106. Jesus Has No Flag with Against All Flags Podcast Team

About this Episode

In this episode of the Bad Roman Podcast, host Craig Harguess welcomes Anthony, Nathan, and Wyatt from the Against All Flags podcast. Together, they navigate the turbulent waters of Christian Anarchy, holding steadfast to the conviction of 'No King but Christ.' The episode reveals the transformative power of a Christcentric anarchist viewpoint, as they share heartfelt stories about moving beyond traditional politics and organized religion, while keeping Jesus's teachings at the forefront.

They address the inner turmoil Christians often experience when their obligations to the state appear to conflict with their spiritual convictions. The discussion delves into the historical stances of the early church on nonviolence and examines how contemporary believers reconcile these seemingly contrary paths. 

Personal anecdotes, biblical reflections on flawed earthly rulers, and the unshakable sovereignty of Jesus are woven throughout the narrative, emphasizing the rallying cry 'No king but Christ.' The societal implications of standing against national symbols, such as the choice to stand or sit during the national anthem, are also tackled. 

Craig and his guests reflect on the journey of their respective podcasts, from inception to a firm dedication to merging Christian insights with issues of political culture. They celebrate the mission to guide listeners towards a deep, nonviolent faith that rejects the entanglements of statism and violence, acknowledging the global Christian community, the reach of podcasts, and inspirations like Stephen Rose from AnarchoChristian.

Connect with our guests:

• Follow their Podcast: Against All Flags

• Nathan

  • Instagram: @against_all_flags_pod

• Anthony 

  • Instagrams: @against_all_flags_boomer

    @beltfed_bandit

•  Wyatt

  •  @wyatt_j_d_

Episode Timestamps:

Timestamps:

01:08 Exploring Anarchy Through Fiction

•  Introduction to Joseph Macolino, inspired by Tolkien and Orwell.

• Creation of the fictional universe Evorath, developed from high school to college.

• Joseph's trilogy explores themes of questioning government authority and discovering Christian principles.

12:35 Spreading Christian Anarchy Through Fiction

• The intersection of fiction and Christian anarchism is highlighted.

• Influence of various texts, maintaining a critical perspective.

• Story arc in fantasy series depicts the transition from monarchy to an anarchist society, paralleling historical movements.

• Aim to challenge preconceptions and promote Christian anarchism through storytelling.

19:59 Discussing Writing, Influence, and Christianity

• Focus on Evorath's world-building, where humans are divinely created.

• Discussion on media influence and personal experiences of non-conformity.

• Importance of writers in highlighting societal propaganda and Christian resistance.

• Emphasis on living according to Jesus' teachings despite potential opposition.

28:22 God Is Strategic

• A personal anecdote about a significant encounter and the concept of divine timing.

• Reflection on the creative process and progress in writing projects.

• Introduction of the 'Bad Woman Project' and a call for support.

• Teaser for the content of upcoming books without giving away specifics.

31:46 Expanding on Book Two Characters

• Insight into Averath's characters, including the villain Yazook Stahl.

• Exploration of shapeshifter species and character development.

• Themes of power, corruption, and societal improvement are examined through character arcs.

39:46 Fantasy Series and Libertarian Ideology

• Introduction of diverse races and characters in the third book.

• Characters question tribal loyalties, leading to the formation of a new community.

• Discussion on societal ideals, comparing the fictional society to voluntarism.

• Upcoming books to delve into the complexities of a society striving for harmony post-trilogy.

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102. True Crime, Religion and Podcasting with Cristy Ramos of Cristy's Chronicles Podcast

In this special episode of The Bad Roman, we take an atypical yet gripping detour into the sinister world of true crime, religious beliefs, and their troubling convergence. Cristy Ramos, the voice behind the budding podcast Cristy's Chronicles, where she discusses the finer details of real-life crime stories. Having worked in law and health insurance, she has deep knowledge of how the system functions. Cristy offers a fresh perspective on understanding the motivations of criminals and how the government deals with them.

In this conversation, we explore both infamous and lesser-known cases like those of Casey Anthony and Israel Keyes. With a past rooted in Christianity, Cristy offers an enlightening perspective on how religious upbringings and interpretations of scripture can intersect with and potentially influence criminal behavior.

Even though we're talking about True Crime, this topic helps us, as Bad Romans, understand how the government catches and punishes criminals, and if our justice system is doing a good job. It challenges us to think about what ‘No King But Christ’ means when faced with horrendous acts, how do we punish people in a voluntary society? 

