

The Bad Roman
Craig Harguess
Are you a Christian who feels disillusioned by politics?
Do you see political systems—whether democratic, authoritarian, or otherwise—promising change but often leaving you unfulfilled? As followers of Christ, our calling isn’t tied to any earthly power; it’s to live like Jesus, no matter the political landscape.
On this podcast, we explore what it means to set aside man-made allegiances—be they national, partisan, or ideological—and instead take up the Cross. Host Craig Harguess, a former neoconservative Southern Baptist Republican turned pacifist and Christian Voluntaryist, delves into the complex relationship between faith and political power. Through conversations with everyday Christians, church leaders, and even non-Christians, we challenge the ways politics can distract us from God’s work. True change starts where we are—because when we live like Christ, the world around us shifts, regardless of who holds power.
New episodes release bi-weekly.
Learn more at www.thebadroman.com.
Do you see political systems—whether democratic, authoritarian, or otherwise—promising change but often leaving you unfulfilled? As followers of Christ, our calling isn’t tied to any earthly power; it’s to live like Jesus, no matter the political landscape.
On this podcast, we explore what it means to set aside man-made allegiances—be they national, partisan, or ideological—and instead take up the Cross. Host Craig Harguess, a former neoconservative Southern Baptist Republican turned pacifist and Christian Voluntaryist, delves into the complex relationship between faith and political power. Through conversations with everyday Christians, church leaders, and even non-Christians, we challenge the ways politics can distract us from God’s work. True change starts where we are—because when we live like Christ, the world around us shifts, regardless of who holds power.
New episodes release bi-weekly.
Learn more at www.thebadroman.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 31, 2020 • 1h 54min
All Things 2020 - Year End Round Table
In the final episode of 2020, we look at the year in review. From sports and celebrity deaths to Coronavirus and lockdowns, tune in to hear nine Christian Anarchists/Voluntaryist make sense of this year and what we can learn from it, both as Christians and Anarchist, moving into the New Year.
For show notes and to learn more about this week's guests please visit thebadroman.com/episodes
Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for news, memes & updates!
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Dec 17, 2020 • 1h 1min
Loving God with Your Mind with Mark Kreslins
In the episode, Mark Kreslins takes us through his pursuit of loving God with his mind and how this path leads us to see anarchism/voluntaryism as our fundamental state. What does this entail? Understanding the Gospel through God's words rather than the allure of experientialism. Mark invites us to rediscover the importance of exegesis and hermeneutics in bringing God's word to life for 21st-century minds.
Mark is the principle writer for Love God with your Mind and considers himself but a humble sinner saved by the grace of God. He has an extensive background in politics having previously worked for two “conservative” GOP Members of Congress. He had an insider's view of the evil and corruption in Washington D.C. and understands the solution to the mess there. (Bio Lifted from Mark’s site)
For show notes and to learn more about this week's guest please visit thebadroman.com/episodes
Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for news, memes & updates!
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Dec 3, 2020 • 40min
Faith vs. Politics: War of Christ with John Dangelo
In this episode of the Bad Roman Podcast, Marine Corps veteran and former atheist, John Dangelo joins Craig for a conversation on the disconnect between what the state does and it’s compatibility with living how Christ calls us to live. They explore themes of war, contemporary progressivism, and how Christians on the right and left have forgotten how to separate politics from faith.
For show notes and to learn more about this week's guest please visit thebadroman.com/episodes
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Nov 19, 2020 • 1h 8min
Mental Health & The Impacts of a Pandemic - TJ’s Story
In this special episode of the Bad Roman Podcast, John Dangelo, Scott Goldman, and Nicholas Harrelson join Craig to help us understand more about addiction. This episode is dedicated to TJ, Craig’s brother who recently passed away and we hope by sharing his story will help at least one person find some light in a dark place.
Addiction and mental illness touch everyone’s family in some shape or form. If you or someone you know love is struggling we encourage you to seek help. In the show notes, you will find a list of resources to help you or your loved one.
To learn more about this week's guest and for full show notes please visit thebadroman.com/shownotes
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Nov 5, 2020 • 1h 8min
Critical Christian Thinking with Kerry Baldwin
In this episode, Kerry Baldwin is back to talk about her new courses designed to help people of all ages become critical, reflective, thinkers and why this lost skill is becoming more and more crucial. Craig and Kerry begin their conversation by taking a look at how both the public’s and the government's responses to COVID-19 have shifted since April.
They next dive into Kerry’s course where we are invited to reconsider how we think about thinking, learning, and what actually is wisdom? This episode is not about answers, rather it is a beacon to the importance of crafting the question to precede any answer.
To learn more about this week's guest and to find show notes please visit thebadroman.com/shownotes
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Oct 22, 2020 • 46min
If You Vote You Can’t Complain with Patrick Carroll
In this episode, Craig speaks with Patrick Carroll about his article If You Vote You Can’t Complain. Their discussion explores topics on suffrage in Canada and the United States and possible answers to why voters seem to be growing more and more apathetic to participating in the democratic system.
They explore the problem with “defensive voting” and how it may not be disrespectful to the past to refrain from casting your ballot every 2-4 years. In the midst of a Presidential Election in the US, this episode is an offering to listeners to consider what a vote is, who gives you that right, and who’s Kingdom you may be endorsing by participating in a system that upholds its power through force.
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
To learn more about this week's guest and for full show notes please visit thebadroman.com/shownotes

Oct 8, 2020 • 60min
Misplaced Hope: Political Idealization among American Christians with Benje Graves
In this episode, Craig speaks with Pastor Benje Graves of Vision Community Church in Marsing, Idaho about the strong adherence to the Republican Party among Christians and what that says about where those Christian’s hope may lie. Graves shares stories of his experience in working to get his congregation to see the same entanglement in government affairs that this show seeks to explore and expose.
We hope this episode is an invitation for conservatives to explore how showing up as a Christian does not mean showing up to endorse any political party, a modern-day call for a King, but rather Jesus’s life and teachings challenge us to remain on the margins of society in order to live out the Gospel. When we understand what it means to be a part of the Kingdom of God, we can begin to release the fear that too often draws us away from our divine calling. We must not forget that, if we call ourselves Christians, our allegiance is not to a finite and man-made nation but to the infinite Kingdom of Heaven. #NoKingbutChrist is a call to faith, a call away from the broken systems of the world that too often pull us away from living a life in the image of Christ.
To learn more about this week's guest and for full show notes please visit thebadroman.com/shownotes
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Sep 28, 2020 • 1h 11min
Fight like a Christian with Keith Giles & Jason G. Porterfield
Would early Christians recognize the behavior of today’s Christians? In this episode, Craig is joined by authors Keith Giles and Jason G. Porterfield for a conversation on how the early church understood our affiliations to the state, the poor, and violence.
What events and leaders have contributed to the modern Christian’s entanglement and increasing fascination with the state. How do we move through the world with Christ at the center, bearing no flag but carrying our cross, while being thrust into the affairs of the state from infancy? This episode invites us to ask questions of allegiance, based on the premise that following Christ was, and should remain, a radical act, a difficult call to answer. If we are truly citizens in the Kingdom of God, what place does any modern government have in our lives? With Jesus as our compass, we can build the beloved community; our fight is nonviolent and the weapons are spiritual which is why we invite you to be radical, to be a Bad Roman, to show the world what it means to love your enemies, to help the world experience the love of Christ.
To learn more about this week's guests and for full show notes please visit thebadroman.com/shownotes
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Sep 10, 2020 • 1h 18min
Put Your Mask On & Be a Good Roman? - (Christian) Anarchist Round Table #3
For our third round table, Jason Mock, Scott Goldman, Nathan Chavoya, and Nicholas Harrelson join Craig to share their opinions on two main ideas. The first question comes from a Facebook fan message and is on where our obedience to Christ lays, he asks if “sometimes to be Christian, it meant you had had to be a good Roman”? Secondly, the Round Table takes a look at mandating masks in addition to exploring where identity is derived when we come to understand the Gospel.
Want to be a part of the next round table? Leave us a voice message of your question or comment and your question could be on the next Bad Roman Round Table.
To learn more about The Bad Roman Project and for full show notes please visit thebadroman.com/episodes.
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Aug 27, 2020 • 31min
The Myth of the Christian Nation #AmbassadorsForChrist with Bruxy Cavey
Should Christians be involved in affairs of the state? Do taxes make us responsible and complicit for the sins of a nation? In this episode Craig speaks with Bruxy Cavey, pastor at The Meeting House Church in Canada. The conversation was sparked by a video Bruxy made explaining the separation of Church and State as an actual separation. They explore the importance of reading Romans 12 before Romans 13, how pacifism is not equivalent to inaction, and how we might go about “planting a pebbles in people’s shoes.”
To learn more about Bruxy, read his writing and explore his teachings please visit his website bruxy.com!
For full show notes, to learn more about The Bad Roman Project visit thebadroman.com/episodes
No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com
If you have a question about this episode or any previous episodes leave us a voice message or send us an email and your question or comment could be on the next Bad Roman Round Table!