Where is evangelicalism headed? In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines several controversies within evangelical Christianity and the conservative movement, asking what they reveal about the future of the church and the Christian Right.

Topics include allegations of plagiarism against Christian apologist Wesley Huff and his response, Christianity Today's speculation about Elisabeth Elliot's sexuality, Calvary Chapel's controversy over family seating, and Steve Lawson's reported return to pastoral ministry following his moral scandal.

Jon also examines the fallout from the 2026 midterm elections, Nick Fuentes' political strategy, divisions within the Republican coalition, and the future of Christian nationalism. He addresses concerns about the Christ Is King conference and the inclusion of controversial figures such as Alex Jones and Alex Stein.

Throughout the episode, Jon considers the importance of integrity, repentance, sound doctrine, political prudence, and Christian leadership.

What will it take to restore credibility to evangelical Christianity? And what should conservative Christians do in the years ahead?

Subscribe to Conversations That Matter for Christian commentary on theology, politics, culture, and the future of the American church.

0:00 Introduction: Where Is Evangelicalism Headed?

5:35 Wesley Huff's Plagiarism Controversy

13:50 Christianity Today and Elisabeth Elliot's Sexuality

17:00 Should Families Sit Together in Church?

20:10 Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and Women's Ordination

24:00 Steve Lawson's Return to Ministry

30:50 The Crisis of Evangelical Leadership

33:00 Why the Republican Coalition Is Struggling

42:45 Nick Fuentes and the Strategy of Political Defeat

56:30 What Happened to Christian Nationalism?

62:30 The Christ Is King Conference Controversy

73:00 The Future of Evangelicalism and the Christian Right

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What happens when a Christian university begins to abandon the convictions it was founded to uphold?

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris speaks with Point Loma Nazarene University alumni Lidiya Harvey and Isabella Simmons about the growing controversy surrounding the university and what they describe as a broader ideological shift away from its Christian foundations.

Lidiya and Isabella share their experiences at Point Loma, including concerns about progressive ideology in the classroom, university programming, faculty influence, and the treatment of students who object to these developments. They discuss the controversy surrounding the school's response to students who wanted to honor Charlie Kirk following his assassination, troubling statements attributed to university personnel, and the difficulty of getting alumni, donors, and institutional leaders to take these concerns seriously.

They also discuss why they decided to speak publicly, the importance of standing up for Christian convictions, and the responsibility of students and alumni to hold Christian institutions accountable.

Follow the guests and see their material:

Lidiya Harvey on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lidiyaharvey/

Isabella Simmons / For Further Discussion:

https://www.instagram.com/forfurtherdiscussion/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:12 Lidiya Harvey's Experience as a Point Loma Alumna

02:18 The Charlie Kirk Vigil Controversy

05:00 What Is Happening at Point Loma?

06:00 The University's Nazarene and Wesleyan Heritage

08:00 Progressive Ideology and Faculty Influence

10:00 Controversial Programming and the University's Christian Identity

13:00 Is This an Isolated Problem or an Institutional One?

15:00 Students, Faculty, and Evidence of Ideological Drift

17:00 Recordings, Curriculum, and Classroom Concerns

20:00 What the University's Own Materials Reveal

21:00 Alumni, Donors, and Institutional Accountability

24:00 The Charlie Kirk Memorial and Campus Double Standards

27:00 Why Isabella Decided to Speak Out

29:00 Christian Convictions and Lessons from the Soviet Union

34:00 Where Are the Men? Taking Responsibility for Christian Institutions

37:00 The History of Student Protests and Resistance

40:00 Christian Testimony and the Purpose of Christian Education

43:00 Encouraging Students to Speak Up

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If you are a young American man, this message is for you.

You are not going to inherit the same world your father inherited. The economic conditions are different, cultural institutions are increasingly hostile to men, and many young men feel discouraged, overlooked, and uncertain about their futures.

But God has not made a mistake in creating you. He has given men responsibilities, equipped you with particular strengths, and called you to exercise dominion, build families, cultivate communities, and pursue lives of virtue.

In this message, I discuss what Scripture teaches about masculinity, the responsibilities God has given men, and why young men should resist the temptation to become bitter, cynical, or discouraged.

