Podcast appearances and mentions of glenn sunshine

In today's episode, Mystie, Abby, and Brandy explain exactly why they chose this topic for the 2025 Spring Training Sessions and why they think it's important for us to prepare our kids for the world we're launching them into. You're going to love this conversation! *** The annual Scholé Sisters Spring Training just happened, and replays are now available! Dr. Glenn Sunshine did a great job teaching us about the disenchantment and renchantment of the world around us. Coming up on Tuesday, June 4th at noon Pacific, we are having a live meetup to discuss what we learned from Spring Training.  Our annual Spring Training is always included in the Sophie level Sistership membership. Just go to scholesisters.com/join and sign up. *** Click here to access today's show notes. Click here to join the FREE area of the Sistership.

In today's episode, Brandy, Mystie, and Abby revisit the topic of rewards and prize systems – specifically what to do when one is implemented at church. This was a chance to try and apply our principles to a real life situation where we don't want to be perfectionists and we DO want to be peacemakers. You're going to love this conversation! *** If you've considered upgrading your Sistership membership from FREE to Sophie level, now is the time! Our annual spring training is coming up in just a couple weeks and you do NOT want to miss it! Dr. Glenn Sunshine will talk with us about the Resurrection of the Enchanted World. In session 1, Dr. Sunshine will explain how the world was disenchanted – how we lost a supernatural worldview. In session 2, Dr. Sunshine will describe how the world is being reenchanted (whether we like how that's happening or not) and what the Bible has to say about it all.  Our annual Spring Training is always included in the Sophie level Sistership membership. Just go to scholesisters.com/join and sign up. *** Click here to access today's show notes. Click here to join the FREE area of the Sistership.

We are so excited to introduce you to our brother and historian, Dr. Glenn Sunshine. You don't want to miss this AMAZING conversation about civilization, our nation, its future, and the biblical blueprint for cultural renewal. Dr. Sunshine outlined 5 distinct features of a civilization in decline: 1. Loose sexual mores and loosening restrictions around marriage and sexual values. 2. A belief that society is not redeemable or able to be fixed. 3. Division of humans into separate categories (ex. oppressed vs. oppressor) 4. Economic deficit, mass government spending. 5. Unchecked immigration from people who are culturally different and unwilling to assimilate. Follow Dr. Sunshine's work at https://www.esquareinch.com/

We are so excited to introduce you to our brother and historian, Dr. Glenn Sunshine. You don't want to miss this AMAZING conversation about civilization, our nation, its future, and the biblical blueprint for cultural renewal. Dr. Sunshine outlined 5 distinct features of a civilization in decline: 1. Loose sexual mores and loosening restrictions around marriage and sexual values. 2. A belief that society is not redeemable or able to be fixed. 3. Division of humans into separate categories (ex. oppressed vs. oppressor) 4. Economic deficit, mass government spending. 5. Unchecked immigration from people who are culturally different and unwilling to assimilate. Follow Dr. Sunshine's work at https://www.esquareinch.com/

Our guest today is JoAnn Hallum! JoAnn is a first-generation homeschooler from the Central Valley of California who has been teaching her four boys for about 10 years. She loves to read and to tell people at parties they should read Charles Dickens. With a fine art degree in Printmaking, she discovered she loved writing when she became a stay-at-home mom. She now writes on Substack and Instagram, and sometimes Commonplace Quarterly. Her extracurricular activities include serving on the board for her local Youth Orchestra, hosting a local Nature Club, and hunting for used books. You can find her as funnyostrich on Instagram or under her name, JoAnnHallum, on Substack. In today's conversation, Abby, JoAnn, and Brandy talk about the inconveniences of mothering teenagers and what a wonderful blessing it is. You're going to love this conversation! *** If you've considered upgrading your Sistership membership from FREE to Sophie level, now is the time! Our annual spring training is coming up in just a few weeks and you do NOT want to miss this! We are having Dr. Glenn Sunshine on to talk with us about the Resurrection of the Enchanted World. In session 1, Dr. Sunshine will talk about how the world was disenchanted –how we lost a supernatural worldview. In session 2, Dr. Sunshine will talk about how the world is being reenchanted (whether we like how that's happening or not) and what the Bible has to say about it all.  Our annual Spring Training is always included in the Sophie level Sistership membership. Just go to scholesisters.com/join and sign up. *** Click here to access today's show notes. Click here to join the FREE area of the Sistership.

TC sits down with author, podcaster, historian, and retired professor Dr. Glenn Sunshine to discuss what this election means and what we can do now. Don't forget they had to throw in a little history and many other topics. Buy Dr. Sunshine's books here: https://www.esquareinch.com/books/ Sponsors: https://www.zaxcreamery.com/ https://www.raberstoragebarns.com/

At our 2024 Reformation Celebration, Dr. Glenn Sunshine opened his lecture with the question: “What do you do when the world falls apart?” To answer that question Dr. Sunshine looked back to the lessons of the Reformation to uncover how Christians can be building community now in a time of Crisis.

At our 2024 Reformation Celebration, Dr. Glenn Sunshine opened his lecture with the question: “What do you do when the world falls apart?” To answer that question Dr. Sunshine looked back to the lessons of the Reformation to uncover how Christians can be building community now in a time of Crisis.

Discover how to transform your family into a thriving hub of economic productivity and shared purpose. We explore Chris Wiley's revolutionary ideas presented in "Man of the House," which challenge the conventional fragmentation of family roles. Through engaging conversations and real-life stories, we examine how modern households can reclaim their identity as vibrant centers of learning, hospitality, and intergenerational wealth. Pastor Adam Madden joins us to share his unique approach to integrating his family into entrepreneurial ventures, illustrating the true power of a productive household. We delve into the impact of historical shifts like the Industrial Revolution on family dynamics and how these changes have shaped our current societal landscape. Explore the potential of family-run businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors as tools for building legacy and instilling a strong sense of purpose in future generations. From agrarian lifestyles to digital entrepreneurship, we discuss the importance of innovation and adaptability in achieving a productive household economy that resonates with traditional values and embraces modern technologies.Join us as we dissect the intricacies of financial prudence, legacy building, and the integration of work and family life. Discover how intentional family practices grounded in biblical convictions can counteract societal fragmentation and foster a cohesive, mission-oriented household. Through stories of successful family enterprises and the nurturing of generational wealth, we offer insights and inspiration for creating a household that is a testament to faith, community values, and lasting impact.Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Get 10% off your next order at Reformation Heritage Books with the code, "KINGSHALL."Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Purchase your body armor at Premier Body Armor. 

