The Libertarian Christian Podcast

Economist and author Art Carden is certainly no stranger to the Libertarian Christian Podcast, with this episode marking his seventh appearance on the show. This time, he joins Doug Stuart to discuss his latest book, Strangers With Candy: Observations from the Ordinary Business of Life, in which Art highlights a simple economic fact: buying candy from strangers is commonplace in any modern economy. Before diving into the book, Art and Doug spend some time discussing economics more broadly. Art walks us through the story of how he first became interested in economics, going on to explain and clarify a number of misconceptions surrounding the discipline. Drawing from his book, Art suggests that economists are to blame for many of these misconceptions, as they often do a bad job explaining the economics of how the world works. In Strangers With Candy, Art intends to rectify this issue, offering an accessible and easily digestible analysis of how economics impacts and shapes our day-to-day lives. This episode gives listeners a taste of Art’s analysis, as well as discussion on a variety of related and intriguing topics, such as municipal development policy, economic growth vs economic progress, and Art’s argument for why business is a public service. If you’re interested in anything mentioned above, tune in now! Art Carden is a professor of economics at Samford University’s Brock School of Business. He has worked with and contributed to a number of other organizations, including the American Institute for Economic Research, the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics, the Beacon Center of Tennessee, the Independent Institute, and the Foundation for Economic Education. He received his PhD from Washington University in Saint Louis. More information can be found in the additional resources section below. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:13 How did Art get into economics? 05:14 Misconceptions about economists 15:05 Christians for Liberty Network 15:47 Why do economists struggle to explain the world? 19:15 Explaining the title “Strangers With Candy” 23:20 Economic growth vs economic progress 27:15 How not to help strangers 28:37 Municipal development: what are the tradeoffs? 34:05 Is business a public service? 41:46 Lightning round with Art Additional Resources: - Buy Stranger's With Candy today: --- https://strangerswithcandybook.com/ --- https://www.amazon.com/Strangers-Candy-Observations-Ordinary-Business-ebook/dp/B0C7RG5CXX - Art's website: https://artcarden.com/ - Follow Art on Twitter: @ArtCarden - More from Art: --- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=508839 --- https://www.aier.org/people/art-carden/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, our guest is Matt Whitman, who hosts the 10-Minute Bible Hour and the Ironwood Rhino podcasts. He is a classical liberal, an ordained minister, and a committed husband and father. He's a student of History and the Humanities. He's also the co-host of No Dumb Questions, where he and Destin Sanlon, the other host and creator of the Smarter Every Day YouTube channel, discuss their different views on a wide range of topics, from science and engineering to our current connection with history. They begin by discussing the history of the relationship between the individual and the collective in different nations. Matt talks about how ancient civilizations built upon one another but ultimately had oppressive regimes, while the Persians realized that citizens’ devotion was expedient for the service of the great king and therefore stressed the importance of tolerance. The Romans introduced a legal standard to ensure tolerance where they thought possible and the authority of the state where desired to keep control. However, Whitman argues that Persia has been misunderstood as an Eastern power when it was a forward-thinking culture that had a significant impact when it came into contact with Greece. The two then address the Bible's passages, such as Romans 13, that seem to advocate for submitting to the government's authority, arguing that a negative hermeneutic should be used to understand these passages in context with the rest of the Bible. They also discuss Paul's letter to the Roman church and how he cleverly wrote about the ideal government. The idea of Christian nationalism is discussed, as well as the dangers of mingling state power with faith. Both Matts believe in a more voluntary role for the state in promoting justice. They also discuss the dangers of using authoritarian tactics to combat authoritarianism, citing historical and biblical lessons. Whitman shares his personal journey from Christianity to atheism and back to Christianity, explaining that it was based on philosophical and epistemological reasons, rather than anger towards God or others. He then emphasizes the importance of patience and tolerance in one's personal life and in politics as a libertarian. The discussion concludes with a discussion of Whitman's work visiting churches and attempting to bring people together. Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart welcomes Jack Lloyd onto the show to talk about his recent book “A Vision for a Libertarian Future.” Drawing from his book, Jack provides an outline for how a libertarian voluntaryist society might operate. Before diving into the details of specific policy choices, Doug and Jack speak to the role of incrementalism. Despite its controversial status in libertarian circles, incrementalism, according to Jack, is necessary to ensure a stable and realistic transition towards a libertarian future. Given this, Doug and Jack dedicate a great deal of time discussing how incrementalism applies to specific political topics, such as taxation, federal asset holdings, national parks, prisons, and borders. As Jack explains, each of these issues can be addressed incrementally by emphasizing the importance of voluntarism—when choices are voluntary, the government becomes more accountable to the people. Whether you’re already on board with libertarianism or if you think it’s too unrealistic, this episode will have you walking away with a lot to think about. Jack Lloyd is a multimedia content producer for liberty. His work spans both fiction and nonfiction with educational videos, music, music videos, skits, a comic book series, and his nonfiction books. His ongoing production projects include Voluntaryist – The Comic Series, The Pholosopher, The Honest Teacher, and Red Flag Reality. Before he became a producer full time, he worked as a criminal defense lawyer, government school teacher, and tutoring company owner. He brings his insights from those roles to help people understand the importance of human freedom. Check the "additional resources" section for more information about Jack. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:50 What's Jack's book about? 03:15 Why incrementalism? 04:11 Jack's major influences 05:28 Research surprises 07:27 How have views on taxes shifted over time? 10:38 What is the role of entrepreneurship? 12:41 Jack's vision for taxation 15:44 Wouldn't people lose their jobs? 17:15 Privatizing federal asset holdings 20:00 What about Yosemite?!? 22:49 Jack's vision for justice 26:28 Private prisons 30:51 Jack's vision for borders (and citizenship) 38:40 How do we get there? Additional Resources: - Read A Vision for a Libertarian Future: https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Libertarian-Future-Voluntaryist-Philosophy/dp/B0C1J1XMQQ - Read The Definitive Guide to Libertarian Voluntaryism: https://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Guide-Libertarian-Voluntaryism/dp/B09S6NLGP9?ref_=ast_author_dp - Jack's website: https://jackvlloyd.com/ - Ep 291: Jack Lloyd on Consent, Trauma, & Voluntaryism: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/jack-lloyd-consent-trauma-voluntaryism/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart welcomes Patrick Miller to the show to talk about his book Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant. As the subtitle would suggest, Truth Over Tribe has immense relevance to contemporary political discussions. Patrick believes that much of the polarization we see today can be attributed to tribalism, which we should reject by instead turning to the Kingdom of God and showing people love regardless of their political affiliations. Unfortunately, polarization's saddening impact on the Church means many Christians are unwilling to abandon their tribal mentalities. As Patrick points out, however, this is not a modern phenomenon: dating back to (at least) the time of Paul, tribalism has long posed a significant roadblock towards church unification, but Christ's sacrifice tore down said roadblock. Just as the Gospel tore down the tribal wall between Jews and Gentiles, so too can it overpower the tribal divisions of today. Outside the realm of politics and religion, Doug and Patrick discuss a number of other effects of tribalism, such as how it increases anxiety, how it corresponds with the "my truth" movement, and how it seems to diminish in the face of (free market) social justice initiatives. If you find any of these topics interesting, tune in to this episode today! Patrick Miller is a pastor and cultural commentator who writes about politics, culture, and technology. His writing contributions can be found in Christianity Today, Newsweek, The Gospel Coalition, and other publications. His podcast, "Truth Over Tribe," is one of Apple's top news commentary podcasts, featuring interviews with leading Christian thinkers, writers, and scholars. Patrick is the Co-Director of Digital Relationships and a pastor at his Church "The Crossing" in Columbia, Missouri, where he lives with his wife and two kids. He received a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theology Seminary. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:39 What is tribalism? 03:00 Is tribalism natural? 06:55 Can tribalism be good? 07:43 The origin of tribes 11:01 What warrants tribalism? 15:16 Does tribalism increase anxiety? 21:06 Tribalism & the "my truth" movement 29:56 Tribalism & the Gospel 32:55 What about those outside the church? 36:54 Practical applications 40:57 Tribalism vs social justice Additional Resources: - Patrick's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/patrickmiller - Find him on Twitter: @PatrickKMiller_ - Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Over-Tribe-Pledging-Allegiance-ebook/dp/B09XWQQH5X/ - Study on oxytocin and ethnocentrism: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3029708/ - Jonathan Haidt's "Elephant and the Rider" analogy: https://www.creativehuddle.co.uk/post/the-elephant-and-the-rider Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart sits down with Jeff Deist, welcoming him as he makes his first (but hopefully not last) appearance on the Libertarian Christian Podcast. Having served as president of the Mises Institute for ten years, Jeff Deist has grown to become one of the most well-known names of the modern liberty movement, and today he's here to talk to Doug about decentralization. In his recent book "A Strange Liberty: Politics Drops Its Pretenses," Jeff claims that a "relentless pursuit of decentralization" is the best—and perhaps only—way to fight back against the tyranny resulting from federalism and democracy. After clarifying his skeptical outlook on democracy, Jeff begins his pitch for decentralization through an analysis of localism; what exactly is it? Is local policy truly better than central policy? Jeff believes that it absolutely is, arguing that centralized policy—wherein a single set of rules is universally applied to everyone—is unable to accommodate the wide array of policy preferences in the same way that local policy can. This notion of policy variance leads Doug and Jeff into a discussion on self-determination as well as liberalism, both of which are at odds with the universalist rhetoric that dominates politics today. Indeed, Jeff suggests that even libertarians fall into the trap of universalism when they advocate for their conception of freedom to be applied everywhere, because people don't always agree on what freedom even means. In line with this critique, Jeff brings up the topic of immigration and explains that decentralization, although it precludes the involvement of the Federal government, open borders are not necessarily the conclusion that libertarians should come to. According to Jeff, private property owners should be able to set their own immigration restrictions, but public ownership of land complicates this reality. To hear his solution and to get more insight into the previous topics, tune into this episode today! Jeff Deist is a writer, public speaker, and passionate advocate of libertarianism, having served as president of the Mises Institute from 2013 until 2023. After stepping down in April, Jeff now works as the general council for Monetary Metals, a company with a mission to "Unlock the Productivity of Gold®." Jeff has also worked as a private equity attorney, as well as on the congressional staff of Congressman Ron Paul. Links to his recent book "A Strange Liberty: Politics Drops Its Pretenses," can be found in the additional resources section below. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:17 What is the status of democracy in the U.S.? 03:28 Are the left and right equally bad? 08:07 Is more local better? 10:52 What is self-determination? 15:01 What is liberalism? 18:34 What's wrong with universalism? 22:49 Borders: who gets to decide? 26:35 Can immigration restrictions be consistent with free markets? 28:20 Should immigration be a state or federal issue? 31:09 Is immigration a threat to Christianity in the U.S.? Additional Resources: - Find Jeff on Twitter: @JeffDeist - Read Jeff's book "A Strange Liberty: Politics Drops Its Pretenses." - Mises Institute: https://mises.org/library/strange-liberty-politics-drops-its-pretenses - Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Liberty-Politics-Drops-Pretenses/dp/1610167643 - Jeff's "Immigration Roundtable" series: https://mises.org/library/immigration-roundtable - Learn more about Monetary Metals: https://monetary-metals.com/monetary-metals/the-monetary-metals-story/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Should Christians use guns against other humans? Tune in to this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast and listen as Dick Clark and Jerry Robinson debate the ethics of violence and whether it's ever right for a Christian to own firearms. Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

