

Outstanding
The Washington Stand
Critical conversations on the news of the day and the issues that shape us.
Outstanding is a podcast of The Washington Stand, Family Research Council's outlet for news and commentary from a biblical worldview. We examine outstanding news and issues from TWS with an aim to take every thought captive for the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Join us as we examine the headlines through the lens of Scripture, and explore how Christians should respond.
Outstanding is a podcast of The Washington Stand, Family Research Council's outlet for news and commentary from a biblical worldview. We examine outstanding news and issues from TWS with an aim to take every thought captive for the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Join us as we examine the headlines through the lens of Scripture, and explore how Christians should respond.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 13, 2023 • 37min
Ep. 38: The War on Men
The struggle between men and women goes back a long way. We're talking Garden of Eden-way back. Why don't we all just get along? Human sin notwithstanding many cultural forces are at work not simply in favor of women, but against men. Owen Strachan, provost at Grace Bible Theological Seminary, and senior fellow for biblical worldview at Family Research Council has written a new book, "The War on Men: Why Society Hates Them and Why We Need Them" to address these concerns. Owen joined host Joseph Backholm for a very manly discussion that you won't want to miss.
Resources:
America’s Manhood Crisis - and Our Gospel Hope [Owen Strachan, TWS]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Oct 9, 2023 • 43min
Ep. 37: Israel at War: The Lay of the Land
Sudden war in Israel has just as suddenly become the focus of the world. Images and tales of the horrific evil wrought by Hamas's invasion of Israel have rightfully arrested the news cycle. Host Joseph Backholm sat down with Luke Moon, deputy director of The Philos Project to talk through what's happening in Israel and the potential effects it could have upon Israel, America, and the world.
Resources:
The Philos Project
Luke Moon on X
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Oct 6, 2023 • 46min
Ep. 36: What Does It Mean To Be a Conservative?
The term “conservative” has taken on many different meanings throughout the years. What has influenced that change? What does it mean to be a conservative? Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Ben Crenshaw, a PhD candidate in politics to discuss the depth of nuances for the word. Comparing our current government to the government of Ancient Rome, they discuss the balance of legislating morality and the three main types of conservatism. Take a listen to consider how Christians can approach conservatism from a biblical worldview.
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Oct 3, 2023 • 33min
Ep. 35: How has the Abortion Industry Changed?
The overturning of Roe v. Wade sent the fight for life into a new chapter. Although a monumental win for life, the work has just begun. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Jeff Bradford, Human Coalition's president. Having a primarily online presence, Human Coalition’s goal is to reach women searching for abortions and offer guidance, a solution, and hope. Joseph and Jeff dive into how the abortion industry has changed over the years, the lie that women need abortion to be happy, and what type of information can organizations provide to help a mother choose life.
Resources:
Human Coalition
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 29, 2023 • 43min
Ep.34 What Forms a Worldview?
A worldview is a lens through which we see life. Generally, a worldview can be discovered by answering four main questions:
What is the origin of humanity?
Does our life have meaning?
Is there an ultimate morality?
What happens when we die?
It's back to the basics with this episode, as host Joseph Backholm highlights two main worldviews: Naturalism and Creationism. Walking through how each one would answer the four main questions, Joseph unpacks the difference between these two worldviews, what it means to have a Christian worldview, and how to discover what your worldview is. He also addresses, as Christians, where should we put our hope and how does our worldview influence our politics?
Resources
Center for Biblical Worldview
Most Americans Think They Have a Biblical Worldview. But Do They?
Ep. 30: The Seven Cornerstones of a Biblical Worldview
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 26, 2023 • 36min
Ep. 33: We Are Not Our Own
We are living in a world of subjectivism. A culture that claims, “Live YOUR truth”. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Alex McFarland, co-host of Exploring the Word and host of the Alex McFarland Show. Alex reminds listeners of 1 Corinthians 6, that we are not our own, but bought with a price. He speaks on the impact the transgender movement has had on families and the health dangers that come with transitioning. Transgenderism claims “God you cannot define what I am”, and we are starting to see that when you build your life on the basis of a lie, you will eventually run out of track. Join Joseph and Alex in an engaging discussion on transgenderism and humanity.
Resources
Alex McFarland Ministries
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 22, 2023 • 34min
Ep. 32: Thinking Biblically About Where You Spend Your Money
Does where we spend our money matter? If you haven't noticed, corporations these days often minimize the bottom line in favor of the activist line -- a line that nearly always leans left. Not long ago, Michael Seifert saw this disparity as an opportunity for those businesses who share the values upon which our nation was founded. Enter PublicSq, a new platform that helps consumers think biblically about where they spend their money. Joining host Joseph Backholm is PublicSq. founder Michael Seifert. Since its inception, over 65,000 vendors and 1.5 million consumers have joined its marketplace. Joseph and Michael discuss faith, liberty, and business, how business owners can empower the alternative economy.
Resources:
Public Sq
Michael Seifert | Pray Vote Stand Summit 2023 [video]
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 19, 2023 • 25min
Ep. 31: In Good Company: When Business Takes a Risk on What's Right
Did you know at seven weeks of development a baby is the size of a coffee bean? This is the heart behind Seven Weeks Coffee, a pro-life coffee company that donates 10% of every sale to pregnancy care centers across the nation. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Anton Krecic, founder of Seven Weeks Coffee. Anton tells the story of how his company was born and his conviction to aid and support pregnancy care centers across the nation. He urges other business owners to stand up for their convictions because neutrality is not an option. It is time to rebuild the culture of life in America one cup of coffee at a time.
Resources:
Seven Weeks Coffee
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 15, 2023 • 52min
Ep. 30: The Seven Cornerstones of a Biblical Worldview
Thirty percent of Americans identify with having no religion, even though many grew up within the church. What is the cause behind the dropping numbers of religious Americans? What do American church goers actually believe? In a recent survey conducted by George Barna, American church goers were asked a series of questions to discover if they had a biblical worldview. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by FRC’s David Closson who gives some important insight on the survey's findings, and what it means for a believer to have a biblical worldview.
Resources:
FRC's Center for Biblical Worldview
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.

Sep 12, 2023 • 55min
Ep. 29: How to Advance Pro-Family and Pro-Life Issues in a Blue State
In today’s culture, it can sometimes come down to an invisible state line that determines if parents have a right to know about their child’s education or if a baby is protected in the womb. Host Joseph Backholm is joined by Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut. A native of Connecticut, Peter has seen a lot change in his state’s government the last few decades. As time passes, there has been a major shift in both political parties’ ideologies and values. Peter discusses his strategy on how to advance pro-family and pro-life values in predominantly blue states, highlights his work in fighting bills that would limit parental rights, and discusses his states unique “experimental” role for new laws and bills. He encourages listeners to remember Psalm 146:3 “Put not your trust in princes…”, but to remember our hope is in the Lord, not a political party.
Resources:
Family Institute of Connecticut
Read The Washington Stand, featuring news and commentary from a biblical worldview. Published by Family Research Council.