As our discussion winds down we touch on the problems some cities like Memphis face, how technology and regular people can help solve cold cases, and spooky topics like UFOs and conspiracy theories!

Conversation Highlights:

• The role religion can have infamous crimes.

• The trial of Casey Anthony and the unanswered questions.

• How serial killer Israel Keyes planned his crimes and whether his religious upbringing had any role.

• The impact of crime on society and how the government responds, like in the case of Memphis.

• How common people and technology can help solve old mysteries.

• Fun topics like ghosts, UFOs, and conspiracy theories in our real-life crime chat.

Whether we're studying about criminals or pondering over statism, The Bad Roman is always here to help you learn and think differently. Join us for this episode and others as we continue to explore what it means to live as a follower of Jesus in the 21st century, Christians’ entanglement with political forces around the world, and the mystery of being alive that intrigues us all.

Connect with Cristy:

Cristy’s Chronicles Podcast – website, Apple Podcasts

Facebook Page

Discord 

Instagram @cristys_chroniclez

Email: cristyschronicles@gmail.com

Key Moments:

00:00:17 Exploring True Crime and Religion

◦ Discussion of the intersection between true crime and religion

◦ Insights from Cristy Ramos on religious influence in criminal behavior

◦ Impact of Israel Keyes' religious upbringing on his actions

00:03:45 Understanding the Causes of Disturbing Behavior

◦ Delving into the nature vs. nurture debate in criminal psychology

◦ The role of proper child nurturing and misuse of scripture in child-rearing

00:09:59 Mother's Emotion in Crime Case Perceptions

◦ Reflections on the emotional perceptions surrounding the Casey Anthony trial

00:09:59 The Casey Anthony Murder Trial

◦ Analyzing the controversial defense strategy and jury decision

◦ Discussion of the death-like odor evidence in the Casey Anthony case

00:15:12 Casey Anthony

◦ Exploring inconsistencies in Casey Anthony's story

◦ Post-trial life and public skepticism towards Casey Anthony

00:22:20 Israel Keyes and Serial Killers

◦ Dissecting the calculated crimes of serial killer Israel Keyes

◦ How Keyes' religious upbringing and early violence may have influenced his psyche

00:23:33 Israel Keyes' Different Christian Church

◦ Examination of Israel Keyes' unusual upbringing in a Christian-based church

00:29:45 Serial Killer's Moral Code and Restrictions

◦ Keyes' self-imposed moral code and avoidance of certain victims

00:35:08 Serial Killers and Gang Violence

◦ The contrast between gang violence and serial killers' methodical planning

◦ Addressing investigative biases and the controversial theory of Kurt Cobain's death

00:36:27 Questioning Cobain's Death and Investigative Biases

◦ Discussing Israel Keyes' social ostracization and early signs of violence

00:38:37 Cults and the Death Penalty

◦ Link between cult-like churches and criminal behavior

◦ Reflections on the death penalty and wrongful convictions

00:44:15 Serial Killer's Revelations and Suicide

◦ Israel Keyes' lack of remorse and calculated approach to crime

◦ Keyes' suicide in prison following capture and partial confession

00:48:29 Crime Impact, Role of Government

◦ Debating criminal justice policies and repeat offenses

◦ Role of citizen detectives and DNA technology in solving cold cases

◦ Personal anecdotes on dealing with loss through true crime narratives

00:53:50 True Crime and Victim's Families

◦ Impact of true crime stories on the lives of victims' families

00:56:17 Conspiracies, Crime, and Paranormal Exploration

◦ Introducing fellow podcasters and discussion on supernatural occurrences

◦ Intersections of true crime with conspiracy theories and unexplained phenomena

01:00:02 True Crime Podcast Halloween Plans

◦ Reflections on the origins of "The Exorcist" film and government UFO acknowledgments

◦ Cristy Ramos' journey into podcasting and aspirations for future collaborations

01:06:25 Impressive Crime Podcast With Learning Opportunities

◦ Invitation for listener engagement and suggestions for future podcast topics

Explore Related Episodes Below:

EXPLORE RELATED BLOG POSTS:

90. Ideologies, Freedom & Critical Thinking with Mat and Phil from the Way of Life Podcast

About this Episode

Get ready for an enlightening journey with Mat and Phil from the Way of Life Podcast, as we delve into pressing topics that shape our everyday lives. Mat shares his background of growing up in Australia, being heavily involved in church, and pursuing pastoral ministry, while Phil gives an insight into his life as an underground coal miner and his interest in video production. The conversation also dive into the importance of meeting people where they are and encouraging them to think critically about what they hear. 

