The Fourth Way

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 My Sonnet Compilation: https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Sonnets-J-G-Elliot-ebook/dp/B01LXXIIQN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+sonnets&qid=1585870352&sr=8-2Richard Rohr's "Sermon on the Mount": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A0IASQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_uOXEFbGCN7ASQDallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy": https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Conspiracy-Rediscovering-Hidden-Life/dp/0007596545/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dallas+willard+divine+conspiracy&qid=1601907374&sr=8-1Emerald Erin, fair maiden whom all do admireWielding a power few will ever knowPower to allure all harbored desirePower to smite with a look, all her foes But Erin's fair beauty was taken whenMen in God's image inverted His planObjectifying others, which thereinMoulded their God in the image of man Now rest your eyes not upon Erin's breastNor upon that which you think she could giveJust rest your eyes upon that which attestsYour equal stands before you and God lives Rest weary eyes upon this emeraldAnd heed divine image others herald [Mt. 5:27-32]. I found two interesting attributes ascribed to emeralds throughout history. One is that they are able to help the wearer cut through infatuation (usually to see or hear the truth when speaking to a lover), and they were thought to be peaceful to gaze upon and helped the eyes to rest. Erin represents two things. First, it represents a beautiful young woman. The inherent beauty of this woman is power, in that it draws out the deepest passions and desires of many who gaze upon her. Figuratively she can smite them with her looks, but this can also be literal. Others may be willing to kill for her out of their passions. The second thing meant by “Erin” is “Ireland.” I’ll expound on this more a little later, but Erin is actually a name the Irish have used for Ireland, particularly in their poetry (sometimes spelled slightly differently). Ireland is also known as the “Emerald Isle.” In this sense, “Erin” also stands for the “Emerald Isle,” which not only incorporates the picture of emeralds into the poem, but brings us to a different level of passions and infatuation. While people may kill and lust over a beautiful woman, many will also kill and lust over the power a country holds. This should be readily apparent in today’s environment which is rife with nationalism…I mean patriotism. There is a lot going on in this stanza. 1) The second and fourth lines of this stanza are almost a direct quote from William Drennan’s poem, “When Erin First Rose.” It was in this poem in which Ireland was first referred to in print as “The Emerald Isle.” The poem is wonderful and I highly recommend you read it. The lines I used can be found in the last two lines of the second stanza. You can find it here: https://www.libraryireland.com/CIL/DrennanErin.php. 2) This stanza argues that this beauty and power possessed by Erin (the power of women or the power of authority and dominion particularly of a nation, depending on which way you’re reading it) has been corrupted. Beauty and dominion are not bad things. In fact, we see both prior to Genesis 3 and the fall of humanity. However, rather than allowing God to define what is good and respect his parameters, we have defiled his creation. Rather than admire the beauty of woman or the dominion we are supposed to assert through servanthood, we invert the image of God in others and corrupt the way we image God to creation. Instead of bowing to God and acknowledging his image, we fashion idols of God made in our own image. Instead of living in an upside down kingdom, we build a kingdom around ourselves. As we set ourselves up as gods, we objectify all else for our benefit. 3) I Corinthians 11 tells us that woman is the glory of man. While many patriarchists have taken this to mean some sort of subordinationism in that it places women under men, I hold to the view that this elevates women. While women, like men, are humans who bear God’s image, women also have the added attribute of blessing man (since Eve was taken out of Adam). In this sense, women are doubly beautiful, reflecting the one by whom they were created (God) and the one from whom they came out of (man). From “Paul and Gender,” “’Woman is the glory of man’ is actually a positive evaluation of women and indicates a high status, because she is both the image and glory of God, and she has such additional beauty that she is the glory of humanity. She is the glory of man by virtue of the fact that she was created from him, and that is why her glory, her beauty, reflects on him.” Women were created as the glory of man and it was only after the fall, in the curse, where it was described (not prescribed) that men would subject women as inferiors.