As both a devout Christian and Chair of the National Libertarian Party, Angela McArdle perfectly embodies the values of the Libertarian Christian Institute, existing at the intersection of Faith and politics. In this episode, Doug Stuart welcomes Angela as she walks us through her political and theological journey. Growing up in a Christian Missionary Alliance church, Angela shares how her upbringing not only shaped her spiritual beliefs but also her understanding of government and the state. Throughout her life, this Christian libertarian understanding persisted throughout Angela's life, informing her decisions as a litigator and as a political candidate. Today, they continue to inform her decisions in the Libertarian Party, which, as Angela explains, hasn't always been so welcoming to Christians. Following their discussion on Christianity in the LP, Doug and Angela move on to cover a range of topics, including Christian nationalism, the claim that "Jesus wasn't political," and the"remnant" from the book of Isaiah and its implications for modern Christians. Whether you're interested in any of these topics or just want more insight into the current state of the Libertarian Party, this episode is for you. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:26 Angela's libertarian youth 04:58 Church missions and government 07:58 Angela's journey from apologetics to partisan politics 13:42 The Libertarian Party & Christianity 20:04 Sharing the Gospel 23:22 Was Jesus political? 26:38 Angela's response to Christian nationalism 28:47 What is the remnant? 30:45 Lightning round: Secession, single-issue voting, Joe Exotic, & the LP Twitter account. Additional Resources: - Follow Angela on Twitter: @angela4LNCChair - Subscribe to Angela's Patreon Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