In our current global climate, how can we ignore the ideological shifts happening all around us? Mat and Phil take us on a fascinating journey, exploring the transformation of the understanding of harm in the progressive movement and its impact on politics in the U.S. and Australia. We probe into the concept of democracy, examining its potential pitfalls, and discuss whether sources of information like TikTok are skewing our perception of harm. 

But we don’t stop there. Our conversation meanders into the realm of military alliances, political apathy, and the intertwining of governmental and religious institutions. We scrutinize the US-Australia military alliance, ponder the implications of an increasingly intrusive government, and discuss the possibility of a U.S. government collapse. Are our understandings of freedom without boundaries leading us astray? 

In the final part of our discussion, we explore how the concept of freedom without boundaries can lead to a herd mentality and discuss the necessity of teaching people to think independently. We also assess the intertwining of church and state in the United States and how this contrasts with the Australian church scene. Wrapping up, we share the mission of the Way of Life podcast – equipping people to think critically and fostering a space for open dialogue. So, buckle up and prepare to see the world through a unique lens!

Connect with Mat and Phil:

Facebook Way of Life Podcast

Youtube Way of Life Podcast

Spotify Way of Life Podcast

Apple Way of Life Podcast

Episode Timestamps:

01:39 Mat’s Background

• Christian 

• drummer

• Works with Youth at Church now

• Meeting people where they’re at

05:33 Phil’s Background

• Underground coal miner

• Video producer

• Joined ministry at 13

• Started a podcast with Mat

09:25 Leaving Mainstream Media for Alternative Sources

• Getting information from podcasts

• Media Landscape in Australia

• Liberal vs. labor parties

• Democracy and tyranny

• Does the government ensure peace?

15:14 Shifting Definition of Harm among generations

• Physical harm vs. psychological harm 

• Tik Tok, Podcasts, Youtube raising a generation

• Role of feedback in forming ideas/beliefs

• In such polarized times people are afraid to say something doesn’t make sense

• The middle has been eroded

• Idiocracy (2006)

25:19 Australian and US Government Alliance

• American government is entertainment for Austrsilians

• Click-bait

• Gary Johnson

• Democrats being anti-war in the past

• Yemen and Saudis

• Jesus worked towards peace and the government alway does harm

• Church is outsourcing charity to the state

• Australians don’t like to talk about government as openly as Americans

• Christian identity is wrapped up in political identity in from the Australian point of view

• Fine in australia for enrolling to vote and not submitting ballot sheet

• “Donkey vote”

• Crocodile Dundee

• Australians a generally trusting

• Government was less invasive

• John Anderson

• Small government vs. what exist today

• Can we go back?

• Patriot Act

• US involvement with Ukraine

• Oil Protectors of America

• Poppy fields in Afghanistan 

• Peter Zhan

• US’s role in global trade route “protection”

45:37 How Australian churches Interact with Government

• Politics does not make it into the pulpit

• Some Christian lobbyist groups

50:51 Way of Life Podcast

• post-Christian nation

• Freedom without boundary

• Never give more than three options in retail

• Crippled by information young people go with the herd

• Being very passionate about something you have not thought very hard on

• John 14:6

• Doing show live because Q&A is big portion of the show

• Learning to disagree with others in a healthy way

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88. Journeys of Faith: Unpacking Eschatology with Micah and John of City Square Podcast

About this Episode

Have you ever questioned your beliefs about the end times? Have you ever wondered about the different strands of eschatological thought and how they emerged? Strap in for a fascinating discussion with John and Micah, hosts of the City Square Podcast on eschatology. Listen in as we get into the heart of eschatology, a topic we've not extensively covered on the Bad Roman Podcast. It's an enlightening conversation filled with personal experiences, exciting insights, and a friendly rivalry over football.

Ready to expand your horizons? We explore different eschatological views, how popular culture influences these perspectives(The Left Behind Series), and the history of alternative beliefs and teachings. Hear about the three main views of eschatology (Amill, Pre-Mill, and Post-Mill), the interpretations of Christ's return, and the role of critical thinking and discernment in religious belief. We deconstruct the emergence of dispensationalism, where it came from, and its wide acceptance today.

But that’s not all! We’re pulling back the curtain on the City Square Podcast, revealing its conception, production, and mission. Hear how everyday people share stories of their faith and labor, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of human experience. We'll also discuss the bearing of eschatology on one's life and the potential it holds to shape our view of the world. With John and Micah as our guides, we journey through a landscape of belief, religion, and personal perspectives in this enlightening and entertaining episode.

Connect with our guests Micah and John:

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

Spotify

Episode Timestamps:

01:10 - Who is Micah? 

• Husband, father, grew up Baptist before moving into Evenglicail philosophies 

• studied church father and found his way into LCMS (Lutheran Church Mission Synod)

02:56 - Who is John?

• Did not grow up in the Church

• God saved him in college

• He found his way into reform theology and planted a church in rural TX before moving to San Antonio

• Web Designer

04:27 West Texas & The Dallas Cowboys 

• Sports Rivalries

• Steve Young signed ball

9:36 Eschatology

• City Square Round Table

• The Rapture and Southern Baptist Churches view on it

• Preacher Ebb

• Dispensationalist Eschatology

12:33 John’s View of the Rapture and Eschatology

• Evangelical tradition’s relationship to dispensationalist Eschatology

• Left Behind Series

• Amillennialism Eschatology

• Traditional early Church view

16:14 Micah’s View and What is Amill?

• Amill

• Not a future literal thousand years, but Christ is reigning now with saints and will at some point return

• Post-mill

• Christ returns after minimum, but the world system gets progressively better until his return

• Pre-mill

• Christ returns before the millennium

• Dispensationalist 

• 18th century 19th century America

• Splits Christ's return into two parts

19:40 The Fear of Rapture as a Kid and where that gets directed 

• Not fear of self not being saved but those who do not believe

• Fear-based theology

• United Pentecostal

22:44 Why should we care about these different views as Christians?

• Dispensationalist in 2020

• “Everything was the anti-Christ”

• Most people don’t know there are multiple perspectives or the origins of Dispensationalism

• Dangers of going “too far”

• Eschatology as a barrier to a deeper faith

27:00 Israel’s Standing in Amill and Post-mill vs. Dispensationalism

• Book of Revelation and Daniel are important for Dispensationalism

• Symbolism vs. literalism 

• Multi Genere nature of the bible

• Eschatology is essential in informing how you shape your fundamental worldview

31:47 City Square Podcast and Covid-19

• Origin of name and logo

• Importance of talking to real people about who they are, what they do, and their faith

• Power of Stories

• Today and in the bible

• Authenticity

• Fandoms

• Covid and fake sports fans

45:20 Differences Between Lutheran and Reformed Theology

• John and Micah discuss Baptism

• Martin Luther

• Lord's Supper

• Christology

• Ecclesiology

• global church's view of Jesus' presence

53:54 How to connect with City Square and Micah and John

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From Soldier to Peacemaker: A Veteran's Journey Towards Faith and Justice with Joe Chadburn

About this Episode

Welcome to another episode of the Bad Roman podcast, where we examine the line between faith and statecraft. Join your host Craig Harguess to welcome well-decorated and honorably discharged US Marine Corps veteran Joe Chadburn, who has traversed the path from violence to peace, and uses the power of Christ as his compass. Together, we unpack the transformation of a bullied kid into a soldier, and how the teachings of Jesus Christ are brought about a sea-change in his perceptions.

In a society often marred by violence, Joe exemplifies the peaceful path, highlighting the power of 'no' as a guide. Together, we'll dissect the peaceful principles inherent in Jesus Christ's teachings and how the early church embraced these values. As we dive into Christianity, our discussion aims to refresh your perspective on its doctrines.

We investigate the propaganda that surrounds the US military, the churches’ direct role in perpetuating the cycle, and the misuse of tax dollars funneled into militarization. We reflect upon the legacy of General Smithly D Butler and the impact of grassroots efforts to protest against racial injustice. The military-industrial complex, the biggest polluter on Earth, is scrutinized - unveiling the significance of comprehending Jesus' teachings to prevent more human suffering.

We're not afraid to point out the privilege of the United States and its part in global injustice. The atrocities in Yemen and the complicity of the US government come under our lens, revealing a lack of media coverage and accountability. Hear from our guest as he expresses his frustrations with the multi-tiered justice system and the influence of corporate media in manipulating narratives.

We wrap up on an optimistic note, exploring the power of storytelling, human connection, and technology in addressing global injustice and promoting peace. Join us on this enlightening journey, and let's reimagine our world together.