Show Notes Forthcoming!

It all began with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914, and would result in World War I—a brother war that would tear the West apart. The King of England, the Kaiser, and Tsar Nicholas were all blood related cousins. To this day, no one really knows how, exactly, or why WWI happened. But it did. And it opened the door for chaos that led to World War II and the rise of men like Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini. Today, Reformed Christians are quick to go to war with each other, but this only weakens any attempt to rebuild Christendom. Our enemies make progress against us because, as Cain killed Abel, we are too quick to destroy those with whom we share 98% of theological principles. How can we work together instead? How can we maintain distinctives and differences without destroying one another? We will discuss in this episode. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Get 10% off your next order at Reformation Heritage Books with the code, "KINGSHALL."Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Purchase your body armor at Premier Body Armor. 

A prayer from Dr. Glenn Sunshine. __________ For more resoruces to live like a Christian in this cultural moment visit Breakpoint.org. 

The kingdom of Wallachia was the home to warlords, brutality, and the reign of Islamic terror. One man rose from Turkish captivity to save his people, and would as a result become one of the most fascinating—and brutal—leaders in Christendom. His name was Vlad Tepes, but he was best known as Vlad Dracul or, more ominously, Vlad the Impaler. In the late 1800s, Bram Stoker found documents about Vlad's brutal methods and in turn wrote the famous novel, Dracula. He told of a blood sucking vampire who could never die. But how do we separate the myth of Dracula from the real man, Vlad Tepes, who was no doubt brutal but was also known as a defender of the West?In this episode, we talk about Vlad, the true story behind the man, and the vicious propaganda campaign waged against him. We also relate it to bitter disputes within Christian circles today, and why it's so important to unite around our common faith rather than divide ourselves into petty factions.Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Get 10% off your next order at Reformation Heritage Books with the code, "KINGSHALL."Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Purchase your body armor at Premier Body Armor. 

In this episode we wrap up our series on building wealth as we talk with Joe Garrisi, from Backwards Planning Financial. We'll discuss traditional finance, or TradFi: banking, the stock market, the bond market, venture capital, and hedge funds. As a wealth manager, Joe helps clients think through long-term investing strategies. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Get 10% off your next order at Reformation Heritage Books with the code, "KINGSHALL."Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Purchase your body armor at Premier Body Armor. 

Kerby Anderson presents worldviews that shaped Western Civilization in a radio program based on Glenn Sunshine's book, Why You Think the Way You Do.

The Louisiana Purchase stands as one of the key moments that shaped what America would become as a nation. It laid the groundwork for massive continental expansion and economic development. The purchase was also not merely a momentary investment, but a bet on the generations of future sons and daughters of America. It was a visionary investment in the future. We'll continue to explore a pivotal question in this episode: How can I leave an inheritance to my children's children? If history is any guide, one place to build enduring wealth must be in the land itself. We sit down with Tim Six, Refuge Church member and F-35 pilot, about how he has successfully built a real estate portfolio. He talks about "house hacking" and other real estate strategies. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Get 10% off your next order at Reformation Heritage Books with the code, "KINGSHALL." Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Purchase your body armor at Premier Body Armor. 

Who counts as a theologian? Who gets to address the deep things of God and creation? Tom is at the helm this week and he is joined by a special guest, Dr. Jahdiel Perez of Villanova University. Dr. Perez is a C. S. Lewis scholar, writing the first doctoral dissertation in ‘theology’ at the University of Oxford on C. S. Lewis. Wrapping up our Lewis theme, Tom and Jahdiel discusses many of the rich ‘theological’ insights of C. S. Lewis, from questions of evil and suffering in light of God’s goodness to questions of Christian enjoyment of created goods in contrast to Nietzsche’s criticism of Christian faith as wholly joy denying. The highlight of the conversation centers around C. S. Lewis as a theologian, not merely as apologist or academic. Special appearance by Glenn Sunshine, whose personal computer may have been hacked by the ghost of Rousseau during the show. Dr. Perez’s latest Open Access article on Lewis: https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.14306 Dr. Perez’s Faculty Page: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/liberal-arts-sciences/programs/humanities/faculty/biodetail.html?mail=jahdiel.perez@villanova.edu&xsl=bio_long Dr. Perez on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahdielnperez?igsh=MXJ3bjJwMGQ1MW5xZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/

Who counts as a theologian? Who gets to address the deep things of God and creation? Tom is at the helm this week and he is joined by a special guest, Dr. Jahdiel Perez of Villanova University. Dr. Perez is a C. S. Lewis scholar, writing the first doctoral dissertation in ‘theology' at the University of Oxford on C. S. Lewis. Wrapping up our Lewis theme, Tom and Jahdiel discusses many of the rich ‘theological' insights of C. S. Lewis, from questions of evil and suffering in light of God's goodness to questions of Christian enjoyment of created goods in contrast to Nietzsche's criticism of Christian faith as wholly joy denying. The highlight of the conversation centers around C. S. Lewis as a theologian, not merely as apologist or academic. Special appearance by Glenn Sunshine, whose personal computer may have been hacked by the ghost of Rousseau during the show. Dr. Perez's latest Open Access article on Lewis: https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.14306 Dr. Perez's Faculty Page: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/liberal-arts-sciences/programs/humanities/faculty/biodetail.html?mail=jahdiel.perez@villanova.edu&xsl=bio_long Dr. Perez on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahdielnperez?igsh=MXJ3bjJwMGQ1MW5xZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/

Who counts as a theologian? Who gets to address the deep things of God and creation? Tom is at the helm this week and he is joined by a special guest, Dr. Jahdiel Perez of Villanova University. Dr. Perez is a C. S. Lewis scholar, writing the first doctoral dissertation in ‘theology’ at the University of Oxford on C. S. Lewis. Wrapping up our Lewis theme, Tom and Jahdiel discusses many of the rich ‘theological’ insights of C. S. Lewis, from questions of evil and suffering in light of God’s goodness to questions of Christian enjoyment of created goods in contrast to Nietzsche’s criticism of Christian faith as wholly joy denying. The highlight of the conversation centers around C. S. Lewis as a theologian, not merely as apologist or academic. Special appearance by Glenn Sunshine, whose personal computer may have been hacked by the ghost of Rousseau during the show. Dr. Perez’s latest Open Access article on Lewis: https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.14306 Dr. Perez’s Faculty Page: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/liberal-arts-sciences/programs/humanities/faculty/biodetail.html?mail=jahdiel.perez@villanova.edu&xsl=bio_long Dr. Perez on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahdielnperez?igsh=MXJ3bjJwMGQ1MW5xZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/

