The "Social Question": Can the Move Toward Socialism be Stopped?

The question headlining today’s topic comes from Abraham Kuyper’s opening remarks at the First Christian Social Conference convened in the Netherlands in 1891. The news this week makes it clear that our nation is facing the same "social question" addressed by him at that conference: Is socialism or…

What "Created Equal" Unintentionally Created

Today, David offers his final reflection on our nation’s 250th anniversary by taking a look at what happened to "created equal" on the way to the 21st Century. He uses the insights from two speeches given by Abraham Kuyper at the turn of the 19th century to offer a corrective he believes the church…

The Ghost of Ben Franklin: "Did you keep your republic?"

Today David traces the meaning of the terms "state" and "republic" prior to 1776 through the constitutional revolutions throughout Europe in 1848 to what republic means now in light of the No Kings protest and use of the term "democratic republic." The change in meaning is very revealing, telling C…

A 250th Anniversary Look at the Declaration's View of Civil Government

Today's episode compares what is said in the Declaration of Independence about how civil governments are "instituted" and for what purpose to what was said on those subjects by John Locke in the late 17th century and Abraham Kuyper at the end of the 19th century. It also offers a vision for how Chr…

Resolving Yesterday's Question into an Aspirational Declaration for Future Generations

Today David gives his answer to whether the following statement in the Declaration of Independence is more influenced by enlightenment hubris than sound Christian theology: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain …

Is There an Overlooked Hubris in the Declaration of Independence?

Today, David applies the Apostle Paul's declaration that true wisdom and knowledge are found in the revelation of “the mystery of God, of the Father and of Christ” (Colossians 2:3) to a famous sentence sentence in the Declaration of Independence often quoted by Christians. He asks: Have Christians …

The Seduction of Today's Christian Political Advocates

In today's episode, David explains why he believes some well-intentioned Christian political advocates, notably in regard to the politics of abortion, have been taken captive by the empty traditions and philosophies of men that are “not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). He says why he thinks e…

What Might an Evangelical Approach to Legal and Public Policy Advocacy Look Like?

Recent episodes have put an emphasis on growing in our knowledge of Christ in relation to how Christians should think about certain abortion legislation being proposed nationally. But shouldn't that apply to the way Christians legislators think and talk about law and public policy advocacy generall…

Looking for Christ in the "Abolition of Abortion" Legislative Movement

Today David considers the response to pro-life apologist Scott Klusendorf published by the Foundation to Abolish Abortion (FAA), proponents of legislation presented in multiple states under the rhetoric of "equal protection" for the unborn. Some of FAA leaders want the SBC to take up the issue next…

Spiritual Wisdom and the "Abolition of Abortion"-Part I

How is it that Christ was "MADE unto us wisdom" and how does that affect our understanding of wisdom when it comes to political issues? Today, David uses 17th century theologian John Owen to help us understand the "why" and "how" of wisdom, and then applies that to the published political counsel o…