What if the book of Revelation wasn't just about predicting the future, but rather a guide for living faithfully in the present? In this episode, Doug sits down with acclaimed theologian Scott McKnight to discuss his intriguing new book, Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple. Together we explored how modern Christians misunderstand the book of Revelation. In our conversation, Scott and I delve into the dual critique of empire and Church presented in Revelation chapters two and three, exploring how 'Babylon creep' has influenced the Church and shifted its focus from living the way of the Lamb to living the way of Rome. We also discuss the importance of imagination in understanding Revelation's rich imagery and symbolism. Scot also reviews the 'Play Bill' of characters and events for readers to engage with. Most importantly, we examine the practical applications of Revelation using a 'Babylonian Hermeneutic,' identifying Babylon in our current world and its influence on the Church today. We discuss the dangers of partisanship, placing allegiance to America above Jesus, and the critique of economic exploitation. Don't miss this fascinating discussion as we explore the timely wisdom found in Scott McKnight's Revelation for the Rest of Us. Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Though the Libertarian Christian Podcast may have a slight bias towards podcasts, we also love a good book. In this episode, host Doug Stuart and Alex Bernardo of the Protestant Libertarian Podcast sit down to talk about their reading habits and the books they've been enjoying recently, ranging from works of fiction like Harry Potter all the way to historical narratives about the Soviet Union. Whether you're looking for some quality book recommendations or just want to know more about the hosts and their approaches to reading, this is a delightful and laid-back episode you're not going to want to miss. Alex Bernardo is part of the Christians for Liberty Network and is the host of the Protestant Libertarian Podcast. There, he explores the intersection between protestant Biblical studies and libertarian philosophy, addressing topics related to theology, history, culture, economics, philosophy, and current events from both protestant and libertarian perspectives. More about Alex as well as links to all the books discussed in this episode can be found in the additional resources section below. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Kindle, physical copies, & audiobooks 07:24 Highlighters or pens? 11:51 Doug and Alex's reading goals 19:25 Fiction books 32:24 Books that impacted Alex 38:40 What's Alex reading next? 40:14 Books that impacted Doug 44:11 What's Doug reading next? Additional Resources: - The Protestant Libertarian Podcast: libertarianchristians.com/shows/protestant-libertarian-podcast/ - Follow Alex Bernardo on Twitter: @ProLibertyPod - Fiction books: The Chronicles of Narnia series, by C.S. Lewis The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling Amon's Adventure, by Arnold Ytreeide The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven, by Nathaniel Ian Miller Space: A Novel, by James A. Michener - Impactful books The Peril of Modernizing Jesus, by Henry J. Cadbury The Artist, the Philosopher and the Warrior, by Paul Strathern The White Pill, by Michael Malice - Next up: The Case Against the Fed, by Murray Rothbard Ideology and Insanity, by Thomas S. Szasz The Individualists, by Matt Zwolinski and John Tomasi Fossil Future, by Alex Epstein The Viking Heart, by Arthur Herman Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul, by John M. Barry Biblical Critical Theory, by Christopher Watkin - Other: Human Action, by Ludwig Von Mises Surprised by Scripture, by N.T. Wright Revelation for the Rest of Us, Scot McKnight Paul and the Faithfulness of God, by N.T. Wright The Crucifixion of the Warrior God, by Gregory A. Boyd Cross Vision, by Gregory A. Boyd The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, by The Free Press The Quest of the Historical Jesus, by Albert Schweitzer Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, host Doug Stuart interviews John Odermatt, co-founder of the Lions of Liberty Network. John opens up about his journey towards becoming a leading advocate within the criminal justice reform movement, rooted in both personal experience and his Christian faith. His passion for the subject has been fueled by firsthand encounters with the injustices of the system, leading him to create and host the Felony Friday podcast, a platform that raises awareness about the issue and brings powerful stories of redemption from those affected. Odermatt's dedication towards reforming a broken system is a testament to the importance of addressing the consequences of crime in a restorative, compassionate manner. A major aspect of the conversation about criminal justice reform revolves around the necessity for compassion and grace. Whether discussing rehabilitation, reintegration, or individual struggles, understanding the importance of mercy and forgiveness is an integral part of any lasting solution. As Christians, this approach aligns with the core teachings of Jesus and underscores the value of treating others with respect, regardless of their past mistakes. For John Odermatt, compassion plays a significant role in his advocacy efforts. Through his podcast and personal interactions, he emphasizes that providing second chances and acknowledging the humanity of those who have been through the criminal justice system can open doors for healing and reintegration. Odermatt highlights that one's past should not dictate their future, and a system that embraces restorative justice can foster genuine growth and change. John Odermatt is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform and libertarianism. He began his journey in the world of podcasting nearly a decade ago, and has since become a co-founder of the Lions of Liberty Network. With years of experience under his belt, John now hosts the popular Finding Freedom Podcast, where he interviews individuals who have faced the injustices of the criminal justice system, as well as those who have overcome adversity and found success after incarceration. Raised in a conservative Christian household, John's personal experiences and background in law have shaped his compassionate approach to reform and liberty. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 05:57 Pivoting to Finding Freedom 06:26 Criminal Justice Reform 12:28 Compassion and Responsibility 13:18 Growing in Faith 15:13 Taking Command of Our Liberty 19:10 Choosing Your Suffering 22:20 Overcoming Hurdles 23:43 Education in America 28:47 Libertarians during COVID 32:53 Technology and Tyranny 36:10 Resisting Sin and Oppression 39:42 Lions of Liberty Network 40:52 Conclusion Additional Resources: - Lions of Liberty Network: https://lionsofliberty.com/ - Finding Freedom Podcast: https://www.lionsofliberty.com/episodes - Interview with Jacob Winograd: https://www.lionsofliberty.com/episodes/christianity-and-liberty-with-jacob-winograd - Connect with John Odermatt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnOdermatt - Lions of Liberty on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LionsofLiberty Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, host Doug Stuart discusses the topic of faith and violence with Jerry Robinson, founder of True Riches Academy and host of True Riches Radio. Raised a Jehovah's Witness, Robinson eventually found his way to the gospel and now challenges Christians to think critically about their faith and the associated ethical implications. Together, Doug and Jerry take on the topic of "gun culture" in America, which Jerry suggests is contradictory to Christ's teachings on radical nonviolence. In addition to the rich discussion on the ethics of gun ownership and gun use, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding God's character despite the pervasive interpretative pluralism and hermetical difficulties of today. Jerry Robinson is the founder and executive director of the True Riches Academy and host of True Riches Radio, a podcast dedicated to challenging believers to think and thinkers to believe. Through the True Riches ministries, Jerry and his team seek to “educate, equip, and empower” followers of Christ through the creation and distribution of educational materials in a variety of formats including: podcasts, video teachings, and e-books. Since 2002, Robinson has served in both pastoral and lay leadership in the local church, has taught and lectured in a variety of Bible colleges, universities, and churches, and has preached and lectured around the world, including Europe and the East. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Tulsa. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 04:31 From Jehova to Jesus 7:19 Faith and hermeneutics 12:44 Why do Evangelicals go against Christ? 17:37 What is "gun culture?" 21:42 The book of Revelation and Jesus' return 24:45 Extrabiblical prohibitions and prescriptions 30:38 Christians for Liberty Network plug 31:09 Romans 13: State sovereignty vs God's sovereignty 32:32 Good vs. evil 37:18 The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun... 43:52 Can guns be used as a last resort? 46:39 WWJD? Additional Resources: - TrueRichesRadio.com - https://www.youtube.com/@TrueRichesAcademy - Related episodes: --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/does-the-conquest-of-canaan-conflict-with-anarchism/ --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ot-case-non-violence-matthew-curtis-fleischer/ --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/cross-vision-greg-boyd/ --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/jesus-bible-politics-brian-zahnd/ --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/loving-enemies-age-of-violence-ron-sider/ --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/pacifism-self-defense-christian-ethics/ --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/christian-pacifism-explained-ted-grimsrud/ --- https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/pacifism-prophecy-praxis-todd-lewis/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart welcomes professor Art Carden to the show to discuss his book "Leave Me Alone and I'll Make You Rich: How the Bourgeois Deal Enriched the World." Co-authored by author Deidre McCloskey, the book looks at the history of the bourgeoisie and details the economic impact on global wealth. Art picks up on these concepts in his conversation with Doug, explaining in detail topics like "the Bourgeois Deal", "The Great Enrichment," "innovism," and many more. With roots in history, philosophy, economics, politics, culture, etc, this episode truly has something for everyone, so you won't want to miss it. Art Carden is a professor of economics at Samford University's Brock School of Business. He has worked with and contributed to a number of other organizations, including the American Institute for Economic Research, the Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics, the Beacon Center of Tennessee, the Independent Institute, and the Foundation for Economic Education. He received his PhD from Washington University in Saint Louis. More information can be found in the "additional resources" section below. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Writing style analysis 04:55 What does "bourgeois" actually mean? 08:22 The Great Enrichment 10:43 Economic growth and the rule of 70 12:34 What about the poor? 14:49 Global wealth distribution 15:50 What is liberalism? 19:20 Christians for Liberty Network Plug 20:02 Capitalism vs "innovism" 23:02 The finer things in life 28:42 Billionaires and special interests 31:15 Salvation from sin: strategies for preaching the gospel 32:17 What is the "Bourgeois deal" and how does it benefit us? 38:02 Art's upcoming book "Strangers with Candy" Additional Resources: - Leave Me Alone and I'll Make You Rich: How the Bourgeois Deal Enriched the World - https://www.amazon.com/Leave-Alone-Ill-Make-Rich/dp/022673966X - https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/L/bo61545999.html - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51941581 - Art's website: https://artcarden.com/ - Follow Art on Twitter: @ArtCarden - More from Art: -- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=508839 -- https://www.aier.org/people/art-carden/ - Our World In Data Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Like everyone else, we here at LCI enjoy a good crossover episode. Tune in to this installment of the Libertarian Christian Podcast to hear Doug Stuart talk with Protestant Libertarian Podcast host Alex Bernardo about Christianity, libertarianism, and the relationship between the two. Doug and Alex speak to the fundamental compatibility between Christianity and libertarianism, explaining how they came to be libertarian Christians and what kind of impact that's had on their lives. The two move on to contemporary strategies on how to sell libertarianism to Christians, as well as how to effectively evangelize to libertarians. Whether you're interested in these strategies or want to know more about Doug, critical theory, or the behind-the-scenes of this podcast, tune in today! Alex Bernardo is part of the Christians for Liberty Network and is the host of the Protestant Libertarian Podcast. There, he explores the intersection between protestant Biblical studies and libertarian philosophy, addressing topics related to theology, history, culture, economics, philosophy, and current events from both protestant and libertarian perspectives. More information can be found in the additional resources section below. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 07:10 Doug's spiritual journey 14:10 The influence of academia 19:16 Doug's libertarian journey 22:18 Joining LCI 24:05 How to name your podcast 25:40 What's the process for picking guests? 32:04 What is the relationship between Christianity and libertarianism? 38:44 Strategies for explaining libertarianism to Christians 40:35 Strategies for evangelizing to libertarians 42:46 Christians for Liberty Network plug 43:35 Freedom Fest and Christianity 47:46 Influential libertarians 50:18 Critical theory (in a nutshell) 57:43 Cultural implications of critical theory Additional Resources: - The Protestant Libertarian Podcast - Follow Alex Bernardo on Twitter: @prolibertypod - Turn Neither to the Right Nor to the Left, by Eric Schansberg - Missional Theology, by John Franke - The Third Temptation, by Austin Rogers Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart is joined by the hosts of the Silver Screen Biases podcast, Jeff and Nelson. After explaining their process for picking which movies to cover and how they deal with spoiler alerts, the hosts of SSB move on to discuss a number of fascinating film topics with Doug: what is the difference between film and entertainment? Is there such a thing as a libertarian movie? How has the rise of streaming services impacted cinema and storytelling more broadly? For answers to these questions and many others, tune in to this exciting episode today. In their own podcast, Jeff and Nelson sit down every two weeks to discuss a critically acclaimed movie and the truth claims made within it, as well as to wrestle with their own biases and analyze those of Hollywood. See additional resources if you want more from Silver Screen Biases. Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, author Connor Boyack joins Doug Stuart to discuss the latest edition in the well-known Tuttle Twins book line. "The Tuttle Twins Guide to Modern Villains" highlights the nastiest villains throughout recent history, with notable figures including Adolf Hitler, Karl Marx, and Woodrow Wilson. If you're interested in knowing why Connor chose the villains he did or if you just want to know more about the background and writing process of the Tuttle Twins series, this is the episode for you! Connor Boyack is the founder of the Libertas Institute and has authored nearly 40 books, including the Tuttle Twins series, which has sold over 4.5 million copies. Connor graduated from Brigham Young University and has since been named one of Utah’s most politically influential people by The Salt Lake Tribune. Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart is joined by author Ryan McMaken to discuss his book Breaking Away: The Case for Secession, Radical Decentralization, and Smaller Politics. After exploring the roots and history of secessionist movements, the conversation moves to a more conceptual discussion where Ryan explains the meaning of decentralization, its associated benefits, and alternatives. Doug then asks Ryan to elaborate on the relationship between localism and federalism and how the tension impacts universal rights. Acknowleding the recent relevance of secession, Doug and Ryan turn to practical considerations, rounding out the episode with a discussion on nuclear weapons, national debt, and the potential role of blockchain technology. Ryan McMaken is a senior editor at the Mises Institute and co-hosts the Radio Rothbard podcast. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics and master's degree in public policy and international relations from the University of Colorado. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 06:20 Is secession an American or un-American idea? 08:44 What does it mean for the world to be “decentralized?” 10:50 Benefits of decentralization 14:19 Alternatives to secession 17:09 Was the original constitution secessionary? 19:05 Universal rights versus localism 22:13 Localism versus federalism 22:06 The case for secession 29:38 What are the common arguments against secession? 33:06 Christians for Liberty Network plug 33:35 Practical considerations: what about the nukes? 39:00 What happens to the debt? 41:44 Blockchain technology and it’s impact on geopolitical governance Additional Resources: - https://mises.org/library/breaking-away-case-secession-radical-decentralization-and-smaller-polities - https://twitter.com/ryanmcmaken Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart speaks with Nilay Saiya, author of The Global Politics of Jesus: A Christian Case for Church-State Separation. They discuss the two primary ways Christians approach politics and what those errors are. Nilay discusses these approaches in juxtaposition to so-called "Christian Nationalism." He posits a third approach which he believes is aligned with historic Two Kingdoms theology and borrows from Catholic social teaching. He called this approach, Prophetic Witness. Nilay Saiya is assistant professor of public policy and global affairs at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His research concerns the influence of religion on global politics. He is author of the book Weapon of Peace: How Religious Liberty Combats Terrorism (2018). He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 04:19 How is Christian nationalism distinct from Christians having a voice in governance? 05:56 Why can't much political theology cannot be reconciled with the teachings of Christ? 09:53 Is there a proper way to "take America back for God?" 14:00 How does the church see itself? Is it the new (nation) Israel? 15:43 Living as strangers and exiles; Christianism; political detachment 19:43 Two kingdoms theology - kingdom of the world and of the cross 26:46 Third approach: prophetic witness and faithful presence 29:07 The value of Catholic social teaching 29:45 When confusing prophetic witness with political activism (dual citizenship) 32:49 Godless people elected to power and the Christian response 36:37 Do we need elected officials who will listen to Christians? 39:40 Are the Sojourners Christian nationalists but on the left? 42:50 How do we live out the prophetic witness? 44:28 Closing thoughts Additional Resources: - https://sites.google.com/site/nilayjsaiya/home?authuser=0 - The Global Politics of Jesus: A Christian Case for Church-State Separation: https://amzn.to/3ZLxLrd Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Dr. Calvin Beisner is President of The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, a network of Christian theologians, natural scientists, economists, and other scholars educating for Biblical earth stewardship, economic development for the poor, and the proclamation and defense of the good news of salvation by God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Who is Dr. Cal Beisner and what is the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation? 07:52 How combative was the correction of the dominion mandate? 11:50 The "green" study bible 13:05 Human centered approach to the environment 22:15 The conflict of goals between environmentalists and the poor 29:07 Kuznitz curve 31:33 If we could advise those who are negligent about the environment, what would we say? 37:47 Is there a cost of doing nothing? 44:20 Closing thoughts Additional Resources: - https://cornwallalliance.org/ - https://www.facebook.com/CornwallAlliance - https://reformedlibertarians.com/episode/climate-alarmism-cornwall-alliance/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart talks with Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute about both Nationalism and immigration. Nowrasteh recently debated The National Review's, Rich Lowry on the topic of Nationalism, with Nowrasteh taking the opposing view. This conversation lends well to arguments against so-called "Christian" nationalism as well. Though Nowrasteh is not himself religious, he makes compelling points about the destructive nature of nationalism to religious belief. Since religious belief is generally good for society, the last thing we should want to do is destroy it through state-sanctioned compulsion. Immigration turns out to be a issue related to nationalism, given the motivations for stricter immigration rules stem from nationalistic tendencies. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:20 How did Alex come to take on nationalism? 03:09 Nationalism has historically played out poorly - like the right-wing version of Socialism. 04:33 What is nationalism? A collectivist ideology based on tribe, ethnicity - America is not a nation 08:58 Nationalism is horseshoe theory in action 11:30 Can't our nationalism be based on libertarian principles and a culture founded on free society 14:30 Patriotism is not the same as nationalism. 15:35 What are Nationalism advocates accomplishing with their advocacy of nationalism? The right has no ideology. 19:30 What's wrong with Americans identifying as a group, being that we're not a proper nation? 23:49 The problem with certain natural instincts is the problem of state involvement. 24:47 The best way to ruin a religion, like Christianity, is to make it state-sanctioned. 26:17 Is Nationalism a bulwark against globalism? 29:25 Hopes for electing Trump against global agenda 30:44 Is there a growing threat from immigration? Perceptions of chaos 34:40 Why don't conservatives seem to understand the state is part of the problem with immigration? 41:52 Is the United States "full" and cannot take more immigrants? 44:40 Closing comments Additional Resources: - https://www.cato.org/people/alex-nowrasteh - https://twitter.com/AlexNowrasteh - https://reason.com/video/2022/12/16/american-nationalism-rich-lowry-vs-alex-nowrasteh/ - https://www.amazon.com/Wretched-Refuse-Political-Immigration-Institutions/dp/1108702457/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Jacob Winograd of the Biblical Anarchy Podcast joins us again, this time to talk about his journey from being a hardcore Bernie Bro leftist to embracing biblical anarchy nearly overnight! Learn how Jacob grew to become the advocate for liberty he is today! Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In today's episode, Doug Stuart discusses "woke antisemitism" with David L. Bernstein. Bernstein is the author of the book, Woke Antistemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews. Bernstein describes himself a left-of-center, civil libertarian who has concerns about the woke progressive ideology infiltrating every facet of American life. His book aims to explain "a firsthand account from a top Jewish leader about how woke ideology shuts down discourse, corrupts Jewish values, and spawns a virulent new strain of antisemitism." This is another great conversation from a non-conservative critic of woke ideology. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:38 About David L. Bernstein 03:06 How the progressive left abandoned liberal values 05:14 Bernsteins' approach to disagreeing with the woke left 06:50 What does it mean to be ‘woke'? 08:55 How did you come to write this book? 11:07 Marxist/Hegelian undercurrent in woke ideology? 13:05 "Jewish privilege" and the question of Jewish (so-called) "whiteness" 17:14 Whiteness as a property – not about your appearance, but your philosophy or worldview 20:07 Critical race theory taught in public schools and pedagogy to demagogy 23:11 Woke progressives in the Jewish community 26:47 The "McWhorter test" 30:52 Afraid to speak up – "double think" – encouraging people to disagree 36:16 Rebuilding the Center strategy 39:07 Closing comments Additional Resources: - Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews, by David L. Bernstein - Jewish Institute for Liberal Values - Email David L Bernstein - @davidlbernstein ★ Support this podcast ★