General Notes: A huge thanks to Seth White for the awesome music!Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thewayfourth/?modal=admin_todo_tourYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTd3KlRte86eG9U40ncZ4XA?view_as=subscriberInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway4th/ The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/Referenced Sources: Wretched Radio Interview with Scott Klusendorf: https://wretched.org/10-19-2020/Jeffress Quote: https://www.rawstory.com/2016/07/megachurch-pastor-robert-jeffress-would-vote-for-trump-over-jesus-the-bible-calls-for-a-strongman/“You know, I was debating an evangelical professor on NPR, and this professor said, ‘Pastor, don’t you want a candidate who embodies the teaching of Jesus and would govern this country according to the principles found in the Sermon on the Mount?’” Jeffress said. “I said, ‘Heck no.’ I would run from that candidate as far as possible, because the Sermon on the Mount was not given as a governing principle for this nation.”SBC decision on abortion (using an archived link, as they have recently taken down the original): https://web.archive.org/web/20200427232149/http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/13/resolution-on-abortionSBC Resolution on Moral Character of Public Officials: https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/resolution-on-moral-character-of-public-officials/?fbclid=IwAR2P4IvzERIZi2SXycSnQavYY5neip_FO91QsgGfvWpkDf_Ok7oBj9KszlURay Comfort's "180" Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwIPhil Vischer's abortion video: https://youtu.be/RvWD7ykNjCcOther Pertinent Episodes: (7) Rebuttal: Nonviolence is Evil in its Refusal to do Good: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-evil-in-refusing-to-do-good (12) Romans 13 [Part 1]: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-romans-13(13) Romans 13 (Part 2): https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-romans-13-part-2(24) Consequentialism Episode 1: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/consequentialism-the-heart-of-compromise(26) Against the Lesser of Two Evils: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/consequentialism-problems-with-the-lesser-of-two-evils-ethic(33) The Moral Conundrum of Ectopic Pregnancies: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/consequentialism-the-moral-conundrum-of-ectopic-pregnancies(36) Abstention from Political Idolatry: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/se2-abstention-from-political-idolatry(37) Consequentialism: The Moral Conundrum of Voting for an Evil: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/consequentialism-the-moral-conundrum-of-voting-for-an-evil(50) Abortion Episode 1: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/43-the-case-against-abortion-the-foundational-question(59) A Closer Look at Ectopic Pregnancies: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/51-rebuttal-ectopic-pregnancies(61) The Influence of Race on Evangelicalism's Anti-Abortion Position: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/61-se9-the-racist-origin-of-evangelicalisms-anti-abortion-position(62) More Racism: Racial Disparity and the Demographics of Abortion: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/more-racism-racial-disparity-and-the-demographics-of-abortion(63) Killing Nazis vs. Killing Abortionists: The Illogic of Violence: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/63-killing-nazis-vs-killing-abortionists-the-illogic-of-violence(77) SE11: Day of Peace - Abortion and the Modern Compromise: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/77-se10-day-of-peace-even-for-the-most-vulnerableOther Pertinent Sources: Scott Klusendorf's Site: https://prolifetraining.com/Textbook on abortion which discusses the double effect: https://www.academia.edu/44337492/Level_3_NCEA_Textbook_on_Abortion?source=swp_share Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/My Sonnet Compilation: https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Sonnets-J-G-Elliot-ebook/dp/B01LXXIIQN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+sonnets&qid=1585870352&sr=8-2Richard Rohr's "Sermon on the Mount": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A0IASQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_uOXEFbGCN7ASQDallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy": https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Conspiracy-Rediscovering-Hidden-Life/dp/0007596545/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dallas+willard+divine+conspiracy&qid=1601907374&sr=8-1Amethyst The rage of red will rails against the wrongWhile banality to blue will's bequeathedThe first seeks to cut short another's songLatter never incisiveness unsheathes But when bled together, these reds and bluesA royal color's beckoned to come forthMajestic depth construed in purple huesDominion comes through sobriety's force A sober-minded one will never hateNor allow good opportunity missedFor sobriety sees as clear as dayCutting through the fog as does amethyst The one given to strong drink or passionsNever creates - only themselves fashioned [Mt. 5:21-26]. Amethyst is a purple gem once thought to provide sobriety while drinking, clarity while looking into the future, and was a beautiful purple – the color of royalty. Here I juxtapose the colors red and blue. Red is often associated with anger and is a hot, vibrant, open color. Blue, on the other hand, is often associated with the “blues,” and is a colder color. Whereas red here is symbolized as attacking, blue is symbolized as representing passivity. I expound here on the first two lines, more in regard to anger and passivity than to the colors. Anger, hatred, and aggressiveness seek to “end another’s song,” representative of killing another – whether that’s directly through murder or indirectly through hatred. Others are an object in our way which must be stopped. Jesus told us that to hate is to kill, as both seek the undoing of a human impediment through objectification. For the passivity, I use a word play with “incisiveness.” To “incise” means to cut. Incisiveness here means perceptive or smart. One who refuses to engage the world never whips out their intellect in order to address the world’s problems. They simply sit back. So when I say they never “unsheathe” their incisiveness, it is meant to play off the root of the word which can imply cutting, as one would normally unsheathe a sharp object, like a sword. In this sense, the blue and red are the antitheses of each other, with one signifying aggression and the other inaction. This notion also plays on the idea of anger. When we think of anger we usually think of weapons and physical aggression. However, while the angry one here is chided for wanting to harm another, the passive one here is chided for not unsheathing their intellect and will. The middle ground, then, will be that we must be aggressive in this world, but not with weapons seeking physical harm. Our battle is not with flesh and blood. I continue with the violent imagery here as I reference “bled together.” Blue and red together make purple, which is historically the color of royalty. So when we mix our aggression or assertiveness with our willingness to hold back, we get the perfect combination. This is what subjects of the Kingdom, or rulers who will judge angels (as Paul calls us), will do. We are royal ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. One who is angry and aggressive does not have dominion over the world as God intended. They do not rule the world, but are rather ruled by their emotions. They don’t tend and keep, as God described the way their dominion should be. Instead, they seek, subjugate, and destroy out of selfish ambition and vain conceit. Likewise, one who is not assertive does not have dominion as God intended, for they assert their reign over nothing. Dominion comes through sobriety – clear thinking uncompromised by any substance (e.g. alcohol) or action (e.g. lack of sleep) which would cloud our ability to move forward in wisdom. Amethyst was thought by some ancients to help cut the effects of alcohol and produce sobriety. It was also thought at times to help have clarity in seeing the future. Living in anger and aggression or indulgent passivity means one does not have dominion. Rather than being creators or individuals who better the world, they are controlled by the world in which they live. These individuals are fashioned by their environment and circumstances. But our call as Christians is to have dominion over the world using the means God intended. Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/My Sonnet Compilation: https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Sonnets-J-G-Elliot-ebook/dp/B01LXXIIQN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+sonnets&qid=1585870352&sr=8-2Richard Rohr's "Sermon on the Mount": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A0IASQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_uOXEFbGCN7ASQDallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy": https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Conspiracy-Rediscovering-Hidden-Life/dp/0007596545/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dallas+willard+divine+conspiracy&qid=1601907374&sr=8-1Turquoise In past fire rained down from the heavensGod's judgment administered to the damnedCoals of fire only way to God's presenceTo law, judgment, and pain God didst remand But no asceticism like Tolstoy'sCould ever protect or deliver usAnd even totem of heavn'ly turquoiseBecomes debased as sin effloresces Where then can we look for our pirouzeh?We look to him whose eyes are flaming fireAnd patiently await ParousiaWhen Son of Man exacts all that's required With confident boldness we now then praySeeking God's Kingdom come until The Day [Mt. 5:17-20 and Mt. 6:5-15]. In the Old Testament we read about God’s extreme holiness. We see a number of instances of fire raining down from heaven in judgment. Even for God’s people, his holiness was extreme. We see in Isaiah that God placed a burning coal on his lips to purify him. The old vision of God was one of a consuming fire. Apart from the cases of God’s judgment, as in Sodom and Gomorrah, or those directly entering God’s presence, like Isaiah, we also see images of the coals (or the fire) of animal sacrifice the Israelites went through in order to purify themselves before a holy God. In Galatians 3 Paul says, “23 Before the coming of this faith,[j] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” This old system is what guided us, though imperfectly, until a new system was established. Leo Tolstoy was an advocate of extreme asceticism. The law tended to drive people to a similar sort of path as seen in the asceticism of the Pharisees in Jesus’s day. But such a system doesn’t work. Turquoise supposedly protected its wearer. A sign of impending danger was that the color of the turquoise would change. Turquoise was often a religious totem viewed as imparting protection. There’s a lot going on here. 1) The straightforward meaning is that whatever heavenly protection one thought they gained through their totem, sin is a corrupting force present in all of us. Sin is contrary to that which is from heaven. 2) “Effloresce” is a chemical term which means for crystals to form on a substance. This often happens through evaporation, and typically produces the formation of salts. In this sense, I am tapping into the idea of a color, hue, or tone change in our turquoise. When sin is present, it signifies impending harm or doom. 3) I use a lot of terms which one should associate with chemistry. Beyond “effloresce,” the word “asceticism” should trigger the close word “acetic,” as in acetic acid, as many often mistakenly call asceticism “aceticism.” Debased should trigger the thought of bases. When you mix an acid (acetic) with a base you get water and a salt. In this sense, I am saying that asceticism (an acid) mixed with sin debasing (a base) creates a perfect combination for our destruction. It was this combination which created the hardest of hearts not in prostitutes and sinners, but in the religious elite who didn’t realize their debased sin natures, and attempted to approach God through their asceticism. Though this distillation process is the exact opposite of the one found in the “Amber” poem, where individuals become distilled through a compromising with culture, this opposite process also distills one’s saltiness. In the “Amber” poem, the problem was that our saltiness became diluted through our submersion in and compromise with culture. In this poem, the saltiness is distilled from the water but is useless as it fails to be useful. Turquoise was known as or associated with “pirouzeh” by the Persians (who lived in a land where turquoise was abundant), which means “victory.” They would use it on their armor and weapons. This is a reference to the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man – Jesus Christ – as seen in Daniel and Revelation. Our victory is not in our asceticism, but in the victory of Christ. The “Parousia” is a theological term for Christ’s return in judgment, which is also when he comes in final victory (as in pirouzeh). When he returns he will separate

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/My Sonnet Compilation: https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Sonnets-J-G-Elliot-ebook/dp/B01LXXIIQN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+sonnets&qid=1585870352&sr=8-2Richard Rohr's "Sermon on the Mount": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A0IASQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_uOXEFbGCN7ASQDallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy": https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Conspiracy-Rediscovering-Hidden-Life/dp/0007596545/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dallas+willard+divine+conspiracy&qid=1601907374&sr=8-1Amber Desert browns, palette formed where there's no rainA sign of lifelessness and compromiseSame for those amidst amber waves - the grainWhere life and living are dichotomized But God made us, when we're rubbed up againstTo polarize ourselves in shocking waysNot to build and electrify a fenceBut attract opposites with our displays So build your city high upon a hillA Kingdom outpost, not a nation-stateFor true citizenship can't be distilledAs salt's no longer salt without its taste Flavor and brightness should draw others inBut only works if we're God's citizens [Mt. 5:13-16 and Mt. 6:24]. Amber is a brownish stone which has long been recognized for its ability to become charged and exhibit the properties of static electricity. I use both of these properties throughout the poem. The endless brown of the desert depicts a wasteland of life. Without vegetation there is no visible life, but only that which cowers away hiding from the elements for the majority of the day, awaiting the cool darkness of night. That which does live in the desert must compromise with its environment. Whereas a deer living in a temperate climate, like in Florida, can gather food all year long and come out and enjoy its surroundings, night or day – those in the desert are wholly shaped by their environment. While the various adaptations may look different, each animal is specifically adapted for their extreme environment. They are formed by the desert. I change environments here from the desert to the United States. The first line here is supposed to allude to the “amber waves of grain” line in the song “God Bless America.” I’m talking about those who live in the land of these amber waves of grain (the USA). Whereas the song references this as a beautiful thing, the idea of amber in this poem should connect back to the brown referenced earlier, which depicts lifelessness, barren desert, and compromise. I also change the words from “of grain” to “the grain” because I also want to ensure that the ones I’m speaking of here are those who not only live in the USA, but rather those who live there and live with or go with the grain. I am not therefore necessarily speaking badly of the USA or everyone who lives in it, but rather those who, like the desert animals, are shaped by the vacuous culture around them. I simply use the States because that’s my frame of reference. While conformers to culture may technically be alive, and while their adaptations and compromises may help to sustain their lives, in some senses we could argue that they aren’t truly living. They don’t live a fulfilled life. Like animals in the desert who are bound to their environment and aren’t truly free, so are those who live in a culturally compromised position and go along with Babylon. This could be said of any culture. When amber is rubbed on the right material, the atoms polarize in their alignment which creates static electricity. Children of God, when confronted with or rubbed up against by culture are to do the same. We are not to conform to our culture and be shaped by it, but are rather to be polarized and distinguished from it. When I argue that we should be polarized, I don’t mean that in a pejorative or escapist sense. We aren’t to cause conflict and remove ourselves from the world. Rather, our polarization – how uniquely and beautifully we are set apart – should be something those living in the desert of Babylon are attracted to. Our polarization is not something meant to distance ourselves, but something that is meant to draw others in. We don’t use our religious standards to build electric fences around God and community, keeping others out. In this sense, “a fence” is meant to also mean “offense.” Rather, we use our electrical powers to stimulate and pull others towards us. In Amber, this polarization produces static electricity which is infamous for its ability to attract certain objects and cause them to cling to it. This is a specific reference to Matthew 5 and the idea of a city on a hill. We are not primarily members of Babylon – our individual country or nation-state. We are citizens of the Kingdom. The city we build is not a city in or for o