Who counts as a theologian? Who gets to address the deep things of God and creation? Tom is at the helm this week and he is joined by a special guest, Dr. Jahdiel Perez of Villanova University. Dr. Perez is a C. S. Lewis scholar, writing the first doctoral dissertation in ‘theology’ at the University of Oxford on C. S. Lewis. Wrapping up our Lewis theme, Tom and Jahdiel discusses many of the rich ‘theological’ insights of C. S. Lewis, from questions of evil and suffering in light of God’s goodness to questions of Christian enjoyment of created goods in contrast to Nietzsche’s criticism of Christian faith as wholly joy denying. The highlight of the conversation centers around C. S. Lewis as a theologian, not merely as apologist or academic. Special appearance by Glenn Sunshine, whose personal computer may have been hacked by the ghost of Rousseau during the show. Dr. Perez’s latest Open Access article on Lewis: https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.14306 Dr. Perez’s Faculty Page: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/liberal-arts-sciences/programs/humanities/faculty/biodetail.html?mail=jahdiel.perez@villanova.edu&xsl=bio_long Dr. Perez on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahdielnperez?igsh=MXJ3bjJwMGQ1MW5xZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8 The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/trc-media/

Christianity is exploding across India. For the last 25 years, Rebecca Stanley has participated in God's work there through evangelism, church planting, and advocating for the vulnerable. Rebecca joins us in-studio to share how God is building His Church in India and bringing life and purpose to men and women on the fringes of society. Kairos Global Foundation  Kingdom Unleashed by Jerry Trousdale, Glenn Sunshine, with Gregory C. Benoit  The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person by E. Stanley Jones Does the thought of voting stress you out—especially this year? Maybe the idea of political engagement as a Christian even feels hopeless. You're not alone. You want wisdom, but the Bible doesn't directly address voting, so what do you do?   To help you find clarity, stability, and wisdom for this year, we've put together a short, four-episode video series called “Why Vote? Courageous Faith in an Election Year.” Each video answers a different question about voting from a Christian perspective, including “What if I don't like either candidate?” “Why vote if God is sovereign?” and more. You don't have to give in to our culture's political anxiety. Clarity and hope is possible- even in an election year. Get your FREE access to the “Why Vote?” video series at colsoncenter.org/whyvote. Get free digital access to CCNC 2024 when you make a gift to the Colson Center by August 31st. Access includes all mainstage sessions from the conference, featuring speakers like Calvin Robinson, Cathy Cooke, Neil Shenvi and more. Every gift given will support the next three months of ministry, including brand new What Would You Say videos, Breakpoint forums and the ongoing production of Strong Women and Breakpoint. Ultimately, when you support these initiatives, you're helping us strengthen everyday Christians with courageous faith. To make your gift and get access to CCNC 2024 online, go to ColsonCenter.org/August. The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center, which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them. Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly journal: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women Join Strong Women on Social Media:   https://www.facebook.com/StrongWomenCC  https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongwomencommunitycc/  https://www.instagram.com/strongwomencc/  https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc

In this episode, Dan Berkholder sits down with Jase Reyneveld, one of the owners at Alpine Gold in Ogden, Utah, to discuss the monetary value of gold and why it matters in today's economy. They talk about money as a store of wealth and a hedge against inflation, the problems with fiat currency, and the Federal Reserve Bank. We also discuss the GameStop short attempt, as well as other historical events that led to the creation of fiat currency and the Federal Reserve Bank. Recommended resources: Honest Money, by Gary North. The Creature from Jekyl Island, by G. Edward Griffin Alpine Gold Exchange in Ogden, Utah. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Purchase your body armor at Premier Body Armor. 

In this episode, we talk with Jordan Bush, executive director at Thank God for Bitcoin. We'll pick his brain about the importance of de-fi (decentralized finance), blockchain, and how Christians can utilize cryptocurrency to build wealth and further the work of the new Christendom. You can't build New Christendom without understanding money and wealth. In this brief new series, we'll be talking to experts in real estate, cryptocurrency, precious metals (gold & silver), and trad-fi (traditional finance) about where and how to invest your money in this particular moment in history. Inflation is skyrocketing, political turmoil is mounting, but the question remains: What do you actually do about it? This episode is Part I, on Bitcoin as a potential answer to those questions. In this interview, we talk about one of the most disruptive and optimistic options for financial decentralization, which is Bitcoin. We'll start by discussing the reasons Christians have failed to properly understand the principles for building wealth and passing on a legacy, which includes pietism in the American church. We were told poverty was next to godliness, and that money only existed to give away. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.

In this episode, we talk with Jeremy Carl, senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, where his primary focus is on immigration, multiculturalism, and nationalism in America. He served in the first Trump administration and recently released a book, The Unprotected Class: How Anti-White Racism is Tearing America Apart. We'll talk about this tumultuous political moment in light of the recent Trump assassination attempt, the selection of J.D. Vance as VP nominee, and why there's hope for those on the new right. Check out Jeremy's article, Towards a Republican Counter-Elite. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.

In this episode we talk with pastor and author Zach Garris about the work of Reformed resourcement and his new book, "Honor Thy Fathers." In the book, Garris argues that biblical patriarchy and male headship were the standard positions of our Reformed fathers. He also argues that churches should return to these teachings and oppose feminist incursions into the church and Christian theology. We'll ask and answer some important questions in this episode: Why is it that so many Reformed churches refuse to follow the Reformers on issues of male headship and rule in the home, church, and commonwealth? Was complementarianism a return to the traditions of our fathers, or a distinct departure? Were modern evangelicals motivated by Scriptural warrant, or a combination of ignorance and cowardice that refused to address feminism? We also talk about deviations with Tim Keller and Nancy Pearcey, two modern examples of why turning our backs on Reformed teaching and the Scriptures has been detrimental to the church, households, and society. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website squirrellyjoes.com/kingshall to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.