How do we as Christians and libertarians view the era of the American Revolution? Mike Maharrey of the 10th Amendment Center and the Godarchy podcast, and our own Matthew Bellis discuss their patriotic upbringing and how they square their heartfelt love for American principles, but disdain for the war, slavery, colonialism, etc. Can we properly judge Americans of the past with a 21st conception of morality? These questions (and more) are discussed by Mike, Matthew, and Doug with the hope of offering some clarity to how we as libertarians and Christians think about the American Revolution. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:55 How do you understand and process the American Revolution? (The distinction between the Revolution and the Revolutionary War). 08:40 Matthew Bellis on the above question: challenging slavery and the root of liberty from the Reformation 13:16 Was it a defensive war or war of aggression against the crown? 19:15 Where and how is proper authority vested? The office, Romans 13, the Constitution? 22:55 What would you do if your family was threatened in such a way that violence was unavoidable? 25:10 How many colonists favored the Revolutionary War? 28:22 Should Christians break fellowship over decisions to join the military/war? 31:48 How would you persuade someone like Thomas Paine based on what you know now? 37:48 Closing thoughts Additional Resources: - Wendy McElroy on Just War and American Independence - Christian Theology of Public Policy: Highlighting the American Experience - "Were the American Revolutionaries Wrong to Revolt?" - Episode 256: America's Revolutionary Mind Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart talks to Alex Bernardo of the Protestant Libertarian podcast about the knowledge problem in theology and philosophy. The Protestant Libertarian Podcast explores the intersection between protestant Biblical studies and libertarian philosophy, discussing the Bible, history, culture, economics, philosophy, and current events from both protestant and libertarian perspectives. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction - About Alex Bernardo 07:34 What kind of Protestant are you? 10:20 How do you tie together being libertarian and Protestant? 12:20 Favorite topics covered 15:39 Biggest influences theologically and politically 20:51 How do you approach interpretation of Scripture? How is it authoritative? 26:22 How do we decide to apply the Old Testament? 31:28 What about the Ascension? 33:50 How do you decide what's important to get right? 45:04 Why don't you speak disfavorably of postmodernism? What is knowledge? 56:20 How woke culture leverages postmodernism and language? 59:11 Current reading list 1:07:25 Closing Remarks Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Dr. Michael Rectenwald is a former Marxist joining Doug Stuart to explain The Great Reset. Dr. Rectenwald is the author of twelve books, including The Great Reset and the Struggle for Liberty: Unraveling the Global Agenda (Jan. 2023), Thought Criminal (Dec. 2020); Beyond Woke (May 2020); Google Archipelago: The Digital Gulag and the Simulation of Freedom (Sept. 2019); Springtime for Snowflakes: “Social Justice” and Its Postmodern Parentage (an academic’s memoir, 2018); Nineteenth-Century British Secularism: Science, Religion and Literature (2016); Academic Writing, Real World Topics (2015, Concise Edition 2016); Global Secularisms in a Post-Secular Age (2015); Breach (Collected Poems, 2013); The Thief and Other Stories (2013); and The Eros of the Baby-Boom Eras (1991). (See the Books page.) In this episode Dr. Rectenwald fleshes out questions explaining the connection between Marxism and woke ideology, and that connection to Klaus Schwab's Great Reset, a plan with the World Economic Forum to monopolize the world economy. The discussion highlights some key point including the seemingly innocuous nature of the gateway ideologies to Marxism - namely, social justice, anti-racism, etc. If you've been interested in understanding more about the Great Reset, listen to this episode and consider purchasing Dr. Revtenwald's book. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 How did you come to reject Marxism and embrace libertarianism? 04:00 Connection between Marxism and "Wokism" 06:03 Can exploitation explain certain kinds of oppression? Was Marx 100% wrong? 10:30 Why can't a Marxist see the state as an oppressive institution? 12:56 Is there a kind of social justice that isn't 'woke' or Marxist? 16:11 Woke Capitalism? The Long March - the Socialist takeover of the economy. 24:43 The Great Reset: What is it? 29:20 The coordination of propaganda shrouded under the cloak of inevitability. 34:43 How to respond to the charge the Great Reset is a conspiracy theory? 40:43 Conspiracy Theorists echoing an anti-Semitic trope? 42:00 Are you optimistic? What's your proposed solution? 44:03 Please buy the book directly from Michael - get a signed copy Resources Mentioned: https://www.michaelrectenwald.com/ Buy directly from his bookstore here: https://www.michaelrectenwald.com/apogee-bookstore Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Dr. Norman Horn speaks with Stephen Kent, author of the book, “How The Force Can Fix The World." Kent's book explores the libertarian themes, and the relevance Star Wars has to Christianity. The guys then break into spoilers about the new series, Andor. Main Points of Discussion 00:00 Introduction 01:35 About Stephen Kent 03:16 Christian influences on Kent (and Star Wars?) 04:56 Purpose in producing the book - political polarization and enmity 07:26 Inserting your opponents as being The Empire or The Rebellion 10:14 Chapter on humility and common values 17:20 Matthew 18 - childlike faith 22:06 The Death Star and Luke Skywalker 24:57 SPOILER ALERT! Talking about new Star Wars productions: Andor Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart speaks with Dr. Paul D. Miller about Christian nationalism. Dr. Paul D. Miller is a Professor in the Practice of International Affairs at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. See his profile here. Miller published the book, The Religion of American Greatness: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Stuart and Miller begin with the general sentiment about "love of country" and conclude with why this means we should oppose Christian nationalism. But, of course, Christian nationalism in America raises important question about racism. Miller gives reasoned, incisive response without the typical polemics that tend to go along such a controversial topic. He helps listeners think about the difference between personal sentiment of racism, and the backdrop of racialized issues and language, without appealing to woke ideology. Was race really a motivator for electing Barak Obama? Why CN is more culturally motivated than politically motivated, and why the crossover from culture to politics is happening none-the-less. Christians against Christian nationalism should be the sentiment shared by Bible-believing liberty-lovers. Ideas about American equivalence to Israel is simply bad doctrine. Desires to resurrect so-called "Christendom" is also based on an arguably unbiblical ideology of establishmentarianism. If you've been looking for an honest and rational conversation about Christian nationalism, then please listen to this episode and considering purchasing Miller's excellent book. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:28 The complexity behind the question, "do you love your country?" 03:36 Guarding against love of country becomes idolatry 05:57 Why this book now? The Religion of American Greatness: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism 08:10 Nationalism as a reactionary response to rapid socio-economic change 09:29 Is "our first black President" really about race? 12:15 "Sublimated" racism - racialized vs racism 15:05 Info about the book and main thesis - trilogy of Christian political theory 16:44 The belief that our nation has a specific fixed cultural identity - Anglo-protestant 18:10 Who are the major intellectuals advocating for Christian nationalism? What are their strongest arguments? 19:42 How much of this depends on the idea the Founders wanted to found a Christian nation? 20:50 Why would Christians want to defend nationalism beyond the cultural element? 21:54 The desire to resurrect "Christendom." 22:35 Invokes sexual revolution, but this isn't really about our national identity 23:18 Biblical theology of nations - kinship vs political entity 25:02 Israel is not a template for what a nation should be 26:48 Critique of Stephen Wolfe's book 27:57 Tribalism vs personal identity - what similarities qualify for the tribe? 30:10 Is it fair for the media to caricature all discussion on CN as race-baiting, or a dog whistle for white nationalism? 32:21 Effectively opposing nationalism - be a patriot (against nationalism) 33:51 Is Trump a nationalist? American greatness, not liberty 35:52 "America's Heritage" has a lot of baggage for different people - rhetorical vagueness is the tool of every politicians; weaponizing the past 37:08 Concluding thoughts Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In today's episode, Doug Stuart and Norman Horn are grilled by Matthew Bellis in a game of "Would You Rather ...?" From pancakes vs waffles, to Tom Woods vs Bob Murphy, to Matthew's meager attempt to ferret out Norm's and Doug's heretical tendencies, you'll find out more about these guys than you ever cared to. Enjoy our last episode of 2022 before we get back to the serious stuff in the New Year. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:24 ... be painted red or blue for the rest of your life? 03:02 ... dogs or cats? 04:09 ... pancakes or waffles? 04:43 ... triskets or saltines? 05:14 ... coffee or tea? 06:47 ... Wonder Woman or Captain Marvel? 08:25 ... lose your sight or lose you memories? 10:00 ... give up air conditioning or internet? 11:03 ... have a full time maid or a full time chef? 12:01 ... 11ft tall or 1ft tall? 13:26 ... royalty 1000 years ago or middle class Canadian today? 14:32 ... nothing but Hallmark movies or nothing but Horror movies? 16:42 ... rat or snake hiding in your room? 18:23 ... a year at war or a year in prison? 18:44 ... get rid of taxes or get rid of world hunger? 19:55 .. for your dad ... Tom Woods or Bob Murphy? 21:48 ... Joe Rogan or Dave Smith? 22:20 ... John Stossel or Dave Rubin? 23:58 ... Matt Walsh or Ben Shapiro? 25:12 ... Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh? 26:10 ... Saint Augustine of Hippo or Pelagius? 27:03 ... Saint Nicholas or Arius 27:56 ... SBC or PCUSA? 29:01 ... Methodist or Annabaptist 30:03 ... dinner with Al Mohler or play ping-pong with Benny Hinn Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In today's episode, Doug Stuart chats with Neil Shenvi, a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry, about his work in Christian apologetics. If you think there's a disconnect between his education and his work, he explains a bit about that in the opening to the episode, as well as the basis for new found expertise in critical theory. Shenvi's concerns about the influence of critical theory rests in the influence (and resultant damage) to orthodox Christian doctrine by ideas developed by critical theorists. He offers a history of the philosophical discipline; many ways to discern the mechanics of it, how to think through and address the moving target certain nomenclature creates, and much more. If you know very little about the topic, or believe it's not as bad some say it is, this episode gives a great bird's eye view making connections you might not have previous thought to consider. Shenvi has a very gracious demeanor and way about speaking on this topic; he's sensitive to certain topics of valid concern (racism, abuse, etc), while recognizing the necessary distinctions and why this particular ideology is such a poison. Shenvi is apolitical in his approach. He comes at this with no agenda about politics or political theory. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:15 About Neil Shenvi 03:12 How Christians begin expressing wokism and the common trajectory 07:03 What is critical theory? 09:04 How culture effects economics - the connection to Marxism 11:15 How does post-modernism relate to critical theory? 14:11 The convergence of critical theory and post-modernism (and the significance of this) 16:31 Robin DeAngelo is critical race theorist?? 18:07 Academics and activists 20:10 Difference between critical theory and critical race theory? 22:18 James Lindsey's connection of critical theory to neo-Marxism? 25:49 Christians going woke are "just trying to deal with the poor and oppressed" 29:55 How lived experience can be wrongly interpreted 32:48 The woke have a "double consciousness" - lived experience is only valid for those liberated from their (white) blindness. 35:32 Wokeness is internally coherent even if it's realistically incoherent 37:48 Are there any ideas that are redeemable about crt? 42:00 there are some isolated ideas that are valid truth claims 42:43 Error in identifying problems, or just a matter of solutions? 46:55 Interest convergence theory? 50:39 CRT's biggest enemy is liberalism 52:00 Shenvi's book reviews and his professional writing 54:51 Concluding thoughts Resources Mentioned: https://shenviapologetics.com Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug gives us a glimpse of our sister podcast, Faith Seeking Freedom. This podcast is part of the Christians for Liberty Network and also the companion podcast to our book, Faith Seeking Freedom: Libertarian Christian Answers to Tough Questions. LCI Founder, Dr. Norman Horn, is the host of the FSF podcast, and he answers some common questions we get about the differences between libertarianism and conservativism, progressivism, and liberalism. Check it out, and tell us what you think. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:36 How libertarianism is different from conservativism 05:49 How libertarianism is different from progressivism 09:52 How libertarianism is different from liberalism Resources Mentioned: Christians for Liberty Network: christiansforliberty.net Faith Seeking Freedom Podcast: https://libertarianchristians.com/shows/faith-seeking-freedom-podcast/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