Joe Chadburn

Website: International Peace Network

Email: peacedaddyjoe@gmail.com

Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube

Joe’s Article: War is a Racket

Episode Timestamps:

01:20 Christians in the State (12 Minutes)

• No King but Christ Network

• The article he wrote called 'War is a Racket Racket

03:11 Who is Joe Chadburn

• Early childhood tragedies and bullying

• Relationship to violence as a youth

• Journey to becoming a decorated US Marine Corps Veteran

• Journey to Jesus 

• Political propganda of venterans 

11:04 Joe’s Military Service

• Anti-war efforts from those who have served

15:03 Joe’s Article - War is a Racket from International Peace Network

• Contentious objectors

• Connection to walking with Jesus

• Stereotypes and real-world relationships

•  Double standards of USA military imperialism throughout the world

• Bullying

• “How dare these people put their countries by our military bases”

• Business of war - supply and demand

22:31 Critiquing the US Military and Propaganda

• Politicians exploitation of young people 

• Military demonstrations at sporting events

• Military flyovers in football games

• Colin Kaepernick

• Grassroots peace movement

• Major General Smedley Butler

• From hero to disgruntled capitalist pawn

• The fallacy of “nation-building”

• US Military recruiting trends

29:55 Collusion of American Churches and the Military

• how the church in the United States has perpetuated and normalized war propaganda in direct contradiction to Jesus' teachings 

• importance of a proper hermeneutic to understanding Jesus' teachings and the significance of understanding the wars and rumors of wars that Jesus was prophesying about 

• Challenging the idea that war is inevitable, and highlighting the power of cruciform love in Jesus' example.

• how the military-industrial complex is the biggest polluter on Earth and how we must take Jesus' teachings seriously to prevent more people from suffering

• Meaning of peace – not the absence of conflict

• Do we believe God failed?

• If you wouldn’t do it yourself, why do you want your tax dollars going toward it?

• War is the language of idiots

42:18 American Privilege and Global Injustice 

• how debates about American politics can obscure deeper concerns about global injustice

• The greatest generation should be the one with the most peace

• US government's use of Nazi war criminals and the bank's funding of Hitler

• need to recognize the privilege of the United States and to advocate for those who are suffering due to US policy

44:14 - Media Distraction, Global Atrocities, and American Privilege

• Yemen

• Frustration with the multi-tiered justice system and the ease with which people are distracted by insignificant topics 

• Need to pay attention to the deeper stories behind wars and the influence of corporate media in controlling the narrative

• Importance of seeking news from a wide range of sources to gain a broader perspective on current events 

• Don’t forget joy in the face of negativity

• The grace of God

54:16 - Promoting Peace and Friendship Overseas

• Power of technology to tell stories of oppression and the importance of making meaningful connections with people who don't look or think like you 

• consequences of the US ticking people off around the world and how peace can be achieved by being a peacemaker and a lover of humanity

• Power in the grace of god 

56:56 How saying 'No' to military propaganda, recruiters, and politicians can bring about world peace

• Share with others what is going on

59:50 Continue the conversation

• International Peace Network

• peacedaddyjoe@gmail.com

• No King but Christ Network

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85. Journey to Freedom with Jared Wall

About this Episode

Jared Wall of the Best Practices podcast joins Craig for the series's latest installment, where Craig invites guests with their own podcasts to discuss their projects. Jared's podcast offers listeners interviews on expert ways to own and operate their industrial facilities and commercial properties. While they do discuss the Best Practices podcast, some of the most interesting parts of the conversation are when Jared shares his insights on starting a legal cannabis enterprise and what it is like to be an anarchist and then meeting Jesus in the gospels. Jesus' teachings were so exciting and inspirational that people dropped what they were doing and voluntarily followed him in the thousands; no wonder the Romans killed him.

The conversation begins with his journey from Republican to Libertarian Party activist, then to conceptualizing freedom as personal development, entrepreneurship, and earning wealth to become geographically free. It moves on to how he befriended anti-war activist Scott Horton and worked as a researcher on a few of his books. Jared tells about how hard it is to run a business that focuses on cannabis, as even when it is legal, it is difficult to find stable financial institutions that will work with you. Jared talks about looking for a mentor who could teach him to be a better father and unexpectedly arriving at Jesus. Then they finally discuss the Best Practices podcast content and what any would-be listeners can expect from it.

Connect with Jared:

wall.jared@gmail.com

Best Practices Podcast

Episode Timestamps:

1:35 – Who is Jared Wall?