Drawing from Genesis, 1 Timothy 4, Proverbs, and Deuteronomy 20, I offer an encouragement to young men: build your character, pursue purity, develop courage, trust God's providence, and become the kind of men your children and grandchildren will be proud to remember.

You may not be able to control the circumstances you inherit, but you can control what you do with them.

Chapters:

00:00 A Message to Young American Men

00:34 Young Men Who Changed History

01:01 God Has Equipped You

01:41 Why Modern Institutions Blame Men

02:27 God's Design and Responsibility for Men

03:29 The Economic Challenges Facing Young Men

05:33 Think Long Term: What Will You Leave Behind?

06:14 Timothy and the Responsibility of Young Men

07:16 Character, Conduct, Love, Faith, and Purity

09:11 How to Earn Respect and Set an Example

09:55 The Next Generation of Christian Leaders

10:54 Courage and Deuteronomy 20

12:17 The Problem with Cynicism and Political Destruction

13:04 Channeling Masculinity Toward Good Ends

14:02 Build Rather Than Give Up

14:50 Overcoming Discouragement and Bitterness

16:31 Surround Yourself with Constructive People

17:23 Life Is Worth Living, Even in Difficult Times

19:10 Your Generation's Challenges Can Be Overcome

19:48 Choose to Build

20:31 Final Encouragement

Subscribe for more conversations on Christianity, culture, politics, and the future of the church.

Jon Harris

Conversations That Matter

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We’re back live for more post-midterm analysis on Conversations That Matter. Jon Harris pushes back on the popular theory that Republicans would have won if they had catered to young white men and the podcast class. He walks through the exit poll and demographic data, examines why Brandon Gill won in the same Texas county where James Talarico won, and argues that the real issue is a lost moral high ground and the decline of Christianity behind it.

He also reads 1 Kings 22 (Ahab, Jehoshaphat, 400 yes-man prophets and the lone truth-teller Micaiah) to ask whose voice Christians should listen to when everyone on the bandwagon says the same thing.

In this episode:

Why Brandon Gill and Ron DeSantis may point to a way forward

What the NBC exit poll and CIRCLE data say about young people, men and white voters

Whether pro-Trump voters really just stayed home

How Democrats used Christian language to win in red states

What Christians can learn from other groups’ political organizing

Why we’re closer to an “early church” phase than a “Constantine” phase

Practical steps for pastors and everyday believers

Chapters

00:00 Live intro: more post-midterm talk

00:55 Brandon Gill’s win in Denton County

01:22 Scripture: personal sin and national consequences

03:01 1 Kings 22: Ahab, Jehoshaphat and 400 prophets

06:38 Micaiah, the prophet who tells the truth

10:03 Why truth beats conventional political wisdom

12:15 Facts on the ground vs. Christian principles

14:01 Substack: “Is the Right Misleading Young White Men?”

17:45 NBC exit poll numbers

22:37 Did pro-Trump voters just stay home?

24:33 Young white men, CIRCLE data and the Bo French test case

27:41 Denton County: Gill and Talarico both win

30:34 Trump as “king” and the outsider problem

32:00 DeSantis, Gill and distance from the administration

35:51 Three takeaways for the Christian right

38:04 How Republicans lost the moral high ground

40:00 Tariffs, Epstein and the trust gap

42:00 How Democrats used Christian language to win

44:19 The White House X account and messaging missteps

45:35 Muslim voters, CAIR and a “seat at the table”

48:26 Rebuilding Christian communities

49:56 Early church vs. Constantine phase

52:08 Practical steps for church leaders and everyday Christians

56:39 Live chat Q&A: the ballroom, Vance and 2028

59:17 Speaking event: Men’s Steakout, Nov 7–8, Watseka, IL

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Substack referenced: https://jonharris.substack.com/publish/post/223348405

The 2026 midterm elections have delivered a major warning to Republicans and conservatives. What happened, why did it happen, and what does it mean for the future of American politics?

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines the Democratic victories, the changing political coalition on the left, the rise of explicitly religious Democratic politics, and the growing disconnect between Republican leadership and ordinary voters.

We also discuss immigration, socialism, the economy, foreign policy, Trump's political strategy, and the influence of prominent conservative commentators. What should Christians make of these developments? And how should conservatives respond?

The answer is not simply to become angrier or find another political personality to follow. Christians need to recover their principles, strengthen their local communities, understand their intellectual and religious heritage, and prepare the next generation for public life.

Topics covered:

- What the 2026 midterms reveal about American politics

- The emergence of the Christian Left

- Why Republicans are losing ground with key voting groups

- Immigration, socialism, and the changing Democratic coalition

- Trump's political strategy and approval ratings

- The future of Christian involvement in public life

- Why conservatives need stronger local communities and deeper roots

Jon discusses the Midterms

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00:00 Introduction: The Morning After the Midterms

05:00 The Rise of the Christian Left

14:00 Trump's Political Messaging and Conservative Credibility

20:00 Foreign Policy, Iran, and Israel

30:00 The Republican Coalition and the American Working Class

40:00 Trump's Approval Ratings and Conservative Media

50:00 Immigration, Socialism, and Voter Sentiment

01:05:00 The Economy and Trump's Political Strategy

01:15:00 Why Democrats Are Building a Stronger Coalition

01:25:00 Christians, Public Life, and Political Engagement

01:40:00 What Conservatives Should Do After the Midterms

01:45:00 Trump's Record: Achievements and Failures

01:50:00 Conservatism, Christian Heritage, and the Way Forward

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The American cowboy was once the quintessential American hero. Courageous, independent, honorable, and willing to confront evil, he embodied virtues that generations of Americans admired. But somewhere along the way, the cowboy changed.

Listen to "Old Cowboys Never Die"

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4qmHx7wuTGYbaXaDGCFNqR?si=4846e8b1e88e459a

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/song/old-cowboys-never-die/6786188528

CD: jonharristunes.com

In this documentary, Jon Harris traces the history of the Western, America's most distinctive film genre, from the earliest silent films to the golden age of John Wayne and John Ford, the rise of Clint Eastwood's antihero, and the Western's enduring influence on American culture.

Why did the cowboy become such an important symbol of American identity? What happened to the traditional Western hero? And what does the evolution of the genre reveal about the changing moral character of America?

Along the way, we examine the closing of the American frontier, Frederick Jackson Turner's frontier thesis, Hollywood's changing portrayal of masculinity, and the relationship between Western films and the values that shaped American civilization.

Featuring discussions of *Stagecoach*, *The Searchers*, *High Noon*, *Shane*, *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*, *Lonesome Dove*, and many other Western classics.

The Western is more than entertainment. It is a window into the American character, our understanding of heroism, and the virtues we once celebrated.

**Whatever Happened to the American Cowboy? | The History of the Western**

Subscribe to Conversations That Matter for more discussions of Christianity, American history, culture, and politics.

#WesternMovies #AmericanHistory #JohnWayne #ClintEastwood #AmericanCulture

0:00 Introduction: Whatever Happened to the American Cowboy?

1:40 The Birth of the Western

4:30 The Closing of the American Frontier

7:30 The Cowboy as the American Ideal

11:00 John Wayne and the Golden Age of Westerns

15:30 Clint Eastwood and the Rise of the Antihero

20:00 The Decline of the Traditional Western

24:00 The Western's Enduring Influence

27:30 Why the American Cowboy Still Matters

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What happens when we put adult desires ahead of children's rights?

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, I speak with Katie Faust, founder of Them Before Us and author of several books on children, family, and pro-child politics. We discuss why children have a fundamental interest in being raised by their mother and father, how the debate over same-sex marriage affects children, and why Christians need to put the interests of children at the center of their cultural and political arguments.

We also discuss surrogacy, the consequences of separating children from their biological parents, the legal and political strategy behind the movement to restore the natural family, and the opportunities Christians have to change the culture.

How can Christians make a more persuasive case for traditional marriage and family? Katie argues that we must identify the true victims of cultural changes, tell the stories of affected children, and explain why children's interests should come before adult preferences.

Learn more and get involved:

https://thembeforeus.com/

Subscribe to Conversations That Matter for more conversations about Christianity, culture, politics, and the future of the family.

