Ideas Have Consequences

Discover the concept of eucatastrophe—unexpected positive turns amid despair—coined by J.R.R. Tolkien. The discussion dives into powerful biblical narratives, showcasing how hope and redemption often emerge from chaos. You'll hear about Esther's courageous choices and their divine implications, alongside insights from 'The Lord of the Rings.' Personal stories illustrate the theme, encouraging listeners to find hope in adversity and recognize their agency in shaping outcomes. There's a call to embrace these ideas for cultural transformation and spiritual uplift.

Should Christians engage in politics? Of course, but how? In this episode, Richard Nelson, author of Christianity and Politics and President of The Commonwealth Policy Center, tackles this critical question. Historically and still today, Christians often fall into one of three inappropriate approaches to political engagement: they avoid politics as irrelevant to “more important” spiritual matters; strive for neutrality by avoiding alignment with any party or candidate; or they focus solely on allegiance to Jesus as King, seeking to ignore earthly government and rulers. Richard eloquently challenges these views, emphasizing how God's sovereignty extends to politics and culture. He highlights a biblical approach to issues like free speech, the sanctity of life, religious freedom, and fiscal responsibility. Like it or not, the Bible is deeply political, and its principles should guide all public engagement.View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!Learn more about DNA’s free online Kingdomizer 101 Training: Truth and Transformation.

James Whitford, Co-founder and CEO of True Charity, discusses transformative strategies for eradicating poverty and homelessness. He critiques traditional charity methods, calling them 'toxic,' and highlights the significance of community-driven, dignity-focused solutions. Whitford emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift from dependency to empowerment, rooted in biblical principles. He also explores real-life stories that demonstrate the impact of mentorship and reciprocal relationships, urging a reevaluation of how we approach poverty alleviation.

Climatologist David Legates challenges mainstream narratives on the climate, offering an important Christian perspective on the intersection of science, politics, and economics. Drawing insights from his book Climate and Energy: The Case for Realism, co-authored with leading scientists and economists, Legates builds upon our previous episode examining how climate science has shifted from objective inquiry to politicized advocacy.We consider:Misleading claims in climate activism and how to respond critically.The implications of climate policy on global poverty, energy costs, and environmental stewardship.The rise of postmodern science and its impact on climate researchDo climate change policies serve hidden agendas or impact broader societal transformations?From the reliability of carbon dating to the role of the church in restoring scientific integrity, this episode invites you to question prevailing narratives and engage in practical, truth-centered environmental action.Rediscover the essence of balanced climate science—and the hope for reclaiming stewardship that honors both creation and the Creator.View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!Listen to our last episode with David Legates here: Climate & Energy: The Case for Realism with E. Calvin Beisner & David R. Legates

Discipling the next generation shapes the world of tomorrow and has never been more important, but finding the right curriculum can be a big challenge. Dr. Terry Andrews, a missionary with over 30 years experience in Africa, shares the profound impact she has seen with her God with Us discipleship curriculum. This innovative program has rapidly spread across Africa and beyond. Because it draws deeply on biblical truths from Genesis, it finds an audience among both Christian and Muslim youth, leading them to better understand and apply Christian principles. Engaging methods like storytelling and small group discussions captivate children’s attention and have been effective in schools, churches, and with sports teams. In addition, families and communities are healing and churches are flourishing.View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!

Explore the profound truths hidden in our most cherished Christmas carols. "Joy to the World" announces the Kingship of Jesus, calling each of us to respond to His rule by pushing back against the effects of the fall. With grace, truth, and love, Christ's reign brings hope to our weary world. Similarly, "O Holy Night" paints a vivid picture of Christ's birth, a moment that brought humanity a new and glorious dawn.Our friend, Jessica Shakir, from The Beautiful Mind Academy, shares her passion about the Advent season with us as she thoughtfully connects the Christmas story back to the creation narrative. Are you ready to revitalize the deep joy and hope found in the Christmas message? Tune in for a festive conversation filled with reflection, celebration, and a renewed understanding of the true meaning of Christmas!View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!

What is meant by "social justice" today, and why do so many sincerely justice-loving Christians warn against it? Dr. Calvin Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance joins us to discuss social justice vs. biblical justice. We explore the complexities of justice, economic ethics, the flaws of socialism and capitalism, and the role of Christianity in addressing these global challenges. Dr. Beisner offers insights from his book Social Justice vs. Biblical Justice, where he refutes claims that the Bible advocates for wealth redistribution and builds a biblical framework for true justice. The discussion highlights the four criteria of biblical justice—impartiality, proportionality, rendering what is due, and conformity to God's law—while examining why some "rights" claimed in the name of social justice violate true, biblically defined rights. Don't miss this episode as this topic continues to be highly relevant and believers must have a solid biblical perspective in order to think rightly, form culture, and respond to the needs of our society.View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!

Can love truly heal our broken world? It might sound romanticized, but perhaps that’s because we haven’t fully explored the depth and weight of love. In this episode, we dive into a chapter from Scott Allen’s new book, 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World. We need to reshape our understanding of love, moving beyond the superficial definitions that dominate modern culture. We will explore love's concentric circles, from its joyful beginnings to the profound commitments of agape love. We also discuss how love must be grounded in truth.Have you considered the impact of postmodernism and secularism on cultural perspectives of love? Getting the meaning of love right can heal and unite society. This episode offers practical insights on living out God’s understanding of love, urging us to make it a central practice in our daily lives. Don’t miss this compelling conversation that challenges misconceptions and calls for a return to authentic, life-changing love.For all things 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World go to 10wordsbook.orgAmazon Purchase Link: 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World: Restoring the Meaning of Our Most Important WordsThe Discipline of Love by Bob MoffittToday, the definition of love has been abbreviated to two simplistic concepts: (1) A source of pleasure, joy, or delight. (2) A strong affection, often accompanied by romantic feelings and sexual attraction. Several other facets of the true meaning of love have been removed from our culture’s thinking. These include: (3) To value, cherish, or treasure. (4) Fidelity and devotion. Faithful commitment. (5) To seek the good of another, to give for his or her benefit, even at a significant personal cost.

Thankfulness is a focus in many American homes in the month of November. But have you ever considered that thankfulness is not a universally valued characteristic? Not to mention that the amount of gratitude we see on a daily basis actually seems to be decreasing today. How does one’s sense of privilege or status result in a lack of gratitude toward others? How does belief in the significance of each person’s life cultivate gratitude within a person? Does belief in the goodness and sovereignty of God inspire thankfulness in the midst of trying times?Our office team gathered together to reflect on these questions and share our favorite biblical passages about the priority and results of thankfulness in the Christian life. We discussed why the biblical worldview places such an emphasis on gratitude, and contrasted this with different worldviews. In conclusion, we considered how essential thankfulness is for building thriving, flourishing cultures in families, communities, and nations. Join us for this thoughtful and encouraging discussion!Disciple Nations Alliance Website

How can beauty heal our broken world? In this episode, part nine of our 10 Words series, we explore the biblical foundations of beauty and its transformative power to change lives and nations. We challenge the notion that beauty is merely subjective, revealing how the Bible establishes a universal standard for beauty, truth, and goodness. Our conversation contrasts biblical and contemporary views of beauty, emphasizing its role in understanding God and creation. Through art, nature, and personal reflections, we show how beauty connects us to the divine and reshapes culture. Cultures that recognize God as the source of beauty thrive, and the converse holds true as well. Beauty is a gift for all—essential to our spiritual journey and daily lives, not just for artists or grand cathedrals.For all things 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World go to 10wordsbook.orgAmazon Purchase Link: 10 Words to Heal Our Broken World: Restoring the Meaning of Our Most Important WordsBishop Barron on Evangelizing Through Beauty