger, homelessness, addiction, and poverty are everywhere. We may want to help everyone, but we cannot. Dr. Jones points to the principle of moral proximity. We are often most responsible for the needs closest to us—our family, church, neighborhood, and local community. You may not be able to solve world hunger. But you may be able to help someone in your church, support a local shelter, serve with a ministry, or build a relationship with someone God regularly places in your path. God has not called you to solve every problem. He has called you to be faithful with what is in front of you. Generosity Reflects the Gospel When someone asks for help, we should not respond with contempt or indifference. We should respond as people who have received mercy. That does not mean giving cash every time. But it does mean asking God for wisdom, treating people with dignity, and being prepared to help in ways that truly serve their good. Biblical generosity is both compassionate and discerning. It refuses to look away from need, but it also seeks to help without causing harm. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I recently received a personal injury settlement. After paying off our cars and nearly all our debt, my wife and I have about $50,000 in a high-yield savings account, no kids, no mortgage, and only two small interest-free revolving accounts left. I'm 44, earning about $80,000 to $100,000 a year, and my wife earns about $50,000. Should we invest all of this money, or is it okay to enjoy some of it? What investment options should we consider? We have an investment property that's either paid off or could be paid off with cash. Since it's basically our retirement savings and we're around 55, we're trying to decide whether to keep it or sell it. If we sell, is there a way to roll the proceeds into a retirement plan, and how should we think through that decision? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is war ever morally justified? Can Christians support military action while still following the teachings of Jesus?In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard examines the historic doctrine of “just war” and explores what the Bible teaches about warfare, national defense, and the use of force.Prompted by current global conflicts and the reflection that often accompanies Memorial Day, this conversation addresses questions Christians have wrestled with for centuries. Drawing from Scripture, church history, and Christian ethics, Dr. Bernard explains just war theory, the principles traditionally used to evaluate whether a war is morally justified, and how believers should think biblically about patriotism, military service, and international conflict.Topics discussed in this episode include:The fundamentals of just war doctrineWhether the Bible allows for war in certain circumstancesThe role of government in maintaining justice and orderHow Christians should approach modern military conflictsThe tension between personal forgiveness and national defenseWhether you are exploring Christian ethics, seeking a biblical perspective on current events, or simply wanting to better understand this important subject, this episode offers thoughtful and balanced insight from an Apostolic perspective.Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with Dr. David K. Bernard features biblical teaching and answers to questions about theology, Christian living, and contemporary issues.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

This third talk from a recent conference on ethics discusses the thought of Revere Franklin Weidner in his work A System of Christian Ethics.

During Eastertide, Matt takes listeners through a series of reflections on the resurrection of Christ. In this episode, the focus is on 1 Peter 1, specifically vv. 3-25. Here we get a glimpse into how early Christians thought of Jesus' resurrection, specifically how it relates to the concept of the new birth and ethics. This passage reveals how the resurrection is not just a decisive past event or just the basis of our hope for the future – it is those things and more. The resurrection of Christ also has consequences for today, for it is the foundation for how we are to live presently as exiles in the world. +++Pre-order Matt's newest book, Sightings and Secrets: UFOs, Eyewitness Testimonies, and How Christians Can Make Sense of the Unknown:  https://a.co/d/0eD0cGtz Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheBibleUnmutedMatthew's blog: https://matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)!

So many clergy members and theology nerds messaged me after JD Vance told the Pope to dial back the theology talk that I had no choice — I called my friend Kevin Carnahan, co-editor of the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics and author of an extremely technical book on just war theory that he will tell you not to read. Kevin teaches at Central Methodist University in Missouri and he showed up having apparently thought about all of this in serious depth while the rest of us were just screaming into the void. What followed was one of the best episodes we've done. We traced the actual history of just war theory from Aquinas through John XXIII's Pacem in Terris— which moved the Catholic Church so close to pacifism in practice that nearly no war could satisfy its criteria — through the moment nuclear weapons broke the entire framework, through drone warfare and AI targeting that's broken it further, and right up to a Trump administration that dismantled the actual government office dedicated to minimizing civilian harm and then had the audacity to invoke just war theory as a fig leaf. Kevin's read on the papal conflict: the Pope knows exactly what he's doing and is faithfully representing a tradition that JD Vance passed through on Peter Thiel's E-Z Pass lane. We also got into the three streams of Protestant ethics on war — peace churches, just war thinkers, and crusaders — why Hegseth fits cleanly into the crusader category, why Trump fits none of them, why the Lord of the Rings is the best undergraduate ethics text available, and what Bonhoeffer's prayer for his own country's defeat sounds like in 2026. Tripp eventually brought up Tolkien. Bo noted it took an hour and eleven minutes. Bonhoeffer was invoked. John Cobb got in at the end. The trifecta complete. For those regular Homebrewed Christianity listeners, this is an episode of another weekly podcast ⁠Theology Nerd Throwdown ⁠that I do with Bo Sanders and our (nonviolent) army of theology nerds in the chat. If you enjoy it,⁠ subscribe to the TNT feed⁠ and feel the lure to join live most Friday mornings.  ⁠⁠You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube⁠⁠ Kevin Carnahan is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri.

