In God’s Eyes, Is America Less Evil Than Russia? (Ep. 64 Audio)

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there’s been a lot of talk about how evil Russia is, to the point where it can seem like they are unquestionably the most evil nation on earth. But, we’d like to push back against that idea a little bit – not for the purpose of arguing that Russia is righteous because they clearly are not, but instead, to ask, “Are we judging Russia by a different standard than the one we use to judge our own nation’s past military actions?” We’ve posted a previous episode (linked below) where we talked about war and the Christian concept of Just War theory, and one of the things that is really important to keep in mind is that once a nation steps away from God’s word and its standards for how it should act, it becomes very easy for that nation to let fear and national interests justify any actions needed to satisfy itself. 

In this episode, we discuss how easy it is to hold other nations to a higher standard than the one to which we hold the United States. We talk about how national identity and patriotism can cloud our judgment and cause us to overlook our own injustices, and we walk through a number of recent and not-so-recent historical examples of American military actions, some of which are frighteningly similar to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. 

We do want to be very clear here: there are many people who take a great delight in claiming that everything about the United States and its history is evil. That is not our goal in any way. America has been blessed in so many ways by God’s providence and by the influence of Godly men and women who have shaped our nation. But it is so easy to go from “We have been blessed by God” to “We are a city set upon a hill and are a light to the world that can do no wrong”. God says that to whom much has been given, much will be required, and America has been given much. We need to make sure that we do not judge others more harshly than we judge ourselves. If we do so, we should certainly expect our pride to invite the judgment of God. Please join us as we consider these important issues.

Episodes Referenced:
Is the Israel Gaza War Just?  

#IsAmericaGood
#IsAmericaBad
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Is Art Useful for Christians? (Ep. 64)

If you ask ten different people what art is, you’re going to get ten different answers. We believe that there are fundamental objective principles that govern how we should think about and approach the subject. We also believe that as men have grown in their rebellion against God, they have twisted the very definition of art in a futile attempt to glorify themselves rather than their Creator.

In this episode, we talk about the modern definition of art and how its focus and purpose has changed over the years to the point that it basically has no definition. We also talk about how historically art has included a much broader scope of activity than just visual media, spilling over into other skill-related disciplines, including the sciences, trades and crafts, and any area that requires skill. We discuss how this practical aspect of art helps keep it from becoming something for its own sake. Finally, we discuss how art can be a part of our everyday life, how it intersects with our work and worship, and how, once it is properly defined, we can see art as a central aspect of Christianity.

#WhatIsArt
#GodlyArt
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Listen to the audio version here: http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/03/is-art-useful-for-christians-ep-64-audio/
Timecodes
00:00:00 What is Art?
00:04:33 Ridiculous Modern Art
00:08:32 Art as Religion
00:12:12 Art as Rebellion
00:18:18 Money Laundering
00:20:37 Historic Meaning of Art
00:33:51 All Art is Skilled
00:42:46 Idolatrous Art
00:48:40 The Reformation’s Impact on Art
00:53:22 Efficiency
00:59:09 What is Good Art?
01:03:51 Order in Art
01:09:26 Final Thoughts

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Is Art Useful for Christians? (Ep. 64 Audio)

If you ask ten different people what art is, you’re going to get ten different answers. We believe that there are fundamental objective principles that govern how we should think about and approach the subject. We also believe that as men have grown in their rebellion against God, they have twisted the very definition of art in a futile attempt to glorify themselves rather than their Creator.

In this episode, we talk about the modern definition of art and how its focus and purpose has changed over the years to the point that it basically has no definition. We also talk about how historically art has included a much broader scope of activity than just visual media, spilling over into other skill-related disciplines, including the sciences, trades and crafts, and any area that requires skill. We discuss how this practical aspect of art helps keep it from becoming something for its own sake. Finally, we discuss how art can be a part of our everyday life, how it intersects with our work and worship, and how, once it is properly defined, we can see art as a central aspect of Christianity.

#WhatIsArt
#GodlyArt
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

When It’s Good to Feel Shame (Ep. 63)

Our culture these days tries to destigmatize everything. But is shame actually a good thing? What does the Bible teach?

