The Way Home Podcast

The Way Home Podcast returns from hiatus! Today, we have Knox Thames on The Way Home Podcast! Dr. Eric Patterson is the current Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South / Central Asia at the U.S. Department of State. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and Knox discuss the unique breadth and depth of America’s advocacy for religious freedom, how advocating for this freedom benefits believers, and how America’s civic values shape foreign policy. If you want to better understand the history of advocacy for religious freedoms, the developing state of these freedoms worldwide, and how these things should influence how one thinks about American influence around the globe, then this episode is for you! Show Notes Knox Thames: Knox Thames is an international human rights lawyer, advocate, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting human rights, defending religious minorities, and combating persecution. Over his 20 years of service in the U.S. government, Knox held several key positions advocating for freedom of religion or belief, including at the State Department and two different U.S. government foreign policy commissions. Knox has deep experience regarding South/Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and U.S. foreign policy relating to human rights. Serving in the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations, he has worked at the intersection of global affairs, religion, and human rights. Known for his nonpartisan approach to advocacy, both the Obama and Trump administrations appointed Knox as the Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South / Central Asia at the State Department. The first to serve in this special envoy role, he received a civil service appointment to lead State Department efforts to support religious minorities in these regions. In April 2023, Knox joined Pepperdine University as a Senior Fellow, directing the new Program on Global Faith and Inclusive Societies from the Washington DC campus, thanks to a grant from the Templeton Religion Trust. He is also an Associate with the Center for Law and Religion at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.​ A recognized expert, Knox has spoken before the U.S. Congress, the United Nations, the European Parliament, the Organization of American States, the OSCE, as well as to the Atlantic Council, the Foreign Service Institute, and U.S. military war colleges. He has written widely, including for USA Today, the Washington Post, Foreign Policy, TIME, CNN, Newsweek, RealClearPolitics, the Times of London, the Harvard Human Rights Journal, the Yale Journal of International Affairs, the Small Wars Journal, and others. ​During his 25-year career of service, Knox has also worked at the U.S. Institute of Peace, the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission), the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), AmeriCorps VISTA, and the U.S. Army War College as an Adjunct Research Professor. In addition, from 2004-2012, he was a State Department appointee to the OSCE Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief. He was also a finalist to serve as the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Originally from Kentucky, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown College, a Juris Doctorate (cum laude) from American University’s Washington College of Law, and a Master’s in International Affairs from the School of International Service at American University. In addition, he studied at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland. Guest’s Books:  International Religious Freedom Advocacy: A Guide to Organizations, Law and NGOs (2009), Ending Persecution: Charting the Path to Global Religious Freedom(2024) The post The Way Home Podcast: Knox Thames on the Foreign Policy and Religious Freedom appeared first on Daniel Darling.

The Way Home Podcast returns from hiatus! Today, we have Eric Patterson on The Way Home Podcast! Dr. Eric Patterson is a former Deam at Regent University in Virginia and is the current President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and Eric discuss the history of communism as well as the history of state power, what the Bible says regarding this issue, and what this has to do with Just War Theory in foreign policy. If you want to better understand the biblical basis of state power and its implications for Just War Theory, and how these things should influence how they think about and approach their government’s involvement in wars and peacekeeping around the globe, then this episode is for you! Show Notes Eric Patterson: Dr. Eric Patterson is President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. A foreign policy expert and long-time fighter of totalitarianism, Dr. Patterson previously served as President of the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI), where he led the organization’s efforts to advocate for religious liberty around the world through training and educational programs for students, teachers, public officials, and other audiences. Prior to RFI, Dr. Patterson was a university dean and professor. His government experience includes service as a White House Fellow, at the U.S. Department of State, and, for over 20 years, as an Air National Guard commander. He is an active scholar on the moral dimensions of national security and international affairs, as well as author of over 20 books. Guest’s Books: Basic Guide to the Just War Tradition: Christian Foundations and Practices(2023), Just War and Christian Traditions (2022),  Just American Wars: Ethical Dilemmas in U.S. Military History (War, Conflict and Ethics) (2018)  The post The Way Home Podcast: Eric Patterson on the Foreign Policy and Just War appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have Rhyne Putman on The Way Home Podcast! Dr. Rhyne R. Putman is associate vice president of academic affairs at Williams Baptist University and professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and Rhyne discuss the importance of maintaining the virgin birth in our belief system, understanding the doctrine to the best of our ability and Dr. Putman’s new book Conceived by the Holy Spirit: The Virgin Birth in Scripture and Theology. If you want to better appreciate the importance of the immaculate conception of our Lord, the implications it has for Christian theology and life, or simply want to know more about Rhyne Putman’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes Rhyne Putman: Dr. Rhyne R. Putman is Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of Worldview Formation at Williams Baptist University and professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has a PhD, from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His specialties include Systematic Theology, Philosophy of Religion, and Philosophical Hermeneutics. Instagram: @rhyneputman Twitter/X: @rhyneputman Guest’s Books: When Doctrine Divides the People of God: An Evangelical Approach to Theological Diversity(2020), The Method of Christian Theology: A Basic Introduction(2021), Conceived by the Holy Spirit: The Virgin Birth in Scripture and Theology(2024), The post The Way Home Podcast: Rhyne Putman on the Importance of the Virgin Birth appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have David Platt on The Way Home Podcast! David Platt is the Founder of Radical, an organization that promotes missions and discipleship at home and abroad. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and David discuss the importance of reaching the unreached, while maintaining the gospel back home for our neighbors and the nations coming to our backyard, and the importance for every Christian to embrace their Great Commission calling. If you want to know how to understand our Christ-given call to missions, to better understand where the need for the gospel is worldwide, or simply want to know more about David Platt’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes David Platt: David Platt served for four years at the president of the International Mission Board. He currently serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Radical, an organization that helps people follow Jesus and make him known in their neighborhood and all nations. David received his B.A. from the University of Georgia and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children. Instagram: @plattdavid_ Guest’s Twitter/X: @plattdavid Guest’s Books: Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream (2010), What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said Follow Me? (2013), A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture in a World of Sexual Immorality (Counter Culture Booklets) (2015) , Something Needs to Change: An Urgent Call to Make Your Life Count(2021), Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully (2023) The post The Way Home Podcast: David Platt on Reaching the Nations in the Global Age appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have Chris Crawford on The Way Home Podcast! Chris Crawford is a policy strategist at Protect Democracy. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and Chris discuss the institutional heritage of America, the importance of free and fair elections for religious freedom and Christian values, and how to defend and promote democracy moving forward. If you want to know the unique history of and how to support our God-given institutions, regain confidence in our electoral process, how to support our democracy at the community level, or simply want to know more about Chris Crawford’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes Chris Crawford: Chris Crawford is a policy strategist at Protect Democracy. His work is focused on ensuring free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power, including staffing the National Task Force on Election Crises and managing the Faith in Elections Playbook. Chris worked on Protect Democracy’s team that successfully advocated for reforms to the Electoral Count Act. Chris began his career at Susan B. Anthony List (Now Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America), the nation’s largest pro-life political organization. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from The George Washington U. Guest’s Twitter/X: @crawfordstuff Guest’s Work: As Featured in Protect Democracy.org The post The Way Home Podcast: Chris Crawford on Elections and Civic Duty appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have Lucy S. R. Austen on The Way Home Podcast! Lucy Austen is the author of a new biography Elisabeth Elliot: A Life (2023). If you want to learn more about the inspiring yet deeply human Elisabeth Elliot, the task to find sources on the woman of faith behind the legend, and more on Lucy Austen’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes Lucy S. R. Austen: Lucy S. R. Austen(BA, University of Washington) is a writer, editor, and teacher who has spent over a decade studying source materials on Elisabeth Elliot. She has served on the editorial staff of the Spring Hill Review, contributed to various publications, and developed two high school English textbooks on prominent Christian authors. S. R. Austen lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and children. Guest’s Social Media:  Twitter/X: @LucySRAusten Facebook: Lucy S. R. Austen Guest’s Book: Elisabeth Elliot: A Life (2023) The post The Way Home Podcast: Lucy S. R. Austen on Elisabeth Elliot appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have Timmothy S. Goeglein on The Way Home Podcast! Tim served as the deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and currently serves as the vice president of external relations at Focus on the Family and serves as a senior fellow at The King’s College. Today on The Way Home Podcast, we discuss American History and its preservation, how to engage in patriotism and citizenship Christianly, and Goeglein’s new book Toward a More Perfect Union: The Moral and Cultural Case for Teaching the Great American Story. If you want to learn more about how to navigate and preserve America’s history Christianly or simply learn more about Tim Goeglein’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes Tim Goegelin: Tim Goeglein is Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry and nonprofit organization, in addition to serving as senior fellow at The King’s College. Formerly, he served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and as a deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. He was the President’s principal outreach contact for conservative and faith-based groups. Moreover, Goeglein advanced Bush’s brand of “compassionate conservatism” by helping to establish the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Tim’s extensive resumé includes serving as a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation and as a communications director for U.S. Senator Dan Coats of Indiana and Gary Bauer at the Campaign for Working Families. Tim has authored a memoir, The Man in the Middle: Faith and Politics in the George W. Bush Era. He and his wife, Jenny, have two sons. Guest’s Books: The Man in the Middle: An Inside Account of Faith and Politics in the George W. Bush Era(2011), American Restoration: How Faith, Family, and Personal Sacrifice Can Heal Our Nation(2019), Toward a More Perfect Union: The Moral and Cultural Case for Teaching the Great American Story(2023) The post The Way Home Podcast: Tim Goeglein on American History and Christian Patriotism appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have Dr. John F. Kilner on The Way Home Podcast! John Kilner is the recently retired Franklin Forman Chair of Ethics in Deerfield, Illinois. He is the author, contributor, and editor to over 20 books and has contributed to and written in many mainstream publications. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and John discuss Christianity’s relationship to Bioethics through the lens of the image of God and innate human dignity.  If you want to learn more about, or simply learn more about Dr. Kilner’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes John Kilner: Is the former Franklin Forman Chair of Ethics, Professor of Bioethics and Contemporary Culture, and the Director of Bioethics Degree Programs at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. From the 1994 founding of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity until 2005, Dr. Kilner served as the Center’s President and CEO. He presently serves as an Emeritus Fellow in the Academy of Fellows of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity. A frequent speaker and seminar leader, he most commonly addresses issues related to resource allocation, age-based and other forms of rationing, treatment termination, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, human cloning, assisted reproduction, genetic intervention, stem cell research, ethical methodology, cultural values, and social change. Guest’s Social Media:  Twitter/X: @johnkilner Facebook: John Kilner Guest’s Books: Why the Church Needs Bioethics: A Guide to Wise Engagement with Life’s Challenges(2011), Dignity and Destiny: Humanity in the Image of God(2015), Why People Matter: A Christian Engagement with Rival Views of Human Significance (2017). The post The Way Home Podcast: John Kilner On Christian Bioethics appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have Dr. David S. Dockery on The Way Home Podcast! David S. Dockery is the 10th President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as Distinguished Professor of Theology, Executive Editor of the Southwestern Journal of Theology, and Director of the Dockery Center for Global Evangelical Theology. He is regarded as one of the most recognized leaders and senior statesmen in the world of Christian higher education. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and David discuss the history and future of Christian Education, and how Christians are poised to shape the future of higher education. We also discuss David’s new book, Special Revelation and Scripture (Theology for the People of God)(2024), and his long history as a preeminent scholar of the doctrine of inerrancy. If you want to learn more about Christians in higher education, or simply learn more about President Dockery’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes David S. Dockery: Prior to his service at Southwestern, Dockery served as the 15th President of Union University for nearly two decades during which time the enrollment more than doubled, the net assets of the institution more than tripled, the budget quadrupled, and Union vaulted to a place of national leadership in Christian higher education. Union experienced 16 straight years of enrollment increases while seeing the number of donors to the institution nearly triple. Much of this took place in response to the strategic implementation of four distinctive and far-reaching institutional plans, which included the major development and renovation of the campus while surpassing the goal of a $100 million comprehensive campaign. Dockery also helped to guide Union’s response and recovery in 2008 to an EF-4 tornado, one of the largest natural disasters ever to hit an American university campus. Following his years of service as President and University Professor of Christian Thought and Tradition, Dockery was named President Emeritus. He also served for more than five years as the 15th President of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School before the institution named him honorary Chancellor and Professor of Christianity and Culture. He previously served as the Chief Academic Officer at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also held a tenured faculty position in theology and New Testament. He has also served as a visiting or affiliate faculty member at a number of institutions. Dockery has served as President of the Evangelical Theological Society and as Board Chair for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. In addition, he has served as Chair of the Consortium for Global Education and the Christian College Consortium. He is the only person to ever serve in this combination of leadership positions. Dockery currently serves as President of the International Alliance for Christian Education.   Guest’s Content: Christian Higher Education: Faith, Teaching, and Learning in the Evangelical Tradition(2018), Christian Worldview Handbook(2019), What Does It Mean to Be a Thoughtful Christian? (Questions for Restless Minds)(2022), Special Revelation and Scripture (Theology for the People of God)(2024) As you move toward the cross this Lenten season, check out my book The Characters of Easter.  The post The Way Home Podcast: David Dockery On the History and Future of Christian Education appeared first on Daniel Darling.

Today, we have David Bahnsen on The Way Home Podcast! Bahnsen is the Founder, Managing Partner, and CIO of The Bahnsen Group. He is also a contributor to Forbes and a scholar with the Acton Institute. Today on The Way Home Podcast, Dan and David discuss the Christian’s role in business and the secular sphere, and how the Kingdom of God extends beyond the pew and pulpit. We also discuss David’s new book, Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life.. If you want to learn more about Christian economic activity, or simply learn more about David Bahnsen’s work, then this episode is for you! Show Notes David L. Bahnsen: Is the Founder, Managing Partner, and CIO of The Bahnsen Group. Prior to launching The Bahnsen Group, he spent eight years as a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and six years as a Vice President at UBS.  He is consistently named one of the top financial advisors in America by Barron’s, Forbes, and the Financial Times. He is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox News, and Fox Business, and is a regular contributor to National Review.  He hosts the popular weekly podcast, Capital Record, dedicated to a defense of free enterprise and capital markets.  He is a regular lecturer for the Acton Institute and the Center for Cultural Leadership. David is a founding Trustee for Pacifica Christian High School of Orange County and serves on the Board of Directors for the Acton Institute. David’s true passions include anything related to USC football, the financial markets, politics, and Chinese food. His ultimate passions are his wife of 22+ years, Joleen, their children, Mitchell, Sadie, and Graham, and the life they’ve created together on both coasts. Guest’s Content: Podcasts, Crisis of Responsibility: Our Cultural Addiction to Blame and How You Can Cure It (2019), There’s No Free Lunch: 250 Economic Truths(2021), Mis-Inflation: The Truth about Inflation, Pricing, and the Creation of Wealth(2022), Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life(2024) Facebook: David Bhansen Instagram: @davidlbhansen Twitter/X: @DavidBhansen As you move toward the cross this Lenten season, check out my book The Characters of Easter.  The post The Way Home Podcast: David Bhansen On the Christian Role in Secular Life appeared first on Daniel Darling.