"Slaying Leviathan" was written by Dr. Glenn Sunshine in 2020, and it is a fantastic introduction to western political thought, and the different outcomes of different theories and experiments.  Check out the book here

We do a much needed breakdown from the 2024 NCP Conference recently in Ogden, UT. We'll talk about the current moment, why there's so much energy in our camp—dare we say, you could call it an Ogden Mood—White Boy Summer, Stephen Wolfe, and much, much more. We'll talk about some of the highlights, including Joel Webbon's epic talk on righteous balkanization, Chase Davis' post-mortem on Acts 29, and Dr. Joe Rigney's excellent talk about how empathy can destroy your church or community. The Ogden mood seems to bring out the very best and bravest in other men—and quite honestly, we're here for it. We also talk about our interactions (run ins?) with the staff at Ogden High School, false claims made about our conference attendees, and smiling while leftists hate us. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Visit Full Stadium Marketing to find your next marketing partner, aligning with your values and providing tools to grow your business all to the glory of God.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultationCheck out Livingstones Studio, your Reformed design partner.10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website here to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

June 25, 2024 Dr. Glenn Sunshine, former Professor of History @ Central Connecticut University, Senior Faculty Member of the Colson Fellows, Founder & President of Every Square Inch Mini- stries & author of a number of books, including the one we will address on this program: “SLAYING LEVIATHAN: LIMITED GOVERNMENT & RESISTANCE in the CHRISTIAN TRADITION”   Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

Glenn Sunshine of the @TheTheologyPugcast joins Dr Josh Howard to discuss the dark times we find ourselves in, the resurgence of Paganism, spiritual warfare, the book of Revelation, the Kingdom of God, and the global Church.

Glenn Sunshine of the Theology Pugcast joins Dr Josh Howard to discuss the dark times we find ourselves in, the resurgence of paganism, spiritual warfare, the book of Revelation, the Kingdom of God and the global Church

The Muslims called him Skanderbeg, which means, "Lord Alexander." Born George Kastrioti, the Albanian born prince was captured by the Muslims, became a Janissary, and yet returned to defend his people and Christendom. We'll also talk about the Arab and Ottoman slave trade, which dwarfed the Atlantic slave trade in terms of numbers of slaves and duration. Why don't we hear about this in schools today? Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultationCheck out Livingstones Studio, your Reformed design partner.10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website here to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Visit Ekklesia Design today: Land planning & landscape architecture, for master planning with truth, beauty, and goodness. Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

In this episode we talk with Timon Cline and Clifford Humphrey about their article that ran in the American Reformer, titled Fortress Building in the Negative World. We also discuss Aaron Renn's work about life in the negative world, how to build strong outposts for cultural insurgency, and failures within the church and political sphere to address this new kind of world. We'll talk about Machiavelli's The Prince, why strong messaging works to filter out the wrong people and attract the right people, and why monasteries aren't quite what we're aiming at. We'll be talking about "The Alfred Option" instead. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultationCheck out Livingstones Studio, your Reformed design partner. 10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website here to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.netVisit KeepWise Partners to talk about your small business & finance accounting needs! Get 50% off your first three months. 

We trace the heroic journey of Christian lords and knights like Duke Godfrey as they reconquer and retake Jerusalem. We'll also cover the battle of Nicaea and Antioch, including the miraculous appearance of Saint George. One of the key figures we'll also discuss is Bohemond, the giant-like hero, and his nephew, Tancred. We'll also ask pivotal questions for our own time: Which institutions could be retaken? Why is it right and proper that men follow other men and leaders who have won real fights, either in the culture war, church, or in business? Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery. Visit https://premierbodyarmor.com/kingshall and use promo code KINGSHALL for 10% off your order. Got questions? Reach out to customer service or send their President an email directly at alex@premierbodyarmor.com and speak to him yourself.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee. Visit their website here to purchase your first bag! Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.netVisit KeepWise Partners to talk about your small business & finance accounting needs! Get 50% off your first three months. 

In November of 1095, at the height of the Muslim invasion, Pope Urban II spoke from a platform outside the French city of Claremont, surrounded by an enormous crowd. There he roused noble knights and lords to defend Constantinople from a Muslim invasion and called them to retake Jerusalem for Christendom. In this episode, we talk about the men who answered the call, from Godfrey of Bouillon to Raymond of Toulouse. We'll discuss the People's Crusade, led by Peter the Hermit and Walter the Penniless, and the Princes' Crusade, led by men such as Godfrey. We'll also talk about why people today, from Bill Clinton to Barak Obama to Karen Armstrong, claim that the Crusades were an atrocity against Islam. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery. Visit https://premierbodyarmor.com/kingshall and use promo code KINGSHALL for 10% off your order. Got questions? Reach out to customer service or send their President an email directly at alex@premierbodyarmor.com and speak to him yourself.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee.Visit their website here to purchase your first bag!Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

As C.S. Lewis told it, there's not just disenchantment happening about the history of the West and of Christendom, but an intentionally cast dark spell that blinds us to the glory and brightness that is our Christian heritage. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Joe Rigney about C.S. Lewis, the Silver Chair, and the insightful character, Puddleglum. We'll talk about fatherhood, Young Restless & Reformed, the Christian Nationalism movement, and what to expect from life in the negative world. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery. Use code "KINGS" to get $20 off your next order. Visit https://premierbodyarmor.com/kingshall and use promo code KINGSHALL for 10% off your order. Got questions? Reach out to customer service or send their President an email directly at alex@premierbodyarmor.com and speak to him yourself.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee.Visit their website here to purchase your first bag!Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Defined Benefit Partners at talk@definedbenefitpartners.com or call 830-339-9472. Set up a meeting now at:  https://calendly.com/familybankingnow/defined-benefit-pension-planning Defined Benefit Pension Planning: Business Owners Only - Chuck DeLadurantey - Private Family Banking. In our first meeting we will explore the way forward for you to leverage the tax benefits and the exit planning and succession planning advantages of our Defined Benefit Pension plans.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

In this episode, we seek to recover the patriarchy of the first Christendom, including the reformers. To men like Knox, Calvin, Vermigli, and others, headship and father rule were central, not secondary, issues upon which Christendom was built. C.S. Lewis included headship in his book, Mere Christianity, as a centrally important doctrine. We'll unpack nine principles that are central to a patriarchal vision, which is in turn essential for building Christendom.We also discuss the recent tweet from Doug Wilson about Eric and Ogden, regarding the platform and reactions of Allie Beth Stuckey, why it matters, and then, finally, we address Rachel and Bekah's (Wilson's daughters) comments on two of the most recent episodes of What Have You. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery. Use code "KINGS" to get $20 off your next order. Visit https://premierbodyarmor.com/kingshall and use promo code KINGSHALL for 10% off your order. Got questions? Reach out to customer service or send their President an email directly at alex@premierbodyarmor.com and speak to him yourself.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee.Visit their website here to purchase your first bag!Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Defined Benefit Partners at talk@definedbenefitpartners.com or call 830-339-9472. Set up a meeting now at:  https://calendly.com/familybankingnow/defined-benefit-pension-planning Defined Benefit Pension Planning: Business Owners Only - Chuck DeLadurantey - Private Family Banking. In our first meeting we will explore the way forward for you to leverage the tax benefits and the exit planning and succession planning advantages of our Defined Benefit Pension plans.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

Journey back to the brink of history with us, where the fate of the West dangled precariously during the Siege of Vienna in 1683. Feel the intensity of the Ottomans' siege and Vienna's dire straits as we recount the arrival of Jan Sobieski and his famed Winged Hussars. Their legendary charge, the largest in history, didn't just shift the tide of battle—it signaled the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's decline and left a cultural imprint that echoes to this day, even inspiring Tolkien's tales of Middle Earth. How does it apply today? Can there be a Protestant Christendom? We contrast the heroism and collaboration that marked the battle's triumph with the modern struggle for a united Christian front, delving into the roles Protestantism and Catholic traditions play in today's theological landscape. The discussion takes us through the corridors of history, tying past valor with present-day challenges and highlighting the importance of recognizing fellow believers as allies.Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery. Use code "KINGS" to get $20 off your next order. Visit https://premierbodyarmor.com/kingshall and use promo code KINGSHALL for 10% off your order. Got questions? Reach out to customer service or send their President an email directly at alex@premierbodyarmor.com and speak to him yourself.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee.Visit their website here to purchase your first bag!Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Defined Benefit Partners at talk@definedbenefitpartners.com or call 830-339-9472. Set up a meeting now at:  https://calendly.com/familybankingnow/defined-benefit-pension-planning Defined Benefit Pension Planning: Business Owners Only - Chuck DeLadurantey - Private Family Banking. In our first meeting we will explore the way forward for you to leverage the tax benefits and the exit planning and succession planning advantages of our Defined Benefit Pension plans.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

Alfred is one of the greatest heroes of the Christian West. Once exiled, he regained a foothold on the island and drove out the Danes, who had ruthlessly overwhelmed the countryside. He led reforms in education, government, and monetary policy. He also developed the idea of Christian burroughs. Known as the White Horse King, we'll talk about Alfred's legendary military campaigns against Guthrum and the Vikings. The White Horse King, Ben Merkle. Be sure to sign up at the King's Hall Patreon to get exclusive access to interviews with historians like Glenn Sunshine and to access the Deus Vault, a Patreon-exclusive podcast that goes deeper into the histories, mysteries, and heroes of Christendom.Alpine Gold Exchange Website: alpinegoldogden.comSet Up a Meeting: https://calendly.com/alpinegold/alpine-gold-consultation10 Ways to Make Money with Your MAXX-D Trailer.Buy your beef or pork box today from Salt and Strings Butchery. Use code "KINGS" to get $20 off your next order. Visit PremierBodyArmor.com and use promo code KINGSHALL for 10% off your order. Got questions? Reach out to customer service or send their President an email directly at alex@premierbodyarmor.com and speak to him yourself.Talk to Joe Garrisi about managing your wealth with Backwards Planning Financial.Squirrelly Joe's Coffee.Visit their website here to purchase your first bag!Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live faithfully.Contact Defined Benefit Partners at talk@definedbenefitpartners.com or call 830-339-9472. Set up a meeting now at:  https://calendly.com/familybankingnow/defined-benefit-pension-planning Defined Benefit Pension Planning: Business Owners Only - Chuck DeLadurantey - Private Family Banking. In our first meeting we will explore the way forward for you to leverage the tax benefits and the exit planning and succession planning advantages of our Defined Benefit Pension plans.Contact Private Family Banking Partner at banking@privatefamilybanking.com to set up a free private consultation and get started building wealth now and unto future generations. "For a free copy of a new book "Protect Your Money Now!  How to Build Multi-Generational Wealth Outside of Wall Street and Avoid the Coming Banking Meltdown" by Private Family Banking Partner, Chuck DeLadurantey,   go to www.protectyourmoneynow.net

Ideas tend to sprout up in academia, but the ones that matter do not stay there. Even when birthed in seemingly abstract fields like epistemology (the study of knowledge), ideas can have a major impact on culture. This is especially evident in the modern to postmodern shift from an objective and verifiable understanding of truth to a subjective and socially constructed understanding of truth.  This shift has landed us in what can be called “standpoint epistemology.” Standpoint epistemology is the view that everything we think and know, and even what we consider knowledge to be, is determined solely by our race, “gender,” sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and other identity categories. Objectivity, in this view, is impossible, and no perspective can claim superiority over any other since there is no external standard by which to measure.  Standpoint epistemology is essential to Critical Theory, especially its priority of championing “marginal voices;” specifically those groups seen as victims, oppressed, or invisible in Western societies. These groups not only have a particularly important but overlooked perspective, they have one that is more valid and more valuable than those from privileged groups. The privileged, in fact, should be ignored or treated with contempt, according to this view. Or, to paraphrase George Orwell, all perspectives are equal, but some are more equal than others.  Standpoint epistemology has had a keenly negative influence on the humanities. Classics, from Homer to Shakespeare, are often replaced not with classics from non-Western cultures but with works that reflect the contemporary fads of academics. In the study of history, the truth of standpoint epistemology is treated as universal and absolute (which, of course, contradicts it). Western history is reduced to a simplistic morality play where everything is seen as power dynamics, with evil oppressors and the virtuous oppressed. It is assumed that since “history is written by the winners,” the narrative priority is to subvert traditional history and highlight marginal voices to show that the “winners” were actually oppressors.   Western history, therefore, is mostly seen through the lens of colonial studies, the story of villainous colonizers and innocent indigenous peoples. Though true up to a point, telling the story only in this way ignores verifiable historical facts and force fits history into a framework dictated by contemporary sensibilities. What this means in practice is that Spanish brutality in Mexico is condemned as intolerable while the slavery, oppression, and human sacrifice of Aztec society is nuanced, overlooked, or even celebrated. The United States is an imperial power unjustly driving indigenous tribes off their lands, but tribes that did the same to their equally indigenous neighbors are excused.  If standpoint epistemology is true, then it is impossible to understand the past or learn from it. People are stripped of a true understanding of their history and culture, and thus of a critical part of their identity. Non-Westerners are dehumanized and stripped of agency, reduced to pawns of the more powerful.  Long embedded in the humanities, these same ideas are now making inroads into the STEM fields. In some school districts, the idea that there are right and wrong answers in math is presented as an example of white supremacy and oppression. A problem cannot, in this view, have a single correct answer, since that implies there is objective truth in math. Of course, the same mathematics used to build a bridge in the United States is also used in Africa, but that doesn't matter to the ideologues promoting these ideas. This misguided embrace of standpoint epistemology will, in the end, make it far more difficult for students to pursue careers in business, finance, engineering, or the sciences.  As we often say, ideas have consequences and bad ideas have victims. Standpoint epistemology is a bad idea, and we've only now begun to see the victims that will be left in its wake.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Seven hundred years ago, Italian scholar Marsilius of Padua helped lay the foundation for our modern ideas of popular sovereignty. In his book Defensor Pacis, written in the context of an ongoing battle in church-state relations, he anticipated the idea of separate spheres for Church and state.   Though tensions over the balance of power between Church and state were probably inevitable, it took surprisingly long for them to develop. In the Roman Empire, the state regulated religious practice. Christianity was an illegal religion in the Empire for nearly 300 years, but when legalized, a precedent was set for the Church to operate separately from the state. For centuries, the two sides cooperated without much fundamental conflict.  In the Latin West, questions about the relationship between Church and state arose at the end of the eighth century. In 799, Pope Leo III was accused of a variety of crimes. He appealed to Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, for judgment. Though unsure whether he had jurisdiction over the Pope, Charlemagne acquitted Leo. Since this suggested Charlemagne was over the Pope, Leo decided to redress the balance by crowning Charlemagne emperor on Christmas of 800, implying papal authority over that office.  After Charlemagne, both the Church and the state suffered serious decline for nearly a century. The title of emperor fell into disuse, and the papacy descended into a period of moral degeneracy. In the late 900s, with the aid of Church reformers, the Germanic King Otto I managed to centralize enough power to be named Holy Roman Emperor. He and his successors deposed a series of corrupt popes and appointed reformers in their place.  These reforming popes soon found their dependence on the emperor both theologically and politically problematic. Politically, by playing around with the rules and making deals with the emperor's enemies, they managed to loosen the papacy from imperial control. Theologically, they began to argue that as the eternal is superior to the temporal and the spiritual to the physical, the Church is superior to the state and the pope to the emperor. In effect, this meant the Church was over the state. The logic was that, since the civil government was established by God to enforce righteousness, and the pope was the vicar of Christ on Earth, he should be arbiter of what is righteous, and secular rulers must obey. If they failed to do so, the pope claimed the right to depose them, even the Holy Roman Emperor.  Unsurprisingly, the Holy Roman Emperors disagreed with this logic. An early conflict was over who should name and install bishops. Since Otto I, bishops had been part of the imperial government, and emperors had insisted on their right to pick the bishops. The popes argued that bishops are primarily ecclesiastical offices and should be appointed and installed by them. This issue came to a head when Pope Gregory VII excommunicated Emperor Henry IV and tried to depose him, while Henry also tried to depose Gregory and even invaded Italy to make it stick. The issue was eventually resolved by their successors. But the basic question of whether the pope was over the emperor or the emperor over the pope continued to fester, sometimes resulting in war, excommunications, and the appointment of anti-popes.  In the context of these conflicts, Marsilius of Padua wrote his book. He took the imperial side, arguing that the Church had no jurisdiction in secular matters. It should interpret Scripture and define dogma, while secular affairs were the responsibility of the civil government, whose members were to be elected or appointed by the most important citizens. In the same way, he believed that clergy, including the pope, should be elected by the people or their representatives.   Even within the Church, papal authority was limited since supreme authority was vested in Church councils called by the emperor. Marsilius also argued that tithes should be eliminated, Church property should be seized by the government, and clergy should live in holy poverty. Marsilius's work was supported by prominent Franciscans, including William of Ockham, who championed the ideal of apostolic poverty, and was later promoted by Thomas Cromwell to support Henry VIII during the English Reformation.  Defensor Pacis was an important step in advancing ideas of popular sovereignty and democracy, though it implicitly supported imperial authority. Despite its anticlericalism, it made important contributions to ideas about the proper relationship between Church and state. Given current debates about Christendom and Christian Nationalism, studying historical works like Defensor Pacis could enrich our understanding of the place of the Church in civil society.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Seventeen hundred years ago this year, Constantine defeated his co-emperor Licinius, ending a series of civil wars and consolidating power as sole emperor of Rome. At the time, Christians saw this as the defeat of old pagan ways and the triumph of a new Christian vision of Rome.   Constantine's turn to Christianity began before he abandoned Roman paganism. His children had been tutored by Lactantius, a Christian who opposed coerced worship and argued for religious liberty as long as a religious practice did not disrupt public order. Years later in 312, as Constantine went into battle against a rival, he claimed to have a vision of a symbol of Christ with the words, “in this sign, conquer.” He had his soldiers paint the symbol on their shields. Constantine won the battle and converted to Christianity. The following year, he issued the Edict of Milan, which declared religious liberty across the Empire in terms that Constantine had learned from Lactantius.   Constantine has been a controversial figure throughout Church history. Both the genuineness of his conversion and his impact on the Church have been consistently questioned and scrutinized. Many think that Constantine's actions to tie the Church to the empire compromised the Gospel. Often, these arguments are based on a misunderstanding of what Constantine did and fail to consider what followed from the legalization of Christianity.   The Edict of Milan legalized Christianity, along with other religions. It did not declare Christianity the official imperial religion. Though Constantine's promotion of Christianity made it more popular, it was not named the imperial religion until Emperor Theodosius I in 380. Even then, Theodosius did not suppress paganism.   Despite what you may have read online or seen in The Da Vinci Code movie, Constantine did not dictate doctrine to the Church. When he called the Council of Nicaea in 325 to deal with the question of the nature of Christ, a controversy that was threatening to tear the Church apart, he was performing a traditional function of Roman emperors who often acted as mediators in religious conflicts.   Despite claims to the contrary, neither Constantine nor the Council of Nicaea had anything to do with the formation of the canon of Scripture. Constantine did not control the discussion at Nicaea, nor did he dictate the outcome. And even if he had tried, many bishops who attended the council had been tortured by his predecessor Diocletian. If they didn't compromise their faith then, it is silly to assume they would roll over for Constantine.    The most direct result of Constantine's conversion was the end of the persecution, torture, and execution of Christians. Obviously, this was welcomed by Christians in his day, but it should also be recognized as a historical good.    The Edict of Milan also furthered Christian evangelism. Prior to Constantine, the Gospel had spread to India, Armenia, and Persia, and then from Persia across Central Asia into China by the early 600s. The legalization of Christianity led to churches being founded across the Roman Empire and missionaries sent to regions outside the empire. St. Patrick was a Romanized Briton who grew up as a Christian and brought the Gospel to Ireland. In the fifth century, a Syrian Christian named Frumentius converted the king of Axum in modern Ethiopia. Together, they evangelized that kingdom. Cyril and Methodius brought the Gospel to the Slavic people of Central and Eastern Europe in the ninth century. The evangelization of these regions can be traced to the actions of Constantine.    Of course, the legalization of Christianity set up a tug-of-war between Church and state. Because the faith had existed as an illegal and sporadically persecuted minority religion for centuries, the Church functioned fully independent of the state. With Constantine came new questions, such as, what properly belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God?   That question remains a central issue of Western political thought today.  Even in view of the historical difficulties that emerged from his conversion, we can thank God for Constantine and for the freedom for faith and the Gospel he established.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