During this Easter season, New Testament scholar and skeptic Bart Ehrman has been making headlines again. He just released his latest book Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West. Last week, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat interviewed Ehrman on his podcast about his book and why he doesn't believe in God. Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra sat down with New Testament scholar Michael J. Kruger, one of Ehrman's former students, to talk about Ehrman's arguments. Kruger has found that, unlike Ehrman, his own study of biblical manuscripts has strengthened his faith. Resources Mentioned: Surviving Religion 101 by Michael J. Kruger Dominion by Tom Holland Review of Jesus Interrupted Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss whether violence is immoral or amoral, whether God acts or endorses violence, and how we are supposed to act in light of these things. Questions Covered in This Episode: Does God endorse violence? In Joshua and judges it seems like God is endorsing violence; is that accurate? Where does the Bible talk about violence? Is violence immoral or amoral? Should the modern-day church then perceive itself to be a weapon of violence? Should we think in violent terms as it relates to those who oppose the Lord? How do you deal with wrong motivations? Helpful Definitions: Violence: Physical action against another person that seeks to either restrain or rebuff, and may or may not cause bodily harm. Hamas (חָמָס): Hebrew for violence Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Psalm 11:5, Genesis 6, James 4:6, Psalm 58, Psalm 3, Isaiah 53, Romans 13, Revelation “The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics” by Stanley Hauerwas “Why I'm Not a Pacifist” by C.S. Lewis Deep Discipleship Curriculum Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith. Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway's Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are there tendencies within Christian tradition that put some versions of the faith in tension with core principles of democracy? What is “Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity?” How can a pluralistic society guard against the rise of political figures—including Donald Trump—aiming to weaponize this phenomenon? In this two-part conversation, we dive into these provocative questions with the Rev. Prof. David Gushee (Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University) and discuss his book Defending Democracy From Its Christian Enemies. Segments to look forward to in part 2: (02:12) Christianity in the reactionary politics of France and Germany in the 20th century   (07:54) The allure of authoritarian leaders who promise to fix cultural issues  (13:06) The idealization of a past Christian nation and the ubiquitous use of anti-LGBT rhetoric in policial mobilization (18:20) The difficulty of appealing to authoritarian-leaning Christians and the influence of leaders in those communities (32:30 ) “Covenantal democracy” rooted in the Baptist tradition (35:18) The importance of civic literacy and political ethics education among Christians to inoculate against authoritarian tendencies (40:00) The importance of long-term cultural and interpersonal work to build stronger democratic norms. For more of David's work visit his website: https://www.davidpgushee.com/ Follow Ron  on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Email your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are there tendencies within Christian tradition that put some versions of the faith in tension with core principles of democracy? What is “Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity?” How can a pluralistic society guard against the rise of political figures—including Donald Trump—aiming to weaponize this phenomenon? In this two-part conversation, Ron Steslow and Rev. Prof. David Gushee (Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University) discuss these provocative questions and more as they dive into David's book, Defending Democracy From Its Christian Enemies. In part 1: (04:40) Ron shares a personal note with David about the impact he's had on Ron's journey   (07:24) David discussed a few of the transformative moments in his career  (13:08) The historical and current challenges Christianity poses to democratic values  (16:30) Why some Christians are skeptical of democracy and the nuanced reasons behind it (22:02 ) Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity and why it's a better term for what we're seeing  than Christian Nationalism  (28:38) How certain Christian groups prioritize their beliefs over democratic norms and values  (34:02) The cycle of secular revolutions followed by religious counter-revolutions  For more of David's work visit his website: https://www.davidpgushee.com/ Follow Ron  on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Email your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices