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Greg talks to author Rod Dreher about the soft totalitarianism he describes in Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, the Christians who resisted that totalitarianism, and the new documentary series based on the book. Topics: Interview: Rod Dreher – Live Not by Lies documentary series (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: Live Not by Lies – Documentary series Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher Freedom Fading by Greg Koukl Brave New World by Aldous Huxley The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William Shirer The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt The Triumph of the Therapeutic: Uses of Faith after Freud by Philip Rieff Related Links: We Need Confidence to Endure by Amy Hall
After transitioning from cultural Christianity to agnosticism, author Rod Dreher experienced profound encounters with the divine that reshaped his spiritual journey. In this episode, Rod shares pivotal moments that reignited his sense of wonder and enchantment, despite facing disillusionment and crises within the church. His quest for spiritual depth led him down unexpected paths, ultimately deepening his awe and connection with God. Guest Bio: Rod Dreher is an American author, journalist, and commentator known for his insights into culture, religion, and politics. He has written extensively for top publications like The American Conservative and National Review and is the author of several influential books, including Crunchy Cons, The Benedict Option, and Live Not by Lies. Beyond his books, Dreher has maintained a strong presence as a columnist and blogger, engaging in public discourse on a range of issues from religious freedom to cultural identity. His work continues to influence readers and thinkers interested in the intersection of faith and modern culture. Resources Mentioned: “The Benedict Option” by Rod Dreher “Live Not By Lies” by Rod Dreher “Living in Wonder” by Rod Dreher Soren Kierkegaard Philosopher and Theologian Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roddreher/?hl=en Twitter: https://x.com/roddreher Website: https://roddreher.substack.com Connect with eX-skeptic: Website: https://exskeptic.org/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptic Twitter: http://x.com/exskeptic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptic Email info: info@exskeptic.org
This week, we delve into the hidden forces shaping our world. Veteran journalist Rod Dreher, author of "Live Not by Lies," joins us to discuss the dangers of soft totalitarianism disguised as niceness and comfort. We'll explore censorship, the silencing of dissent, emotional fragility, and the impact of secularism and therapy on our spiritual lives. This conversation is a deep dive into the complex issues affecting our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Episode Links Show Notes Buy my NEW BOOK "Healing What You Can't Erase" here! Invite me to speak at your church or event. Connect with me @WINTODAYChris on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Host Clay Howerton ties President Trump's rally in Madison Square Garden to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "Live Not by Lies," and shows the democrats as the villains of Orwell's "1984."
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comRod is an old-school blogger and author living in Budapest. He's a contributing editor at The American Conservative and has written several bestsellers, including The Benedict Option and Live Not by Lies. His forthcoming book is Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age, which you can pre-order on Amazon. And check out his raw and honest writing on Substack, “Rod Dreher's Diary.”For two clips of our convo — on what red-pilled JD Vance, and embracing the mystery of Christianity — pop over to our YouTube page. Other topics: Rod moving to Hungary; his begrudging vote for Trump this fall; his vote for a crook against David Duke; Harris baiting, and beating, Trump in the debate; her evasion on immigration; not disavowing her extreme views from 2020; her response on Israel; the cat-eating thing; how Trump makes wokeness worse; Vance as the future of the right; his tolerance of January 6; him signing on to Trump's abortion pivot; the Kavanaugh hearings; the canceling of Judge Kyle Duncan; politics destroying friendships; riots and speech crimes in the UK; Orbán and migrants; the war in Ukraine; racial violence on Elon's X; rightwing anti-Semitism; Vance's conversion to Catholicism; “childless cat ladies”; pronatalism; the sexual revolution; Ross Douthat; the loss of freedom in parenthood and its joys; Deneen's Why Liberalism Failed; Houellebecq's Submission; Zygmunt Bauman and liquid modernity; environmental destruction; Trump's grudge against windmills; Germany nixing nuclear power; the Iraq War; Trump vs. the neocons; his phone call to rig the vote-tally in Georgia; lawfare; the Hunter laptop story; Iain McGilchrist and the cultural crisis of the West; Pascal; religious faith arising in a crisis; conversion stories; Kierkegaard; transcendentalism; Rod attending an exorcism; demons and miracles; psychedelics as a window to the divine; Rod's LSD trip in college; my MDMA trip in Miami; the lack of silence in modern life; and an update on my Ozempic summer.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Michelle Goldberg on Harris, David Frum on Trump, Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy on the history of animal cruelty, Mary Matalin on life, Anderson Cooper on loss and grief, John Gray on, well, everything, and Sam Harris for our quadrennial chat before Election Day. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
Truth is an internal, personal, and subjective sense of reality that exists only in the mind. It's a social construct created to advantage whatever group currently holds power. These are the predominant understandings of one of the most important words in our world. The majority of people around you think and act based on this understanding. Today, courts are being corrupted by those in power, and men are going to the Olympics, claiming to be women. It's not as if we can just say two plus two equals five. Truth matters, and if we as Christians don't hold to God's clear, eternal, and essential definition of Truth, we're at the doorstep of chaos. Scott Allen and the team unpack this first word from Scott's new book, Ten Words to Heal Our Broken World: Restoring the True Meaning of Our Most Important Words, and learn how you can play a part in healing and restoring this broken world through the protection and proclamation of Truth. View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!“Live Not by Lies” by Aleksandr SolzhenitsynMore details on the new book available soon!
Welcome to Actuali podcast's Meaning-Making 101 series where we explore the crisis of meaning in our world today, and how we may help usher in an awakening from it. Links for this episode: Jordan Hall on James Kourtides channel: https://youtu.be/aaOnBhKt1tM?si=cWe70HE7FgSaNAus Alexander Solzhenitsyn's essay 'Live Not by Lies': https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/live-not-by-lies Join us as we explore the arts of mindfulness, flow, and how to realize one's most authentic Self, or Actual-i. Listen on your fav podcast platform @ https://Anchor.FM/Actuali From deep dives into life's greatest mysteries to inspiring conversations, curent events, guided Wim Hof beathing sessions, and guided meditations, Actuali is dedicated to revealing a clear way to view the world and our place in it. Together we change this world from the inside-out! Join us Wednesday's 7p EST. Playing after the fact on Spotify, Apple, and more @ https://Anchor.FM/Actuali Thanks for listening! With Chris and DJ of youtube.com/@americandharmaband Check out our band! Streams and more: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/americandharma/inmo Enjoy previous episodes of the cast! Actuali is on your favorite podcast platforms: Spotify, Apple, and more: https://anchor.fm/actuali Join Actuali on Social! Instagram: https://Instagram.com/actuali.podcast Twitter: https://Twitter.com/Actuali_Podcast Facebook: https://facebook.com/Actuali.podcast Our band, American Dharma: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfJn_yIRo45SRHGfsjJ8Xiw A.D. on facebook: https://facebook.com/AmericanDharmaband A.D. on Instagram: https://instagram.com/American.Dharma.band A.D. on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/americandharma The audio side of this episode will also be available on all major podcast platforms via https://Anchor.FM/Actuali Enjoy the show! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/actuali/message
Becoming Your Best | The Principles of Highly Successful Leaders
What does it take to live a life filled with inspiration, health, and purpose? In today's episode, Dr. Jeremy Zoch joins me to share his inspiring story of how he went from dealing with personal struggles to becoming a passionate advocate for health and life lived well. Dr. Zoch is a Renowned Executive, Teacher, Author, Athlete, and Musician. He holds a PhD in Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, is a loving husband and father of two, an avid runner, and a true inspiration for those who want to live their best life. Throughout this episode, Dr. Zoch shares practical tips on embracing change, setting intentions, and cultivating gratitude you can start implementing in your life today. You'll also gain insights on navigating challenges, setting inspirational goals, managing anxiety, and more. Tune in to Episode 427 of Becoming Your Best and embark on a transformative journey with Dr. Jeremy Zoch to learn how to live with resilience, purpose, and joy. Some Questions I Ask: You talk about a Life Map in your book. Can you describe what that is? (6:30) Tell us about your book. Why did you write it? Please give us some highlights of the book and what's in it (14:20) In This Episode, You Will Learn: About the importance of influential teachers (2:00) How to set inspirational goals (9:10) Understanding Dr. Zoch's Life Gauge (16:50) The importance of reflecting on gratitude (20:00) Managing anxiety and cultivating inner peace (25:20) Why it is crucial to remain connected and learn (30:00) Connect with Dr. Jeremy Zoch: Website LinkedIn Get a copy of his book, Life Lived Well: A Collection of Tips, Insights, and Inspirations to Live Not a Great Life, But Your Best Life Becoming Your Best Resources:Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.comBook: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After Reagan says, “Can we get a little more nuanced?! Can we have a more interesting conversation than ‘the sky is falling!' We're not political commentators, because that would be boring and lame.” in response to Jaran's report on Rod Dreher's "Live Not by Lies,” we muse on Jordan Peterson's “12 Rules for Life,” prolonging our 35 perilous minutes of talking out loud about books by two controversial characters. In short, we'll go so far as to recommend “12 Rules for Life,” but we think that “Live Not by Lies” is boring. Live Not by Lies: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53438190-live-not-by-lies 12 Rules for Life: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30257963-12-rules-for-life Find Reagan at reaganschrock.com; subscribe to his newsletter at reaganschrock.substack.com. Follow Jaran on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74450648-jaran-miller. Follow Reagan on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/93683928-reagan-schrock. The music at the beginning and the end is from Blue Dot Sessions. Beethoven's 5th Symphony is a public domain recording.
The phrase "tradwife" (traditional wife) is sure to trigger folks on the woke side of the spectrum. L. Reichard White describes the tradwife tragedy that has befallen our society. Keeping your sanity these days requires relentless honesty with ourselves. J.B. Shurk lays out the consequences of a government that sows division and subsidizes madness. The finer points of hospitality may be lost on those of us who are less socially engaged. Aletheia Hitz offers 3 simple tips for practicing everyday hospitality. The folks who pushed the covid vax so hard clearly haven't learned their lesson yet. Jeffrey A. Tucker says that getting the covid vax is now a requirement in order to get U.S. residency. Article of the Day: Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a source of timeless wisdom. Among his greatest contributions to humanity was his essay "Live Not by Lies" which was published at the time he was exiled from his homeland. His words are as relevant today as they were in 1974. Sponsors: Life Saving Food TMCP Nation Iron Sight Brewing Co. Quilt & Sew
Pope Francis approved Fiducia Supplicans allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. Is it a surprise that papal authority would be used for such evil? No. An examination of our Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope reminds us that we have always known of the pope's antichristian ways. During the conversation, we'll hear what Metropolitan Hilarion, Trent Horn, Brian Holdsworth, and an Africa Bishop have to say about the document. Plus, a listener wants to know about screens in the sanctuary. Links mentioned: Fiducia Supplicans: vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html Treatise of the Power and Primacy of the Pope: bookofconcord.org/power-and-primacy The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: bookshop.org/a/94255/9780064409421 The Benediction Option: bookshop.org/a/94255/9780735213302 Live Not by Lies: bookshop.org/a/94255/9780593541807 Host Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, and author of the book Come in, We are Closed, talks about curious topics to excite the imagination, equip the mind, and comfort the soul with God's ordering of the world in the Law and Gospel. Send him your questions at tyrelbramwell.com/contact. Find Pastor Bramwell's Winged Lion Studio videos at youtube.com/c/tyrelbramwell. Follow St. Mark's on Facebook and Instagram.
In the competitive world of online status-mongering, courage involves little more than clicking “like” or earning a “mention” in a post that could risk losing a follower or two. Real courage is, of course, something else entirely. It's about doing the right thing when there are real costs. It's taking an unpopular stand, even a dangerous one when sitting back and doing nothing would be far easier. During the dark days of Communist tyranny in Europe, governments spouted their dangerous nonsense, and citizens were expected, often by intimidation, to act as though their folly were true. Refusing meant social ostracization, police supervision, the loss of opportunity and freedom, and the compromise of personal safety. Most citizens ducked their heads and did what they could to survive. Others, however, made the difficult choice to stand up. Their courage entailed not taking up arms or taking to the streets but, in a world where dissent was costly, a simple refusal to go along. Among those who showed this kind of courage was the Bendová family of Czechoslovakia, a family featured in the book Live Not By Lies by Rod Dreher. Kamila Bendová will be a featured guest at the Colson Center National Conference, along with Rod Dreher, to tell the story of her family's courage, even when that courage brought suffering. As Dreher wrote, She too was a dissident. She kept the family together when the communists put her husband in prison. When Vaclav was tempted by an offer to accept exile in exchange for liberty, she bucked him up, and told him that the things they were fighting for were worth suffering for too. Or, as Terry Mattingly put it, It didn't matter if the Communists had imprisoned her husband — the late Vaclav Benda, a leading Czech dissident and Catholic intellectual. It didn't matter that state officials had bugged their flat near the medieval heart of the city. It didn't matter if a friend showed up after being tortured at the secret police facility a block away. Faithfully, through years of pressure, threats, and fears, Kamila Bendová showed her children, local students, and fellow citizens that resistance is not futile. Her life is a lesson to us in this cultural moment. Though what we face is less openly dangerous, it is confusing and consequential. As Mattingly wrote, Traditional families now face threats that are harder to identify than those of the Communist era, said Kamila Bendova. Warning children about the secret police is one thing. In a way, it may be harder for today's parents to convince their children to be truly countercultural in an age of social-media narcissism, gender confusion, online pornography and credit-card materialism. In his book Live Not by Lies, Dreher tells story after story of courageous Christians from the recent past. Their courage can inspire and inform us in this moment, Dreher thinks. Should totalitarianism, hard or soft, come to America, the police state would not have to establish a web of informants to keep tabs on the private lives of the people. The system we have now already does this—and most Americans are scarcely aware of its thoroughness and ubiquity. Though we do not face the exact tactics of Marxist regimes, we face the expansive power of a de facto social credit system, where holding the “wrong” opinion comes with a social cost. In Britain, railing against the Jewish people and the whole of Western civilization is acceptable, even encouraged, but silently praying outside an abortion clinic brings a visit from the police. Social pressure and government pressure, heightened by corporate pressures, have brought radical and dangerous ideologies into the mainstream. So, now is a time for courage, the kind that refuses to go along with dominant paradigms when it would be easier to be quiet. The Bendová family knew that their children would require tools to think critically and carefully. Ours will too, especially in this age of expressive individualism and ever louder propaganda. We can learn from Kamila Bendová what this kind of intentional parenting entails. How Christians can have a courageous faith is the focus of the 2024 Colson Center National Conference, to be held May 30-June 2 in Arlington, Texas. Joining Kamila Bendová and Rod Dreher are Dr. Albert Mohler, Fr. Calvin Robinson, Dr. Sean McDowell, Dr. Kathy Koch, and author Dr. Neil Shenvi. Only a few hundred spaces remain. To register, go to ColsonConference.org. This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Timothy Padgett. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.
This week on First Liberty Live! you'll get to know our client Jace Yarbrough. This patriot's military career as a reservist in the United States Space Force is on the verge of ruin. He's being punished for something he said as a civilian at a small private retirement ceremony that he presided over for a close friend in his off-duty capacity. Motivated by his religious beliefs, Jace quoted prominent Christian Soviet dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn, widely known for his powerful essay titled, “Live Not by Lies.” Jace's speech warned about dishonesty and a growing cancel culture in our country, including in the military. First Liberty's Danielle Runyan joins us to unpack this case. Don't miss hearing about Jace's story and what we're doing to stop censorship in the Space Force.
A sex-change operation in Nebraska that was forced and an utter failure brings to light the real and destructive motive behind the secular cult of selfishness and greed, the importance of Christianity and some of the evidence for its absolute truth are examined, and was Jesus woke? You know my answer, but you may not know why. Check out this episode to learn more.https://www.1011now.com/2023/09/14/lawsuit-filed-against-unmc-nebraska-medicine-over-trans-teens-breast-removal-surgery-2018/?fbclid=IwAR0rQRryqWGpC-8I1_5pRasb8BnrrYg90r8ER4IPuUkiiGzDnQPtIVPkQkUhttps://www.summit.org/resources/articles/4-common-objections-to-christianity-long-short-answers/?utm_term=Read%20more&utm_campaign=Objections%20to%20Christianity%2C%20Technology%20and%20Parenting%2C%20Barbie&utm_content=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_medium=email&cm_mmc=Act-On%20Software-_-email-_-Objections%20to%20Christianity%2C%20Technology%20and%20Parenting%2C%20Barbie-_-Read%20moreRod Dreher, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents.Save on healthcare with Crossway Connect today: https://app.crosswayconnect.org/enroll...Build your own library of resources for biblical study with Logos Bible Software: https://logos.refr.cc/10minutechurchDeck yourself out with some Jesus swag and bear his name with apparel and accessories from SeekJesus.co:https://seekjesus.co/pages/_go_?ref=7491:646327&discount=CHRISW92Get a copy of my new devotional journal Centering Prayer: Sit and Give Your Troubles to God: https://a.co/d/39pw2eEWebsite: 10minute.churchMerch: https://www.storefrontier.com/10minutemarketConvos With Dad: https://www.spreaker.com/show/convos-with-dadTwitter: @TheChrisW92Consider donating at our website or becoming a bonus paid subscriber for 99 cents a month at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/20minutepods/subscribe and gain access to bonus content, including the commercial-free Daily Thoughts devotional series.Song: IntentionsArtist: AnberlinAlbum: VitalCopyright 2012
A listener's email about political and pastoral language prompts a conversation on the woke Left, the Johnson Amendment, the church's spiral of silence, magisterial and ministerial reason, and a slew of other stuff, including choosing to never knowingly support lies. Resources from this episode: Wokeness is the Antithesis to Christianity (Cross Defense episode)| kfuo.org/2022/08/27/cross-defense-082722-wokeness-is-the-antithesis-to-christianity Christianity and Wokeness (book) | bookshop.org/a/94255/9781684512430 How Christian Women Got Played by Progressivism (Ally Beth Stuckey video) | youtu.be/QyF7h6hdax8 What is DIEversity, Pt. 1 (Luther Classical College video) | youtu.be/koG1fMMcnSY What is DIEversity, Pt. 2 (Luther Classical College video | youtu.be/tpXFPJpsmzg What is DIEversity, Pt. 3 (Luther Classical College video | youtu.be/BmCI1OPTsHc The History of the Johnson Amendment (full ADF video) | youtu.be/3sWK1z6mXcQ Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents (book) | bookshop.org/a/94255/9780593541807 Worldview Comparison Infographic (St. Mark's web page) | stmarksferndale.com/2022/09/21/worldviewcomparison C.F.W. Walther on Communism and Socialism (St. Mark's web page) | stmarksferndale.com/waltheroncommunism Karl Marx and the Satanic Roots of Communism (book) | bookshop.org/a/94255/9780882641423 Jesus. Not Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (Pr. Bramwell's 2023 Easter Sunrise Sermon, full video) youtu.be/KZymMoWaz-8 Host Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, and author of the book Come in, We are Closed, talks about curious topics to excite the imagination, equip the mind, and comfort the soul with God's ordering of the world in the Law and Gospel. Send him your questions at stmarksferndale.com. You can find his videos at youtube.com/c/tyrelbramwell.
We confront and crucify our temptation to fear, which causes us to avoid suffering and thereby hinders our courageous confession of Christ and Him crucified. Suffering aided the early church's evangelism efforts, and it will improve ours as we suffer minor annoyances or even martyrdom. Robert Lockett encourages us to drive to the truth in a new segment on the show, demonstrating that Christians don't give up when mocked for Christ, and that you don't have to be a pastor to be in the fray. Oh, and Kirk Cameron sings A Mighty Fortress Is Our God! Resources mentioned in this episode: Evangelism in the Early Church: https://bookshop.org/a/94255/9780802827685 Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents: https://bookshop.org/a/94255/9780593541807 Robert Lockett: Driving to the Truth: https://stmarksferndale.com/drivingtothetruth/ Host Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, and author of the book Come in, We are Closed, talks about curious topics to excite the imagination, equip the mind, and comfort the soul with God's ordering of the world in the Law and Gospel. Send him your questions at stmarksferndale.com. You can find his videos at youtube.com/c/tyrelbramwell.
Liberty Dispatch ~ July 13, 2023LIVE NOT BY LIES, FRIENDS! On this episode of the Dispatch, hosts Andrew and Matty take a look at the standoff between Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and the Canadian Federal Government, the practice of IVF, and the increasingly more evident reality that lockdowns did much more harm than good.MUST READS: "Live Not By Lies" by ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03064220408537357;"Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents" | Rod Dreher: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Not-Lies-Christian-Dissidents-ebook/dp/B088F2ZYTV;[Segment 1] - Liberal Government Pulls Meta Advertising Funds:"Rodriguez Pulls Government Ads" | True North Canada: https://tnc.news/2023/07/05/rodriguez-pulls-government-ads;[Segment 2] - Interview ft. Laura Klassen & Jon Speed:MUST WATCH: "Build-a-Baby" | Choice42: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6VYza7JE6s&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.choice42.com%2F&feature=emb_imp_woyt;LOOR.TV: https://www.loor.tv;Choice42: https://www.choice42.com;[Segment 3] - Lockdowns Did MORE HARM THAN GOOD:"Nudge Unit Chief Says UK Will Obey Future Lockdowns, Citizens Have Learnt the Behaviour" | Breitbart: https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023/07/06/nudge-unit-chief-says-uk-will-obey-future-lockdowns-citizens-have-learnt-the-behaviour;"Lockdowns: The Self-Inflicted Disaster" | City Journal: https://www.city-journal.org/article/lockdowns-the-self-inflicted-disaster#disqus_thread; JOIN PASTORS, CHURCHES, AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA WITH LCC'S NEWEST INITIATIVE, "TRUE READINGS FROM TRUE ROYALTY." Sign up today: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/storyhour/ Support Josh's Stand and Help Us Defend His Liberties! Sign Our Petition Here: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/i-stand-with-josh-alexander/;SHOW SPONSORS:Join Red Balloon Today!: https://www.redballoon.work/lcc; Invest with Rocklinc: info@rocklinc.com or call them at 905-631-546; Diversify Your Money with Bull Bitcoin: https://mission.bullbitcoin.com/lcc;BarterPay: https://barterpay.ca/; Barter It: https://vip.barterit.ca/launch; Carpe Fide - "Seize the Faith": Store: https://carpe-fide.myshopify.com/, use Promo Code LCC10 for 10% off (US Store Only), or shop Canadian @ https://canadacarpefide.myshopify.com/ | Podcast: https://www.carpefide.com/episodes;Sick of Mainstream Media Lies? Help Support Independent Media! DONATE TO LCC TODAY!: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/donate/ Please Support us in bringing you honest, truthful reporting and analysis from a Christian perspective.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SHOWS/CHANNELS:LIBERTY DISPATCH PODCAST: https://libertydispatch.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/LDshow; OPEN MIKE WITH MICHAEL THIESSEN: https://openmikewithmichaelthiessen.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/openmike;THE OTHER CLUB: https://rumble.com/c/c-2541984; THE LIBERTY LOUNGE WITH TIM TYSOE: https://rumble.com/LLwTT;CONTACT US:Questions/comments about podcasts/news/analysis: mailbag@libertycoalitioncanada.com;Questions/comments about donations: give@libertycoalitioncanada.com;Questions/comments that are church-related: churches@libertycoalitioncanada.com;General Inquiries: info@libertycoalitioncanada.com. STAY UP-TO-DATE ON ALL THINGS LCC:Gab: https://gab.com/libertycoalitioncanada Telegram: https://t.me/libertycoalitioncanadanews Instagram: https://instagram.com/libertycoalitioncanada Facebook: https://facebook.com/LibertyCoalitionCanada Twitter: @LibertyCCanada - https://twitter.com/LibertyCCanada Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/LibertyCoalitionCanada YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@liberty4canada - WE GOT CANCELLED AGAIN!!! Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW and SHARE it with others!
Liberty Dispatch ~ July 13, 2023 LIVE NOT BY LIES, FRIENDS! On this episode of the Dispatch, hosts Andrew and Matty take a look at the standoff between Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and the Canadian Federal Government, the practice of IVF, and the increasingly more evident reality that lockdowns did much more harm than good. MUST READS: "Live Not By Lies" by ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03064220408537357; "Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents" | Rod Dreher: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Not-Lies-Christian-Dissidents-ebook/dp/B088F2ZYTV; [Segment 1] - Liberal Government Pulls Meta Advertising Funds: "Rodriguez Pulls Government Ads" | True North Canada: https://tnc.news/2023/07/05/rodriguez-pulls-government-ads; [Segment 2] - Interview ft. Laura Klassen & Jon Speed: MUST WATCH: "Build-a-Baby" | Choice42: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6VYza7JE6s&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.choice42.com%2F&feature=emb_imp_woyt; LOOR.TV: https://www.loor.tv; Choice42: https://www.choice42.com; [Segment 3] - Lockdowns Did MORE HARM THAN GOOD: "Nudge Unit Chief Says UK Will Obey Future Lockdowns, Citizens Have Learnt the Behaviour" | Breitbart: https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023/07/06/nudge-unit-chief-says-uk-will-obey-future-lockdowns-citizens-have-learnt-the-behaviour; "Lockdowns: The Self-Inflicted Disaster" | City Journal: https://www.city-journal.org/article/lockdowns-the-self-inflicted-disaster#disqus_thread; JOIN PASTORS, CHURCHES, AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA WITH LCC'S NEWEST INITIATIVE, "TRUE READINGS FROM TRUE ROYALTY." Sign up today: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/storyhour/ Support Josh's Stand and Help Us Defend His Liberties! Sign Our Petition Here: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/i-stand-with-josh-alexander/; SHOW SPONSORS: Join Red Balloon Today!: https://www.redballoon.work/lcc; Invest with Rocklinc: info@rocklinc.com or call them at 905-631-546; Diversify Your Money with Bull Bitcoin: https://mission.bullbitcoin.com/lcc; BarterPay: https://barterpay.ca/; Barter It: https://vip.barterit.ca/launch; Carpe Fide - "Seize the Faith": Store: https://carpe-fide.myshopify.com/, use Promo Code LCC10 for 10% off (US Store Only), or shop Canadian @ https://canadacarpefide.myshopify.com/ | Podcast: https://www.carpefide.com/episodes; Sick of Mainstream Media Lies? Help Support Independent Media! DONATE TO LCC TODAY!: https://libertycoalitioncanada.com/donate/ Please Support us in bringing you honest, truthful reporting and analysis from a Christian perspective. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SHOWS/CHANNELS: LIBERTY DISPATCH PODCAST: https://libertydispatch.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/LDshow; OPEN MIKE WITH MICHAEL THIESSEN: https://openmikewithmichaelthiessen.podbean.com; https://rumble.com/openmike; THE OTHER CLUB: https://rumble.com/c/c-2541984; THE LIBERTY LOUNGE WITH TIM TYSOE: https://rumble.com/LLwTT; CONTACT US: Questions/comments about podcasts/news/analysis: mailbag@libertycoalitioncanada.com; Questions/comments about donations: give@libertycoalitioncanada.com; Questions/comments that are church-related: churches@libertycoalitioncanada.com; General Inquiries: info@libertycoalitioncanada.com. STAY UP-TO-DATE ON ALL THINGS LCC: Gab: https://gab.com/libertycoalitioncanada Telegram: https://t.me/libertycoalitioncanadanews Instagram: https://instagram.com/libertycoalitioncanada Facebook: https://facebook.com/LibertyCoalitionCanada Twitter: @LibertyCCanada - https://twitter.com/LibertyCCanada Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/LibertyCoalitionCanada YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@liberty4canada - WE GOT CANCELLED AGAIN!!! Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW and SHARE it with others!
OUTLINE of today's show with TIMECODES Vaccine hesitancy rising! 3:01 How Mandates Backfired - the only good thing from Fauci 6:59 What was the public's role in lockdown? What about those who remain silent when government goes to war foreign or domestic? 20:36 Solzhenitzyn's "Live NOT by Lies" His 1974 essay about authoritarian Soviet Union is where we are today in the United States of Authoritarianism 23:00 FBI agents barged into wrong room at Revere hotel and TORTURE commercial pilots for hours. America's not anything like an authoritarian government, right? It's EXACTLY like Terry Gilliam's Orwellian satire: "Brazil" 45:39 Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks teacher's union Randi Weingarten for closing schools. She ought to THANK her. 56:18 The sorry state of "medicine" — doctors are using AI to interact with patients so they don't have to do it. Is ChatGPT already captive to BigPharma? 1:01:07 Can we hold Biden and Trump accountable for skipping debates? 1:04:14 RFKj - the new hero of the right. Even Marc Morano who recorded RFKj calling for "deniers" to be jailed and/or executed seems willing to move on. So where is RFKj on censorship and climate change? Is the enemy of your enemy your friend? 1:06:23 RFKj says he wants free market capitalism. But is he describing "stakeholder capitalism" and ESG? Does he not see "subsidy" corruption in green projects? 1:18:08 Why is it that so many will defend woman's sports against transgenderism, but won't defend young children being sexually groomed in elementary school? 1:27:08 Is Michelle Obama waiting in the wings like an understudy, ready to take on Biden's role if he can't make it? 1:28:52 What does RFKj see as the difference between pollution and climate change? 1:32:15 California is pushing a ban on diesel big rigs. No diesel trucks by 2036 in California. What will THAT do to supply chains? And they want to ban TRAINS as well 1:40:25 California Air Resources Board enacted regulations that will BAN PLANES, TRAINS, and AUTOMOBILES. Net zero means ZERO EVERYTHING. What will it do to supply chains? The plain is to put PEOPLE IN CHAINS OF POVERTY 1:39:09 Extorting certainty from ambiguity. The "scientist" who pushed both an ice age and global warming admits its not real science 1:48:34 The legal battle for the "Right to Repair" and other "ask me anything questions" on Tucker, working for a news organization, and how should we address anti-white racism 1:51:49 INTERVIEW Catherine Austin FittsStopping gun control in the wake of a shootingWhy 2nd Amendment is so important now and in 2024 electionsRed Flags, Christmas Parades, SUVs — lessons to learnWhat can be done at the state level to preserve "financial transactional freedom"2:06:21 With multiple police departments in hot pursuit, store clerk STILL has to defend his life without their help. Florida sheriff commends store clerk who shot a robbery suspect eight times. 2:56:28Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here:SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation through Mail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money is only what YOU hold: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silver
OUTLINE of today's show with TIMECODESVaccine hesitancy rising! 3:01 How Mandates Backfired - the only good thing from Fauci 6:59 What was the public's role in lockdown? What about those who remain silent when government goes to war foreign or domestic? 20:36 Solzhenitzyn's "Live NOT by Lies" His 1974 essay about authoritarian Soviet Union is where we are today in the United States of Authoritarianism 23:00 FBI agents barged into wrong room at Revere hotel and TORTURE commercial pilots for hours. America's not anything like an authoritarian government, right? It's EXACTLY like Terry Gilliam's Orwellian satire: "Brazil" 45:39 Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks teacher's union Randi Weingarten for closing schools. She ought to THANK her. 56:18 The sorry state of "medicine" — doctors are using AI to interact with patients so they don't have to do it. Is ChatGPT already captive to BigPharma? 1:01:07 Can we hold Biden and Trump accountable for skipping debates? 1:04:14 RFKj - the new hero of the right. Even Marc Morano who recorded RFKj calling for "deniers" to be jailed and/or executed seems willing to move on. So where is RFKj on censorship and climate change? Is the enemy of your enemy your friend? 1:06:23 RFKj says he wants free market capitalism. But is he describing "stakeholder capitalism" and ESG? Does he not see "subsidy" corruption in green projects? 1:18:08 Why is it that so many will defend woman's sports against transgenderism, but won't defend young children being sexually groomed in elementary school? 1:27:08 Is Michelle Obama waiting in the wings like an understudy, ready to take on Biden's role if he can't make it? 1:28:52 What does RFKj see as the difference between pollution and climate change? 1:32:15 California is pushing a ban on diesel big rigs. No diesel trucks by 2036 in California. What will THAT do to supply chains? And they want to ban TRAINS as well 1:40:25 California Air Resources Board enacted regulations that will BAN PLANES, TRAINS, and AUTOMOBILES. Net zero means ZERO EVERYTHING. What will it do to supply chains? The plain is to put PEOPLE IN CHAINS OF POVERTY 1:39:09 Extorting certainty from ambiguity. The "scientist" who pushed both an ice age and global warming admits its not real science 1:48:34 The legal battle for the "Right to Repair" and other "ask me anything questions" on Tucker, working for a news organization, and how should we address anti-white racism 1:51:49 INTERVIEW Catherine Austin FittsStopping gun control in the wake of a shootingWhy 2nd Amendment is so important now and in 2024 electionsRed Flags, Christmas Parades, SUVs — lessons to learnWhat can be done at the state level to preserve "financial transactional freedom"2:06:21 With multiple police departments in hot pursuit, store clerk STILL has to defend his life without their help. Florida sheriff commends store clerk who shot a robbery suspect eight times. 2:56:28Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here:SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation through Mail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money is only what YOU hold: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silver
Could totalitarianism take root in America? What does it mean to "live not by lies"? Rod Dreher is a senior editor at The American Conservative and the author of several books, including The Benedict Option. He joins the show to answer these questions and discuss his new book, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Solzhenitsyn's 1974 essay is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/christian-studies
For Julie and Dennis being authentic is of tantamount importance… and it takes a great deal of effort. It's an insecurity to not be “real.” Is there truth in advertising? On the day Solzhenitsyn was arrested, in 1974, he released the text of “Live Not by Lies,” an essay regarded by Julie as one of the most substantial writings of the 20th century. Can you think of a Left-wing public broadcast that makes people more mature and helps develop a healthy psychological perspective? Johnathan Haidt describes a study in which he examines how well liberals, conservatives, and moderates understand each other in The Righteous Mind. What is prayer …and it important to you? Julie asks Dennis questions about the Rational Bible, topics include: circumcision; father son rivalry; ethical monotheism; God's promise to the Hebrew people; Abraham bargains God down to ten people… Sodom and Gomorrah; arguing with God; don't hug the Rabbi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For Julie and Dennis being authentic is of tantamount importance… and it takes a great deal of effort. It's an insecurity to not be “real.” Is there truth in advertising? On the day Solzhenitsyn was arrested, in 1974, he released the text of “Live Not by Lies,” an essay regarded by Julie as one of the most substantial writings of the 20th century. Can you think of a Left-wing public broadcast that makes people more mature and helps develop a healthy psychological perspective? Johnathan Haidt describes a study in which he examines how well liberals, conservatives, and moderates understand each other in The Righteous Mind. What is prayer …and it important to you? Julie asks Dennis questions about the Rational Bible, topics include: circumcision; father son rivalry; ethical monotheism; God's promise to the Hebrew people; Abraham bargains God down to ten people… Sodom and Gomorrah; arguing with God; don't hug the Rabbi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could totalitarianism take root in America? What does it mean to "live not by lies"? Rod Dreher is a senior editor at The American Conservative and the author of several books, including The Benedict Option. He joins the show to answer these questions and discuss his new book, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Solzhenitsyn's 1974 essay is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics
Could totalitarianism take root in America? What does it mean to "live not by lies"? Rod Dreher is a senior editor at The American Conservative and the author of several books, including The Benedict Option. He joins the show to answer these questions and discuss his new book, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Solzhenitsyn's 1974 essay is here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rick Probst and Dan Ratcliffe talk with Pastor Allistair Begg about what the Church should be doing in the midst of all the cultural change we're witnessing. Georgene Rice talks with Pastor Greg Allen of Bethany Bible Church in Portland, Oregon about what lessons can be learned from the Asbury and other renewal movements across the country. Bill Bunkley talks with Joannie DeBrito of Focus on the Family about a disturbing report from the CDC outlining the epidemic of depression affecting U.S. teen girls. Albert Mohler talks with Rod Dreher about his book, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, which encourages Christians to be prepared to live faithfully through challenging times. For the full interview of Albert Mohler with Rod Dreher, visit AlbertMohler.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comRod is an old-school blogger and author living in Budapest. He's a senior editor at The American Conservative and has written several bestsellers, including The Benedict Option and Live Not by Lies. He's currently writing a book about bringing the enchantment back to Christianity in a time of growing secularism. He was enchanted himself after taking LSD in college, putting him on the path to Christianity — something he hasn't talked about in public until now. We've been sparring online for a couple of decades, while remaining friends. For two clips of our convo — Rod coming to terms with his father being in the KKK, and breaking from the Catholic Church after learning of suicides by sex-abuse victims — pop over to our YouTube page. Other topics: television as a way for Rod to escape the racism of the rural South, his struggle for his father's acceptance, meeting gay kids for the first time in boarding school, his youthful indiscretions of drinking and casual sex, his family rejecting him after moving home for his dying sister, reconciling with his dad, his friendly correspondence with a gay meth addict, his current divorce and moving to Budapest, and Rod believing that homosexuality and transness are “disordered” — and my profound disagreement with him on both counts. It's one of the most revealing episodes we've had yet.Peruse the Dishcast archives for another episode you might enjoy — more than one hundred at this point. The podcast is part of The Weekly Dish on Substack. To subscribe and receive the weekly emails and full offerings, including the entire episodes, go here: https://andrewsullivan.substack.com/subscribe
Can you use AI and still Live Not By Lies?Everyone is talking about AI since ChatGPT came out. You can use it to write content for your business, blog posts, full fiction and stories, and even higher education dissertations.So how far will you go? Is it moral to use AI for school or work?I follow a lot of side hustle groups and they are already touting AI where you can "write endless content and not work so hard!"Perpend and I discuss - Can you use AI and still Live Not by Lies?"Simple men create simple times, and overcomplicated times call for men to simply live" - PerpendThe week of Christmas, the Boston Federal Reserve, in typical government style of releasing controversial press releases late in the day on Friday, announced that it had completed its Project Hamilton project, a collaboration between the Fed and MIT developers, who are also on the Bitcoin project (!).The Fed released a white paper last year. It sounded like they were just starting a "Pilot" project. As seen in the video below, they were much farther along (years) than implied.Biden has directed Federal agencies to put forward plans to roll out and operationalize CBDC in their agencies.How close are they to rolling it out? What will you do?How far can you go? It depends on the ultimate question - what are you willing to die for?Episode website: https://thrivingthefuture.com/aiJoin the Thriving The Future Community - Telegram Group or mailing list: https://signup.thrivingthefuture.comSponsors:Grow Nut Trees - Elderberry cuttings and comfrey (crowns and root cuttings) now available! - https://grownuttrees.com/
The Fourth Sunday in Advent: The Voice Crying in the Wilderness Philippians 4:4-7 & St. John 1:19-28 by William Klock The days have been getting shorter and shorter. I walk home from the church in the dark most days. Just before the snow fell I rode my bike up the Mountain on the logging roads to Lost Lake and found myself riding back down in the dark, which came more quickly than I anticipated. I was glad I took my headlight with me. The short days can be very dreary. It occurs to me that this is why Christmas lights are so popular, bringing some light and cheer into the darkness. Whether people realise it or not, in Jesus the light has come into the darkness and even people who wouldn't know the gospel from a hole in the ground live in that light. Jesus has changed everything—even for people who think Christmas is just about Santa and Rudolph and Frosty. The light has come into the world and the world has not overcome it. But think about Israel in the time of the Gospels. In the time of Mary and Joseph, of Elizabeth and Zechariah, of John the Baptist and of Jesus, of Herod. The world was dark…oh so dark. The nation was enslaved to false gods and to wicked kings who, themselves, claimed divinity. St. Paul writes of demonic forces that enslaved the nations—forces broken and defeated by the gospel—but that victory was decades away. The world was dark. Even little Israel, called to be the light of the world, lay in spiritual darkness. The candlestick in the temple was kept lit, but the cloud of glory that had once filled the holy of holies, the very presence of God, had been absent for five-hundred years. God's people were ruled by pagans and pretenders. And apart from a faithful remnant, the nation had been consumed by the darkness, a holy people in little other than their calling. But the people knew the words of the prophets, the promises of their God. It would not be this way forever. That's the setting for today's Gospel, which begins at John 1:19. Here's what John writes: And this is the testimony of John [this is John the Baptist, not John the Evangelist who writes these words], when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said.” (John 1:19-28) The Pharisees sent Levitical and priestly inquirers to interrogate John, to find out who he was—or who he thought he was. If someone showed up with a message from God, the Pharisees were sure to show up and to ask questions to see if it was legit. The Jews really were expecting someone. John anticipates this in his answers. They ask who he thinks he is and the first thing he says is, “I am not the Christ.” “Christ” is the Greek word for Messiah. “I am not the Messiah.” That's the one everyone was really anxious to see. The Messiah would lift the darkness. The Messiah would fix everything that was wrong with the world. The Messiah would deliver his people and reign as David once had. There had been others in recent memory who had claimed to be the Messiah and things hadn't gone well for them. I expect the Pharisees expected the same was true of John, but hey, you never know. Eventually the real Messiah really would come, so they might as well ask some questions. “Well, then,” they ask, “who are you?” John first denies that he's Elijah and then he denies that he's “the prophet”. What's that about. Well, first, Malachi had prophesied that Elijah, Israel's greatest prophet—after Moses, that is—would return one day. This is what he wrote: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Malachi 4:5) We have a pretty good sense, based on the literature of the time, that a lot of people interpreted this to mean that Elijah himself would literally return in the flesh. Sort of like a King Arthur to return to rescue Britain at its darkest hour. Some people connected this Elijah Redivivus with the coming of the Messiah. Considering that Elijah, rather than dying like everyone else, was swept up by a fiery chariot into heaven, it's not surprising that people would take Malachi this way. I suspect this sort of literal fulfilment of the prophecy is why John denied that he was Elijah. In contrast, in last week's Gospel, we saw Jesus affirm that John was indeed the one to come in fulfilment of Malachi's prophecy. Maybe John was just exceedingly humble, maybe it never occurred to him that he was, indeed, fulfilling Malachi's prophecy, but it may have been that he knew he wasn't literally Elijah returned as many expected. He denies, too, that he's “the prophet”. This is a reference to a passage in Deuteronomy 18 in which the Lord promises that he will one day raise up a prophet like Moses, who will declare the Lord's own words. Like the Elijah who was to come, many associated the prophet with the Messiah. “Nope,” John says, “that's not me either.” But here's the point. Even if they were wrong about who the Messiah would be and when and how he would come, the Jews were living in hopeful expectation of the Messiah. They were in their own Advent. The days were dark. They were supposed to be the people who lived with the Lord in their midst, but his presence had been gone for five hundred years. They'd returned from exile, but without the Lord's presence and with foreign pagans ruling over them, they might as well have still been in exile. They longed for the light to dawn in the darkness and they trusted it would happen, because they knew their story. They knew that the Lord is faithful to fulfil his promises. They belonged to him. Just as he'd once rescued them from Pharaoh, he would rescue them from Caesar. John was sure of all this, too. He may have denied that he was the one prophesied to come like Elijah or Moses—and it's worth noting that in Matthew and Mark, Jesus actually did affirm that John had come in fulfilment of the Elijah prophecy—but John knew the story, too, and he knew his place in it. When the Pharisees finally let John speak for himself, he told them: “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.'” He quotes straight from Isaiah 40:3. I think this gets at the reason John answered “No” to the questions about Elijah and the Prophet, but given the chance to identify himself, he looks back to this prophecy of Isaiah. This passage from Isaiah is just as Messianic, but John saw the heart of his role and his ministry here. And while there were people who confused the one coming like Elijah or Moses with the Messiah, this voice crying in the wilderness is clearly the Messiah's forerunner—or at least that's how John saw it. He was not the Messiah. He was the one sent ahead to prepare Israel to receive the Messiah. And then the question they pose about baptism gives him a chance to expand on this. Baptism was an act of cleansing that fit well with what the Messiah might be and do when he came. But John has just denied that he is the Messiah. “So,” the Pharisees wonder, “why is John baptising people if he's not the Messiah?” Look at 25-27: They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” Again, baptism did have place in Jewish life. Think back to our study of Exodus and the passages about purity and cleansing—washing with water, and all that. Baptism was a symbol of cleansing, of ritual purity. At this point the other gospel-writers are helpful as they expand on John's answer. Mark tells us that his was a baptism of repentance—it was a preparatory act in light of the coming judgement the Messiah would bring. And Matthew and Luke also report John continuing about this one who will come, this one greater than John: “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16). In other words, John is calling Israel to repentance in anticipation of the Messiah, who will fulfil the Lord's promises to set Israel to rights by filling his people with his own Spirit. The law written on stone tablets would finally be inscribed on the hearts of God's people that they might fulfil his law of love. But the Messiah was also coming in judgement. He would baptise the repentant with God's own Spirit, but he would baptise unrepentant Israel with fire. These are the two sides of the gospel coin: Jesus' advent brought mercy to the repentant, but it also brought judgement on the unrepentant within Israel. What's significant for us here, Brothers and Sisters, is that this exchange between John and the Pharisees reminds us of the Messiah's place in Israel's story and of the faithfulness of God to his promises. It is this manifestation of the Lord's faithfulness (and of his goodness, mercy, grace, and wisdom) to Israel—something we see brought to its climax in the coming, the death, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus, that has drawn us to the God of Israel and that, by faith, has incorporated us into the people of God. Through our incorporation into this people, through our being made adopted sons and daughters of Abraham, we've come to know God's mercy and the life of the Spirit, too. Because of the faithfulness of God, revealed in Jesus and in power of the gospel, the darkness that Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, John the Baptist and Jesus knew, that deep, deep darkness full of false gods and wicked kings and demonic power is but a shadow of its former self. The light has come into the darkness, his gospel has thrown those powers down and lit up the world. And you and I live in the glory of that light. And this is where our Epistle today takes off. There are practical implications of our being incorporated into the story of the people of God. Paul writes those wonderful and challenging words in Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. What specifically prompted Paul to write this? Well, just two verses earlier, Paul exhorted two women, Euodia and Syntyche, to agree with each other. They had once been fellow labourers with Paul, but had apparently had some kind of dispute or falling out. In response, he calls the Philippian Christian to rejoice in the Lord. Instead of a public display of disunity or resentment or anger—whatever it was that was going on between these two women, the Church was to put joy on display, to celebrate the life of God. They were people of the light, but they were living in the dark. It was imperative that they come back into the light. Paul then writes: Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. (Philippians 4:5a) The King James says, “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” “Moderation” or “reasonableness” aren't really very helpful translations. Paul uses the same word in 2 Corinthians 10 to describe the meekness of Jesus as a model for Christians. What Paul's getting at there is that Jesus is the King. The gospel reveals and proclaims him in all his divine majesty. And yet it also reveals his gentleness. And it's not just gentleness. It's the sort of gentleness that only the one who is truly the Lord of the cosmos can show. This is the gentleness we see revealed as Jesus, the one to whom heaven and earth belong, humbles himself to be born one of us, to die on the cross, and to show mercy to his enemies. This kind of meekness or gentleness is unique to Jesus, and yet Paul stresses that as his people, as stewards of the gospel, we're called to witness this same gentleness ourselves. As it should be the resolution to so many disputes in the Church, it was the resolution to whatever had driven Euodia and Syntyche apart. Brothers and Sisters, when we demand our rights, when we grasp for power, when we nurse grudges, we undermine our witness to the world—we exhibit the very darkness from which we've been delivered by the one who is light. In contrast Paul calls us to rejoice in the Lord and to manifest Christlike gentleness in our relationships. Remember, as people whom God has graciously and mercifully restored to himself, we ought to witness that in our own joyful unity in Jesus. Consider that every time we hold a grudge, allow a relationship to break down, or follow the world's advice to cut those problem or negative people out of our lives, we undermine the Church's witness to the world. But that's not all. Paul goes on: The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. There's that Advent theme again: Jesus has given us a job to do. He's given us treasure to steward in his absence. In the meantime, rather than being anxious, we should take our needs to God. Jesus made the same point in the Sermon on the Mount. The pagans worry about what they'll eat, what they'll wear, and where they'll sleep. God's people should know better than to worry unduly about these things. God will provide just as he always has. He is faithful to his promises and the story of his dealings with Israel is the proof. So go to the Lord with your needs and ask. And while you're at it, give thanks, because you know his faithfulness and his love. This is part of the witness of the people of God—it's how we are light in the darkness—and it ties back into rejoicing. When Paul talks about rejoicing, at least part of what he's got in mind is a public display or a public witness. The pagan Greeks in Philippi regularly held public celebrations to honour their gods. In the decades before Paul wrote, new rites to honour and to celebrate—to rejoice in—Caesar had been introduced and embraced by the people. And yet the pagans, as Jesus said, were always anxious. Why? Because their gods never delivered. Pagan religion was a non-stop game of trial and error, trying to guess what the gods wanted, trying to guess what you may have done wrong to offend them, and then guessing at what you might offer to appease their anger or to ingratiate them to you in order to get what you needed or wanted. The pagan gods were silent and they were notoriously capricious and unreliable. And in this context Paul exhorts the Philippian Christians: Rejoice yourselves. Let the pagans see you celebrating the fact that the Creator of the universe has, through Jesus, made you his own and lives in your midst by his own Holy Spirit. Let the pagans, who know only mean and capricious gods and who live in a dog-eat-dog world, let them see the gentleness of God in you. Live in such a way that they see in you the God who humbles himself to die for the sake of his enemies. And let the pagans see you living in faith, praying in confident thankfulness to the God whose story reveals an unfailing pattern of promise and fulfilment. Shine the light of Jesus into the darkness of the world. And the result of all this? Look at verse 7: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I think we tend to look at Paul's exhortation here as something we should do in order to experience the peace of God ourselves, but given the context in Philippians, I think Paul's point is actually more about our witness. If we truly live as stewards of the good news about Jesus, if we truly live as people who know the faithfulness of God revealed in Jesus and particularly in his death and resurrection, the peace of God—rather than the strife and anxiety of the world—will guard our hearts and minds in a way that will astound the pagans around us. I said last Sunday that we are called both to proclaim and to live the gospel. This is that living it, right here. And coupled with our proclamation, to truly live in light of Jesus and what he reveals about God, should cause the world to stand up and take note. It will result in many giving glory to God for his faithfulness and then coming to him in faith as we have. And it will threaten many who are invested in the pagan and fallen systems of the world. Like John the Baptist, we are a voice in the wilderness. The difference is that Jesus has now been enthroned as Lord. But we need to ask: Does the world see our joy? Are we the voice crying in the wilderness? Are we the royal heralds the Lord has called us to be, summoning the word to let go of its false gods and to come to the Lord Jesus? Two years ago the government barred us from meeting as it tried to slow the spread of COVID. A lot of people were shouting about persecution. Brothers and Sisters, I really think we were dealing with something worse than persecution. Here's what I mean. Persecution happens when people fear the Church and fear our witness. Last week I mentioned Rod Dreher's new book, Live Not by Lies. In that book he talks about his conversations with people who lived under Communism in Eastern Europe. The Soviets clamped down on Christians because they understood that the gospel, that the message that Jesus is Lord was a threat to their atheistic philosophy. And it wasn't theoretical. It was often Christians who took a stand against the Communists and they did so in light of the gospel. And they were persecuted horribly for their stand for Jesus. Brothers and Sisters, that's not what we saw here. When the health threat passed, the orders banning public gatherings were lifted. You can agree or disagree with the wisdom or rightness of those health orders, but it wasn't persecution. It was something worse. It was indifference to the Church. The government isn't afraid of us or our message. It's not afraid we'll undermine its often godless and immoral dictates and agendas. They aren't hostile to us. They're simply indifferent. As far as the Health Minister or Provincial Health Officer were concerned, churches (and synagogues, mosques, temples, and gurdwaras) are just hobbies and social clubs and if that's all we are, well, we can suspend our gatherings or take them online. Leaders in previous generations, in the midst of national crises, called the Church to prayer. They understood the value of God's people gathered together to pray for the community, the nation, and the world. But not anymore. I'm not aware of any time when our Prime Minister, Premier, or Provincial Health Officer ever asked Christians (or anyone else, for that matter) to pray for the province or the nation. It didn't occur to them that prayer is important or makes a difference—or, for that matter, that God is in control. And we really have ourselves to blame. Why? Because we have not been the witnesses God calls us to be. We have been mealy-mouthed and, quite often, just plain silent in our proclamation and because we have been half-hearted and unfaithful in our gospel living. Like old Israel, we pray to God, but we've failed to tear down the old altars to Mammon and Aphrodite and Caesar. We name Jesus, but we deal dishonestly in business, we sell our souls to the commercialism that surrounds us, we look to politics or to science as our saviours, and we dabble in the sexual immorality of the age. We've failed to proclaim the gospel and we justify it, saying that we'll preach it with our lives. But if we stop to ask what the world sees in our lives, is it really very different? Does the world see us rejoicing in the Lord? Does the world see us manifesting the merciful gentleness of Jesus? Does the world see us living in faithful prayer and trusting in God, or does it see people just as anxious as everyone else? Does the world see the peace of God ruling our hearts and minds? Does the world see us, holding high the gospel, as a challenge to its gods and kings? It should. But sadly, I think that for the Church at large, the answer more often than not is “no”. And, all too often, when we do proclaim the gospel, we do so without power or authority. We hold the gospel out as good advice, rather than as the good news that it is. Friends, the gospel is the royal summons to submit in faith to Jesus, the world's true Lord—the Lord who has come with mercy so that the repentant will escape when he comes one day in judgement. This was the power behind John the Baptist' preaching. But all too often we present the gospel as just another option on the religious smorgasbord—something you might want to try. See if you like it. See if it works for you. If not…oh well. Brothers and Sisters, that's not the gospel. The gospel is good news to the people living in the midst of darkness: the king who will set the world to rights has come. And that means the gospel, when preached as it should be, will challenge and upset the Herods and Caesars of our age and all those invested in the false gods of the world. Brothers and Sisters, the Church today has so failed at being stewards of the gospel that we're provoking neither response: neither hostility and persecution on the one hand, or a harvest of new believers attracted to our faithful preaching and living. The Advent message is to be prepared. Jesus has given us a gospel mission to take the good news of his death, his resurrection, and his lordship into the world. Brothers and Sisters, pray that we will be faithful to our mission—faithful enough to provoke persecution, because that's the kind of faithfulness that also reaps a harvest people for the kingdom. Pray for the holy boldness of John the Baptist. Pray that we will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Pray that the joy of the Lord will overcome us. Brothers and Sisters, Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice. Let's pray: O Lord, come among us, we pray, with your power and strengthen us with your great might; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Third Sunday in Advent: Faithful Stewards 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 & St. Matthew 11:2-10 by William Klock Short of pulling vegetables out of the ground or carving up an animal, bread is one of the simplest of all the foods humans eat. At its most basic, it's simple and easy to make. You mix flour and water and put it in an oven. It can get more complicated. You can add leavening and other things. But there's a reason why nearly every human culture has not only developed some kind of bread, but also eats it as a staple. I'm not a baker, but even I can make bread—at least the simple kind and with the help of a bread machine. Just follow the simple instructions. But from time to time I've failed at the task. There was the time I was in too much of a hurry to follow the bread machine instructions to use room temperature milk and eggs. The mixture was too cold and the yeast didn't rise. Or there was the time I decided to get fancy—to bake something beyond my abilities, a Gugelhupf cake for extra credit in my German class. I don't know where I went wrong, but trying to get fancy ended up with a brick coming out of the oven. I say all of this because the Bible talks quite a lot about bread. Jesus said of himself that he is the bread of life. And the Church's ministry is a lot like bread in the same way. We minister the good news to the world. We share the bread of life. Our message and our calling are simple. Just do what Jesus told us to do. Proclaim the simple message. But we often get it wrong. We try to get fancy, thinking we can improve on it. Or we look at some part of it and think, “Oh…they won't like that,” so we leave it out, as if we know better than Jesus. The end result—like my failed cake or loaf of bread—doesn't do anyone any good. This is where our lessons today point us. If the over-arching theme of advent is to be prepared, we're reminded today, we're exhorted today to be faithful in doing what the Lord has called us to do. To follow the simple instructions. God's people have always had a very specific calling, whether we're talking about his people in the Old Testament or his people in the New. Jesus has established his church to carry on what has always been Israel's mission, ever since Abraham, but now to carry it out in light of Jesus the Messiah. To be light in the darkness. To reveal and to proclaim the glory of God and to draw the world to him. To make the good news of Jesus, crucified, risen, and Lord known. Now, there's a lot of room for creativity in how we fulfil our mission, but Jesus also gave us very, very clear instructions and if we throw out the core of our mission in the name of creativity or flexibility or pragmatism, we're going to fail. Our men's breakfast group has just begun reading Rod Dreher's book Live Not by Lies. The last few years, Dreher has been writing about what the Church, particularly in North America, needs to be doing as we enter a new dark age. His concern is that Christians are woefully unprepared to live as a minority community, let alone to live in an environment that is becoming increasingly hostile to us. For the last couple of generations we've been failing to instil lasting faith in our children and have lost them to the culture. In the last decade, our people, our leaders, and our churches have been falling like dominos to Postmodern apostasy. And there's a reason for this. We're trying to bake bread our way, instead of following the recipe God gave us. We've sidelined what Jesus told us to do and have put other things at the centre of what we are. We've changed and watered down the message. We've muddled the truth to the point that many Christians can no longer distinguish between God's truth and the world's lies. And, all too often, we've stopped trusting in the Holy Spirit to do the work of converting hearts and minds and have been trying to do it ourselves. Our lessons today focus our attention on the faithfulness of God's ministers. The Epistle focuses on St. Paul and the Gospel on John the Baptist. The choice of lessons is linked to the Ember Days that fall later this week. The Embers Days come around four times a year and, at least historically, were the traditional times for ordinations. With that in mind, our advent lessons today call the clergy to faithfulness to our mission and remind the Church of the importance of faithful ministers. But even though today's focus is on what we might call “professional” ministers, there's a broader application for all of us, because every Christian is a steward and minister of the gospel. Let's begin with our Epistle, 1 Corinthians 11:1-5. And we'll want a little background to understand it. The Church at Corinth had a lot of problems and a big part of it was that many were having trouble setting aside their old, pagan ways. They had compromised much. There were some serious sins in the church that needed to be dealt with, but weren't. People were justifying them by appealing to Christian liberty. There were also divisions within the congregation. Paul had founded this church, but the people didn't want to listen to him anymore. They'd become enamoured of other preachers. There's nothing to indicate these other preachers were preaching anything apart from the gospel. The problem in Corinth wasn't their fault. The problem was that Paul was about the least flashy person you could imagine and when other preachers came along who were more attractive and who were better speakers than Paul—that was something the Greeks valued very highly—they kicked Paul to the curb. Not only would they not listen to him, he wasn't even welcome anymore. They judged him a loser. That's what's behind our Epistle today. Let's read: This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. I've always wondered how hard it was for Paul to write this, especially the bit about “This is how you need to regard me: I'm a servant of Christ and a steward of God's mysteries.” Good clergymen tend to err on the side of humility, even to a fault. The only guys I've ever known to say things like this have been egotists who never should have been in ministry in the first place. But Paul had one advantage that only the apostles had and that was that they had known Jesus in the flesh and had been commissioned by him personally. I can't say that and neither can anyone else alive today. That said, there is a place for God's stewards to assert their calling in the face of unjust judgement. Most of us, when faced with unjust criticism nod humbly, say nothing, and take it to God, but Paul reminds us that there is a time to speak up against these kinds of judgements. I think that goes for every Christian, too. We're all ministers of the gospel, but we live in an age that is becoming increasingly hostile to the gospel and to gospel people. Sometimes there's some legitimacy to the criticism and hostility. Sometimes Christians and sometimes churches have failed and done awful things. But those are the outliers. Most of the criticism we face is simply the result of people who hate Jesus and the message of the cross and anyone who proclaims it. As Dreher points out, most of us are not prepared for this. Here we are, ministers of the gospel and stewards of the mysteries of God and increasingly we're just letting the false judgements and accusations of pagans back us out of the room. We go silently and sit facing the corner like disciplined children—and I think a lot of the time we actually feel guilty when we hear these accusations, even though we know better. Brothers and Sisters, Paul stresses that ministers are to be found faithful. That goes for apostles and for pastors and for all of us. Yes, we need to weigh criticism. We need to ask if there's anything to it. Sometimes there may be. Maybe we're not being faithful to Jesus' instructions and we need to hear it. But Jesus' instructions aren't hard to understand or discern. As a minister, I'm called to preach the word, especially the gospel about Jesus, and to administer the sacraments. It's not quite that simple, but that is the core. And for all of us, we're called to proclaim the gospel about Jesus to the world around us and to live in a way that accords with being the people of God. We proclaim Jesus and we live the life of the Spirit. We need to reflect on our lives in light of that and ask if we're being faithful. This is one of the reasons we need to steep ourselves in God's word. If we don't know what God expects, how will we be faithful? Think again of the bread recipe. Are we following it? Sometimes we're not. It's not that we're not well-intentioned. We want to see things happen, but sometime we get impatient. We take shortcuts. Or we think we can make better bread by changing the recipe. People out there don't like to hear about sin, so we'll tone that part of our preaching down. People out there don't like commitment, so we'll make church commitment-free. People out there don't like liturgy and sermons, so we'll have a rock concert and preach pop-psychology instead. People don't feel like getting up on Sunday mornings and driving to church, so we'll broadcast it to their TVs and computers instead. We're not confident in the power of the gospel and the Spirit to change hearts and to bring them to Jesus, so we instead build churches around programmes and activities that people do want or we use manipulative techniques to get them to believe. We make the gospel about them and not so much about Jesus and the glory of God. These things can bring short-term gains, but in the long-term they've been a disaster. We wonder why people won't commit, why they're still worldly, why we're losing our children, and why we're seen as increasingly irrelevant. It's like we've tried to bake bread by replacing the flour with glitter. The end product might look exciting, but in the end it's not only unable to nourish, it's slowly poisoning us. In contrast, the real work of the gospel is rarely flashy. Sometimes it brings persecution and even martyrdom. It means relying on God, not ourselves. And it means being in it for the long-haul. Consider Israel. God called Abraham and it was two thousand years before Israel's story culminated with Jesus. And the in-between was as full of hardship, slavery, judgement, and exile as it was prosperity and growth. And that was God working with a single, small people. Brothers and Sisters, our mission is the world. So be faithful to the gospel, build churches around word and sacrament, pray and fellowship together, raise covenant children who know Jesus. Proclaim the good news and call your friends and family and neighbours to take up their crosses daily and to follow Jesus. And let them see you do it—when it's a joy to follow Jesus and when you struggle to bear that cross. And as we do that, remember that the judgement that matters is not the judgement of other people or the world, but of God. That doesn't mean we shouldn't have an ear to the ground. That doesn't mean we shouldn't listen to the world's judgements. Sometimes we need to know how the world sees us—even if it's false—so that we can better know what we're up against. So that we can better respond with the gospel. And, sometimes, the world's rebukes may have some truth to them. Jesus promised that his people would be persecuted for his sake, but we need to make sure that we're actually being persecuted for his sake and for our faithfulness to his word. I know some Christians who claim they're being persecuted, but when you get down to it, it's just that people don't like them because they're jerks, not because they're preaching Jesus. People will still hate us for preaching Jesus, but Friends, we do need to be sure that as we preach Jesus and as we stand firmly on the Scriptures that the world rejects, we are squeaky clean. There's a balance. We need to live the gospel as much as we preach the gospel. We're to announce God's judgement on sin, yes, but we're also to announce God's mercy to repentant sinners. This was John the Baptist's struggle. Let's turn over to today's Gospel in Matthew 11. John has gone from announcing the coming kingdom and baptising people in the Jordan to being locked up in prison. He got there by way of criticizing Herod. It wasn't just some off-the-wall criticism. Tied up with his announcement of the kingdom was John's denouncement of Herod for marrying his former sister-in-law. Herod couldn't help but draw a connection between John's fiery preaching and himself. If John was saying that the King was soon to come, it meant John was saying that Herod wasn't really the king. So poor John is now in Herod's dungeon and he's frustrated and confused. He'd been faithful in his divine calling to herald the coming Messiah—his cousin, Jesus—and he's landed in prison. No big surprise there. He wasn't the first prophet to offend a king and end up in prison. But Jesus—the Messiah—was on the outside, preaching, teaching, healing, forgiving, having dinner with tax collectors and sinners, and leaving John to rot. Something was wrong with Jesus' priorities, or so John was beginning to think. We'll pick up from there: Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (St. Matthew 11:2-10) I don't think John was really doubting whether Jesus was the Messiah. I think this was his way of saying, “Um…Jesus. Shouldn't the Messiah be getting his faithful herald out prison?” Of course, that also meant all the other things to go along with it. A simple jailbreak wouldn't do. The jailbreak would have to be part of a wholesale overthrow of Herod and the Romans—which, of course, is what most people expected the Messiah to do. Here's what Jesus says to John's men in return: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11:5-6) You see, John expected the Messiah to be like Elijah, confronting the prophets of Baal and calling down fire from heaven. John wanted to see fire and brimstone. There's a place for that. In a sense John wasn't wrong. Jesus is the Judge and, you can be sure, he will judge the world and everyone in it. We studied Revelation this year and saw that there will be a time for fire and brimstone and judgement. I suspect that being a fire-and-brimstone sort of prophet—and that is what John was called to be so there's nothing wrong with that—I suspect that being that kind of guy means that you get fixated on judgement. When your tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Anyway, Jesus' sort of responds by saying something like, “You expected Elijah…and you've got Elijah…but before I come in judgement, there are a lot of people…people like the widow of Zeraphath…people who need to know God's mercy.” As Jesus says in John's Gospel: I came not to condemn, but to redeem. Brothers and Sisters, remember: Sinners already stand condemned. Judgement is coming. Announcing that judgement was John's mission. But before the judgement comes, what Israel needed most was to know God's mercy, to know his salvation. This is why Jesus' road to the throne had to be by way of the cross. So Jesus corrects John. He sets him straight about the Messiah. But he then turns to the crowd and praises John: As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' (Matthew 11:7-10) Even though Jesus' mission was one of humility and of mercy, Jesus praises the faithfulness of John to his ministry as the fiery herald of judgement. Again, John was expecting the