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/My Sonnet Compilation: https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Sonnets-J-G-Elliot-ebook/dp/B01LXXIIQN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+sonnets&qid=1585870352&sr=8-2Richard Rohr's "Sermon on the Mount": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A0IASQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_uOXEFbGCN7ASQDallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy": https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Conspiracy-Rediscovering-Hidden-Life/dp/0007596545/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dallas+willard+divine+conspiracy&qid=1601907374&sr=8-1Onyx Words our minds hear are often left unsaidEnlightened thoughts only see light of nightDivorced from ideal, to cynic wedOur grounded beings never taking flight In painful world most seek only pleasureJuxtaposed lives, like black and white onyxLiving subjectively in great measureThose who seek to find life in cryonics But facing life means not avoiding painAs we defend the clean from the besmirchedWith courage we retreat from the inaneTo battle fallen demons who are perched Christ's illocution is not vacuousThe cross is and is not precipitous [Mt. 5:1-12 and Mt. 7:12-29] Onyx has a number of variations, but the one which I refer to here is the black and white style onyx. It was difficult to get a common theme for its use in mythology, but it seemed that a quelling of fear and pain were common. It was thought to give courage in Rome (or take away fear of death and injury), give eloquence in Europe (or take away fear of being humiliated), and taking away or dampening pain in childbirth as well as quell sexual lust. It was also thought to be able to constrain evil spirits. In all of these senses, onyx seems to be a depressive sort of material towards particular emotions and entities. Here I thought back to my poem “The Unspoken” (see Appendix 8). Most of the things we hear in our head throughout the day are left unsaid. While this may sometimes be good, there are many lovely thoughts we have which never see the light of day – only the dark of night - because we are too timid to share them with others. In our embracing of the fallen world as it is, rather than the ideal that it should be (and will be as God restores it), we refuse to live as God intends for us to live. A Christian realist may understand that an ideal will never be realized until Christ’s return, at least in terms of the effects. However, they should also understand that God calls us to live as idealists, with faith and reliance on him for the means. We are a foretaste of the Kingdom as we live it out in a world that is not yet fully in submission to the King. We are most averse to the sensation of pain and are highly tuned into the presence of pain in our world. We seek to distance ourselves from this as much as possible. Our aversion to pain and attraction to pleasure means that even if something is good, but painful, we will avoid it (e.g. exercise, the way of God, healthy food), and if something feels good, but is harmful, we will indulge (e.g. alcohol, nicotine, drugs, junk food, etc). People seek the perpetuation of pleasure so much that they attempt to become immortal. One way modern humans try to do this is through cryonics (not to be confused with cryogenics, which is the science of studying cold temperatures). Cryonics seeks to freeze human bodies and then resurrect them when their lives can be healed so they live longer. In fact, as molecules approach colder and colder temperatures, nearing Absolute 0, they move less and less until they completely stop. In this great irony, individuals prematurely embrace death, “living” as a frozen corpse for who knows how long. While this may subjectively be what some individuals call “living,” it doesn’t seem like living to me. It’s empty. Seek and find are also intended to allude to the real way we’re supposed to seek and find in Matthew 5-7. But true life isn’t the avoidance of pain. Rather, it’s the promotion and upholding of that which is clean and good, defending what is true, real, and ideal from that which defiles and corrupts. Even if it means pain for me, upholding what is good is what gives meaning to life. That to which we adhere and obey shows where our hope and love lie. If we lose the fabric of objective good, we lose everything, because we lose the source of objective good with it. This references two of the myths of onyx (courage and trapping demons). As we fight for the holy and good, we move away from all that is inane, and we fight our battle not against flesh and blood, but against the demonic. These devils prey on us as they perpetuate their false dichotomy of pleasure and pain (similar to Lewis’s demonic dichotomy in the “Great Divorce), and we must fight them. Jesus ha

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/The Case Against Abortion: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/43-the-case-against-abortion-the-foundational-question Dear Scott, What is this quelled inside me? I cannot really say.It’s certainly not dread, Scott. That came on another day.It feels more like fuzzy warmth. A rashly rationed rationalityStanding partially on reason’s leg, to support desire’s partialityBut of desire, why condemn it so? This, nature’s guide to truth.For survival, reason validates these means and ends that we intuitYet at moments my intuitions falter, as I see my fallible humanityUntil I’m brought back to reason’s side, guided by infallible HumityI’m reminded that man has no plan except that which does play out.Each’s goal, oneself. Nothing else. Even altruism, a selfish route So what is this quelled inside me? I still can’t really say. But damn it, I don’t care to know. I’ll say what I want anyway.And if you care not to agree, I’ll take care not to care.For the winner won’t win on empathy’s plea, but by exerting more force than other can bear.So what do I want for society? Or should I say, what do I want for me? I want no restraints that impede my class. I want the power to be beyond freeI want to restrict those who are far removed from me. I want to remove their ability to impede.And as the Humian that I truly am, I’ll strip away their humanityIf those in my way are no longer like me, then there’s no person to consider – Like all obstacles that come before me, I discard them as rubbish, refuse, litter.But to throw things away seems so absurd. Nothing but cavalier waste.For it’s not only meat that gives utility, but also bone, sinew, hair, carapace. So what of this class that’s so unlike me? Those without presence, no cries? While too burdensome it is to provide their support, surely them we can still utilizeWe need not mandate that others preserve these lives, if the voiceless become hindrance, In order to punish some for taking same life, though really punishing for inconvenienceWe also need not apply personhood to this group, these dejected who are so like usTo subjectively choose some objective ground to define humanity so it includes usSo if I have right to take this life, then this life is mine to own.But since this my life can’t speak on its own, why not give its owners their vote?I propose that we count all voiceless at hand as three fifths woman and man,To keep them inhuman, yet still useful to me, as I further my narcicized plan. So what is this quelled inside me? I finally think that I can say.It’s certainly not dread, Scott. But it’s just as inhumane. Sincerely, NatashaYuri The title is a reference to the Missouri Compromise. Basically, it was a compromise whereby the United States allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, despite relatively strong objections, and a notion in some that it just wasn’t right. Throughout this poem I will be making many slavery references, in hopes that I can parallel it to the abortion issue. Speaking to the abortion issue, the first line of the poem alludes to the major question that must be asked in the abortion debate: “what is inside the mother?” This is the second reference to slavery, in the case of Dred Scott. Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom on the grounds that he should be considered a citizen, or at least a free man. This was not only due to his “inalienable” rights as a human being, but the government’s own laws. At one time, Scott’s owner traveled with Scott through free territory, where by law, Scott was a human being with rights. So even on the government’s own grounds, they were hypocrites. In regard to abortion, we end up asking a similar question of humanity. What is inside the mother? Here, she admits that she does not know. I liked the play on words at the end here, but I also think it describes well the stupidity and gutlessness of the lack of a stand for morality against slavery. People thought through things very rashly. Instead of thinking about the big picture for the nation, they did what was going to get them through the moment. And while compromises were made, people rationalized their reasoning in an attempt to justify themselves. Playing off number four, it seems as though people leaned on the voice of reason as their pillar of foundation, as their desires were shortsighted. They want their generation to be at peace in the land, even if it means war within morally. Slavery was not affecting the majority group – the group in power. There wasn’t much of an incentive to take slavery away, as it was very lucrative and not hurting those who mattered (WASPs who owned land). Desire won out over moral reason and long-ter

A wonderful resource and a classic you must read in regard to the SOTM is Dallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy." Willard excoriates modern Christianity and our easy believism and refusal to emphasize works, but he also does a great job doing what I failed to do in my consequentialism series until the Bonhoeffer episodes, which is to make clear that following Jesus leads us to right actions, it is not right actions of themselves which we are seeking. I would take exception with Willard on two parts, however. The first is that Willard seems to view some of the SOTM (especially the beatitudes) with a more eschatological lens. While he definitely emphasizes that the Kingdom is now, there are moments where I feel like he overspiritualizes it into two distinct kingdoms (the spiritual and the human/physical) rather than integrating the two kingdoms, though he certainly does this much less than most other Evangelicals.The second area I'd push back on is Willard's dismissal of the Beatitudes as prescriptive. While I do agree with him that at least some are not prescriptive in the sense that we should go out and seek them (e.g. seeking persecution and trying to get killed for your faith is not good), I think they are semi-prescriptive in an indicative sense. What I mean by that is I don't think we seek persecution, but I think that when we truly seek and follow Jesus, our lives are the type which will almost certainly bring some level of persecution. Most, if not all of the other beatitudes fall in that same vein. If we are humble we will likely be meek and poor in spirit. If we hold our resources with an open hand because we recognize they are God's and don't worry about tomorrow, we'll likely have a difficult life. And Jesus told us that the gospel will bring division in families. So we will be a people who have much opportunity to mourn. In that sense, I think the life which is prescriptive, if followed, tends to lead towards the Beatitudes, while some of those things are not meant to be sought in and of themselves. https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Conspiracy-first-Text-Only/dp/B004TJWC7M/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2TKRZIONHZRVE&dchild=1&keywords=the+divine+conspiracy+by+dallas+willard&qid=1587258908&s=audible&sprefix=the+divine+conspiracy%2Caudible%2C178&sr=1-2-catcorrA huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/Tolstoy's "What I Believe:" https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Works-Leo-Tolstoy-Correspondences-ebook/dp/B01DY83DC6/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=tolstoy+what+i+believe&qid=1585870266&sr=8-6My Sonnet Compilation: https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Sonnets-J-G-Elliot-ebook/dp/B01LXXIIQN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+sonnets&qid=1585870352&sr=8-2Richard Rohr's "Sermon on the Mount": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A0IASQ/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_uOXEFbGCN7ASQDallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy": https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Conspiracy-Rediscovering-Hidden-Life/dp/0007596545/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dallas+willard+divine+conspiracy&qid=1601907374&sr=8-1 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/John Wesley's Arguments Against the Revolution: https://www.consource.org/document/a-calm-address-to-our-american-colonies-by-john-wesley-1775/The Historic Faith Courses (particularly "The Myth of Christian America"): https://thehistoricfaith.com/The Myth of a Christian Nation: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Christian-Nation-Political-Destroying/dp/0310267315/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=myth+of+a+christian+nation&qid=1596814955&s=books&sr=1-1Thanksgiving and Genocide: https://www.rivalnations.org/thanksgiving-genocide/Farewell to Mars: https://www.amazon.com/Farewell-Mars-Evangelical-Pastors-Biblical-ebook/dp/B00I65455C/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=farewell+to+mars&qid=1596814981&sr=8-1Legacy of Ashes: https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-of-Ashes-The-History-of-the-CIA/dp/0307389006/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8America Invades: The Controversial Story of How We've Invaded or Been Militarily Involved with Almost Every Country on Earth: https://www.amazon.com/America-Invades-Controversial-Militarily-Involved-ebook/dp/B00R1ZXKMW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=America+invades&qid=1596814737&sr=8-1 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/Anatomy of a Hybrid: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0802816150/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=anatomy+of+a+hybrid&qid=1578024564&sr=8-1Dan Carlin on torture and violence: https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-61-blitz-painfotainment/Chomsky on Religion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=SNDG7ErY-k4&feature=emb_logoChomsky "Why They Hate the West:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7HqfqtlueI&t=156sChomsky "How to Create a Terrorist:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=708pvp0E9dI Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/Anatomy of a Hybrid: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0802816150/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=anatomy+of+a+hybrid&qid=1578024564&sr=8-1Dan Carlin on torture and violence: https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-61-blitz-painfotainment/13th Amendment Film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_(film)Westminster Confession change to article 23: https://www.opc.org/documents/WCF_orig.htmlBelgic Confession Article 36: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/confessions/belgic-confessionLynching of Jesse Washington: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynching_of_Jesse_WashingtonJustice Department Lawyer defends inhumane treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzZwca4rEWc&feature=youtu.be Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/What Would You Do?: https://www.amazon.com/What-Would-John-Howard-Yoder/dp/0836136039/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=what+would+you+do+yoder&qid=1578024472&sr=8-3Victories Without Violence: https://www.amazon.com/Victories-Without-Violence-Ruth-Fry/dp/0943734061/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=victories+without+violence&qid=1578024466&sr=8-1 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/ Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/PCA Position paper on nuclear weapons: https://web.archive.org/web/20190303185338/http://www.pcahistory.org/pca/1-439.pdfWhy Civil Resistance Works: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/why-civil-resistance-works/9780231156820Gene Sharp: https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Sharp/s?k=Gene+SharpGun behind every blade of grass: Apparently not verifiable. That being said, I think the point of the statement stands. With as armed as the citizenry of the U.S. is, certainly that would be a factor an invading force would consider. https://www.factcheck.org/2009/05/misquoting-yamamoto/City of Refuge Podcast: https://wagingnonviolence.org/podcast/ Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Attitudes-War-Peace-Revolution/dp/1587432315/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=war+peace+and+revolution+yoder&qid=1584391613&sr=8-2Hauerwas on the "Sacrifices of War and the Sacrifice of Christ:" https://www.abc.net.au/religion/the-sacrifices-of-war-and-the-sacrifice-of-christ/10098368War and the American Difference: https://www.amazon.com/War-American-Difference-Theological-Reflections/dp/0801039290 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Attitudes-War-Peace-Revolution/dp/1587432315/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=war+peace+and+revolution+yoder&qid=1584391613&sr=8-2War is a Racket: https://www.amazon.com/War-Racket-Original-Smedley-Butler/dp/1939438586/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=war+is+a+racket&qid=1576982864&sr=8-1 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Attitudes-War-Peace-Revolution/dp/1587432315/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=war+peace+and+revolution+yoder&qid=1584391613&sr=8-2 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Attitudes-War-Peace-Revolution/dp/1587432315/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=war+peace+and+revolution+yoder&qid=1584391613&sr=8-2-----George Cannon, predecessor of the Truman Doctrine, in a memo (1948): https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Memo_PPS23_by_George_Kennan"Furthermore, we have about 50% of the world's wealth but only 6.3% of its population. This disparity is particularly great as between ourselves and the peoples of Asia. In this situation, we cannot fail to be the object of envy and resentment. Our real task in the coming period is to devise a pattern of relationships which will permit us to maintain this position of disparity without positive detriment to our national security. To do so, we will have to dispense with all sentimentality and day-dreaming; and our attention will have to be concentrated everywhere on our immediate national objectives. We need not deceive ourselves that we can afford today the luxury of altruism and world-benefaction."Scene On Radio's episode on the American Empire: http://www.sceneonradio.org/s4-e9-american-empire/Bible Project Revelation 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nvVVcYD-0wA book looking at all of the major American wars: https://amishcountrygoods.com/product/christianity-war-and-americas-salvation-story/America Invades: The Controversial Story of How We've Invaded or Been Militarily Involved with Almost Every Country on Earth: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R1ZXKMW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o06?ie=UTF8&psc=1Behind the Bastards Podcast on Soleimani (explicit language): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-bastards/id1373812661?i=1000461883289War is a Racket: https://www.amazon.com/War-Racket-Antiwar-Americas-Decorated-ebook/dp/B00E25IYES/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=war+is+a+racket&qid=1592924412&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 Only 3 Countries in which the U.S. hasn't had boots on the ground, and only 2 with which we've had no military dealings whatsoever: https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/these-are-the-only-3-countries-america-hasnt-invadedAmerica's assassination in the Congo: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/jan/17/patrice-lumumba-50th-anniversary-assassinationTuskegee Experiment: https://www.history.com/news/the-infamous-40-year-tuskegee-studyForced Eugenics of Minorities: https://today.duke.edu/2020/07/new-paper-examines-disproportionate-effect-eugenics-nc%E2%80%99s-black-populationJesse Washington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiyQFG6uHggTorture and Burning of Henry Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Smith_(lynching_victim)Dan Carlin on torture: https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-61-blitz-painfotainment/Mcnamara's Folly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J2VwFDV4-g&t=1sPhilippine Genocide: https://britsinthephilippines.top/philippines-genocide-3-million-filipinos-killed/Children in the Civil Right's Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCxE6i_SzoQOta Benga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaKgDugiQh4Zinned Project on obscured history: https://www.zinnedproject.org/if-we-knew-our-history/Chomsky on Haiti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVVRoWxFB1s&t=2698sChomsky on U.S. Imperialism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PdJ9TAdTdA&t=1028sTrail of Tears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SosZ2ZRJymUBuck vs. Bell Forced Sterilization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZQkCSuXZ0UAmerica Invades: How We've Invaded or been Militarily Involved with almost Every Country on Earth https://www.amazon.com/dp/1940598427/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Vi9-EbD56NCZMForced Sterilization Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3_c9pZ4SKcForced Sterilization of Immigrants in 2020: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/14/ice-detainees-hysterectomies-medical-neglect-irwin-georgiaThe Civil War as a Theological Crisis [An interesting read by Evangelical Protestant Mark Noll. He writes many history accounts you can read, but this one in particular helped me to understand how we developed to the point we are now and how some of our idols have been fashioned and maintained.]: https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Crisis-Steven-Janice-Lectures-ebook/dp/B00W1W601S/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=mark+noll&qid=1586187452&sr=8-3Cornel West's "Democracy Matters:" https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Matters-Winning-Against-Imperialism/dp/B0009JON0U/ref=sr_1_1?d...

