183: Sasse - The secular and the spiritual are indeed to be dearly distinguished
A shelter from pigs on the wing... In this episode, how do Christians interface with a godless state, love our neighbors without being complicit in promoting sin, and maintain the tension between the two kingdoms?
182: Sasse - The office of the governing authority belongs to God’s created order
You Know Who Else Misunderstood The Kingdom of God? Hitler! In this episode, we read Herman Sasse’s 1930 essay on The Social Doctrine of the Augsburg Confession and its Significance for the Present. We discuss the two kingdoms doctrine, peoples’…
181: Chesterton - Once abolish the God, and the Government becomes the God
Chairman Mao Loves Ice Cream. In this episode, G.K. Chesterton on what happens when we abolish God, and the government becomes the god. We discuss “unalienable rights endowed by the Creator.” The language of freedom and rights belongs to the…
179: Girolamo Savaronola - O you who have anything superfluous, give it to the poor!
The Pirates of Penance part 2. In this episode, we continue to examine Girolamo Savaronola’s sermon on penance. What happened in Florence that occasioned this sermon, and what can it teach us about church and society today?
178: Girolamo Savaronola - Do penance, Do it now!
The Pirates of Penance, part 1. In this episode, we look at pre-Reformation preaching. Girolamo Savaronola’s sermon on penance is read and discussed. What is penance, what effect did the sacrament of penance have on church and society, and what…
180: Whitford - The Church and State Have Existed in An Often Unhealthy Tension
It’s The Most Important Election of Our Lives, Until The Next Election. In this special election episode, Gillespie and Riley read David Whitford’s book, "Tyranny and Resistance," and discuss church, state, and the two kingdoms doctrine.
177: Clement of Alexandria - True martyrdom is the knowledge of the only true God
Stop Showing Off and Get Back in Line... In part two of our reading of Clement of Alexandria’s, The Praises of Martyrdom Those Who Offered Themselves for Martyrdom Reproved, we discuss when martyrdom isn’t martyrdom and why the topic is…
176: Clement of Alexandria - Martyrdom: A Witness Both by Life and Word
Easy There, Fella, Everybody’s Gonna Get a Turn... In this episode, we begin a reading of Clement of Alexandria’s, "The Praises of Martyrdom Those Who Offered Themselves for Martyrdom Reproved." What constitutes martyrdom for Christians? Where does the idea of…
175: Patrick Henry Reardon - Death is Sin Rendered Visible
This isn't a plus one... The second part of our episode on Patrick Henry Reardon's book, Christ in the Psalms. Taking a hard look at how we confuse the two kingdoms, avoid controversial topics in the church and the tragic…
174: Patrick Henry Reardon - Divine Wrath is not Some Sort of Irritation
This is not a drill... We return to Patrick Henry Reardon's book, Christ in the Psalms. In this episode, we consider Psalm 6 and the very real, earthly effects of God's wrath, along with political bookends.
173: Henry Patrick Reardon - The Moral Sentiments of the Psalms are Christian Sentiments
My God can beat up your god... The second part of our discussion of Christ in the Psalms, by Patrick Henry Reardon. What is the temptation when Christians assume that our enemies are God's enemies? How do we pray for…
172: Henry Patrick Reardon - To Take One's Stand and To Keep Watch
Why Christians are commanded to pray down curses upon their enemies. This episode, Christ in the Psalms, by Patrick Henry Reardon. What's an imprecatory psalm? Why are we taught by Scripture to pray imprecatory psalms, but have largely excluded such…
171: C.S. Lewis - All schemes of happiness that centered in this world were always doomed to a final frustration
The Enemies at the Gate.We conclude our reading and discussion of C.S. Lewis’ speech on Learning in War-time. More reflection on the three enemies, excitement, frustration, and fear.
170: C.S. Lewis - The three enemies which war raises up against the scholar
Know Your Enemy! C.S. Lewis explains why excitement, frustration, and fear can drive us to errs in judgment about ourselves, society, and God.
169: C.S. Lewis - Bad philosophy needs to be answered
Sometimes You Just Have to Hit The Reset and Start Over... Sometimes You Don’t. What happens to the church and society when we are incapable of critical thinking? Can we learn from our failures, and the attacks of our enemies…
168: C.S. Lewis - We need intimate knowledge of the past
Steel Our Christian Hearts.We continue with C.S. Lewis’ speech on Learning in War-Time. How important is it for Christians and society to read good books, to learn from our opponents, and to stand up for the truth?
167: C.S. Lewis - Under the aegis of His Church, learning and the arts flourish
We continue our conversation with C.S. Lewis, as he addresses the distinction between dying and living for one's nation, party, and class. How do we distinguish between the demands of Caesar and God?
166: C.S. Lewis - If you don't read good books you will read bad ones
Gentlemen, You Can't Fight in Here, This is The War Room. C.S. Lewis addresses the distinction between dying and living for one's nation, party, and class. How do we distinguish between the demands of Caesar and God?
165: Timothy Keller - Postmodernism: Only powerlessness and oppression brings moral high ground and true knowledge
Now You're Playing with Power. In this episode, we discuss what happens when a society subverts the power of dominant groups in favor of the oppressed.
164: Timothy Keller - Lots of foolish and cruel things can make us happy
This Hurts You More Than It Hurts Me. Further discussion and analysis of utilitarianism... What happens when we drill down into the harm principle and uncover the truth about human nature? And we jump into post-modernism.
163: Timothy Keller - If you believe in human rights, you are probably not a utilitarian
You Gotta Pump Those Numbers, Those Are Rookie Numbers. We continue our examination of Tim Keller's Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory. In this episode, can a society maximize the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people…
162: Timothy Keller - Liberals’ insistence that religious views stay out of public discourse is hypocritical
You Gotta Serve Somebody, part 3. We continue our reading of Tim Keller’s critique of modern political ideologies and their possible effects on our churches.
161: Timothy Keller - There is no need in liberal society for any consensus on moral values
You Gotta Serve Somebody, part 2. We continue to examine Tim Keller’s critique of modern political ideologies, and whether they study up to a biblical and theological critique of their core principles.
160: Timothy Keller - Biblical justice differs in significant ways from all the secular alternatives
You Gotta Serve Somebody. Tim Keller breaks down various political ideologies and asks, “What does God’s Word have to say about this?”
159: Zempel - Churches Aren’t Avoiding Death By Keeping Their Doors Closed. They’re Ensuring It
This Little Light of Mine... When we allow feelings of fear and insecurity about our health and well-being dominate discussions about churches opening their doors, are we thereby complicit in the spiritual death of our churches?