A literal fireside chat with Doug Stuart, Norman Horn, Jacob Winograd, and Matthew "I'm on fire!" Bellis. How the guys were influenced by popular personalities. How Jacob was converted to the Mises Caucus from "the left". Is democracy really all that bad? What is nationalism? Listen in as the guys let loose and catch fire... literally! Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

Standing in for Doug Stuart is LCI's founder, Dr. Norman Horn. With him today is professor David Rose from the University of Missouri. Dave Rose is a Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has served as the Department Director of Graduate Studies and as the Department Chair. He received his Ph.D. in Economics in 1987 from the University of Virginia. His primary areas of research interest are behavioral economics, political economy, and organization theory. He has published scholarly articles in a wide range of areas. His work has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the HFL Foundation, the Earhart Foundation, and the John R. Templeton Foundation. He is currently in his second term on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. In 2008 he received the St. Louis Business Journal’s Economic Educator of the year award. You might have heard of ESGs (environmental social governance) from various climate change advocates. David Rose helps us understand what ESGs are and their relationship to stakeholder theory. Rose then contrasts the practice of ESGs (including their historical precedence) with business ethics illustrating for us some inherent problems. Rose explains the social benefits of maximizing profit, why this is a net good for society, and it proves to be a boon philanthropically. Another problem Rose highlights is in business ethics itself. Not only are few university students taking this course, but people who should not be in the position are the ones teaching the subject. (No surprise!) This episode is a great introduction to the topic of environmental social governance and why we should pay attention to these practices. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Environmental Social Governance - what is it? 04:43 History of "corporate responsibility" (stakeholder's theory) compared to ESG - how did we get here? 08:33 The evolution of business ethics and current problems 13:41 Is a business firm a moral agent? The personification problem; The evolutionary theory of firms 19:10 Why ESG proves to be a profound problem on the social effect of business firms 20:45 The effect of ESGs on pension funds 24:25 Why does the firm need to be philanthropic when people can do that on their own? (demonizing profit) 30:19 The "decades of greed" correlate with the most philanthropic time in American history; How can we understand that ESG will harm this? 35:17 There's no virtue in spending someone else's money 37:48 Profit is a signal you've served someone else well 39:27 Practical advice to build awareness for ESG and problems in society 41:48 Concluding thoughts Resources Mentioned: Common Sense Society https://www.commonsensesociety.org Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Former Libertarian Party Vice-Presidential candidate, Spike Cohen joins Doug Stuart for a discussion about politics, faith, and libertarian activism. Cohen, raised as a Messianic Jew, recounts some of his personal journey in and out of faith. Cohen explains how he became a libertarian and some significant moments in America's recent history where the left and right were very close to unifying on common cause. He then describes how he's come to understand the single most important issue that affects all others is the monopolization of the monetary system through the Federal Reserve. Responsibility for nearly ever grievance against societal problems and government can be laid squarely at the feet at the central bankers. Spike Cohen goes on to address some key issues with the broader freedom movement, including the ongoing divide between pragmatists and idealists. He describes this as "our own duopoly" explaining that both sides need each other and maintaining the divide is handicapping our ultimate goal. He's organized a non-profit called You are the Power, dedicated to grassroots municipal level activism with an effective approach. Cohen highlights one story about Pastor Moses and the city of Gastonia, NC that shutdown his homeless shelter, apparently, to secure tax dollars to finance government homeless programs. Finally, he answers the toughest question about how can possibly have a perfect relationship with his wife, Tasha. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:33 How Spike Cohen became a libertarian 04:16 Personal journey with faith and libertarianism 09:49 The brief moments where the left and right were unified in their prophetic voice against empire 16:29 The Federal Reserve and control of the money system as the single most important topic 22:20 How big is your libertarian tent? 25:58 Libertarian messaging post-pandemic 31:00 Advice to libertarians embarrassing themselves on social media 34:01 “You are the Power” - Grassroots activism 38:46 Pastor Moses in Gastonia, NC - Homeless shelter shutdown 42:14 How do we get people interested in activism? 45:55 How do you have a perfect relationship with your wife? 48:32 Concluding thoughts Resources Mentioned: Spike Cohen: You Are the Power https://www.spikecohen.com/ Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart is joined by Dick Clark, co-author of Faith Seeking Freedom, to discuss questions related to a Christian's employment or service to the state.Clark is an attorney who is employed by the Nebraska Legislature. He describes himself as an anarcho-capitalist, or radical libertarian, and so not a "beltway libertarian." Clark takes you through his thought process for what sorts of positions, jobs, offices, that someone can do in a particularly Christian way - that is, aligned with our calling as Christians. He also explains why some jobs should be considered off limits for the Christian. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:46 What does Dick Clark do in government? 05:25 What kind of libertarian are you? 07:55 What is the difference between governance and government (the state)? 12:15 Is local government closer to obtaining the consent of the governed? 15:26 What system do we have and is it good? bad? 19:23 How does our calling as Christians ground how we participate in government? 22:24 Is it Christian to repeal welfare programs? 28:20 Would you work for a rival politician? 31:28 Can Christians participate in law enforcement? 42:53 Concluding Thoughts Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com ★ Support this podcast ★