Messiah to come like Elijah, bringing confrontation and fire from heaven, but what Jesus says—albeit a little obliquely for reasons that get beyond our lesson today—what Jesus says here is that John is the prophet like Elijah. John is the fire-and-brimstone preacher. John is the herald announcing judgement and calling the people to repentance. Jesus quotes from Malachi 3 and confirms two things: John is truly the one sent to herald the Messiah and, two, that means that Jesus truly is the Messiah—the one whom Malachi said would come both to refine Israel and to make her offerings pleasing to the Lord and to judge the unrepentant. Now, in the short-term this was bad news for John. It was bad news for Jesus, too. Both the Messiah and his herald would be put to death. But death was not the end. As it turns out, it was by the death of Jesus that deliverance was bought and in his resurrection, he was vindicated and the unjust verdict on him overturned. In his resurrection and his ascension, Jesus was confirmed as the Messiah, as Lord. In that we see the faithfulness of God to his promises and knowing God's faithfulness, we have hope. As St. Paul wrote to the Romans: “If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall surely be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5). This is one of those parts of the gospel that we often prefer to ignore or to leave out of our preaching, because it offends. We've sort of got the opposite problem John had. John was fixated on judgement and on fire from heaven. Like so many Jews, he wanted to see God vanquish Israel's enemies and he nearly forgot about God's mercy. Our problem is the opposite. We've become so afraid of preaching about sin and about judgement, that we can't even preach mercy and grace anymore—because mercy isn't mercy and grace isn't grace if we're not guilty of anything. And if we gut our preaching of mercy and grace, we can talk all day about the love of God, but there will be no depth to it. We will make the cross of Jesus pointless. Why? Because we can only begin to plumb the great depths of God's love when we see that he gave his Son to die for our sake—for the sake of sinners who would otherwise stand condemned to destruction. That brings us back to the recipe for bread. Brothers and Sisters, bread is often kind of boring. But made properly, it nourishes. It keeps us alive. There's a reason why Jesus used it as a metaphor for himself: I am the bread of life. There's a reason why it's a symbol over and over in the story of God's people for his faithful care and sustenance. And it points to the way God works and the way his gospel and his word work in the world. It's rarely flashy. And you have to be patient, because it takes time to rise and it takes time to bake. But like the Messiah, who humble himself to take on lowly human flesh, who humbled himself to be born of a lowly virgin, and who humbly went to death on a cross, the simple bread of the gospel, the good news that Jesus died, that he rose, and that he is Lord, brings life to the world. To preach it faithfully means to preach it whole and to preach it pure. Friends, be faithful stewards. Stick to the recipe. Preach the Lord Jesus, crucified and risen to give forgiveness and life to sinners. Build churches centred on the faithful preaching of God's word and the administration of the sacraments, where, knowing God's faithfulness, God's people sing and pray together, where they raise covenant, gospel children, where we live as people who know the hope of God's life in the age to come. Let's pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Rod Dreher describes how you can teach your children to honor God, find fellowship and solidarity with other believers, and even discover value in suffering for the Gospel. He shares powerful stories of Christian dissidents under communism and encourages families to live counterculturally as radical disciples of Jesus Christ. (Part 2 of 2)Receive the book " Live Not by Lies" and the audio download of the broadcast "Improving Your Sex Life to Improve Your Marriage" for your donation of any amount! And now through a special matching opportunity, your gift will be DOUBLED, dollar for dollar: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2022-12-05?refcd=1525203Get more episode resources: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/best-of-2022-embracing-gods-truth-in-a-hostile-culture-part-2-of-2/#featured-resource-ctaIf you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/
Rod Dreher describes how you can teach your children to honor God, find fellowship and solidarity with other believers, and even discover value in suffering for the Gospel. He shares powerful stories of Christian dissidents under communism and encourages families to live counterculturally as radical disciples of Jesus Christ. (Part 1 of 2)Receive the book " Live Not by Lies" and the audio download of the broadcast "Improving Your Sex Life to Improve Your Marriage" for your donation of any amount! And now through a special matching opportunity, your gift will be DOUBLED, dollar for dollar: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2022-12-05?refcd=1525203Get more episode resources: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/best-of-2022-embracing-gods-truth-in-a-hostile-culture-part-1-of-2/#featured-resource-ctaIf you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/
“…a totalitarian society is one in which an ideology seeks to displace all prior traditions and institutions, with the goal of bringing all aspects of society under control of that ideology. A totalitarian state is one that aspires to nothing less than defining and controlling reality.” Rod Dreher, Live Not by Lies --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/donavon-riley/support
Today we begin an exciting discussion of Rod Dreher's book, _Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. _ Is America drifting toward some form of totalitarianism? Our elite institutions are abandoning old-fashioned liberalism, which defends the rights of the individual, and replacing it with a progressive creed which promotes social justice through group identity. Dissenters from the woke party line find their careers destroyed and their reputations slandered. All of this is done in the name of liberating victims from oppressors. The question remains, what can we do about it? Find out more at https://ron-johnson-discipleship-podca.pinecast.co
What is a woman? Justin Folk directed and produced the new popular documentary What Is A Woman? that seeks to answer that question in a culture of confusion. Today we explore how the art of filmmaking can be used to point people to true ideas and put on display the destruction that comes from believing false ideas. Justin Folk Show Notes What is a Woman? Documentary No Safe Spaces Documentary The Winter Army: The World War II Odyssey of the 10th Mountain Division, America's Elite Alpine Warriors by Maurice Isserman Live Not by Lies by Rod Dreher 1984 by George Orwell Strong Women Episode 41. Faithfulness in Turmoil with Rod Dreher Join Strong Women on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc Erin and her husband, Brett, run Maven which “exists to help the next generation know truth, pursue goodness, and create beauty, all for the cause of Christ.” Check out more about Maven here: https://maventruth.com/ 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 book list: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women
How do you know when it is time to seek the prosperity of America and when it is time to stand up against the culture for your Biblical convictions? What does the Bible say about this? Listen in as Pastor Michael discusses this and more in TruthCurrents. Rod Dreher, “Babylon's Furnace: Truth, Suffering & the Hard Road Ahead,” Touchstone, May/June 2022. Andree Seu Peterson, “Is Paris well worth a Mass?” World Magazine, July 30, 2022. Rod Dreher, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, Sentinel, 2020
Jordan B Peterson. Live Not By Lies. Live Not By Lies | Rod Dreher & Dr Jordan B Peterson https://youtu.be/i1JuWVeJS-E 303,804 views Jul 7, 2022 Jordan B Peterson 5.29M subscribers Rod Dreher is a senior writer and editor for 'The American Conservative.' He is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: 'Live Not By Lies,' 'The Benedict Option,' and 'The Little Way of Ruthie Leming,' as well as the books 'Crunchy Cons' and 'How Dante Can Save Your Life.' In this episode, Rod Dreher and I discuss his latest book, 'Live Not By Lies,' the continuous emergence of Communism in the West, ideology as a substitute for religion, the importance of courage, and more. Thanks for watching. —Links— Follow Rod Dreher on Twitter: https://twitter.com/roddreher Read Rod Dreher's articles: https://www.theamericanconservative.c... Order Rod Dreher's books, 'Live Note By Lies', and others on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rod-Dreher/e/B.... —Chapters— [0:00] Intro [1:25] Live Not By Lies [2:32] A Story from Communist Czechoslovakia [4:55] Our Old Idea of New Totalitarianism [9:13] Czeslaw Miłosz and "The Captive Mind" [12:26] The Appeal of Communism [14:50] The Weaponizing of Original Sin [18:36] Applying the Story of the Kulaks [22:43] The Emergence of Woke Capitalism [27:37] The Line Between Good and Evil [29:48] Solzhenitsyn's Rules for Responsible Conduct [31:31] Scapegoating and False Morality [37:28] The Fragility of American Elites [42:06] Vaclav Havel, The Myth of the Green Grocer [48:34] Fighting for the Right to Be Unhappy [56:37] Ideology as Substitute for Religion [1:00:56] Heroism as Anti-Ideology [1:09:52] Preparing for Persecution [1:12:33] A Message from the Church to Men [1:13:39] Courage [1:18:04] Rod Dreher, "Live Not By Lies" [1:20:07] Jordan Peterson's Daily Wire+ Deal [1:21:15] Daily Wire+ Intro [1:21:54] History of Rod Dreher's Religious Belief [1:27:08] Sexuality as the Last Temptation [1:32:45] Kierkegaard's Three Stages of Life [1:34:45] Journey Through Catholicism [1:36:36] Becoming an Orthodox Christian [1:45:00] A Respite from the Political [1:48:11] The Purpose of Prayer [1:50:23] The Jesus Prayer [1:54:36] Closing Comments #roddreher #livenotbylies #aleksandrsolzhenitsyn #jordanpeterson #communism #christianity // SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL // Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/jordanbpeterson.co... Donations: https://jordanbpeterson.com/donate // COURSES // Discovering Personality: https://jordanbpeterson.com/personality Self Authoring Suite: https://selfauthoring.com Understand Myself (personality test): https://understandmyself.com // BOOKS // Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life: https://jordanbpeterson.com/Beyond-Order 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos: https://jordanbpeterson.com/12-rules-... Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief: https://jordanbpeterson.com/maps-of-m... // LINKS // Website: https://jordanbpeterson.com Events: https://jordanbpeterson.com/events Blog: https://jordanbpeterson.com/blog Podcast: https://jordanbpeterson.com/podcast // SOCIAL // Twitter: https://twitter.com/jordanbpeterson Instagram: https://instagram.com/jordan.b.peterson Facebook: https://facebook.com/drjordanpeterson Telegram: https://t.me/DrJordanPeterson All socials: https://linktr.ee/drjordanbpeterson #JordanPeterson #JordanBPeterson #DrJordanPeterson #DrJordanBPeterson #DailyWirePlus #Psychology #RodDreher #LiveNotByLies #Communism #Totalitarianism #Christianity About the book- Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher The New York Times bestselling author of The Benedict Option draws on the wisdom of Christian survivors of Soviet persecution to warn American Christians of approaching dangers. For years, émigrés from the former Soviet bloc have been telling Rod Dreher they see telltale signs of "soft" totalitarianism cropping up in America--something more Brave New World than Nineteen Eighty-Four. Identity politics are beginning to encroach on every aspect of life. Civil liberties are increasingly seen as a threat to "safety". Progressives marginalize conservative, traditional Christians, and other dissenters. Technology and consumerism hasten the possibility of a corporate surveillance state. And the pandemic, having put millions out of work, leaves our country especially vulnerable to demagogic manipulation. In Live Not By Lies, Dreher amplifies the alarm sounded by the brave men and women who fought totalitarianism. He explains how the totalitarianism facing us today is based less on overt violence and more on psychological manipulation. He tells the stories of modern-day dissidents--clergy, laity, martyrs, and confessors from the Soviet Union and the captive nations of Europe--who offer practical advice for how to identify and resist totalitarianism in our time. Following the model offered by a prophetic World War II-era pastor who prepared believers in his Eastern European to endure the coming of communism, Live Not By Lies teaches American Christians a method for resistance: • SEE: Acknowledge the reality of the situation. • JUDGE: Assess reality in the light of what we as Christians know to be true. • ACT: Take action to protect truth. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn famously said that one of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming totalitarianism can't happen in their country. Many American Christians are making that mistake today, sleepwalking through the erosion of our freedoms. Live Not By Lies will wake them and equip them for the long resistance. Purchase the book at your favorite book seller or- https://www.amazon.com/Live-Not-Lies-Christian-Dissidents/dp/B0892SPHYG/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= HELP ACU SPREAD THE WORD! Ways to subscribe to the American Conservative University Podcast Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via RSS You can also subscribe via Stitcher FM Player Podcast Addict Tune-in Podcasts Pandora Look us up on Amazon Prime If you like this episode head on over to Apple Podcasts and kindly leave us a rating, a review and subscribe! People find us through our good reviews. FEEDBACK- Thanks to Rachel Layton for recommending this episode. Send ACU your favorites at- Email us at americanconservativeuniversity@americanconservativeuniversity.com You can ask your questions, make comments, submit ideas for shows and lots more. Let your voice be heard.
