The Good Citizen Podcast

Today marks the 60th time Americans have gone to the polls to elect a president. The stakes and emotions are high; and, as I discussed at length in the episode last week entitled Jethro’s Voting Guide – 2024 Edition, Christians should engage their role as citizen and vote according to Biblical principles to promote the created order. Why? Because this will lead to flourishing for us and our neighbors. Much is on the line today, and here are four important reminders for Christian citizens as we experience election day and process the results: This election is very important. This election isn’t ultimate (and this eternal perspective can help us process and remain engaged no matter the outcome). This isn’t the last election (and we need to think long-term). So, go vote and pray. The post #350 4 Reminders for Election Day first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

The 2024 Presidential election is just one week away; and here is our “roundup” episode on the election, voting, and Christian citizenship after the election is decided. This includes a review of Biblical principles concerning voting; a brief moral and practical analysis of the various positions I have heard over the last few months (and a reminder to vote your conscience); and an encouragement to be the centered (in Christ), courageous, and compassionate citizen in your sphere of influence before and after the election. Moses’ father-in-law, named Jethro, encouraged Moses to consider four criteria as he selected civic leaders. And his list of qualifications–what I have termed “Jethro’s Voting Guide”–can assist us in the complicated moral exercise of voting for civic officials in the United States. Four qualifications for government officials according to Exodus 18:21: Competence Morality Honesty Financial Integrity Questions we address: Should Christians engage in the two-party system? Do all Christians vote the same way? Can a person be a Christian and vote for the party you oppose? What about voting third party or not voting at all? What is the most pressing moral issue in public life? How should pastors address election season? What about voter guides? What happens if the election is undecided for days or even weeks? Resources mentioned in the episode: Church Resource Toolkit ivoterguide.com https://www.transparencyusa.org/ Link to graph showing political engagement by denomination or network. Link to full blog post. The post #349 Jethro’s Voting Guide – 2024 Edition first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Dr. Albert Mohler produces a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview entitled The Briefing, and I greatly appreciate that podcast and his consistent voice in public life. In this recent interview with Dr. Mohler, we discussed the following key questions (and more) facing Christians this election season: How should Christians analyze the 2024 presidential election, especially given the Republican party’s backpedal on the life issue? Why (and how) should Christians be sober about the implications of this election but also hopeful about the future? How should Christian institutions become and remain resilient in the face of cultural pressure? Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world. In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two podcasts: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also serves as the editor of WORLD Opinions, writing regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview. Key Takeaways: How to build and maintain resilient ministries. What led him to start The Briefing and to speak into public life. The books or works he recommends if Christians and especially church leaders want to better understand American government. A moral analysis of the 2024 election season and how Christians should engage. Why he is hopeful about the future of the Christian church and the United States. The post #348 A Briefing on Christian Citizenship for the 2024 Election Season with Dr. Albert Mohler first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

The 2024 presidential election is now just three weeks away, and the rhetoric and pressure is ratcheting up. In the midst of this election cycle, how should Christians respond? How can our commitment to truth, our love for one another and our neighbors, and our sense of hope and certainty be a witness to our communities? In this episode, Dan Darling walks through his recent book and recommendations for Christian citizens as they navigate election season. Daniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He is the Director of the Land Center and holds a faculty role at Southwestern Baptist Seminary and Texas Baptist College, and he previously served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Dan is an award–winning writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications. He is a columnist for World magazine and a regular contributor to USA Today. Dan’s work is often featured in Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition and his op-eds have appeared in The Washington Post, CNN, Washington Times, Time, Huffington Post, National Review, First Things, and other leading outlets. Key Takeaways: Link to his book Agents of Grace: How to Bridge Divides and Love as Jesus Loved Link to the Land Center for Cultural Engagement How to address conflict in the church and in our communities. The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Why our tone and approach still matter. Thoughts on patriotism and a healthy love of country. How to be a source of hope and strength while engaging in the public square. The post #347 How to be Agents of Grace during Election Season with Dan Darling first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Our sense of identity or who we perceive ourselves to be is at the core of key cultural and political controversies this election season. In this episode, John Stonestreet explains why these issues are first about identity then about morality; introduces the Identity Project, a new resource to assist Christians in answering common questions and objections; and spells out why a Biblical worldview is critical for the American future. Key takeaways: Reflections on Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” John sets out three leading interpretations of this passage and what it means for us. A link to the Identity Project, and why Christians should use these resources from thought leaders and other experts. A link to Breakpoint, a commentary on cultural events from a Christian worldview. A link to What Would You Say?, a series of practical videos that equip you to answer common questions and objections. The post #346 The Identity Project and Why Biblical Worldview is Critical for the American Future first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

In Acts 17, the early church’s proclamation of Christ as King “…turns the world upside down” as it challenges Caesar’s claim of ultimate allegiance and loyalty. Then, Paul visits Athens; ends up on trial (big surprise); and sets out a masterclass on cultural apologetics, touches on the eternal purposes of God concerning humanity and even nations, and shows the hubris of man’s knowledge and self-worship. And his words echo with profound lessons for our own culture and times. Big Idea: The early church carried the gospel throughout the known world in approximately 30 years and transformed an empire in 3 centuries. Now the church seems intimidated, uncertain amidst swift cultural changes. So, what did the early Christians, commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do that we are not doing? Here are their Acts, and may they inspire our own. Outline: An Upside-Down World Be a Berean A Superior Philosophy Key Takeaways/Lessons: Is your allegiance clear? Be a Berean. Be ready for Mars’ Hill. God is near. Are you turning your world upside down? The post #345 Acts 17 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Artificial Intelligence is quickly changing how we we work, create, lead, and even govern. What does this mean for church leaders and other committed Christians? Where is this technology headed, and what are the challenges and opportunities for the church? In part 1 of this 2-episode discussion with Christopher Teeter (a technology futurist), we walked through current trends and challenges concerning AI. And, in this episode, we discuss opportunities created by this technology (part 2). Key Takeaways: Where this technology is headed and why church leaders and other committed Christians should care about it. A discussion about Bible translation opportunities and an example of a church using AI to live translate its services into numerous languages. How AI can assist in sermon prep and spiritual formation. The future of education, as assisted by tools like Khan Academy. A discussion about digital twinning and using AI to process grief. Are there limits to this? How AI can be used for the purpose of evangelism. How Christians can influence the AI revolution for good by advocating for human dignity, preventing model poisoning, and responding to the crisis of meaning. The post #344 The Church and Artificial Intelligence, Part 2: Opportunities with Christopher Teeter first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Artificial Intelligence is quickly changing how we we work, create, lead, and even govern. What does this mean for church leaders and other committed Christians? Where is this technology headed, and what are the challenges and opportunities for the church? In this 2-episode discussion with Christopher Teeter (a technology futurist), we walk through current trends and challenges concerning AI (part 1) and then opportunities created by this technology (part 2). Key Takeaways: A discussion about this quote: “You will not be replaced by AI, but you will be replaced by a human using AI.” A brief review of the church’s history with technology and what we can learn from it. Definitions of some key terms such as artificial intelligence, Turing test, machine learning, and artificial general intelligence. Where this technology is headed and why church leaders and other committed Christians should care about it. Transhumanism and confusion of AI assisted robots created to look like humans. Geofencing, facial recognition, and the social credit system used to control humans and tamp down on freedoms, including religious freedom. Video games/metaverse as an alternate reality and AI-generated pornography. SIngularity? How Christians should think through and respond to this technology. The post #343 The Church and Artificial Intelligence, Part 1: Current Trends and Challenges with Christopher Teeter first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Over the last few months, I have received a number of questions about Andy Stanley’s book Not In It to Win It: Why Choosing Sides Sidelines the Church and the general approach to public life the book recommends. Here is a review of that book and why I believe our Christian citizenship compels us to engage in the public square rather than sit on the sidelines. Summary: Not In It to Win It is largely a call to avoid the public square lest we jeopardize our gospel witness. In essence, we should sit on the sidelines (continuing the author’s analogy) in public life because we can’t engage politics without wearing the jersey of one of the teams and playing the game according to the parties’ playbook. But we are not called to sit on the sidelines. We should get in the game, but we should wear Christ’s jersey and play according to His playbook and for His glory. Let’s be model players instead of silent spectators. Positive Points: The church’s mission is the Great Commission. Our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and not a political party or candidate. We should distinguish between God’s covenant with Israel and the United States. Questions: What about the Great Commission’s command to make disciples? What about government as a God-ordained institution and our role as citizen? What about the church’s role as conscience? What about Christ as King? A few key quotes from the book: “The moment we step into a ring that requires someone to lose in order for us to win, we are no longer followers of Jesus.” “The moment our love or concern for country takes precedence over our love for the people in our country, we are off mission. When saving America diverts energy, focus, and reputation away from saving Americans, we no longer qualify as the ekklesia of Jesus. We’re merely political tools. A manipulated voting demographic. A photo op. Again, we lose our elevated position as the conscience of the nation. We give up the moral and ethical high ground.” “When Christianity is reduced to belief, we lose our voice…By reducing Christianity to a pagan bifurcation of sacred and secular, we’ve abandoned our opportunity – our responsibility – to serve as the conscience of the nation.” “Our ultimate allegiance is to a King who came to reverse the order of things – the king who rather than requiring his subjects to die for him, died for them instead.” The post #342 Don’t Sit on the Sidelines: My Review of Andy Stanley’s Book Not In It to Win It first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Have you ever puzzled over God’s guidance or even silence concerning next steps in your life? In Acts 16, none other than the Apostle Paul walks through such a time of waiting and demonstrates how to respond. He also answers the Macedonian call, leads a businesswoman to Christ, casts out a demon, and uses his Roman citizenship to protect the young church at Phillipi. Here are some key lessons from this remarkable chapter. Big Idea: The early church carried the gospel throughout the known world in approximately 30 years and transformed an empire in 3 centuries. Now the church seems intimidated, uncertain amidst swift cultural changes. So, what did the early Christians, commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do that we are not doing? Here are their Acts, and may they inspire our own. Outline: Paul’s Protege The Mysterious Directions A Gospel Expedition A Great Quake Key Takeaways: Don’t do ministry alone. Trust in the go and the no. Praise God at midnight. The post #341 The Acts, Chapter 16 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.