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Historic Faith Courses: https://thehistoricfaith.com/Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Attitudes-War-Peace-Revolution/dp/1587432315/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=war+peace+and+revolution+yoder&qid=1584391613&sr=8-2Killing from the Inside Out: https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Inside-Out-Moral-Injury-ebook/dp/B00NVN93EM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9DXPV3KT88QB&keywords=killing+from+the+inside+out+moral+injury+and+just+war&qid=1576704840&sprefix=killing+from+the+in%2Caps%2C283&sr=8-1The War Prayer by Mark Twain: https://warprayer.org/It was brought to my attention after this episode was created that there are only 3-5 countries (depending on how you count them) which were not controlled in at least some part by European Christendom (Thailand, Japan, Korea, and Liberia). But even the states which weren't controlled were heavily influenced, and largely uncontested due to their value as either a place to dump baggage (Liberia - slaves you didn't want to become citizens) or use as a buffer against other countries (Thailand). https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2014/6/24/5835320/map-in-the-whole-world-only-these-five-countries-escaped-european Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 --------(Article discussed in this episode) An Open Letter to Christians Condoning Violence: https://freethinkingministries.com/an-open-letter-to-christians-condoning-violence/Episode 7: Is Nonviolence Evil by Refusing to Do Good? https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-evil-in-refusing-to-do-goodRomans 13 Part 2: The Practical: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-romans-13-part-2Episode 19: What Would You Do to Protect Your Family (Part 1)? https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-would-you-really-allow-an-intruder-to-harm-your-familyEpisode 20: What Would You Do to Protect Your Family (Part 2)? https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/episode-19-rebuttal-would-you-really-allow-an-intruder-to-harm-your-family-part-2-the-practicalBonhoeffer Episode 1: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/se3-bonhoefferBonhoeffer Episode 2: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/47-se5-bonhoeffer-pacifist-or-assassin Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

**Part of what makes this topic difficult is its changing statistics. For instance, there are many years in which "whites" count hispanics, thought that changes throughout the years. Another thing I want to point out is that due to proportions, it needs to be made clear that minorities do face a disproportionate number of abortions. The text below is from 1997 as just one example. I am not at all arguing that whites have had less of a problem with abortion proportionally, but that the general trend for whites is downward, while the trend for minorities is relatively static as far as it can be told from the data the CDC provides. A great look at this can be seen in the following site ( http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/usa_abortion_by_race.html ), where the 2nd graph is of the most importance (abortions by race/ethnicity). What you will see is that the white abortions drop significantly, while the minority abortions do increase for a time, but then are largely level. Considering that the white population did not fall that much, while the minority population did increase, it seems fair to conclude that the white drop is disproportionate to the population drop. Obviously you can look at various facets of the data, and it's a complex task. Hopefully I've been fair and accurate in this one focused assessment, but please do your own legwork and follow that up. FROM: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/ss/ss6713a1.htmAmong women whose race was reported (from 39 reporting areas), approximately 56% of women who obtained legal induced abortions were white (Table 9). The abortion ratio for black women was 543 per 1,000 live births, 2.8 times the ratio for white women (194 per 1,000 live births). However, numbers of abortions for white women include data for Hispanics and thus might affect comparisons from state to state. The abortion ratio for women of other races (341 per 1,000 live births) was 1.8 times the ratio for white women. In addition, the abortion rate for black women (32 per 1,000 women) was 2.9 times the rate for white women (11 per 1,000 women).------------A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 -----------My article on the double standard and slectivity of conservative, moral legislation: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/economic-pornography-and-pet-sinsJerry Falwell's Mask: https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2020/05/27/libertys-jerry-falwell-designs-his-own-mask-using-ralph-northam-yearbook-blackface-photo/?outputType=ampSex Partners and Activity: https://ifstudies.org/blog/nine-decades-of-promiscuityTrend of Poverty and Adoption: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/us/abortion-access-inequality.htmlAbortion Rate by Country: https://bedbible.com/abortion-statistics/ https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/abortion-rates-by-country/Adoption Stats in the U.S.: https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-changing-face-of-adoption-in-the-united-statesCDC Abortion Stats: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/data_stats/index.htmAbortion and Race Trends: http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/usa_abortion_by_race.htmlPhil Vischer on abortion causes and cures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvWD7ykNjCc&feature=youtu.be Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 ***For an alternative perspective on the rise of the abortion issue among conservative Evangelicals, check out the following article. While I think the author makes some good points and helps to balance a true, growing concern for abortion, I think the race issue is clearly the catalyst. So while I disagree with the morality of abortion now, the reason the issue was shot to prominence so quickly seems to be as a result of racism. It's hard to explain the seismic shift in worldviews about the personhood of fetuses without a motivator, as I argue in the episode. Nevertheless, decide for yourself: https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/fact-and-fiction-about-racism-and . You can also find a version from the Gospel Coalition here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/evangelical-history/christian-right-discovered-abortion-rights-transformed-culture-wars/Lee Atwater's famous quote about Republican and Religious Right implications and understanding in politics: https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/exclusive-lee-atwaters-infamous-1981-interview-southern-strategy/You start out in 1954 by saying, “Nigger, nigger, nigger.” By 1968 you can’t say “nigger”—that hurts you, backfires. So you say stuff like, uh, forced busing, states’ rights, and all that stuff, and you’re getting so abstract. Now, you’re talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you’re talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is, blacks get hurt worse than whites.… “We want to cut this,” is much more abstract than even the busing thing, uh, and a hell of a lot more abstract than “Nigger, nigger.”The 1971 SBC Resolution on Abortion: http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/13/resolution-on-abortion Brief explanation of the origins of the anti-abortion movement in Evangelicalism: https://www.npr.org/2019/06/20/734303135/throughline-traces-evangelicals-history-on-the-abortion-issue Detailed article about the origins of the anti-abortion movement in Evangelicalism: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/religious-right-real-origins-107133The Color of Compromise: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Compromise-American-Churchs-Complicity/dp/0310113601/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+color+of+compromise&qid=1591475569&sr=8-1The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America: This resource is a very deep overview of the history of Evangelicalism and the Religious Right. It helps paint a picture of how we got to where we are and the compromisedOne Nation Under God: https://www.amazon.com/One-Nation-Under-God-Corporate/dp/0465097413/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=one+nation+under+god&qid=1591475623&sr=8-1Revolution of Values: is a great look at the history of modern Evangelicalism and the racist roots of the Religious Right from the perspective of a long-time Southern Baptist, and one who served the Republican party under Strom Thurmond: https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Values-Reclaiming-Public-Common/dp/0830845933/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=jonathan+hartgrove&qid=1591475669&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUVZOQlVWQUhGSklOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzM5MzgxTTU5SDBXSURKRlVOJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMzY3NDRTQzhRWTU0Njk5NFEmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVlA good summary of the rise in anti-abortion sentiment: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-evangelicals-decided-that-life-begins-at-conception_b_2072716?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20vc2VhcmNoP3E9RXZhbmdlbGljYWwrYWJvcnRpb24rbW92ZW1lbnQmZm9ybT1BUElQSDEmUEM9QVBQTA&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFK1r-ntO2NVaghH4hLP_lW3elDj6xvvJiThE7fIQ8JGqyHT_JdoYoUqFlPH78UZokykrlr4reUpQt3VYpWDtlj0N29jhWoGUq3oSH55qWnPELjR8dRMsBxOO1j6-5MZSqJJNxsFsm7VVjo0iwKcM5MLr8hhHWSacvgWAClJodGRScene on Radio Podcast: http://www.sceneonradio.org/s4-e8-the-second-redemption/Behind the Bastards on Jerry Falwell (explicit language): This is a three part series which is good at helping not only to paint a picture of ulterior motives in the abortion issue, but in seeing the political and business problems inherent in the religious right. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-bastards/id1373812661?i=1000458529023 Bob Jones Finally Drops Interracial Dating Policy in the Year 2000: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/marchweb-only/53.0.htmlFormer SBC President W.A. Criswell (1973): "I have always felt that it was only after a child was born and had a life separate from its mother that it became an individual person, and it has always, therefore, seemed to me that what is best for the mother and for the future should be allowed." W. Barry Garrett (1973): "Religious liberty, human equality and justice are advanced by the [Roe v.

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 1-1-1 Project: http://www.111project.org/careportal/Early Church Quotes: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/arguments-for-christian-pacifism-4-teaching-of-the-early-churchThe Dropbox Film: https://dropbox.focusonthefamily.ca/ Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Compilation of peer-reviewed and other literature on ectopic pregnancies: http://www.personhoodinitiative.com/ectopic-personhood.htmlSuccessful transplant of an ectopic pregnancy example: https://www.ajog.org/article/0002-9378%2890%2990794-8/pdfMisdiagnosed ectopic pregnancies: https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2013/10/11/ectopic-pregnancy-misdiagnosed-methotrexateBrief summary of anti-abortion in ectopic pregnancy position: https://www.clmagazine.org/topic/medicine-science/does-an-ectopic-pregnancy-justify-intentionally-killing-the-baby/Many disorders are misdiagnosed: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/01/upshot/pregnancy-birth-genetic-testing.html?fbclid=IwAR18I7kdcavsxDF6RBqs8Y2sAjkQdBZAwKT3YId1PPgCHWxFyGBUYISvy8w Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Links to various studies and data mentioned in the episode can be found in my written version of this issue here: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/abortion-counterrebuttal-patriarchal-bias Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Sacrifices of War and the Sacrifice of Christ: https://www.abc.net.au/religion/the-sacrifices-of-war-and-the-sacrifice-of-christ/10098368Chomsky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRbnPA3fd5U&t=376sKilling From the Inside Out: https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Inside-Out-Moral-Injury-ebook/dp/B00NVN93EM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=R9KWYOKIFBHB&keywords=killing+from+the+inside+out+moral+injury+and+just+war&qid=1579144348&sprefix=killing+from%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-1War and Moral Injury: https://www.amazon.com/Moral-Injury-Robert-Emmet-Meagher-ebook/dp/B07CFW2S3G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3ML8UZ5LHM913&keywords=war+and+moral+injury&qid=1579144321&sprefix=war+and+moral+inju%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1On Killing: https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Psychological-Cost-Learning-Society-ebook/dp/B00J90F8W2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RHR2TOPIB06N&keywords=on+killing+by+dave+grossman&qid=1579144334&sprefix=on+killin%2Caps%2C370&sr=8-1While the following quote was pieced together from soldier testimony to make the famous speech from the movie "Patton," it is widely attributed to General Patton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCA6uxQE-bw&t=200s No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making some other poor dumb bastard die for his country.John Howard Yoder from "Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution:" A crusade does not have to be winnable. Those who died in a crusade go straight to heaven. In the Middle Ages, dying in a crusade was the only way to get straight to heaven. In a crusade, death is not considered a necessary sacrifice so as to win war. Death is righteous in itself, because it is in a righteous cause. This view carries on in the West despite theories to the contrary. An element of martyrdom is present in our culture’s recognition of the moral dignity of the war dead. There is a close juxtaposition, theologically in need of debate between such “martyrdom” and the sacrifice of Christ. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13): Jesus said that about himself. Many Western war monuments to the dead have that verse on them, as though what a dead soldier went out to do was to lay down his life for his friends. That is not what he went out to do. He went out to kill, and he hoped to come home. He went out to lay down somebody else’s life. The use of Jesus’s cross language is a dramatic pointer to the persistence of the crusade mentality in our culture. Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Tomlinson's Abortion Conundrum: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/man-pro-choice-question-anti-abortion-argument-human-embryos-five-year-old-a8016671.htmlConsequentialism Series on Altruism: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/consequentialism-the-heart-of-compromiseA great article discussing what we have worked through in this episode: https://www.mccl.org/post/2017/11/02/the-embryo-rescue-argument-doesnt-show-that-some-human-beings-are-expendable Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Thoughts on the Phillips vs. Irons Case: https://supreme.findlaw.com/legal-commentary/when-oral-sex-results-in-a-pregnancy-can-men-ever-escape-paternity-obligations.htmlA great discussion on the violinist argument: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGPudL_GQ3Y&feature=youtu.be Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The Best Conversationalist on Abortion and Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK-sX7E90QI&feature=emb_logoA great discussion on the violinist argument: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGPudL_GQ3Y&feature=youtu.beGreg Kokul's "Unstringing the Violinist:" https://www.str.org/articles/unstringing-the-violinist Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

[Edit 5/8/22] I just came across Psalm 51:5 today and thought it helped to make another great point about how we interpret scripture. For those arguing that our being known by God in the womb ought to be taken at face value and point towards the sanctity of life from in the womb, then surely Psalm 51, if taken in a consistent fashion, declares the concept of original sin and original guilt. It says, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." If one wants to proof-text the idea of the sanctity of life in the womb, then those same fetuses that die, and infants who die are sinners who stand guilty before God. While a portion of the Christian community would have no problem with this concept, many would detest such a notion. A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 **After listening again I recognize I said something which needs to be restated. I understand that having sex doesn't mean you'll get pregnant (I have 4 kids, so trust me, I understand). I misspoke. I intended to imply that for every 100 times there would have been impregnation, statistically, one of those would be aborted via secondary measures of hormonal birth control. Over the course of a married life and assuming healthy sexual activity, that means that there would likely be multiple abortions statistically speaking. Episode Summary: 1. Images and Pain Presence: Use of post-abortion photos and describing the pain sensations a fetus can feel at different stages of development can be valuable tools to spark emotion, dig at intuitive knowledge, or bolster a larger argument. However, they are terrible stand-alone or primary arguments against abortion, yet they tend to be where many Christians start and stop their understanding of the issue. The main problem with them is that they actually undermine the core case Christians want to make for the value of the fetus. How much something resembles a human or what level of pain one can feel changes based on time and situations, and are what we call degreed properties. If something is held in degrees, not only can you be more or less of something on the spectrum (in this case, human), but you can also lose that thing. likeness and pain sensation are degreed properties and are not present in all fetuses at all times, and especially not at the same level. ---2. Biblical Cherry-picking: Many anti-abortion Christians love to say that everyone, including fetuses, are important, because "God knits us all together in the womb." We turn this into a scientific statement. The problem is that in this very passage - only two verses later - the author declares that he was woven together in the depths of the earth. You will find plenty of cases where (especially in the Psalms), the author works within an ANE framework, and not a scientific one (e.g. the pillars holding up the sky). We also see other strange conceptions (to our modern ears) of life, as in when the Bible tells us that Levi paid a tithe to Melchizedek through Abraham, as Levi was in Abraham's loins (Augustine called this "seminal headship" in regard to all humans being in the loins of Adam). Today, we know that this isn't how sperm, genetics, and individual identity work. We can't pick and choose what aspects of ancient beliefs sound good for our case to use as zinger proof-texts. It's a whole package. Since this may be a particularly contentious point, here are some perspectives from an inerrantist I trust who expounds on these topics. Adam's Loins and Seminal Headship: https://drmsh.com/more-on-romans-5/ Levi's Loins and Hebrew Belief: https://nakedbiblepodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/NB-185-Transcript.pdf (top of pg. 14 ff). Ancient Hebrew Cosmology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPtym0NboU (39:30 ff). ---3. Ignoring Counter-examples in the Bible: Some Christians know the common rebuttal that life was viewed as less valuable to ancient Hebrews because there was a law which seems to declare the consequences for causing a woman to miscarry were less severe than for killing a human who was older. But there are some words you can argue about there. To me, the glaring problem passage is when by law, a husband was able to take his wife to the priest if he suspected infidelity and force her to drink a concoction which would kill the child if it was not the husbands. However, I don't know any anti-abortion Christians who would argue that we should be able to do paternity tests and then justly abort any children born out of a marital relationship. ---4. Christian Inconsistency: We say we believe life begins at conception, yet most of us use birth controls which have abortive measures (preventing implantation, not conception) as secondary effects. Many of us also speak in a derogatory fashion about ch

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 Various Abortion Resources: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/abortion-8-resources Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismJust Mercy: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-story-justice-redemption/dp/1912854791/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=bryan+stevenson&qid=1585871230&sr=8-14The 13th Documentary: https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=U523DF&PC=U523&q=the+13th+documentaryThe Racist History of the Religious Right and Conservative Evangelicalism: https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/religious-right-real-origins-107133Abortion was approved by many conservative Evangelicals until it became a backdoor to race issues: https://www.npr.org/2019/06/20/734303135/throughline-traces-evangelicals-history-on-the-abortion-issueCornel West's "Democracy Matters:" https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Matters-Winning-Against-Imperialism/dp/B0009JON0U/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Cornell+west+democracy+matters&qid=1587258766&sr=8-1Black Lives Matter Beliefs: https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/Mark Noll is an Evangelical Historian who I have found to be very insightful during this time in my life. He is a heartbroken Evangelical (as can be seen in his [in]famous book "The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind"), meaning he considers himself an Evangelical, but is introspective and honest enough to recognize our glaring problems. That is exactly how I feel at the moment, and I appreciate those who, like Noll, can honestly point out our past and our present and call us to address our problems. Noll has many books which you may find helpful on this topic, but I found the two books below to be helpful in understanding why the Evangelical church has so many problems with race, why the government took over the church's role (and why we let it), why we are political idolaters, and so much more. The Civil War as a Theological Crisis: https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Crisis-Steven-Janice-Lectures-ebook/dp/B00W1W601S/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mark+noll&qid=1586637948&sr=8-2God and Race in American Politics: https://www.amazon.com/God-Race-American-Politics-History-ebook/dp/B003E7FIDU/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=mark+noll&qid=1586637986&sr=8-15 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

*Please note that I am not particularly critiquing the actions taken by government or individuals, provided their actions are based on honest and educated assessments of data. Isolating everyone vs. isolating only a certain population (e.g. those over 60, those with preexisting conditions, etc) is a judgment call. We don't have all the data necessary to make perfect decisions, so we're experimenting and learning as we go. At what point does shutting down the economy do more harm than good, particularly in countries where they live day to day, hand to mouth? I don't know, and I don't want to judge anyone for difficult decisions.However, what I do intend to point out in this episode is that my group has erred (as a broad generalization, of course) in our discernment. Many in my group have politicized the virus to the point that we were unable to assess the gravity of the situation, we were unable to effectively love in our actions, and we were unable to wisely discern common sense judgment and action in the situation. While I am not judging for making the wrong decisions given limited information, I am judging our political idolatry and our dismissal of truths which don't fit our desired narrative. A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismA fantastic moral overview of the pandemic from a Christian perspective: https://mereorthodoxy.com/moral-reasoning-coronavirus-pandemic/ Mars Hill Audio, which featured the above article in audio format: https://www.marshillaudio.org Conservative Responses to COVID-19 Image Gallery: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CMNQ-kj1dN37sxBUPjffKwZCk1vi0dREDemocrat vs. Republican: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/17/816501871/poll-as-coronavirus-spreads-fewer-americans-see-pandemic-as-a-real-threat?utm_term=nprnews&utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=socialLiberty University and Falwell: https://www.washingtonpost.com/Falwell continue classes: https://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-falwell-jr-suggests-coronavirus-is-plot-to-hurt-trump-2020-3Governer difference between KY and TN: https://www.alternet.org/2020/03/kentucky-vs-tennessee-on-coronavirus-may-be-the-best-example-of-elections-matter-in-decades/?fbclid=IwAR0QBc9J9X37IwUjxyhfRovCTTliRV7SyBgCNtWPKYvTC--w7wW6gwu2o9UFOX Hype and Changing Tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DmW_H4U-MI&t=145sFox Questioning the Virus as a Hoax/Conspiracy: https://www.mediamatters.org/coronavirus-covid-19/fox-news-contributor-i-am-seeing-videos-twitter-empty-hospital-parking-lotsGeorgia Conservative questions legitimacy of the pandemic: https://decaturish.com/2020/03/gov-kemp-staffer-accuses-officials-of-overreacting-to-covid-19-spokesperson-cites-federalist/Environment correction article: https://medium.com/cruciformity/coronavirus-a-symptom-of-creations-brokenness-e9335ae7d8a1Florida Church Ignores Guidelines: https://www.fox13news.com/news/tampa-megachurch-crowded-with-worshipers-despite-social-distancing-ordersAnother Church Ignores Guidelines: https://www.wesh.com/article/second-pastor-charged-with-violating-public-orders-says-church-doors-will-still-be-open-on-sunday/32003221?fbclid=IwAR3I9lL5E5WHuGR5mtMMDjbqPVAMLobnr8XJg8DCSP4SPmnRXdVAWYcl0o4#Parishoner Interview "covered by the blood": https://www.facebook.com/tboypunk/videos/3913215418696211/Reopen America and Conservatism: https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonchandler/2020/04/24/security-researchers-say-the-reopen-america-campaign-is-being-astroturfed/A good piece on Evangelicalism and some of its problems with taking responsibility: https://religiondispatches.org/itsnotus-being-evangelical-means-never-having-to-say-youre-sorry/Hypocrisy of the Religious Right: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/shanephipps/2020/04/20/the-christian-right-is-under-siege-by-a-pandemic-of-hypocrisy/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=FBCP-PATHChristians and Conspiracy Theories: https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2020/april/christians-and-corona-conspiracies.html?fbclid=IwAR0BFQWYb4Y-UUiWzugAlCC7hbwr7EF2bYIySoVwCn6zv82rh5EW5QM7KR0Sacrificing God - my blog discussing the moral inconsistency of our response to COVID and our response to moral compromise in politics:

*around 59:30 I intend to say prostitution is a secular endeavor, not a sacred oneA huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismBonhoeffer the Assassin: https://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Assassin-Challenging-Recovering-Peacemaking-ebook/dp/B00FOWLXVY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=bonhoeffer+the+assassin&qid=1578771855&sr=8-1Summary of Bonhoeffer's Case: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/nonviolence/was-bonhoeffer-willing-to-killInterview with Bonhoeffer Scholar: https://www.benjaminlcorey.com/no-dietrich-bonhoeffer-didnt-try-to-kill-adolph-hitler/Jerry Falwell Jr. Quote: https://twitter.com/JerryFalwellJr/status/1045853333007798272?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwPablo Yoder Testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdGENdH1fo&t=1sVictories Without Violence: https://www.amazon.com/Victories-Without-Violence-Ruth-Fry/dp/0943734061/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1578896183&sr=8-2The Doors of the Sea: https://www.amazon.com/Doors-Sea-Where-Was-Tsunami/dp/0802866867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+doors+of+the+sea&qid=1578897160&sr=8-1"Nationalism and internationalism have to do with political necessities and possibilities. The ecumenical Church, however, does not concern itself with these things, but with the commandments of God, and regardless of consequences it transmits these commandments to the world. Our task as theologians, accordingly, consists only in accepting this commandment as a binding one, not as a question open to discussion. Peace on earth is not a problem, but a commandment given at Christ’s coming. There are two ways of reacting to this command from God: the unconditional, blind obedience of action, or the hypocritical question of the Serpent: “Yea, hath God said . . . ?” This question is the mortal enemy of obedience, and therefore the mortal enemy of all real peace. . . . “Must God not have meant that we should talk about peace, to be sure, but that it is not to be literally translated into action? Must God not really have said that we should work for peace, of course, but also make ready tanks and poison gas for security?” And then perhaps the most serious question: “Did God say you should not protect your own people? Did God say you should leave your own a prey to the enemy?” No, God did not say all that. What He has said is that there shall be peace among men—that we shall obey Him without further question, that is what He means. He who questions the commandment of God before obeying has already denied Him. . . . For the members of the ecumenical Church, in so far as they hold to Christ, His word, His commandment of peace is more holy, more inviolable than the most revered words and works of the natural world. For they know that whoso is not able to hate father and mother for His sake is not worthy of Him, and lies if he calls himself after Christ’s name. These brothers in Christ obey His word; they do not doubt or question, but keep His commandment of peace. They are not ashamed, in defiance of the world, even to speak of eternal peace. They cannot take up arms against Christ himself—yet this is what they do if they take up arms against one another! Even in anguish and distress of conscience there is for them no escape from the commandment of Christ that there shall be peace. How does peace come about? Through a system of political treaties? Through the investment of international capital in different countries? Through the big banks, through money? Or through universal peaceful rearmament in order to guarantee peace? Through none of these, for the single reason that in all of them peace is confused with safety. There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared. It is the great venture. It can never be made safe. Peace is the opposite of security. To demand guarantees is to mistrust, and this mistrust in turn brings forth war. To look for guarantees is to want to protect oneself. Peace means to give oneself altogether to the law of God, wanting no security, but in faith and obedience laying the destiny of the nations in the hand of Almighty God, not trying to direct it for selfish purposes. Battles are won, not with weapons, but with God. They are won where the way leads to the cross. Which of us can say he knows what it might mean for the world if one nation should meet the aggressor, not with weapons in hand, but praying defenseless, and for that very reason protected by “a bulwark never failing”? "In Bonhoeffer’s interpretatio

