The Stephen Mansfield Podcast

Stephen recently learned from Kurdish elders in Nashville that ISIS is reaching out to Iraqi, Iranian, and Kurdish youth. In fact, ISIS is gaining money, power, and influence throughout the U.S. In this episode, Stephen urges awareness, action, and relationship-building. There is too great a chasm between Anglo cultures and Middle Eastern cultures. It’s time for that to change.

Russia’s behavior is a result of the United States’ weakness at certain critical moments. (For a recent example: our failure to support the Kurds, 93% of whom voted in favor of a referendum on independence.) Stephen believes that if the U.S. doesn’t change its diplomatic tone, Russia is going to gain alliances and territories in the Middle East that it’s wanted for generations. It’s time to take a stand.

Stephen recently published a podcast on the topic of guns, which generated much feedback and conversation among listeners. Today he issues an apology regarding a statement made in that episode. This episode also includes a discussion of how the Second Amendment, James Madison’s writings in the Federalist Papers, and recent Supreme Court cases can inform our understanding of the contemporary gun debate. Finally, leaders especially need to hear Stephen’s exhortation regarding guns and safety at the conclusion of this episode.

We could talk forever about Billy Graham’s life, ministry, preaching, and theology. But today Stephen wants to talk about one critical moment in Billy Graham’s life that happened in 1949. In a monumental meeting, Graham and his team set firm boundaries that resulted in a scandal-free ministry for more than 60 years. Those four important decisions are discussed in this episode.

People who do not clean up their own house end up having their house cleaned for them. We’ve seen this with the American medical community through Obamacare and now the Trump administration’s attempts to fix the system. Now, we’re going to see the process unfold yet again through gun legislation. Stephen’s urge to gun-owners: judge yourself, lest ye be judged.

Stephen wants you to fall in love with Winston Churchill… however it happens! In this episode, Stephen shares his top book and film recommendations, as well as why Churchill is rewarding at every level.Books:Stephen’s book: The Character and Greatness of Winston Churchill: Hero in a Time of Crisis by Stephen MansfieldStephen’s favorite: My Early Life: 1874-1904 by Winston ChurchillHighly recommended: Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill: A Brief Account of a Long Life by Gretchen Rubin Newer Churchill book: Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice MillardOlder Churchill book: Winston Churchill: An Informal Study of Greatness by Robert Lewis TaylorSubstantial one-volume tome: In Search of Churchill by Martin GilbertFilms:Young Winston (1972)Churchill: The Wilderness Years (1981)The Gathering Storm (2002)Into the Storm (2009)Dunkirk (2017)Darkest Hour (2017)

Did you know that an American citizen who works for NASA has been held in solitary confinement in Turkey for 18 months? And that he just received a 7.5 year prison sentence for a crime he could not possibly have committed? The United States has essentially done nothing but express concern. Stephen believes the nation of Israel offers a better model. We must respond with direct and fierce action.

I like Turkey very much. But I do not like Erdoğan, the current leader of Turkey, or the thuggish government and military he has produced. Now, he’s accusing the YPG (a U.S. ally) of being in league with the PKK, and therefore an enemy of Turkey. Why does the U.S. call Turkey an ally? Why do we allow Erdoğan to do the things he does, violating a slew of NATO principles along the way? We are betraying the Kurds. Afrin will be a symbol of American weakness for which we will pay dearly in the future if we do not change course.

In November, Stephen responded to the watershed of sexual abuse allegations coming to light. Today – 10 weeks after that episode originally aired – the "Weinstein effect" continues its spread. As the sexual abuse epidemic unfolds, it's more important now than ever before to understand what's happening in our culture. This week on the Stephen Mansfield Podcast, we're reposting Stephen's original episode addressing this issue. First and foremost, Stephen firmly believes sexual abuse of any kind is both sin and criminal. Yet he’s also concerned about how some of these cases are developing – precisely because he is so opposed to any kind of sexual abuse. If light and frivolous allegations are used as a basis for destroying someone’s life, there will be backlash, which will ultimately result in legitimate claims being unheard as society becomes exhausted with unsubstantiated allegations. It’s beyond time for our society to have moral conversations. Stephen hopes this episode will help.

The Founding Fathers distrusted human nature. They were mostly Christians who believed in the Fall of Man. Though the phrase hadn’t been uttered yet, they believed that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That’s why they designed a tripartite government that forces conflict to serve us. They wanted tension, differing opinions, and checks and balances. While temporarily painful, the pressure felt during a government shutdown is ultimately a good thing. As constituents, we are better served by this kind of discussion and pressure.