This Breakpoint was originally published on February 21, 2023. ___ Two weeks ago, what started as a routine (and, according to the preacher, “lackluster”) chapel service at Asbury University became something remarkable. Instead of heading off to classes, students stayed to pray and worship. Services have continued ever since, with people traveling from near and far to join in prayer, repentance, and song. What is being called a “revival” by some and an “awakening” by others has now spread to other Christian colleges.   The past few days echo the revivals that were experienced in the recent past on other Christian college campuses, including one at Wheaton College in 1995, and those at Asbury in 1970 and 1950. In each case, there were seemingly spontaneous expressions from students of prayer, confession, and praise. The revivals of the past are an indelible part of Asbury's historical memory, and many who experienced the 1970 revival have prayed ever since for it to happen again.  Revivals have been, in fact, a consistent, distinct feature of American religious life since before our nation's founding. The First Great Awakening, in the early 1700s, was part of a larger, trans-Atlantic spiritual renewal centered on personal conversion, an emphasis that had a transformative effect on the emerging American consciousness. The idea that a genuinely converted, common ploughboy was spiritually ahead of an unconverted bishop contributed to a growing anti-hierarchical attitude in the colonies. This, in time, contributed to a growing anti-monarchial mood, setting the stage for revolution.  The Second Great Awakening, which swept the nation decades later, coupled a similar focus on conversion with postmillennial eschatology. Among the results was a drive for social reform. Abolitionism, temperance, and efforts against prostitution became calling cards of what came to be known as evangelicalism.  Other revivals followed, and most included an added focus on foreign missions. The Prayer Meeting, or Businessmen's Revival, of the 1850s was followed by revivals in the camps of both armies during the Civil War, the urban efforts and revival preaching of D.L. Moody of the 1870s and 80s, and the theatrics of Billy Sunday's revivals at the turn of the century. Soon after came the Azusa Street Revival in California, which led to a massive growth of Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement worldwide, and then eventually led to the Jesus People of the 1970s.   And those are only the “big” ones. Simply put, revivalism, with a focus on a personal faith with public implications, dramatically shaped American life and culture and is a major reason that America remained more religious than Europe for so long. At the same time, revivals and revivalism have always faced a good deal of criticism, including charges of excess, hyper-emotionalism, manufactured techniques, and anti-intellectualism.   Jonathan Edwards, a major figure of the First Great Awakening, understood the dangers inherent to revivalist fervor, but he also believed in these unusual times when the Holy Spirit moved among a people. Perhaps America's greatest intellectual, Edwards prayed and worked toward revival, and he offered criteria for evaluating it. According to Edwards, a true work of the Holy Spirit elevates Christ, opposes sin and Satan, prizes the Bible, distinguishes truth from error, and manifests love. He also understood that in the midst of such a movement, there would be things to oppose as well. All of this is helpful as we try to grasp what has happened at Asbury, and now beyond, over these last two weeks. We'd do well to remember Jesus' warning that there will be tares among the wheat, and that the remarkable times in which the power of God and goodness of Christ are made manifest are ways in which God graciously prepares us for life off of the mountaintops. Though, like Peter and John, we may want to remain in such times and places, He will eventually have work for us to do elsewhere. Critics would do well to recall the history of God working through awakenings and revival, both in this nation and elsewhere, as well as the faithful who sincerely believe that God has answered their years of praying for revival to return to Asbury.   What we can all be sure of (and thankful for!) is that God is constantly at work in His world, sometimes in extraordinary but most often in “ordinary” ways. God is constantly speaking through His world, through His Word, and ultimately, in His Son. May we have the ears to hear Him. And may He grant us the hearts to pray that an awareness of sin and a passion for God and His people would grow in the hearts of these students, long after the mountaintop high of the revival has faded in their memory.   This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to colsoncenter.org.

