The Natasha Crain Podcast How Have Godly People Been Persuaded to Let Ungodliness Reign? with Bill Federer
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Sep 25, 2025 Bill Federer, a historian and best-selling author, dives deep into the complex history of how Christianity and politics intersected in America. He explains the shift from self-governance in ancient Israel to the monarchy, and how the Reformation reshaped church authority. Federer discusses the Mayflower Compact and its role in civil governance, along with the evolving interpretation of the First Amendment. He highlights the importance of Christian engagement in public life, arguing that silence in the face of ungodliness equates to consent.
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Default To Gang-Style Rule
- Human governance defaults to hierarchical 'gang' leadership where stronger figures dominate and expand power.
- Bill Federer argues technological and military advances simply scaled that gang structure into larger kingdoms until checks arose.
Hebrew Republic Model
- Ancient Israel functioned as a 'Hebrew Republic' for centuries where widespread literacy and law kept order without a king.
- That model influenced later covenantal self-government and contrasted with the divine-right kingship Europe used.
When Republics Turn To Kings
- The Hebrew rejection of kingship ended when spiritual leadership failed, prompting demand for a monarch.
- Federer connects that shift to later European rulers using scripture to claim divine right while American founders looked to pre-king biblical models.