LIVE NOT BY LIESOn the day Solzhenitsyn was arrested, February, 12, 1974, he released the text of “Live Not by Lies.” The next day, he was exiled to the West, where he received a hero's welcome. This moment marks the peak of his fame. Solzhenitsyn equates “lies” with ideology, the illusion that human nature and society can be reshaped to predetermined specifications. And his last word before leaving his homeland urges Soviet citizens as individuals to refrain from cooperating with the regime's lies. Even the most timid can take this least demanding step toward spiritual independence. If many march together on this path of passive resistance, the whole inhuman system will totter and collapse.-- by Edward E. Ericson, Jr. and Daniel J. Mahoney, The Solzhenitsyn Readerhttps://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/live-not-by-lies
This weekend, we revisit our recent Daily Broadcast "Embracing God's Truth in a Hostile Culture." Rod Dreher describes how you can teach your children to honor God, find fellowship and solidarity with other believers, and even discover value in suffering for the Gospel. Get Rod's book "Live Not by Lies" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive: https://donate.focusonthefamily.com/don-daily-broadcast-product-2022-02-17?refcd=1315107 Get more episode resources: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/embracing-gods-truth-in-a-hostile-culture-part-1-of-2/#featured-resource-cta If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback: https://focusonthefamily.com/podcastsurvey/
Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, comments on an article in the Daily Wire by Hank Berrien about a mother “taking legal action against teachers who allegedly persuaded” her “eleven-year-old daughter that she was a boy.” The mother, Jessica Konen, is quoted as saying, “You wouldn't expect a teacher to be predatorial toward a child.” Berrien explains that the sixth-grader “was allegedly recruited by teachers and encouraged to change her name to a boy's name while being told not to tell her mother.” Teachers are alleged to have “‘planted the seed' to convince Konen's daughter to believe she was bisexual, then urged the girl to believe she was a transgender boy.” The increasing commonality of these kinds of stories potentially desensitizes us to the cultural shift occurring before our eyes. As Western Civilization attempts to decouple biological sex from gender, eradicating the very distinctives given to us by our Creator, we as followers of Christ must not sit by idly to watch it happen. In the words of Abraham Kuyper, “When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.” If we do not pray and stand for truth now, we will lose Western Civilization. See Hank Berrien, “CA Mom Takes Legal Action Against Teachers Who Allegedly Persuaded 11-Year-Old Daughter She Was A Boy,” Daily Wire, January 24, 2022, https://www.dailywire.com/news/ca-mom-takes-legal-action-against-teachers-who-allegedly-persuaded-11-year-old-daughter-she-was-a-boy. For further study, read Ryan T. Anderson's book, When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment https://www.equip.org/product/when-harry-became-sally-responding-to-the-transgender-moment/; and Rod Dreher's essential book, Live Not by Lies: A Manuel for Christian Dissidents https://www.equip.org/product/live-not-by-lies-a-manual-for-christian-dissidents/.
Today's left-wing totalitarianism once again appeals to an internal hunger, specifically the hunger for a just society, one that vindicates and liberates the historical victims of oppression. It masquerades as kindness, demonizing dissenters and disfavored demographic groups to protect the feelings of "victims" in order to bring about "social justice." Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Not-Lies-Christian-Dissidents/dp/0593087399 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/donavon-riley/support
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/11/21), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Rod Dreher, author of Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Hank and Rod discuss the difference between authoritarianism and totalitarianism, distinguishing classical liberals from socialists and communists, snowflakes and the power of victimization, the myth of progress, giving up our liberties for the pink police state—Brave New World, and the Christian's hope in Christ.
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/08/21), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Rod Dreher, author of Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Hank and Rod discuss what should we learn from the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lessons learned from the Bolsheviks, similarities between a declining USA and Russia before the revolution and key pre-totalitarian characteristics, the use of science to advance ideological and political beliefs, problems with The 1619 Project by The New York Times, and the repurposing of Soviet propaganda for the cover art of Live Not By Lies.
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/07/21), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Rod Dreher, author of Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Hank and Rod discuss how the church is contributing to the decline of Western Civilization, the totalitarian traits of the transgender agenda and the politicization of every aspect of life, the problems with Black Lives Matter as a movement, issues of ideological indoctrination today, and the most important lesson that Rod learned while writing Live Not By Lies.
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/06/21), we pick up where we ended on our previous broadcast and present more of an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank is talking with Rod Dreher, author of Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Hank and Rod discuss See, Judge, Act—what we can learn about the underground church movement of Father Tomislav Kolakovic, memory holes, the importance of cultivating cultural memory and the dangers of not knowing history, the importance of discernment, and the different meanings of social justice.
For years, émigrés from the former Soviet Union have been telling Rod Dreher they see telltale signs of “soft” totalitarianism cropping up in America. Identity politics are intruding into every aspect of life. Progressives are marginalizing conservative Christians. Technology and consumerism are creating the possibility of a corporate surveillance state. And the pandemic has left our country especially vulnerable to demagogic manipulation. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn famously said that one of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming totalitarianism can't happen at home. Rod Dreher joins Hank Hanegraaff to warn American Christians of approaching dangers and equip them for the long resistance. Topics discussed include: How an essay by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn inspired the title for Rod Dreher's new book Live Not by Lies (6:15); stories of émigrés from the former Soviet Union telling Rod Dreher that they see reminders of communism cropping up in America (7:55); the dangers of cancel culture and people being afraid to speak freely (11:05); the difference between hard totalitarianism and soft totalitarianism (13:50); are we living in a world more similar to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World or George Orwell's 1984? (18:25); See, Judge, Act—what we can learn about the underground church movement of Father Tomislav Kolakovic (21:15); memory holes, the importance of cultivating cultural memory and the dangers of not knowing history (28:15); the importance of discernment (35:45); different meanings of social justice (37:25); the triumph of the therapeutic and how the church is contributing to the decline of Western Civilization (42:20); the totalitarian traits of the transgender agenda and the politicization of every aspect of life (47:10); the problems with Black Lives Matter as a movement (53:00); issues of ideological indoctrination today, especially with “diversity training” in workplaces (55:15); the most important lesson that Rod Dreher learned while writing Live Not By Lies (1:01:25); what should we learn from the state response to the Covid-19 pandemic (1:05:25); learning lessons from the Bolsheviks (1:08:50); similarities between a declining USA and Russia before the revolution and key pre-totalitarian characteristics (1:14:15); the use of science to advance ideological and political beliefs (1:18:00); problems with The 1619 Project by The New York Times (1:19:40); the repurposing of Soviet propaganda for the cover art of Live Not By Lies (1:22:40); the difference between authoritarianism and totalitarianism (1:24:50); distinguishing classical liberals from socialists and communists (1:28:30); snowflakes and the power of victimization (1:31:50); the myth of progress (1:35:05); giving up our liberties for the pink police state—Brave New World (1:39:15); why we should value nothing more than truth? (1:42:30); the importance of cultivating cultural memory (1:47:00); the significance of memory and memorization (1:48:50); religion is the bedrock of resistance–the importance of creeds and confessions (1:50:55); the gift of suffering (1:53:50); Christian hope in Christ (2:00:25). For more information on receiving Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents for your partnering gift, please click here. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri2101hup/Listen to Hank's podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/05/21), we present an episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank's guest is Rod Dreher, author of Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Hank and Rod discuss how an essay by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn inspired the title for Rod's new book Live Not by Lies, stories of émigrés from the former Soviet Union telling Rod that they see reminders of communism cropping up in America, the dangers of cancel culture and people being afraid to speak freely, the difference between hard totalitarianism and soft totalitarianism, and if we are living in a world more similar to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World or George Orwell's 1984.
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank brings up the Hank Unplugged podcast, having just finished recording an episode with Rod Dreher on his book, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. Hank and Dreher talked about liberal democracy and how it's degenerating into something that resembles totalitarianism. The “liberal” in liberal democracy references the liberties or freedoms that a government is mandated to guarantee its citizens, which includes the freedom of religion, speech, assembly, press, and the right to own private property. And democracy refers to self-government and equality of citizens under the law. All of this means that our liberal democracy provides space and protection for Christians to act for the advancement of justice. And when that protection erodes—you end up with totalitarianism. In the second segment of the broadcast, Hank seeks to answer the question, “Did Adam and Eve really exist?” This question is transcendently important to the historic Christian faith because if Adam and Eve did not eat the forbidden fruit—if they did not fall into a life of perpetual sin terminated by death—there is no need for redemption.
Rod Dreher brings a wake up call, sharing stories from his new book, "Live Not by Lies," where Soviet-era Christians relate how to stand up to "soft totalitarianism," something we see accelerating here in America today. (Encore Presentation)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rod Dreher brings a wake up call, sharing stories from his new book, "Live Not by Lies," where Soviet-era Christians relate how to stand up to "soft totalitarianism," something we see accelerating here in America today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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