We're celebrating the 300th episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast! This episode was streamed live on Friday, November 11th, 2022. To commemorate this milestone, we announced a big new project: The Christians for Liberty Network (CFLN). This is a network of podcasts that share our mission of educating people about the intersection of faith and politics. Joining CFLN are Mike Maharrey of the Godarchy podcast, Jacob Winograd of the Biblical Anarchy (Daniel 3) podcast, and we've also launched a brand new podcast called the Reformed Libertarians podcast, with Kerry Baldwin and her co-host, Gregory Baus, who is new to LCI. In addition, LCI has re-launched Good News, Bad News, with Matthew Bellis, and the Faith Seeking Freedom podcast. We had a lot of fun with this announcement, as we also invited Doc Dixon back on as our special guest. And all the hosts took some friendly jabs at Doug Stuart, the host of our flagship show. Lots of roasting and good times were had, so enjoy the fun now if you didn't catch the livestream! Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

Join Doug as he guest appears on Danial Winograd's Daniel 3 Biblical Anarchy Podcast to talk about how to read the Bible as a libertarian. Not only does Doug get into what he and LCI are up to, Doug and Jacob carry on an in-depth conversation about how many Christian libertarians misread the Bible, and how we can treat the Bible as authoritative without thinking of it like we do the constitution. Doug explains why Jesus wasn't a libertarian and how we can live in a world where the state keeps asking more from its citizens. Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

Deceiving others for a living - oh wait! That's politicians. Doug is on a comic kick! In this episode, comic magician Doc Dixon unwittingly exposes Doug's affinity for dark humor. Just kidding. This fun and lively interview takes us behind the scenes with the guy who fooled Penn and Teller (link below). And Doc even comedically corrects the idea that magic is deceiving others. Doc Dixon chats with Doug Stuart about being a (Reformed) Christian libertarian and comic magician. Dixon has been featured on Penn & Tell's Fool Us, and successfully fooled them. Like many of us, Dixon came to libertarianism during the Ron Paul Revolution and the libertarian view of economics and monetary policy. Dixon talks about the natural compatibility between Christianity and libertarianism. They shift topics to discuss Dixon's career choice as a magician. Dixon demystifies professional magic by pointing out that it's a learned skill like anything else. How do magicians decide to share their secrets? (And how much is already "out there" thanks to the Internet). What's the community of magicians like? Do they get together to learn from each other? and much more! Of course, the performance is personal and we get to hear how his personality comes out in his work. Do some Christians believe magic deceiving others and so off limits for us? Dixon has a perfect response for this - "there's an unintended hubris there." Not even Las Vegas, in Dixon's view, are the magic shows really superstitious or occult-like. (Though that's not to say everything in Vegas is that innocent.) Dixon and Stuart take a few (more than a few) friendly jabs at one another throughout. So sit back and enjoy this more lighthearted episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:36 How does Doc Dixon identify? Comedian or Magician 04:38 Doc Dixon's Christian background and how he came to faith 06:10 What led you to Ron Paul? 09:13 Do you believe Christianity and libertarianism is naturally compatible 11:42 Do you incorporate libertarianism into you shows? 16:25 How do you become a magician? 20:08 Magician cocktail parties? 23:16 Are Las Vegas magicians dabbling in the occult in their performances? 27:25 Workshopping magic with other magicians 30:35 Is incorporating humor a part of who you are? 34:26 Dark humor? 37:12 People in other fields you admire? 42:48 Magic over Zoom? How does that experience work? 45:18 Concluding thoughts, Libertarianmagician.com? Resources Mentioned: Dox Dixon's website: https://docdixon.com Libertarianmagician.com Forthcoming Magician Doc Dixon FOOLS Penn & Teller on Penn&Teller: Fool Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaDnY5q_mxg ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart chats with Lou Perez, speaking as a comedian, about his new book, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy. Perez offers a "behind-the-scenes" of the creative journey for his new book, as well as experiences in the life of professional comedy - especially in today's highly charged and political climate. Lou Perez was the Head Writer and Producer of the Webby Award-winning comedy channel, We the Internet TV. During his tenure at WTI, he made the kind of comedy that gets you put on lists and your words in the Wall Street Journal: "How I Became a 'Far-Right Radical.'" In addition to producing sketch comedy, stand-up, and opinion writing, he's also host The Lou Perez Podcast. Perez details some of the back story to his book. He remarks about how his publisher gave him complete creative freedom to "write the book you want." Perez saw this is a unique opportunity to write about things important to him and the problems he saw brewing about community. He also commented about his experience in 2020 and 2021 when several big names in comedy passed away and the effect that had on him. Don't miss all this and more in our latest episode. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 03:25 Perez's intrigue with the connection between anarchism and Christianity 05:54 What was the purpose of writing That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore 09:35 Creative, Editing, and Publication process 14:25 The mutual respect and community among fellow comedians. 17:26 What's it like to "bomb" a show? 20:40 What's going wrong with comedy today? 23:46 At what point do you old back from? (Dark humor) 32:51 Is Donald Trump funny? 34:45 Do your kids understand your humor? 36:53 What other things have you done besides stand up? 39:11 The fight you had on Twitter 42:30 Concluding Remarks Resources Mentioned: Lou's website: https://www.thelouperez.com/ Lou's Wallstreet Journal Article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-i-became-a-far-right-radical-11609370135 Buy the Book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637582455 ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart was invited by Aaron Harris onto the Decentralized Revolution Podcast. Doug and Aaron spoke in depth about a number of topics relevant to libertarianism, Christianity, and speaking to the left about issues of concern to them. How do we present libertarianism to our leftist friends? They're concerned with things that are easy to write off, but to what end should write them off, and are we missing an opportunity? Stuart and Harris dive into some interesting topics including covid, love of neighbor, social sins (social justice), the Marxist tendency to weaponize people and ideas that actually need serious consideration, the destruction of the family, democracy, and so much more. Main Points of Discussion 00:00 Introduction 05:55 On Covid restrictions from a Christian perspective 15:50 Supporting social justice while opposing the left's solutions 24:26 Define social justice 29:42 How do we talk about real solutions to real social problems? 37:46 Democracy as an impulse to control 41:50 How do we open the eyes of our leftist friends? 47:44 The destruction of the family 52:23 Why is the left disconnected from the systemic injustice of central banking and monetary policy? 53:45 What is the aversion to learning economics? 59:33 How are the different libertarian factions responding to issues of social justice? 1:05:51 What are good resources for understanding and evaluating social justice? 1:10:06 Fascination with Jordan Peterson and his non-theological analysis of Scripture 1:16:54 Closing Resources Mentioned Is Social Justice Compatible with Christianity? https://libertarianchristians.com/2022/07/01/social-justice-christian-libertarianism/ What About Social Justice? https://libertarianchristians.com/2021/07/20/episode-232/ Critical Race Theory with Phil Magness https://libertarianchristians.com/2022/02/16/critical-race-theory-phil-magness/ Book Review: John McWhorter's Woke Racism https://libertarianchristians.com/2022/03/02/book-review-john-mcwhorters-woke-racism/ Ep 294: Awake, Not Woke: Noelle Mering Helps You Respond to Progressive Ideology https://libertarianchristians.com/2022/09/30/episode-294/ ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug talks to Bonnie Kristian about her new book titled, Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community. She is concerned with the unhealthy skepticism corrupting culture. Bonnie Kristian (MA, Bethel Seminary) is a seasoned journalist who writes on foreign policy, religion, criminal justice, urbanism, civil liberties, electoral politics, and more. Her column, "The Lesser Kingdom," appears in print and online at Christianity Today, and she is the author of A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today. Her work has also been featured in other outlets, including The Week, USA Today, CNN, Politico, and Time. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and twin sons. Bonnie Kristian believes there is a crisis impacting the church that we are only just now becoming aware of. What is it? Not so much a "misinformation" problem as it is a combination of overwhelming information and few skills for processing through it. The constant bombardment of information is a relatively new phenomenon in human history. And it doesn't begin with the advent of the Internet, but with the advent of the television. For most of human history, information has been passed down actively through oral and written mediums. Since the television, it became something visual and passive. Kristian first noticed the problem when interviewing pastors about their concerns impacting the church. Pastors noted a discipleship problem wherein people were only exposed to preaching for one to two hours a week, verses the near constant news and commentary bombarding airwaves during the rest of the week. But it wasn't simply the passive receipt of information, but also a change in habits and behavior including unhealthy skepticism corrupting culture. Kristian notes specific characteristics that are particularly troubling including, time use/management, the mixed quality of available information, the inability to critically assess and evaluate that information, and also, the manner in which media and the news industry produced their content. People began trusting media less, but consuming it more. This shift away from trusting news sources comes from what Kristian believes is a myth. Namely, the idea the corporate media is consciously and maliciously lying to the audience to further a subversive agenda. Kristian, a journalist herself, raises the point that journalists are still trained to avoid writing to support political agendas and parties. (Though she doesn't deny this happens in some cases either). She believes are fair critiques to be made of journalism today, and she addresses those in her book. However, the main driver of news and commentary seems to rest in click bate. How do you get people to click on your link? Kristian points out the old model of advertising-financed news sources doesn't work anymore. But people are willing to pay for their news either. So in some sense, our own behavior of clicking on the most provocative titles, rather than search for and evaluating trustworthy content. Another contributing factor to this unhealthy skepticism is the "death of expertise." Kristian borrows this phrase from author Tom Nichols who points out a problem that expertise is closely tied to an ideal. Its the notion there is an ideal that has "died" and so expertise with it. While we have plenty of examples of misuse of expertise, Kristian wants to emphasize the alternative is untenable. That is, that being completely self-sufficient in our own knowledge of expertise is not possible. When purchase good or services, we're looking for the best quality. That requires expertise. When we drive across a bridge, we expect it won't collapse. That requires expertise. Kristian laments that subject-matter experts have a bad habit of not staying in their lane. But that problem also results from people not recognizing the lane they ought to be in. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 02:04 Why is unhealthy skepticism corrupting culture? 06:19 Why should Christians be concerned with tribalism, misinformation, conspiracy theories, etc. 11:12 What characteristics are particularly troubling? 14:02 How does our online activity affect our offline behavior? 19:03 Why the shift away from trusting media 27:43 Is click-bait contributing to the problem? 30:42 What the death of expertise & democratized knowledge? 36:09 How do non experts navigate the information minefield? 39:59 Why do we love conspiracy theories? 47:42 Concluding thoughts Resources Mentioned: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/untrustworthy/411490 https://www.bonniekristian.com/ ★ Support this podcast ★

