Theology Applied THE FRIDAY SPECIAL - The Incredible Powers Of The Christian Prince
Aug 23, 2025
Stephen Wolfe, a theologian and author known for his insights on Christian nationalism, joins Joel Webbon to unpack the authority of civil magistrates within a constitutional framework. They navigate the balance between civil power and religious liberty, critique modern liberalism, and discuss the cultural impact of Christian architecture. The conversation addresses the tension between atheism and societal norms, and explores the historical challenges of the Crusades, emphasizing the need for Christians to engage meaningfully in political discourse.
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Scope Of Civil Authority Vs Constitutional Limits
- Stephen Wolfe argues civil magistrates have very broad but not absolute powers in principle.
- Constitutional design (separation of powers) legitimately curtails that power for the people's good.
Conscience Vs Public Expression
- Protestant reformers held that the civil sword cannot coerce conscience and Christ rules the inner life.
- But outward expressions of belief that affect others can legitimately be regulated by the magistrate.
Differentiate Private Belief And Public Teaching
- Do distinguish private belief from public teaching when evaluating regulation.
- Restrict public indoctrination (e.g., teachers promoting atheism) as a permissible civil response in a Christian society.