#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Thumbnail photo by Suelen Pessoa

Listen to the audio version here: http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/03/when-its-good-to-feel-shame-ep-63-audio/
Timecodes
00:00 Shame can be good
09:54 Shame in salvation
17:46 Destigmatizing?
24:28 Shame for Christians
41:17 Shame in the Gospel
45:10 Shame for Children
56:04 Shamelessness in Heaven

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

When It’s Good to Feel Shame (Ep. 63 Audio)

Our culture these days tries to destigmatize everything. But is shame actually a good thing? What does the Bible teach?

#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Thumbnail photo by Suelen Pessoa

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

How Should God’s Law Influence the Laws of America? (Ep. 62)

If you were going to create a society from scratch, and you wanted it to have the best laws possible, how would you go about coming up with those laws? And what role would the Law of God play in determining what those laws should be? Would you just make the Old Testament laws the law of the land? Or would you skip those Old Testament laws that you feel no longer make sense and that perhaps don’t fit in our modern world?
In this third episode focusing on the Law of God, we look in more depth at the category of the Judicial Law and discuss what role it should play in the laws of the land.

Referenced Episodes
————————————
What Did Paul Mean When He Said We Are Not Under the Law? – http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/02/what-did-paul-mean-when-he-said-we-are-not-under-the-law-ep-57/
Ceremonial, Moral and Judicial Laws – http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/02/which-old-testament-laws-should-christians-keep-ep-59/
Why Prisons are Unbiblical http://theconqueringtruth.com/2021/06/why-prisons-are-wrong-ep-26/
A Christian Solution for Immigration
http://theconqueringtruth.com/2021/05/a-christian-solution-for-immigration-ep-18/

#TheLawOfGod
#SLBC1689
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Listen to the audio version here: http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/03/how-should-gods-law-influence-the-laws-of-america-ep-62-audio/
Timecodes
00:00:00 God Speaks to Everything
00:06:33 What is Theonomy?
00:13:27 All Laws Are Moral
00:16:46 Natural Law?
00:20:46 Based on Social Contract?
00:26:45 What is the Purpose of Laws?
00:28:45 Why Laws Must Be Brought Forward
00:31:47 General Equity in the SLBC
00:39:06 Historical Use of OT Law
00:40:57 Law as a Blessing
00:47:07 Wiser than God?
00:58:24 Only for Israel?
01:01:37 God’s Judgment on Nations

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

How Should God’s Law Influence the Laws of America? (Ep. 62 Audio)

If you were going to create a society from scratch, and you wanted it to have the best laws possible, how would you go about coming up with those laws? And what role would the Law of God play in determining what those laws should be? Would you just make the Old Testament laws the law of the land? Or would you skip those Old Testament laws that you feel no longer make sense and that perhaps don’t fit in our modern world?
In this third episode focusing on the Law of God, we look in more depth at the category of the Judicial Law.and discuss what role it should play in the laws of the land.

Referenced Episodes
————————————
What Did Paul Mean When He Said We Are Not Under the Law? – http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/02/what-did-paul-mean-when-he-said-we-are-not-under-the-law-ep-57/
Ceremonial, Moral and Judicial Laws – http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/02/which-old-testament-laws-should-christians-keep-ep-59/
Why Prisons are Unbiblical http://theconqueringtruth.com/2021/06/why-prisons-are-wrong-ep-26/
A Christian Solution for Immigration
http://theconqueringtruth.com/2021/05/a-christian-solution-for-immigration-ep-18/


#TheLawOfGod
#SLBC1689
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

We Watched the State of the Union So You Don’t Have To (Ep. 61)

This week President Biden delivered his State of the Union address to Congress and the nation, outlining his view of where the nation is and where he wants to lead it. And while it’s often easier to ignore what was said on the grounds that you’ll almost certainly disagree with it, we think it’s worth taking the time to think about what was actually said, what it really means, and how it is intended to shape public policy and discourse. Politicians are famous for lying to the people, but just as often, they say exactly what they are going to try to do and why. In this episode, we walk through a number of video excerpts from the President’s speech. We discuss some of the ways he attempts to influence the nation to “feel” rather than think about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we talk about his plan to fight inflation, his focus on environmental justice, as well as his efforts to get more women back into the workforce and end with his support for children seeking gender reassignment. Through all of this, our goal, as always, is to encourage Christians to see the world through the lens of scripture, to take every thought captive, and to apply God’s word to every area of life, that God might be glorified in all things.