00:00 Introduction: Katie Faust and the Rights of Children

03:00 Why Child Protection Is Changing the Culture

06:00 Raising Conservative Children in a Progressive Culture

10:00 Why Children Need Their Biological Parents

15:00 Identifying the Victims in the Culture War

18:00 The Case for Overturning Obergefell

23:00 Surrogacy, Adult Desires, and the Cost to Children

27:00 The Legal Strategy for Restoring the Natural Family

32:00 Building a Pro-Child Political Movement

38:00 The Church's Role in Defending Children

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Why are more Christian families choosing to homeschool their children? And what should parents know before making the decision?

On this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Brad Stafford, father of eight and founder of Anyone Can Homeschool, about the growing interest in homeschooling, the shortcomings of conventional education, and the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children's education.

Brad explains how the COVID era prompted many families to reconsider their educational choices and why first-time homeschoolers often struggle to navigate the overwhelming number of curricula, programs, and opinions available online. He also discusses the benefits of homeschooling for family relationships, the concerns surrounding college, and the importance of cultivating independent thinking rather than simply reproducing the structure of public school at home.

The conversation also examines the role of the local church in supporting homeschooling families without losing sight of its primary responsibilities, the dangers of homeschooling influencers and unrealistic social media portrayals, and how experienced homeschoolers can help younger families develop confidence and practical wisdom.

Brad shares how Anyone Can Homeschool seeks to provide parents with practical guidance, mentoring, and a clearer starting point for educating their children.

Topics covered:

- Why homeschooling grew after COVID

- Christian parents and the responsibility to educate their children

- How to choose homeschooling curricula without becoming overwhelmed

- The role of churches and pastors in supporting homeschool families

- Homeschooling, family relationships, and generational continuity

- College, career preparation, and alternative educational paths

- How to avoid replicating public school at home

- The problems with homeschooling influencers and social media comparison

- Practical guidance for families beginning their homeschooling journey

Learn more about Brad Stafford's work:

Anyone Can Homeschool: https://anyonecanhomeschool.com/

Learn more about Jon Harris's work:

Jon's Music: jonharristunes.com

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00:00 Introduction: Why Homeschooling Is Growing

01:12 Why COVID Changed Parents' Minds About School

06:22 Choosing Curricula Without Getting Overwhelmed

09:38 Should Churches Support Homeschooling?

15:42 The Benefits of Homeschooling for Families

20:16 College, Careers, and Alternative Paths

30:04 How Anyone Can Homeschool Helps Parents

34:05 Avoiding the Mistakes of Public School at Home

36:17 Homeschool Influencers and the Social Media Trap

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This week on Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris covers the latest developments in Christian institutions, conservative politics, and the broader cultural landscape.

Christianity Today faces questions about its leadership and direction. Point Loma Nazarene University draws criticism for inviting a controversial poet, while Vanderbilt Divinity School promotes solidarity circles and a solidarity economy. We also examine the controversy surrounding Samuel Sey's arrest by ICE, the online reaction, and why Christians should resist the temptation to rejoice over another family's hardship.

Other topics include allegations about James Lindsay's personal conduct, internal conflict within the Old Glory Club over America and Israel, and the broader rightward political shift across South America. Brazil's election raises questions about the future of conservative politics and the country's evangelical community.

Finally, we cover the Pentagon's designation of Confucius Institutes as a national security concern and a Christian rapper's decision to cancel a concert over pornographic imagery at the venue.

In this episode:

- Christianity Today and the state of evangelical journalism

- Point Loma Nazarene University and a controversial poetry invitation

- Vanderbilt Divinity School's solidarity circles

- Samuel Sey, ICE, immigration law, and Christian charity

- James Lindsay and questions of personal character

- The Old Glory Club's internal conflict

- South America's rightward political shift and Brazil's election

- Confucius Institutes and national security

- Christian rapper Hulvey cancels a concert over pornographic imagery

- New content from Truthscript

Subscribe to Conversations That Matter for thoughtful Christian commentary on politics, culture, and the church.

#Christianity #Politics #ChristianCommentary #NewsRoundup

Jon's Music: jonharristunes.com

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00:00 Introduction and Announcements

00:48 Point Loma Nazarene University's Controversial Poet

03:43 Vanderbilt Divinity School's Solidarity Circles

08:00 Christianity Today in Turmoil

18:24 Samuel Sey Arrested by ICE: The Controversy

33:57 James Lindsay's Personal Conduct

35:04 The Old Glory Club's Internal Conflict

37:15 South America's Rightward Shift and Brazil's Election

41:22 Confucius Institutes, Hulvey, and Truthscript

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Substack article: https://jonharris.substack.com/p/standing-shoulder-to-shoulder?r=2j3qvv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

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What did the NatCon conference in Jerusalem reveal about the future of nationalism, liberalism, and the relationship between Israel and the West?

In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, Jon Harris speaks with Dr. Avital Levi, director of educational programs at the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem, about her presentation at the National Conservatism Conference and the controversies surrounding the event.

Dr. Levi explains why liberal individualism struggles to sustain social cohesion, why nations need shared histories and traditions, and how the biblical account of nationhood offers an alternative to both radical individualism and political universalism. The conversation explores the relationship between family, nation, religion, and political order, as well as the influence of liberal ideas on Israeli society.

Jon and Dr. Levi also discuss the debate surrounding Israel's relationship with the United States, the controversy over public figures such as Tucker Carlson, accusations of antisemitism, and the importance of evaluating international alliances in light of both moral principles and national interests.

Finally, they consider the future of Christian influence in the West and why the recovery of a shared Christian inheritance matters for the political and cultural health of Western nations.

**Topics include:**

- The NatCon conference in Jerusalem

- Liberalism and the social contract

- National identity, family, and shared traditions

- Biblical nationhood and the Tower of Babel

- Israel, nationalism, and immigration

- Tucker Carlson and the debate over antisemitism

- The U.S.-Israel relationship and national interests

- Christianity and the future of Western civilization

Subscribe to *Conversations That Matter* for thoughtful discussions about Christianity, politics, theology, and Western civilization.

00:00 Introduction: Avital Levi and the NatCon Conference

04:30 Liberalism and the Problem of Individualism

09:00 Loyalty, Tragedy, and National Solidarity

14:00 Family, Marriage, and the Foundations of Society

19:00 Abraham, Babel, and Biblical Nationhood

28:00 Nationalism, Religion, and Self-Governing Nations

37:00 Christianity's Influence on Western Culture

44:00 Political Involvement and the NatCon Movement

49:00 Tucker Carlson, Antisemitism, and the NatCon Controversy

54:00 The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Interests and Alliances

64:00 Christian Ethics and Difficult Foreign Policy Questions

78:00 Restoring Christianity and Supporting Israel

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What happens when Christians bring their understanding of human nature, theology, and the good life into the worlds of business, technology, and politics?

In this episode of *Conversations That Matter*, I sit down with Nate Fischer, co-founder of New Founding and a founding backer of American Reformer, to discuss how Christians can move beyond building niche alternatives and start shaping the future of America.

Nate explains how independent thinking helped shape his career as an investor, why Christian theology has practical implications for business decisions, and how New Founding identifies opportunities at the intersection of cultural change, politics, and entrepreneurship.

We also discuss the limits of conventional Christian approaches to business, the future of artificial intelligence, the decline of social trust, building communities rooted in the American way of life, and why people increasingly need to evaluate public figures by whether they have genuine skin in the game.

Finally, we consider how Christians should approach controversial ideas, institutional stewardship, and the responsibility to build rather than simply criticize.

Topics include:

- Why independent thinking matters in business and politics

- New Founding and its vision for America

- Christian anthropology and artificial intelligence

- Why Christian businesses need more than a Christian label

- The decline of social trust and the search for community

- Skin in the game, credibility, and the future of public discourse

- How Christians can build institutions that shape the future

Learn more:

New Founding: https://newfounding.com  

American Reformer: https://americanreformer.org

Follow Nate Fischer on X: @NateAFisher

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00:00 Introduction to Nate Fischer

01:20 Independent Thinking and the Path to Investing

05:00 From Business to Politics

08:00 Why Christian Theology Matters for Business

16:00 New Founding and American Reformer

23:06 Venture Capital, Startups, and Building Communities

42:10 Skin in the Game in the Age of AI and Social Media

44:00 Performative Outrage and Genuine Risk

1:03:09 Israel, Political Labels, and Productive Debate

1:15:08 Stewarding Imperfect Institutions and the Christian View of AI

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Democratic candidates with pastoral backgrounds are running competitive campaigns in traditionally Republican states, using Christian language to promote progressive political positions. What does this development mean for American Christians, and how should we understand the rise of the religious left?

In this episode of Conversations That Matter, Jon Harris examines four candidates running for federal office in Texas, Kansas, and Iowa: James Talarico, Adam Hamilton, Sarah Trone Garriott, and Lindsay James.

Although these candidates often present themselves as moderate, bipartisan, and guided by Christian values, their positions on abortion, transgender issues, climate change, and social justice raise important questions about the relationship between progressive politics and historic Christian teaching.

Jon explores their public statements, theological backgrounds, and political strategies, including their criticism of Christian nationalism and their appeals to the gospel, compassion, and the common good.

The broader concern is not simply electoral politics. It is the way political movements can use familiar Christian language to persuade believers that particular policies follow from the gospel. Christians need biblical discernment to distinguish genuine Christian teaching from political programs presented in religious terms.

The episode concludes by considering what Republicans can learn from these candidates' communication strategies and why character, moral credibility, and a clear defense of Christian principles matter in public life.

In this episode:

- The rise of Democratic candidates with pastoral backgrounds

- James Talarico's campaign and his criticism of Christian nationalism

- Adam Hamilton's progressive theology and political positions

- Sarah Trone Garriott and Lindsay James in Iowa

- The relationship between social justice, the social gospel, and Christian teaching

- Why a moderate tone can make progressive policies more appealing

- How Christians can develop discernment and evaluate political claims

- What conservative candidates can learn from the religious left

For more:

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#Christianity #Politics #ReligiousLeft

00:00 The New Face of the Religious Left

05:06 Why Christians Should Pay Attention

12:18 The Rise of Democratic Pastors

17:03 James Talarico and Christian Nationalism

32:00 Adam Hamilton and Progressive Christianity

40:46 Sarah Trone Garriott and the Religious Left

46:40 Lindsay James and the Social Gospel

52:57 How Progressive Pastors Appeal to Voters

54:46 What Republicans Should Learn from the Religious Left

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In this News Roundup, Jon Harris covers the latest developments in American politics, the Christian church, and the broader cultural landscape. From the controversy surrounding YouTube’s copyright complaint against *All Are Not Welcome* to the biblical case for capital punishment, this episode examines the ideas and institutions shaping America’s future.

Jon discusses the United Nations’ pandemic preparedness resolution and the U.S. decision to oppose it, a recent school shooting and the role of armed citizens in stopping violence, and a new report examining suicide rates following restrictions on transgender medical procedures for minors.

In evangelical news, Southern Baptist Convention President Willie Rice calls on pastors to engage in the political process ahead of the midterm elections. Jon also examines the latest legal developments involving McLean Bible Church and considers whether growing public expressions of Christian faith in the music industry point to a broader cultural shift.

Topics covered:

- YouTube’s copyright complaint against All Are Not Welcome

- The biblical case for capital punishment and public accountability

- The Pope’s opposition to the death penalty and American sovereignty

- The United Nations’ pandemic preparedness resolution

- A school shooting and the role of armed citizens

- New findings on restrictions on transgender medical interventions for minors

- Willie Rice, the SBC, and Christian political engagement

- The latest McLean Bible Church legal developments

- Billy Corgan, Kid Rock, and the growing visibility of Christian faith in music

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00:00 Introduction and News Roundup (Low Bandwidth)

04:57 YouTube Targets All Are Not Welcome

09:01 The Death Penalty, the Bible, and Public Justice

17:42 The Pope, Capital Punishment, and American Sovereignty

20:05 The UN Pandemic Resolution and Medical Freedom

22:43 School Shooting: The Good Guy with a Gun

24:20 Report on Transgender Treatment Bans and Suicide Rates

25:36 Willie Rice Calls Southern Baptists to Political Engagement

27:49 McLean Bible Church: Latest Legal Developments

30:21 Billy Corgan, Kid Rock, and Christianity in Music

36:12 Midterm Elections and Audience Questions

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Why is Northern Ireland still comparatively Christian while the Republic of Ireland has seen such a dramatic collapse in Christian practice and cultural influence?

I talk with Pastor @j_bambrick about conversion, discipleship, Christian institutions, free speech, Enoch Burke, and what Christians in America can learn from Ireland.

00:00 — Why Talk About Christianity Outside America?

01:28 — Meet Pastor Jamie Bambrick

03:04 — Why Northern Ireland Remains More Christian

06:30 — How Ireland Lost Its Christian Culture

09:02 — Institutions Are Not Enough Without Conversion

11:17 — The Troubles and Northern Ireland’s Christian Identity

14:00 — Christian Nationalism and the Need for Discipleship

17:34 — Enoch Burke and the Fight Over Free Speech

24:01 — Northern Ireland Faces the Same Cultural Pressures

52:56 — Are Young Men Returning to Church?

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What did the Mexican-American War have to do with the Civil War, Manifest Destiny, Texas, California, and the modern American Southwest?

Jon Harris sits down with Thomas Wayne Riley of the American Southwest Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the Mexican-American War and the history that shaped the American Southwest.

The discussion begins with the enormous territorial consequences of the war and the idea of Manifest Destiny, before examining the border dispute that sparked the conflict and the American campaign into Mexico. They discuss the Mexican frontier, Texas independence, California, Mormon settlement, the growth of American communities in the Southwest, and the many future Civil War generals who gained military experience during the Mexican-American War.

The conversation also explores the war's connection to American expansion and imperialism, the San Patricio Battalion, the changing population of the Southwest, and the much older history of the region.

This is a conversation about the history between the American Revolution and the Civil War that is often overlooked, and why understanding that history helps explain the United States and the Southwest today.

00:00 – Introduction: The Mexican-American War and Modern America

06:00 – The Forgotten America Between the Revolution and Civil War

07:14 – Manifest Destiny and America's Expansion West

13:26 – How the Mexican-American War Began

20:35 – Life on the Mexican Frontier

24:21 – Population, Settlement, and the Growth of the Southwest

28:00 – Texas, California, and Mormon Settlement

35:00 – The Mexican War: Training Ground for Civil War Generals

42:02 – America's First Foray Into Imperialism?

52:58 – The San Patricio Battalion, Borders, and the Modern Southwest

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Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuWSPoH3ncE

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What happened to the Episcopal Church and America's Protestant establishment?

In this conversation, we trace the transformation of the Episcopal Church and other mainline Protestant institutions, from their historic place in American religious life to the rise of theological liberalism, institutional gatekeeping, managerialism, and progressive politics.

Our guest shares his own journey into Anglicanism and the Episcopal ministry, including his years at Yale, his growing concerns about the direction of the denomination, and his attempts to remain faithful while working within an increasingly hostile institutional environment.

We discuss the controversy surrounding sexuality and marriage in the Episcopal Church, the impact of Gene Robinson's consecration, the role of seminaries and denominational leadership, and the ways institutional pressures can discourage clergy from speaking openly.

The conversation also examines Operation Reconquista and the broader question of whether conservative Christians can recover institutions that have been captured by a different theological and cultural vision. We discuss what it means to leave an established denomination, the personal and financial costs of taking unpopular stands, and what young Christians considering ministry should do when the institutions around them have changed.

Finally, we discuss the role of the pulpit in public life and why pastors must be willing to speak boldly about the issues confronting their congregations and communities.

#EpiscopalChurch #Anglicanism #Christianity #ChurchHistory #MainlineProtestantism #ChristianCulture

00:00 Why I Was Drawn to Anglicanism

02:19 Conversion, C.S. Lewis, and the Gospel

07:02 Evangelical Christianity at Yale

08:56 The Episcopal Church's Crisis in the 1990s

13:18 Unitarianism, Darwinism, and the Loss of Christian Belief

22:45 From Yale to the Ministry

30:20 The Conservative Blacklist

35:20 Gene Robinson and the Breaking of the Episcopal Church

40:58 How Managerialism Changed the Church

49:20 2020, DEI, and the Decision to Speak Out

54:34 Operation Reconquista and Leaving the Episcopal Church

01:16:08 Advice for the Next Generation

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This week on the Conversations That Matter podcast, Jon Harris covers a wide-ranging news roundup touching on the Southern Baptist Convention, Christian persecution, the Catholic Church, the Christian Nationalism debate, Steve Lawson, and what Jon calls the “true culture of death.”

Jon begins with a personal update following a house fire in his wife’s family, along with reflections on the recent Restoring Virtue Conference and upcoming speaking engagements.

From there, he discusses Eric Erickson’s criticism of figures on the Right and the importance of clearly defining neo-Nazi ideology rather than making broad accusations. He also examines recent controversy surrounding Candace Owens, a new Vatican document on interreligious dialogue, and claims surrounding the discovery of Noah’s Ark in Turkey.

The episode then turns to the Christian Nationalism debate, including J.D. Greer’s arguments concerning church and state, religious liberty, and the role of Christianity in public life. Jon also discusses Southern Baptist figures Jason Little and Walter Strickland, including Strickland’s comments concerning Nat Turner and liberation theology.

Jon then addresses the changing Christian legal movement, Steve Lawson’s recent book concerning his adultery and disqualification from ministry, and questions from listeners.

The final portion of the podcast examines assisted suicide, declining marriage and family formation, adult toy consumption, gender distrust, juvenileization, higher education, student loans, Title IX, and policies under the Trump administration. 

Jon concludes by discussing comments from Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu concerning persecuted Christians in the Middle East and the broader decline of Christianity in the region.

Listen through to the end for Jon’s thoughts on why Christians should focus less on theoretical political battles and more on the practical challenges directly in front of them.

00:00 Personal Update: House Fire and Restoring Virtue

10:40 The News Roundup Begins

11:45 Eric Erickson and the Debate Over Neo-Nazism

22:40 Candace Owens and Online Political Commentary

29:00 The Vatican, Vatican II, and Interreligious Dialogue

38:05 The Search for Noah's Ark

42:45 J.D. Greer and Christian Nationalism

61:45 Jason Little and the Southern Baptist Convention

63:00 Walter Strickland, Liberation Theology, and Nat Turner

77:00 The Christian Legal Movement and John W. Whitehead

84:00 Steve Lawson's Confession and Return to Public Ministry

89:30 Listener Questions

94:00 Assisted Suicide and the Culture of Death

95:00 Juvenileization, Marriage, and Gender Distrust

106:00 Trump, Student Loans, and Higher Education

109:40 Title IX and Gender Transition Treatments

114:30 Christian Persecution, Trump, and Netanyahu

123:50 Final Thoughts

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What actually makes someone a strong Christian?

A viral post claimed that the strongest Christians watch Disney movies, avoid politics, wear bikinis, drink alcohol, shop at Target, and celebrate Halloween. The argument was that Christians who impose restrictions on these things are essentially modern Pharisees.

There is an important truth here: Christians should not invent laws and impose them on other believers as though those rules came from God. But there is also a problem with defining Christian freedom by a list of cultural behaviors.

In this episode, I examine the distinction between Christian liberty, legalism, conscience, modesty, discernment, and genuine godliness. Scripture does not present godliness primarily as a collection of cultural boxes that we check. It begins with the character of the heart and manifests itself in how we live.

The question is not simply, “Can a Christian do this?” The deeper question is: What actually marks a godly Christian?

The episode also considers the “weaker brother,” the misuse of Christian liberty, alcohol, Halloween, modesty, political involvement, consumer choices, pornography, and the danger of creating our own standards of righteousness.

Christianity is marked by inward virtue that manifests itself outwardly.

00:00 — The Tweet About “Strong Christians”

01:22 — Are These Really Issues of Christian Liberty?

02:58 — The Weak Brother and Christian Conscience

05:16 — When the “Weak Brother” Becomes a Human Shield

06:25 — Alcohol, Communion, and Christian Freedom

08:34 — What Actually Makes Someone Godly?

10:42 — The Biblical Marks of a Godly Man

11:57 — Modesty, Virtue, and Godly Women

13:08 — The Problem With a Pornographic Culture

15:34 — What Strong Christians Are Actually Known For

17:24 — Halloween, Alcohol, and Circumstantial Wisdom

19:04 — How to Avoid Becoming a Pharisee

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