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismBonhoeffer the Assassin: https://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Assassin-Challenging-Recovering-Peacemaking-ebook/dp/B00FOWLXVY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=bonhoeffer+the+assassin&qid=1578771855&sr=8-1Great extended summary of the book's findings from Dr. Nation and Hauerwas: https://www.abc.net.au/religion/a-pacifist-and-enemy-of-the-state-bonhoeffers-journey-to-nonviol/10094798Summary of Bonhoeffer's Case: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/nonviolence/was-bonhoeffer-willing-to-killInterview with Bonhoeffer Scholar: https://www.benjaminlcorey.com/no-dietrich-bonhoeffer-didnt-try-to-kill-adolph-hitler/ Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismBonhoeffer the Assassin: https://www.amazon.com/Bonhoeffer-Assassin-Challenging-Recovering-Peacemaking-ebook/dp/B00FOWLXVY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=bonhoeffer+the+assassin&qid=1578771855&sr=8-1Great extended summary of the book's findings from Dr. Nation and Hauerwas: https://www.abc.net.au/religion/a-pacifist-and-enemy-of-the-state-bonhoeffers-journey-to-nonviol/10094798Summary of Bonhoeffer's Case: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/nonviolence/was-bonhoeffer-willing-to-killInterview with Bonhoeffer Scholar: https://www.benjaminlcorey.com/no-dietrich-bonhoeffer-didnt-try-to-kill-adolph-hitler/The original version of this episode uncorrected: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/46-se4-uncorrected-bonhoeffer-pacifist-or-assassin-part-1 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismPeter's Betrayal Wasn't Cowardice: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/peters-denial-wasnt-cowardice Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismEarly Church Quotes: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/arguments-for-christian-pacifism-4-teaching-of-the-early-church Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismTim Keller on God's Control: http://andynaselli.com/watergate Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismEarly Church Quotes Compilation: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/arguments-for-christian-pacifism-4-teaching-of-the-early-churchThe Early Church on Killing: https://www.amazon.com/Early-Church-Killing-Comprehensive-Sourcebook/dp/0801036305/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3P67XKXI6LXU9&keywords=the+early+church+on+killing&qid=1577046248&sprefix=killing+in+the+early+church%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-2Rich Christians in the Age of Hunger: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Christians-Age-Hunger-Generosity-ebook/dp/B00PWOH5TS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IFXL81PXMRTI&keywords=rich+christians+in+the+age+of+hunger&qid=1577046278&sprefix=Rich+christians%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1War is a Racket: https://www.amazon.com/War-Racket-Original-Smedley-Butler/dp/1939438586/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=War+is+a+racket&qid=1577046512&sr=8-1 Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismSeason 1:13 discussing how a refusal to engage evil can be advancing good in a more meaningful way: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-romans-13-part-2Romans 13 Application Episode: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-romans-13-part-2Avoiding evil isn't a failure to do good episode: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-evil-in-refusing-to-do-good Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismLesser of Two Evils Episode: https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/consequentialism-problems-with-the-lesser-of-two-evils-ethic Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialism Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialism Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismThe Immoral Majority: https://www.amazon.com/Immoral-Majority-Good-Christians-Leaders/dp/0062797115/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+immoral+majority&qid=1592527499&sr=8-1"Anatomy of a Hybrid" and Christendom/Christian Sacralism: https://www.gospeltruth.net/verduin/hybrid.htm The Myth of a Christian Nation: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Christian-Nation-Political-Destroying/dp/0310267315/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+myth+of+a+christian+nation&qid=1583004622&sr=8-2Quote from Robert Jeffress, President Trump's spiritual advisor and Evangelical bigshot: "But as far as his worldview, Trump's world view, I was debating an evangelical professor on NPR and this professor said, "Pastor, don’t you want a candidate who embodies the teaching of Jesus and would govern this country according to the principles found in the Sermon on the Mount?" I said, "Heck no." I would run from that candidate as far as possible because the Sermon on the Mount was not given as a governing principle for this nation. Nowhere is government told to forgive those who wrong it, nowhere is government commanded to turn the other cheek. Government is to be a strongman to protect its citizens against evildoers. When I’m looking for somebody who’s going to deal with ISIS and exterminate ISIS, I don’t care about that candidate’s tone or vocabulary, I want the meanest, toughest, son of a you-know-what I can find, and I believe that’s Biblical."Psalm 2: https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/2.html1 Why do the nations conspireand the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismA great conversation on a philosophy behind abstention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqEc3NNGol8&feature=youtu.bePhil Vischer on abortion and politics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvWD7ykNjCc&feature=youtu.beVoting as coercive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiiyZsCzP9k&t=1sVoting as an abdication of responsibility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBAs9jmanzs&t=9sChristian Sacralism in "Anatomy of a Hybrid:" https://www.gospeltruth.net/verduin/hybrid.htmElecting Not to Vote: https://www.amazon.com/Electing-Not-Vote-Christian-Reflections-ebook/dp/B00YD5D0Z0/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=electing+not+to+vote&qid=1577199172&sr=8-1Essay on Civil Disobedience (Thoreau): https://users.manchester.edu/Facstaff/SSNaragon/Online/texts/201/Thoreau,%20CivilDisobedience.pdfKierkegaard Quotes on Politics: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/politics/politics-and-the-stateThe Myth of a Christian Nation: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Christian-Nation-Political-Destroying/dp/0310267315/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+myth+of+a+christian+nation&qid=1583004622&sr=8-2Consequentialism Series (beginning ep. 24): https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes?utf8=%E2%9C%93&year=2019&month=Romans 13 Part 1 (Biblical Case): https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-romans-13Romans 13 Part 2 (Practical Case): https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/rebuttal-romans-13-part-2As Christians in the U.S. start thinking about voting for a commander in chief this fall, I thought I'd throw out an unpopular option for everyone to chew on. I've done a significant amount of reflection on politics, voting, and Kingdom living over the past few years, and I have concluded that the option of abstention is something that needs to be on the table for Christians. It may not be something you do in this election, or any future election, but it needs to be a tool you have available to you and one you can respect others using. In this podcast episode I lay out that case for this option, but if you want the summary and don't want to listen to a ninety minute episode, I'll summarize below. https://thefourthway.transistor.fm/episodes/se2-abstention-from-political-idolatry1. Many Christians view what James calls true religion as optional (helping orphans, widows, etc), as few Christians judge others for not doing these things. Only people who are "called" to those things are required to do them. Few people in our churches adopt, volunteer at the food pantry, etc. We view those things as optional, and understand if congregants don't have the time to participate. However, many view voting as morally necessary and the responsible thing to do. This mismatch of moral obligations seems to me to be political idolatry. How is it that orphans and widows are optional, while voting is obligatory? The state has replaced the church as the Christian ethic in American Evangelical society, which is why a vote every four years is lauded more vocally than doing the hard work of consistent community interaction and love. 2. When all candidates and/or platforms require our own moral compromises or implicit support of evil, the testimony of Christ should be prioritized and our salt/light to the world maintained over any action which promises perceived effectiveness. When all options are evil (a threshold we may disagree on), a holy example is only maintained through our abstention from evil and subsequent faith in God to accomplish his means through the church. As Daniel resigned himself to prayer, Moses's mother resigned her son to a basket, and Jesus resigned himself to a cross - God may bring us to a moment where following him means throwing off seeming effectiveness and simply resting in God's promise to sovereignly control history not through our subversion of his means, but through our clinging to him and his holy will over human wisdom, methodology, and power..God's express and implied will for our lives is holiness and a growing conformity to Christ. If all political parties and/or candidates require moral compromise, abstention is important to maintain moral holiness in our avoidance of evil. It is only through holy distinction (being salt and light) that incarnation is possible and meaningful. Had Jesus met us where we were, but not maintained his holy distinction from us, his incarnation would have been meaningless because he would have condescended without pr

A huge thanks to Joseph McDade for his generous permission to use his music: https://josephmcdade.com/Thanks to Palmtoptiger17 for the beautiful logo: https://www.instagram.com/palmtoptiger17/Discord Discussion Board: https://disboard.org/server/474580298630430751 The 80% (My Book): https://www.amazon.com/80-Conservative-Evangelicals-Prove-Relativists-ebook/dp/B07RDPW2NZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=j.g.+elliot&qid=1573560697&sr=8-1Various reflections related to consequentialism: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/category/pragmatism-and-consequentialismGreat real-life example of integrity in doing right while refusing to lie: https://wagingnonviolence.org/podcast/city-of-refuge-part-1/ Thanks to our monthly supporters J Phillip Mast Laverne Miller Jesse Killion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★