Today, January 13, we remember the Hussites who, on this day in 1501, published the first hymnal in history written in the language of the common people. The descendants of the Hussites are known as the Moravian Brethren, who carry on the rich tradition of hymns and church music today.   Christians have good reason to commemorate this event. After all, ours, like Judaism, has always been a singing faith. The longest book in the Bible, and the one at its center, is the Psalms, a word that means “songs.” David's plans for the Temple included clans of Levites whose entire job was music. Choirs, soloists, orchestras, and antiphonal singing were prescribed parts of Temple life and practice, and an entire class of Psalms, the Songs of Ascent, were sung by the people as they traveled to Jerusalem for the annual pilgrimage festivals.   Throughout the biblical texts, music is also connected to prophecy and to dealing with evil spirits. Jesus and the apostles sang a hymn after the Last Supper, according to two of the Gospels. The Apostle Paul specifically associates singing with being filled with the Spirit in his epistle to the church at Ephesus.  And, in John's Revelation of what is constantly happening around the throne of God, there is lots of singing, sometimes accompanied by harps.   Music also is part of the culmination of the creation story. When Eve is taken from Adam's side, Adam awakes and exclaims, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Many scholars believe this to essentially be a celebratory song.   Eliminating the musical element from the text of Scripture would be to gut them and the practices that have emerged from them. Monks chanted the Psalms daily, in some cases covering the entire Psalter in a week. Medieval thinkers thought of the human heartbeat, respiration, and daily cycle of sleeping and waking as “music.” They also believed the motion of the heavenly bodies was regulated by the “music of the spheres.” To the medieval mind, music was a glue holding the universe together. These ideas shaped the imaginations of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who used music as the agent of creation in their respective tales of Narnia and Middle Earth.   In the Reformation, Martin Luther reintroduced congregational singing to the liturgy, an idea that spread through all the branches of Protestantism and, eventually, returned to the Roman Catholic Church. Reformed Christians focused on singing the Psalms and other songs from Scripture, though some also incorporated hymns in their worship.   All of this points to a central truth of a Christian worldview, that God loves music. Because music has been so central to Church worship and the Christian imagination, the first common-language hymnal is a milestone to remember and an opportunity to reflect on how music serves Christian worship today.  While I have no desire to reignite the “worship wars” of recent decades, Christians should not think of music as mere decoration to services that are really about teaching and preaching. The essential question, even as music styles change and new music is created and incorporated, is what is music in worship services for?   The Psalms offer essential guidance. Some are songs of praise, others are confessions, but the largest category of Psalms are laments. In other words, the Psalms cover the full range of human emotions, bringing the totality of human experience into corporate worship.   And yet, the Psalms always direct our attention to God. Even when talking about their own experiences and hardships, they always turn attention outward and upward, from self and toward God. And often, this is done by remembering what God has done and who He has revealed Himself to be.   Too often, music utilized in churches fails to take us past expressing our own thoughts and feelings about God and, too often, only songs that elicit positive and happy emotions are sung. This does not follow the model of Scripture, a model that helps God's people see trouble and sorrow in light of God's faithfulness and character. This also misses what music is for. Music instructs. It is a tool of catechetical instruction, not merely a time of self-expression. In the end, songs centered on the subjective experience of Christians quickly become sources of bad theology.  Another consideration is that music is for the entire congregation. When music in the church is primarily about the performance of professional musicians, the songs are unsingable to much of the congregation. This is not an issue of style or preference. I thank God for modern writers of hymns and songs committed to producing music that is true and excellent for the glory of God and the people of God.   Music is a gift of God, a unique way of connecting His revelation with our hearts and minds. St. Augustine is thought to have said, “he who sings, prays twice.” The Church must recover a more robust understanding and practice of music.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to colsoncenter.org.  This Breakpoint was originally published on January 13, 2023.

Many Christians are familiar with the beautiful and tender words of the medieval theologian Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) in the hymns “O Sacred Head Now Wounded,” “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee,” and “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts.” Like other Church Fathers, he also preached on the topics of Advent and Christmas and had rich words to share.  As well as a theologian, Bernard was a Church reformer, mystic, and abbot of the Cistercian monastery at Clairvaux. He played important roles in both ecclesiastical and secular politics, particularly as a preacher of the Second Crusade. Because of his eloquence and his emphasis on divine love, Dante made him his final guide of Paradise in his Divine Comedy. He was also cited by major Protestant Reformers such as Luther and Calvin as supporting justification by faith.  Although Bernard is known for holding a very high view of Mary, the overall focus of his Sermon 9 on the Nativity remains squarely on Jesus. It was built around a repeated refrain: “Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Judah.” In the first part of the sermon, Bernard emphasized the absolute wonder of this proclamation:  A voice of gladness has resounded in our land. In the dwellings of sinners a voice of joy and salvation has been heard. The good news has been announced, news of comfort, news of rejoicing, worthy of all acceptance. Rejoice and give praise, O you mountains. All you trees of the forest applaud before the face of the Lord, for now he is coming. Hear, you heavens; and you, earth, give ear. Let the whole of creation be astounded and give praise; but you, O humans, above all others. For “Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is born in Bethlehem of Judah.”  Bernard described this news as the sweetest, the most delightful, and the best to ever come to Earth. Words were inadequate, he said, to express the love that wells up in his heart at the beauty of the message. He then explained that every word in the sentence is full of meaning. The name “Jesus” points to Him as the source of salvation. The title “Christ” points to His anointing and the healing unction He provides. The title “Son of God” points to His greatness and the gifts He gives.   Bernard continued:  Take courage, you who are lost, for to seek and save that which was lost Jesus now comes. Return to health, you who are sick, for with the ointment of mercy Christ comes to heal the contrite of heart.  Rejoice all you who are ambitious for great things, for the Son of God descends on you to make you co-heirs of his own kingdom. … Why has the Son of God become Man but in order to make all men sons of God? Who, then, will resist his will? Jesus forgives us: who then will condemn us? Christ heals us: who will hurt us? The Son of God raises us up: who will put us down?  Jesus is born: let the person whose sinful conscience deserves eternal damnation rejoice, for Jesus' pity exceeds all crimes, no matter how great their number or enormity. Christ is born: therefore, let the person who is tormented by deeply rooted vices rejoice. For no spiritual illness, no matter how chronic, can stand its ground before Christ's healing ointment. The Son of God is born: let him whose habit is to desire great things rejoice, for the giver of great things is at hand.  Then Bernard explained “in Bethlehem of Judah.” Bethlehem means “house of bread,” and so we need to receive the food that comes from heaven in Scripture and in Christ, the Bread of Life. He noted that Jesus could have been born in a palace, but instead chose a small, poor village, because the only commodity absent in heaven and abundant on Earth is poverty. Citing Genesis 49, Bernard defined “Judah” as “confession,” concluding that we need to become like Bethlehem in Judah, receiving Jesus by faith and confessing Him with our mouth so that we may be saved.  Bernard's sermon reminds us how easy it is to miss the astonishing wonder of all that the Incarnation means. So, to celebrate Christ's birth, we must intentionally take the time to ponder the wonder of it, rejoice in it, and respond in faith to all that God has done for us.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Glenn Sunshine. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.