How can Christians love their neighbors (especially members of family and church) who are falling into the progressive ideology of so-called wokism? Noelle Mering helps you respond to progressive ideology in her new book, Awake, Not Woke. Noelle Mering is a Fellow at Washington DC based think tank the Ethics and Public Policy Center where she co-directs the Theology of Home Project. She is an editor for Theology of Home, co-author of the Theology of Home book series, and the author of Awake, Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology. She studied philosophy and theatre at Westmont College in California and did graduate work in philosophy at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Noelle and her husband live in Southern California with their six children. Mering joins Doug Stuart to discuss her work in navigating the intricacies of and foundations for the social implications of woke / progressive ideology. They discuss the characteristics of the woke movement, what it means to be woke, the role of language and why the pronoun issue is so central to change. Mering also explains some of the more philosophical foundations including Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel's influence on Karl Marx, and why it cannot be denied that wokism is a cultural twist on Marxism (ie. Cultural Marxism). Mering also explains why this isn't movement isn't actually new, but has been hidden in plain sight through a generational lag. The apparent ubiquity of woke ideology because the fruit of seeds planted decades ago. Mering also offers quite a bit of helpful perspective when interacting with well-intentioned people falling for this ideology vs the "militant true believers" of wokism, as well as the fact this really is, at its core, a deeper spiritual battle concerning our religious beliefs, meta narratives that inform our lives and provide meaning, and why capitulation is no longer an option. Mering brings some clarity of terms like "whiteness" and "white supremacy" and that these things have very little to do with skin color. If you've had questions about these ideas, this is a great episode which parses out the very Christian idea of love of neighbor and walking along the suffering, while not giving into the destructive ideologies that are attacking our society at its very roots. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:50 What does it mean to be “woke?” 03:08 What the characteristics of the woke movement? 05:52 The role of language and power dynamics in the woke movement 09:50 More than a culture war: Attack on truth and meaning 14:20 What are the philosophical origins of the woke movement? 16:17 How do we parse out working out knowledge from the danger of the philosophical foundations? 19:24 Are popular Marxists/Socialists not phased by mortality under communism because it’s “just progress?” 20:55 How does Hegel influence Karl Marx? 24:25 Generational lag and the ubiquity of the seeds of woke ideology 29:22 The difference between well-intentioned people and the militant true believers: how Christianity has fallen victim. 35:26 Tolerance is thrown out the window; it’s about division 39:08 Whiteness; white supremacy - doesn’t have to do with skin color 42:08 Is there a vantage point that “intersectionality” does provide? 47:23 Beyond the sexual revolution in the woke movement and “funneling” children into sexuality; “innocence perpetuate hierarchy.” 52:11 Is there hope in fighting against this? 53:38 Closing Resources Mentioned: https://www.noellemering.com/ https://theologyofhome.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Awake-Not-Woke-Christian-Progressive/dp/1505118425/ ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Doug Stuart interviews former public school teacher, Angela Harders. Harders is author of the book, "Tales of a Toxic Teacher: Exposing the Cycles of Abuse Within Our Schools". Harders discusses her dreams and intentions when she first began teaching, and how quickly those dreams were squelched by the public school system. Many teachers like her share similar experiences, and Harders is calling out the public education, not as "broken" but as operating as it's designed. People who become teachers usually do so because they envision a better world for kids through their education. But reality soon rears its head "within the first 5 minutes" of starting a job as a teacher. Harders explains how the public education system churns out traumatized kids and pass them through to be "society's problems." Not only is the system abusive, but the impact of the abuse cultivates kids who become abusive themselves. Harders, a public school teacher for 12 years, even describes how the zeros she gave one continually absent student were mysteriously changed to 60% (just passing) without her knowledge or consent. Harders rebuffs the tired criticism that public education is "broken." It's not, she says, it operates as expected. Which is to say that it's intended to create submissive, compliant, factory-worker-type followers, ready for employment and trained to never question assigned authority. The complaints, however, that teachers are not given adequate supplies or leeway to be a creative teacher is all true. She had to get creative with her field trips so that students could make some tangible connection to otherwise foreign ideas that even we might take for granted. For example, she describes taking her students to a baseball game so they could understand the assigned reading which involved baseball. Hardships for students abound, but so also do hardships for teachers. As a Spanish teacher, one student asked her why he should care about learning Spanish when he was expected to die by the time he was 18. The public education system is also rife with structural problems, says Harder. The compulsory aspect coupled with the cultural tendency to think of school as glorified babysitting is traumatic. We've all heard the stories of the kids who cry for the parents on the first day (first week, really) of school. Being separated from their parents, at this age, is not normal, and shouldn't be normalized. And yet, it is. Harders challenges parents about the education paradigm by noting that the state usually spends about $15k per student. Would you pay $15k for an education experience like this? No, of course not. But Harders says, the cost is even higher than that. That cost being, the unravelling of the social structure designed for raising the next generation: the family. Harders, a divorce from an abusive marriage, also discovered the hallmarks of abusive relationships are all found within the public school system, and that system often creates what is known as a trauma bond. Where the abused ardently defends their abuser and excuses the abuse. So Harders left the public school system and now promotes unschooling, or what she calls Peaceful Worldschooling. She emphasizes the need to de-school, which means to take active steps to undo the damage done by the public education system. Peaceful worldschooling fits hand in glove with concepts like peaceful or gentle parenting, self-directed or interest-based learning, and using real life as a guiding "curriculum" to ignite the interests and passions of children. Indeed, making manifest the dream she and most teachers have going into this career field. Listen to all this and more right here. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 03:12 Tales of a Toxic Teacher by Angela Harders 04:47 How quickly did you come to realize were a toxic teacher? 09:22 Public education is not broken 10:34 How did you overcome the design of public education? 12:15 Hardships of students; hardships of teachers 18:03 Structural problems built into the system 23:52 Connections to abuse 28:25 Leave-school, De-school, Un-school (Peaceful Worldschool) 34:16 State education compliance 40:46 Ahhh! Won't my kid just play video games all day?! 44:10 Concluding Thoughts Resources Mentioned: https://peacefulworldschoolers.com/ https://www.facebook.com/PeacefulWorldSchoolers https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG0XFHxKs6DSDHdQluUNgqg https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Toxic-Teacher-Exposing-Schools/dp/1733428550 Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Kerry Baldwin guest hosts and interviews Melissa Broudo. Broudo is the co-founder and co-director of the Sharmus Outlaw Advocacy and Rights (SOAR) Institute. She has been part of the sex-worker-rights and harm-reduction movements since the late 1990s, co-founding SOAR to further policy, advocacy, and capacity-building efforts that support the rights of sex workers and survivors of human trafficking. Can Christians support decriminalizing prostitution? Our knee-jerk response may be an automatic, "no, of course not!". Yet, many (not all) reasons favoring decriminalizing prostitution are towards ends that Christians do desire, namely, mitigating human trafficking, focusing and improving civil governance on actual acts of aggression, and making it easy to leave the profession when someone wants to. Broudo highlights some key distinctions of terms including the differences between sex work, prostitution, and trafficking, as well as the important distinction between decriminalization and legalization. Many Christian organizations seeking to rescue victims of sex trafficking are enticed by something called the Nordic Model - where only the demand side of the sex trade criminalized. Meaning, only the purchase of sex legally prohibited, not the sale of it. Broudo touches on a number of problems stemming from actions taken by law enforcement in the name of "rescue." Other problems include government violations of personal data, encryption, freedom of Internet platforms, and the like that we discuss. Baldwin and Broudo also touch on concepts such as bodily autonomy and agency and even how our disagreements on abortion might be set aside on our more common ground related to the concerns raised about women and sex more generally. Portions of our interview were cut out for the sake of time, but included information about the successes of decriminalization in New Zealand and (formerly) in Rhode Island. Is there a connection between stigma of prostitution and purity culture? Baldwin and Broudo discuss the manner in which the state (both judicial and law enforcement) handle rape cases for women (prostitutes or not) the feminist mentality that all women are essentially victims, and finally the connection to some beliefs held by Evangelical purity culture types. Rape is the one violent crime in the United States where a judge will consider whether a woman "invited" the violence against her. Law enforcement has historically ignored crimes against prostitutes using the acronym NHI to indicate "no humans involved." Radical feminists, who oppose decriminalization or legalization, view all sex work as exploitative and disregard the possibility a woman would consciously and voluntarily do this kind of work as a profession. Christian teaching emphasizes that we not confuse or complicate our speech - that we let our ‘yes’ simply mean ‘yes’, and our ‘no’ mean ‘no’. (Matt 5:37) But are young girls and women taught how to say 'no' and is that 'no' honored by our culture? We close with a brief discussion on economics and why the Nordic model fails on that front. If you've had questions about issue and have wanted an honest response from a Christian perspective, you'll find this interview both informative and challenging. We also address some tough questions raised by thoughtful Christians against decriminalization. Disclaimer: As you can probably tell from the title, the following episode contains themes of a sexual nature. The Libertarian Christian Institute advocates and endorses a Christian sexual ethic, namely that sexual intimacy is a gift from God, to be enjoyed only within the bounds of heterosexual marriage. Our guest does not share this same view. However, this is an opportunity to discuss topics relevant to Christian libertarianism, that are also topics weighing heavy on minds of many Christians, to include sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and how our society and government treats women overall. As a consequence, this discussion may not suitable for everyone. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Disclaimer 02:23 Why should Christians care about decriminalizing sex work? 05:09 Definitions of terms: sex work, trafficking, prostitution 08:05 Why is it important to understand these distinctions? 10:15 Decriminalization vs legalization: what is the difference 13:47 EARN IT Act & SESTA/FOSTA 19:11 Do we know how many women/girls are trafficked vs how many voluntarily participate? 23:43 Legal-rights element from a libertarian perspective - self-ownership, non-aggression, bodily autonomy 32:49 Problems with the Nordic model 45:40 Tough questions from conservative Christians 1:02:07 Stigma: by the state, feminism, and purity culture (No humans involved) 1:19:47 Economics: why is it illegal to sell what a woman can give away for free? 1:29:30 Concluding thoughts Resources Mentioned https://decriminalizesex.work/ https://decriminalizesex.work/why-decriminalization/ Case against the Nordic Model (criminalize demand only) htt