• Works in energy efficiency

• Supported Ron Paul 2012

• Got into libertarian activism

• Tried to get a Republican candidate on the ticket

• The Republican Party took them to court

• Decided the Republican Party was a waste of time

• Listening to Tom Woods and Mises 

• Started thinking about entrepreneurship and personal development

• We are not going to get freedom from begging politicians for it

• Earn wealth and become geographically free

• Kenyan wife

• Want their kids to be able to spend some of their time growing up in Kenya

• Working on side hustles is the best way to bring freedom to one's family

15:20 – Scott Horton

• Jared is friends with Scott Horton

• Patient with the left while holding onto his ideals

• Reached out to him for a list of reading books and got to talk to him instead

• Helped him research for his book, Enough Already

• Built a business around legal weed

• Helped with Scott Horton's book Hotter than the Sun

• The church is not anti-war

• Never paid attention to what the presidents were doing in other countries

• Jesus is anti-war

• No one speaks to anti-war as well as Scott Horton

28:03 – The cannabis industry

• Jared launched Hemp Spot in 2021

• Banks are weary of doing business with anyone in the cannabis industry

• Perhaps they are scared of having to fight politicians and bureaucrats in courts that they own

• PayPal confiscated $600-$800 overnight because they don't work with people in the cannabis industry

• Now his E-Commerce website couldn't accept payment

• The bank did the same thing

• Eventually found someone who could work with 'high-risk' businesses

• But had lost their customers while down

• Bank changed their compliance requirements which became expensive

• Time to try something else

• The cannabis plant is stigmatized entirely because of the state

• In the 1800s, it was regularly used for medical purposes

• The social stigma is being eliminated these days though

• Cannabis grows well everywhere

• Every part of the plant is useful

• Can make textiles, rope, plastic, and cement out of it

• There are a lot of vested interests that would suffer if it were widely available

• Health benefits

• There may be legitimate concerns about it being a gateway drug

• But that doesn't mean the state should pass laws or lock people in jail

• The solution is to intervene at the family or church level

42:50 – Jared's religious journey

• Jared was forced into religious life as a child

• He left it once he had the choice

• He was looking for someone who could role model what being the best father looked like for him

• His wife told him to read just the gospels

• Found the mentor he was looking for in Jesus

• Next stop: learn to pray

• Jesus was so cool

• He just walked and preached and people followed Him

• That must have threatened the Roman government

• Coming at the gospels with anarchist roots was great

• Libertarians need something more; that something could be faith

• The teachings of Christ should be exciting

53:02 – Best Practices Podcast

• Expert ways to own and operate industrial facilities and commercial properties

• Episodes on industrial lighting and other parts of industrial facilities

• Episodes on asphalt and concrete repair services

• Episodes with Chris Polk

• Developing mutually beneficial economic relationships and opportunities is Jared's focus

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78. The Role of Propaganda in Abusive Relationships with Derek Kreider

About this Episode

Derek Kreider, host of pacifist podcast “The Fourth Way,” joins Craig for a discussion on his latest season about propaganda. What is propaganda? Who propagandizes? And what benefits do they receive from doing so? From personal relationships, church institutions and the state, propaganda plays a part in how people organise themselves and Derek and Craig discuss them all.

The conversation starts with institutionalised abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention and how poorly churches deal with allegations of sexual abuse. Every year allegations of sexual misconduct are the church’s biggest problem. Even higher-ups who are not abusers are incentivized to cover up for underlings abusing their authority to keep the money flowing. We also learn that propaganda is not just what is communicated, but also includes leaving out important information, in this case to avoid “tarnishing God’s reputation” or other reasonable-sounding excuses.

Next, they discuss state propaganda. The state is basically an abuser who feels the need to control through the usual methods: charisma, controlling the flow of information and if these things fail then resorting to violence. Finally, Craig gets vulnerable about his abusive second marriage, the isolation and altercations, ending the episode with a note of hope for those who believe they are stuck in a situation of domestic violence: it is possible to escape.

Find Blue Ribbon Logistics: 

YouTube

Facebook

Spotify

Episode Timestamps:

3:08 - Who is Derek Kreider?

• Raised conservative with Christian education

• Likes apologetics

• Currently in Romania as a missionary

4:22 – What is causing the rise in atheism? 