Episode on Inflation “Should You Cash Your Stimulus Check?” http://theconqueringtruth.com/2021/01/should-we-cash-our-stimulus-checks-ep-4/

#HistoryNow
#StateoftheUnion
#SOTU
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Listen to the audio version here: http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/03/we-watched-the-state-of-the-union-so-you-dont-have-to-ep-61-audio/
Timecodes
00:00 Intro
00:49 Ukraine’s Freedom Fighters
07:32 Putin Rejected Diplomacy
09:40 Sanctions on Russia
16:14 No Troops to Ukraine
22:06 Releasing Oil Reserves
26:58 Environmental Justice
31:34 Building New Factories
34:38 Fight Inflation with Affordable Insulin
38:32 Fight Inflation with Green Energy
42:11 Fight Inflation by Paying for Child Care
47:41 Raise the Minimum Wage
50:10 PRO Act
51:50 Gun Control
56:54 Transgender Rights

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

We Watched the State of the Union So You Don’t Have To (Ep. 61 Audio)

This week President Biden delivered his State of the Union address to Congress and the nation, outlining his view of where the nation is and where he wants to lead it. And while it’s often easier to ignore what was said on the grounds that you’ll almost certainly disagree with it, we think it’s worth taking the time to think about what was actually said, what it really means, and how it is intended to shape public policy and discourse. Politicians are famous for lying to the people, but just as often, they say exactly what they are going to try to do and why. In this episode, we walk through a number of video excerpts from the President’s speech. We discuss some of the ways he attempts to influence the nation to “feel” rather than think about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we talk about his plan to fight inflation, his focus on environmental justice, as well as his efforts to get more women back into the workforce and end with his support for children seeking gender reassignment. Through all of this, our goal, as always, is to encourage Christians to see the world through the lens of scripture, to take every thought captive, and to apply God’s word to every area of life, that God might be glorified in all things.

Episode on Inflation “Should You Cash Your Stimulus Check?” http://theconqueringtruth.com/2021/01/should-we-cash-our-stimulus-checks-ep-4/

#HistoryNow
#StateoftheUnion
#SOTU
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

How to Teach Your Kids to Love History (Ep. 60)

If you are like most parents, history is one of the more intimidating subjects to teach your children. This is partly because most of us don’t know that much about history ourselves. But it’s more than that; history is so vast and deep that we’re often not sure where to start or how deep we should go. We worry about what books to read and how to avoid bias and wrong worldviews. And while we certainly can’t resolve all of these problems, our goal in this episode is to try to lay down a framework and give some tips on how to approach the subject. We discuss the joys and complexities of teaching and learning history from a Christian perspective. We talk about the importance of history, and ways to communicate that importance to our children. We also discuss how to find good books to use and how to identify and avoid bad ones. At the end of the episode, we make specific book and resource recommendations.

Recommended Books
Reformation History by Jean-Henri Merle d’Aubigné
Susan Wise Bauer’s History books
Confessions by Augustine
City of God by Augustine
Genevieve Foster’s Books
DiscerningHistory.com
Selections of Landmark Books such as The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty
If you must have a textbook, Generations’ History curriculum https://store.generations.org/collections/curriculum
Paul Revere’s Ride by David H. Fischer
Washington’s Crossing by David H. Fischer
Albion’s Seed by David H. Fischer
Historians Fallacies by David H. Fischer
James I: The Fool as King by Otto Scott
The Secret Six by Otto Scott

#History
#Homeschool
#SolaScriptura
#SufficiencyOfScripture
#TCT2022

Listen to the audio version here: http://theconqueringtruth.com/2022/02/how-to-teach-your-kids-to-love-history-ep-60-audio/

Timecodes
00:00:00 Problems with How Schools Teach History
00:05:23 The Bible’s Vision of History
00:10:48 Church History
00:14:31 Country’s History
00:17:57 Making History Personal
00:26:01 Dealing with Historical Evil
00:35:07 How to Pick History Books
00:50:45 Historical Fiction
00:55:06 Developing Love for Historty
00:58:59 Going to Historic Places
01:02:46 Secular History
01:10:34 Book Recommendations
01:19:34 History Textbooks
01:21:27 More Book Recommendation

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Hosts – Dan Horn, Jonathan Sides, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson