The Good Citizen Podcast

Freedom of speech is a key right that is fundamental to the American experiment, but is under deep scrutiny and even attack these days. For example, a high school recently shut down a pro-life club for being too “political.” And, last year, we heard from Julia Barley and Professor John Hill on the troubling state of free speech on–of all places–the law school campus. In this episode, I walk through the events leading to a student, E.D., filing a lawsuit against Noblesville High School in Indiana for derecognizing a Students for Life club because of the pro-life messages on the group’s flyers. The federal district court, unfortunately, ruled against E.D.; and her attorneys filed an appeal with the 7th Circuit. I filed an amicus brief in support of E.D. earlier this week on behalf of Students for Life of America (SFLA), Young America’s Foundation (YAF), and Indiana Family Institute, and I explain (in this episode) the free speech violations SFLA and YAF have experienced around the country. All of this led me to a few reflections on what free speech costs–and what it will cost us if we intend to preserve this freedom for the next generation. Free speech costs: Our Silence Our Silos Our Censure Key Takeaways: Link to the case page and court documents in E.D. v. Noblesville School District. Link to the freshman survey. While only 1 out of 4 students wanted to ban “extreme” speakers during the 1970s and 1980s, the majority wanted to do so in 2019. We have the right to remain silent but the responsibility to speak up. The idea of being a surgeon rather than a butcher. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer We should defer on preferences but defend our principles. The post #333 What Free Speech Costs first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Does Trump’s felony conviction in the business records case in New York change the moral analysis about Trump? How should Christian citizens think through this case and the moral and political implications? Here are four reflections: Trump’s character (or lack thereof) matters. This case was a novel and questionable legal experiment. This legal conviction does not significantly change the moral equation. The Constitution is creaking. Notes: A link to New York Penal Code 175.10. Correction: Eugene Debs, not W.E.B Du Bois, ran for President from a prison cell while charged with violating the Sedition Act. W.E.B. Du Bois was a civil rights activist who led the Niagara Movement and later helped form the NAACP. Article on the Appellate Division serving as the “13th Juror” in New York criminal cases. In 2022, the first year Alvin Bragg served as Manhattan district attorney, his staff downgraded 52% of felonies that were screened to misdemeanors, an increase from prior years. The post #332 Thoughts on Trump’s Conviction first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

June is just around the corner, and I often receive questions about how Christians should respond to Pride Month. Here are three thoughts. Also, the culture war in the United States has, to a large degree, been a contest between the religious right and a more secular left. No movement is a monolith, and this does not tell the whole story of the struggle for the soul of America. But the religious right/secular left divide has generally and accurately characterized American public life for some time. That is changing now with the rise (or, perhaps, resurgence; see comments below) of the religious left. Here is an analysis of this development and what it means for Christian citizenship moving forward. The religious left is not new. The religious left is rising. The religious left is curious. The religious left leaves us with a choice. Key takeaways: General definitions of the religious right and the religious left. Examples of the religious left, such as Senator Raphael Warnock and President Biden and why they fall into this category. Senator Warnock’s Easter tweet: “The meaning of Easter is more transcendent than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether you are Christian or not, through a commitment to helping others we are able to save ourselves.” President Biden’s statement on the Transgender Day of Visibility, “We want [transgender people] to know that we see you just as you are: Made in the image of God and deserving of dignity, respect, and support.” The verse he is referencing there: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27. The curious dissonance of a movement that has long argued for separation of church and state but now argues that God supports progressive causes. An observation to think about: conservative churches argue over whether or not a Christian flag belongs on the church stage while progressive churches put rainbow flags on their church signs. What this mean’s for the church’s role of conscience in public life and why pastors need to speak up. America’s future may be less secular, but it does not mean it will be more Christian (without our involvement). The post #331 How to Respond to Pride Month; The Curious Rise of the Religious Left (Revisited) first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

At the end of Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were expelled from Antioch of Pisidia; so, they decided to take a break at a seaside resort to reconsider their ministry strategy. Actually, they just shook off the dust of their feet and moved on to Iconium to, you guessed it, preach the gospel. In Acts 14, Barnabas and Paul’s raging fans from Antioch stir up the people of Iconium, leading to a departure to Lystra. There Paul heals a lame man, and Barnabas and Paul suddenly find themselves the object of worship and then a stoning (that took a dark turn quite quickly!). A fascinating myth in Lystra’s histroy plays into events of the chapter, and Paul and Barnabas conclude their missionary journey with a tour back through the churches and a report to their commissioning church in Antioch. 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: Raging Fans The True Myth The Tribulation Tour Key Takeaways: The remarkable story of how God is using Shodankeh Johnson. How to be a worship deflector. Paul as apologist and how he reached people right where they were. A fascinating Lystran myth that plays into the story. Reflections on how God has witnessed to the nations throughout history. Did Paul go to the third heavan when he was stoned at Lystra? Why suffering is a feature, not a flaw of the Christian life. The post #330 The Acts, Chapter 14 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Drug addiction has reached epidemic levels in the United States and is impacting cities and families from the inner city to the suburbs. What are the latest trends in this epidemic? And how are ministries responding as churchgoers report rates of addiction as high as the general population? In this conversation, I spoke with Dan Johnson from The NewDay Center about his ministry’s response and the developing challenges and opportunities in addiction recovery. Dan Johnson (BA, MA) serves as NewDay’s Founder and President. In his role, Dan oversees NewDay’s vision, values, and curriculum. Dan regularly shares NewDay’s story with church, business, and government leaders. Before beginning NewDay, Dan served as a pastor for over 20 years. Since formally establishing NewDay in 2007, Dan has worked with hundreds of individuals and families grappling with substance abuse and addiction. He is also the author of 6 books. Key Takeaways: The remarkable story and model of The NewDay Center. An explanation of two primary ministry philosophies/models in the addiction recovery space. The challenge of readily available marijuana (much more potent that even before) as a gateway drug. The startling statistic that substance abuse rates are similar among people that attend church and the general population. Also, a sober reminder that addiction impacts every zip code and tax bracket. Why small groups are critical in helping those struggling with addiction in our churches or communities. A preview of the small group resources available for churches in NewDay’s Resource Center. Also, NewDay is available to equip church leaders and committed Christians in addiction recovery ministry. How Christian ministries are creating ministry pipelines to assist individuals from detox to discipleship to mentorship to employment and reintegration into family and church. How you and your church can help. The post #329 A New Day in Addiction Recovery with Dan Johnson first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.