Jack Lloyd, a libertarian voluntaryist who's been promoting the liberty message for over 15 years, speaks about his new book, The Definitive Guide to Libertarian Voluntaryism. He provides an introductory explanation to this and other terms including the anarcho-distinctives: anarcho-capitalism, anarcho-communism/socialism, and why he prefers the term libertarian voluntaryism. Like many libertarians, Lloyd grounds his views in the libertarian principles of self-ownership and non-aggression, but seeks to add an additional layer in the voluntaryist element, namely, answering the question of how we make manifest consent and account for what he calls ethical apartheid. Lloyd describes a more psychological understanding of how we got to this point with the state and civil governance. He identifies public schooling as a primary source of real, legitimate trauma in the lives of Americans, which results in very real problems in our decision making processes as we become adults. This underlying problem, Lloyd believes, explains why it usually takes a psychological shock to "wake people up" to the reality of what is happening with government and society today. Lloyd insists that we can't be "lukewarm" in our messaging; it's either the hot and energizing or cool and refreshing messaging that motives people to rethink things and take action toward different goals. In addition to these foundational principles, Lloyd touches on some other topics important to libertarians: animal rights, environmentalism, and children's rights. While many of us have emotional attachments to our pets and other animals for any given number of reasons, Lloyd explains how an ethical system concerning human justice cannot meaningful translate to one upholding a category of animal rights. Certainly, this isn't to say that animals should be treated poorly, but that it doesn't fit into a framework of justice in consistent way. More broadly, problems arising from environmental concerns are best handled in terms of specifying particular property rights, rather than painting in broad strokes. Lloyd also mentions children's rights. As a former juvenile defense attorney and government school teacher, Lloyd has a passion for children and the trauma, however unwittingly, they're put through as children and the impact that has on their adulthood. He's also sober-minded in approaching the relationship between parent's and children's rights, being careful to adhere consistently with the libertarian principles of self-ownership, non-aggression, and taking into account their developing capacity to meaningful consent. This includes regarding children as self-owners in their own right, not chattel property, but that their parents have the highest claim of guardianship, not the state. Finally, Lloyd doesn't want to leave people hanging with the answer to "how do we get there?" How do we achieve a voluntaryist form of civil governance? He briefly explains his idea of not-for-profit government, and taxation is not the proper way to fund it. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:22 What is Libertarian Voluntaryism? 06:44 What are the foundational axioms of Libertarian Voluntarism? 10:36 How do we maximize the reach of our liberty message? 14:36 How radical do we have to be in our messaging as libertarians? 19:28 What about animal rights and the NAP? 25:04 Can a libertarian voluntarist be an environmentalist? If so, how? 29:36 Do we owe a duty of non-aggression to other humans yet to be born? 33:38 What about the children? 38:34 What is the not-for-profit government model? 41:12 Concluding Thoughts Resources Mentioned: - volcomic.com - thepholosopher.com (Jack's wife's site) - The Definitive Guide to Libertarian Voluntaryism ★ Support this podcast ★

Scott Horton, director of the Libertarian Institute and editorial director of Antiwar.com, joins Dr. Norman Horn to discuss war and the U.S Government's failed foreign interventionism. They discuss several key current events, including ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and whether China is truly poised to be the next world power. Horton illuminates the history behind the recent violence in the Gaza Strip that killed 44 people, including 15 children, and injuring 311. The history of the Israel-Palestine conflict is muddled with intentionally confusing narratives since the State of Israel was established in 1947. Horton makes clear that this involved a violent cleansing of about 750,000 Palestinians to maintain a 80/20 Israeli political majority. Palestine has been under Israeli control since 1967. Horton also references 2005 where then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon disengaged the Gaza Strip, but did so to prevent any further discussions of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Dr. Horn draws out the connection with Horton about how US foreign aid has contributed to the destruction of nations, both in Palestine and across the world in numerous conflicts, including the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and South Asia. Horton brings into focus the reality that Israel really keeps picking fights and then gets the US involved to do the dirty work. Israel's PR campaign in America involves continuing to persuade American evangelicals that God wants them to support poor Israel. Let's not forget China! Many have wondered if the Communist Party in China is in a position to become the next world power. Scott Horton says no! He explains China's own military position and how it's ill-equipped to fulfill the monumental task of becoming a dominating global power militarily. Horton explains how America was only in position to become a global power after World War II due to our economic wealth. Other nations in the world had been pummeled (comparatively) by the war. While America may have had some greater moral high ground at the end of WWII, they certainly exhausted it in the past several decades, turning it into a moral hazard. The US Government also had to paint perpetually new narratives to sell its foreign interventionism to the American people. They milked the post-WWII victory for all they could while simultaneously becoming the very monster they said they were fighting: global authoritarianism. You can only "keep the peace" if you ignore all the violence. - Scott Horton Listen to this episode especially if you haven't been in the loop on foreign affairs. It is an eye-opening episode that should leave you embracing an end to all entangling alliances, as founders like George Washington insisted. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 03:04 About the Libertarian Institute 05:14 Israeli bombing of Gaza Strip 14:24 Why foreign aid destroys nations 21:50 The history of the US Govt continually switching sides in the Middle East 27:09 Russian invasion of Ukraine and who really provoked it 30:20 Why were their no negotiations for peace? 36:56 What should we do about the war hawks? 41:05 Stopping the flow of aid and diplomatic support to Israel 45:50 Is China the next world power? 1:00:50 How the state drives wedges between peaceful people 1:06:45 Closing comments Resources Mentioned: Libertarian Institute Anti-war Radio Antiwar.com ScottHorton.org Scott's Books: Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism The Great Ron Paul: The Scott Horton Show Interviews 2004–2019 Hotter Than the Sun: Time to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Scott Horton interviews Daniel Ellsberg, Seymour Hersh, Gar Alperovitz, Hans Kristensen, Joe Cirincione, and more. ★ Support this podcast ★

Libertarian Christian Ben Lewis joins Doug Stuart to discuss a Christian view of Bitcoin and monetary policy. Lewis explains some fundamentals of Bitcoin technology and properties and characteristics of real money and how our fiat currency system not only fails us in a practical sense, but also in a moral sense. Bitcoin is a decentralized technology with a fixed supply, both very important to maintain both the value and prevent monopolization. It uses open source software which is a proven way of building trustworthy source code. Like gold (and precious metals) Bitcoin has the properties and characteristics of real money: scarcity, verifiability, transportability, durability, and fungibility. Lewis points out that Bitcoin does these things better than gold. Lewis also explains how goods become money, a process from being collectibles, to stores of value, to a medium of exchange and unit of account. Doug and Ben draw out moral implications of using fiat money versus real money, discussing how decentralized currencies are fundamental to Christian ethics. Lewis appeals to Scripture to make his case using passages like Leviticus 19:36 and Proverbs 11:1. He points out that inflation (debasement of currency) was a problem in the Roman empire and these passages are specifically referencing the value of mediums of exchange used through the ancient world. What's the time horizon for implementation of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange? It's hard to say, says Lewis, but gives several examples of Christians can use Bitcoin right now to support international Christian ministries. If you're new to Bitcoin or want compelling Christian reasons for adopting it, then please listen to our interview, Honest Scales and Balances: Ben Lewis and the Christian View of Bitcoin. Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 01:28 What is Bitcoin? 03:57 Can you trust the code? 09:20 When does Bitcoin become money? 16:50 Money as a means of choosing what we value 19:35 Petrodollar as an international tool of manipulation 20:59 Why should Christians care about monetary policy and Christian life? 29:30 How long will it take for Bitcoin to replace fiat currency? 34:00 Real world funding of Christian ministries - Afghanistan 36:00 Where and when can you find Ben Lewis? 37:24 Closing thoughts - honest scales and balances Resources Mentioned: Find Ben Lewis on his new blog, lewisb.me Impoverished Afghan women are receiving emergency aid in crypto as the Taliban limits cash withdrawals and millions go hungry by Joshua Zitser, Business Insider Thank God for Bitcoin: The Creation, Corruption and Redemption of Money by Jimmy Song, et al Ep 225: Thank God for Bitcoin, with Jimmy Song Ep 242: A Conversation with Jimmy Song ★ Support this podcast ★

Robby Soave is senior editor at Reason Magazine, where he writes about free speech, education and tech policy, criminal justice reform, and cancel culture, among other subjects. He's the author of Panic Attack: Young Radicals in the Age of Trump, and Tech Panic: Why We Shouldn't Fear Facebook and the Future. Robby and Doug discuss Big Tech censorship, the best way for libertarians to deal with it, whether or not libertarians should be just as concerned with Big Tech and other corporate hegemons as with government, and more. Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

Jacob Daniel Winograd of the "Daniel 3 Biblical Anarchy Podcast" joins us to discuss his transition from Bernie Sanders leftism to Austro/Anarcho-libertarianism, including his approach to interpreting Romans 13 in light of Romans 12. Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

Max Borders, Executive Director of Social Evolution, joins us to talk about how decentralization is the way out of the social mess we're in, but also how praxis is critical to personally achieving meaning in an age of dying legacy systems and emerging decentralist systems. Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

The Libertarian Christian team gathered in Las Vegas for FreedomFest and hosted a breakout session where FreedomFest attendees and vendors were able to join in a lively discussion about liberty, human flourishing, women’s rights, economics, and even Critical Race Theory! If you weren’t able to attend FreedomFest, you’ll at least be able to catch the best breakout session there (at least in our opinion!). Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

We welcomed the Australian, liberty-leaning theologian/scholar Michael F. Bird, to discuss the motivators for writing his new book Religious Freedom in a Secular Age: A Christian Case for Liberty, Equality, and Secular Government. Michael shared his reflections on marriage equality in Australia, Trump's election, religious persecution, how progressive politics have become a religion, and the harm of white Christian nationalism. How do we move forward and bring about positive change in such a divided and polarized environment? Show Notes: Check out Michael, Religious Freedom in a Secular Age, and his other works! Audio Production by Podsworth Media. ★ Support this podcast ★