• Institutionalising religion ruins it

• There’s a lot of people leaving the church in America, but it’s the institutions they are leaving

• Church could also be people gathered in Jesus’ name

9:19 – The Fourth Way Podcast

• 2016 and the election of Donald Trump made Derek want to start a podcast

• The ends don’t justify the means, but the evangelical community tried to justify Trump’s actions

• Consequentialism

• Watched a video on pacifism

• Pacifism works better than grasping for power in the political realm

• Made the podcast to explore his own Christian reasoning

• The name comes from Walter Wink’s “The Third Way” but Pacifism is a fourth way, not fight, flight or freeze, but being active in pacifism

• Families who allow their loved ones killers live on death row rather than have them killed have changed those people

• Pacifism requires a whole lot more creativity to solve problems

• It brings the humanity back to the killer 

• There is nothing in the writings of the early church that indicate they were not pacifists

20:06 – What’s happening with the Southern Baptists?

• Recently it has come to light that some of their prominent leaders have abused people and other leaders have covered it up

• Then asked others to be silent about it

• Rachael Denhollander – What is a Girl Worth?

• Famous for coming forward after being abused by a doctor

• Talks about how terrible the church was at dealing with that

• Became an advocate for abuse within the Southern Baptist Church

• Although it’s not specific to the Southern Baptist Church

• Sexual allegations are the biggest problems for church every year

• When people take advantage of their positions of authority it doesn’t look like Jesus

• There should not be flawed human beings being given power in the church

• “It shall not be so among you”

• Individuals must take personal responsibility for their actions

• A lot of times power ends up corrupting people

• The Southern Baptist Convention also had leadership that covered up abuse

• In order to keep their own power

• So they don’t loose funding or control

• Do it in the name of Jesus – don’t want Him to look bad

• This is simple consequentialism

• After studying conspiracies for a year Derek thinks lots of people can hide a conspiracy

• This is not a uniquely church thing, people are corrupt

• A new structure would be full of people doing the same thing

• Maybe people are pulling back from the church because it looks just like government politics

• Sometimes members of churches solely blame individuals for problems that may be systemic

• Pastors are celebrities not shepherds, leading to people abusing power

35:09 – Propaganda, the state and abusers

• Politicians are going to go wherever the funding comes from

• This is a structural problem

• Propaganda is 100% intentional

• But its often done by people who are sincere about their cause

• A jerk on a power trip is easier to disbelieve

• Everyone propagandises

• Derek educates his kids therefore by some definitions he propagandises them

• We use the word for education that we don’t like

• In the Southern Baptists the higher-ups silence the news media that’s also propaganda

• Because it shapes your understanding

• The higher-ups say they prefer to highlight the good and leave out the bad

• It’s propaganda to leave information out

• Its an intricate web of self-justification and gaslighting

• Trump was worse on the second amendment than Obama

• Jacques Ellul – Propaganda and The Technological Society

• Propaganda produces extreme polarization

• And other quotes that could have been written yesterday

• Propaganda seeks to isolate individuals

• Repeats simple content

• Creates a problem to resolve then offers itself as a saviour

• Abusers do the same thing

• Craig’s second marriage was abusive like this

• Derek’s episode about marital abuse: Propaganda and Domestic Abusers

• You can escape an abusive relationship and God won’t be offended

• Things escalate when the abuser feels like they are out of control

• Craig’s second wife threw knives and had him arrested

• Then moved in next door when he left

• Its different in every situation

• David Graber – The Dawn of Everything

• Talks about how the state functions

• The state is basically an abuser who needs control

• Violence is risky but effective if you are stronger

• Information can also be used to control

• Charisma can be used to control others, this is the most effective

• States work like this too, when charisma (stories) stops working then they try manipulation then violence

• Abusers isolate their victims

1:00:21 – The conspiracy of corporatism

• How do we discern truth and how are beliefs formed?

• How was propaganda implemented?

• A 70 episode series on propaganda could have been much larger

• Corporations and businesses propaganda

• How do they do it?

• What effect does it have?

• What should you look out for?

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76. "What about Romans 13?" with Matt Mouzakis

About this Episode

Craig is joined by Matt Mouzakis, worship pastor and co-host of Expedition 44, a popular theology podcast where the ancient languages and context of the Bible are discussed. Matt is doing his doctorate in New Testament studies, specializing in the passages often cited by Christian statists when they want to defend strict obedience to the government.

Matt explains how words like submit (hypotassesthō), and concepts like paying taxes take on very different meanings when placed in their proper context. Read Romans 13 through the eyes of a first-century Jew, see it in a fresh new light, and be prepared to confound the next statist who asks you, "But what about Romans 13?".

In fact, the only one to whom people owe allegiance and should be under the authority of is Jesus Himself. When we desire to put another into power over ourselves and our neighbors, it is a sin because humans are not to have authority over one another.

Craig and Matt delve into those passages used against women in ministry. Again, we discover that read in the context of the time and in their original language, nothing suggests women are to be subject to men in God's kingdom. We find God's ideals at the beginning and end of the Bible, and that is God alone reigning over humanity.

Expedition 44:

YouTube

Website

Covenant Theological Seminary

Expedition 44 episode on Romans 13

Ryan's book: This is the Way

Episode Timestamps:

1:54 – Who is Matt Mouzakis?

• Worship pastor at "Bapticostal" church

• Father of 4

• Theology geek doing Doctorate in New Testament

• Co-host of Expedition 44 podcast with Dr Ryan (Head Chair of Biblical Studies at Covenant Theological Seminary

• Expedition 44

• Discuss the ancient context of the Bible

• Salvation is a journey "expedition" 

• The separatist ancient Essene community gave themselves the number 22

• God doubles the portion, which is where the 44 comes from 

8:15 – The Church of Nationalism

• American pastors don't speak against the entanglement of Christians and the state

• Sometimes they advocate for candidates

• The early church was outspoken against the Roman Empire

• But it is glossed over these days

• Churches seek power through the state now

• There's no basis in the Bible for Christians to be seeking any power

• We need no king but Christ

• Politics comes into your theology

• Some would say that representative government is different from serving another king

• In the first two pages and last two pages of the Bible is where you find God's ideals

• Everything in the middle is messed up

• Humans are not to have authority over one another

• Not even men over women

• The hebrew word "Tsela" should be translated as "side" rather than "rib"

• On the last page of the Bible, you see men and women under God's authority

• That's God's ideal

• That should inform our politics

• We are ambassadors from another King

• Our government has its own kingdom

• The fall is the "defilement of all of creation"

• There are multiple falls in the Old Testament

• When people usurp God's authority, humans rule other humans

• That is not a part of God's ideals

18:58 – Women in Ministry

• A topic that is spoken about on Expedition 44

• Women were the first to tell of Jesus' resurrection

• The men were in hiding

• Paul was very egalitarian

• When we don't look at the Bible in context, it gets confusing

• If Genesis 3 is reversed in Jesus, the church should reflect that

• The local context of Paul telling women to be quiet was an all-women-led cult

• Right before that, he tells the men off for being angry

• None should have authority over others in the church

• The women were trying to teach before they had learned

• Greek tenses matter in better translation

• Keith Giles's episode about women and the church

• Women stayed at home and were less educated in Paul's day

• Women were to learn but not interrupt the service

• 1 Corinthians 14: 34-35 might be an error added to the text based on a scribble by a scribe

• Philip Payne's book – One In Christ

• Expedition 44 episode – Women Must Be Silent?

26:16 – Romans 13

• The words "submit" and "obey" are two different words

• Romans 13 is the go-to for opponents of "No King but Christ"

• Romans 13 should be read in light of Romans 12

• The chapter breaks weren't there originally

• Romans chapters 12-16 should be read as a chunk

• All the things that Jesus said about enemy love do not fit with Romans 13

• Romans 13:1 & 5 Submit is hypotassesthō

• Defined as voluntary yielding

• Obey God is hupakouó

• David Bently Heart – New Testament

• It is necessary that we obey God rather than man

• The Bible should be read as a whole

• The whip that Jesus used was a common tool to heard animals

• He didn't harm any people

• He was angry at the extortion in the temple

• The gospel spreads by word of mouth too

• "Governing authorities"

• A common expression for anyone with authority

• Not necessarily government

• The people of the day were in Rome

• A place of multiple layers of governing 

• Neighborhood watch role, rather than law enforcement

• Rome wasn't taxed at the time when Romans was written

• Romans 13:1 - exousia means evil powers

• And appears in Ephesians 6:12

• Paul understood demons controlled the empires

• Jesus didn't rebuke Satan when he offered Him the kingdoms of the world

• Deuteronomy 32 – Moses says God divided mankind and gave them to the sons of God

42:18 – Is voting a sin?

• 1 Samuel 8

• Craig has concluded that voting is a sin

• Jesus said the gentiles lorded power over others, but we were not to be the same

• God said it was not Samuel that was rejected, rather it was God Himself

• Rejecting God is a sin

• Sleeping is better than exercising power over others

• Matt and Steve discussed whether or not Christians should vote

• The desire to have a king is to reject God

• Voting is the desire to put someone in power over ourselves and neighbors

• Therefore, voting is a rejection of God

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