City on a Hill

It is easy to wash your hands of politics and disengage. It is also easy to overreact and make politics ultimate. How, and more importantly, why does a Christian engage politics faithfully? Ultimately, it comes down to a different vision for human flourishing. Christians seek to live under God's rule because that is the surest way to flourish. In this episode, we make a case for po

The other Biblical author who has much to say about politics is the Apostle John. Today, we will look at a passage from 1 John and then at Revelation, which is full of figurative political statements. While Revelation is more than a veiled polemic against Rome, it is not less. Just like the Bible starts out with a dichotomy between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent.

This episode adds to Paul's thoughts on politics. You can't get the whole story about Paul and Politics without thinking about what he says about principalities and powers. In this episode, we discuss the connection between spiritual authorities and political authorities. NOTES: Here are some verses that speak to the thin veil between spiritual authorities and political authorities

We are still looking at what the New Testament says about politics. In this episode, we discuss how the Apostle Paul related to authorities and what he taught about politics. NOTES: Here are some key passage from Paul's experience and writing that we discussed. Acts 17:6-7 “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and the

Peter learned his politics from Jesus. He also had personal experience with authorities who would quiet his preaching of the resurrection. So, Peter had a lot to say about how Christians relate to authority. That is what this episode is about. NOTES: Here are a couple Biblical references in which Peter speaks about politics and authority. Acts 4:19-21. But Peter and John answered t

Jesus was political. He said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's but to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:17-21) He was crucified as "King of the Jews." In this episode, we explore how Jesus was more political than we sometimes recognize. NOTES: The birth of Jesus was political. Both Matthew and Luke set the birth of Jesus in terms of the political rulers of

In this episode, we go back to the beginning, to Genesis, and establish some of the history and theology of government. The legitimacy of government rests on its connection with God's authority. We try to make that connection in this conversation. NOTES: The Biblical texts we cited include: Genesis 1:26-28 -- Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let

In this episode, we take a look at some of the verses that mention the United States in them...yes, you are right. The United States isn't in the Bible. But, it is among the nations, and the nations are in the Bible. Listen to what the Bible says about our God and his relationship to the nations. See if it doesn't help you not to fear. The simple takeaway is this: Do Not Fear! NOTE

In this episode, we attempt to learn from Jesus about how to have a political conversation. Jesus raises the stakes and plays chess while his opponents play checkers. Is there a way that we can use the same board and play a different game? NOTES: The episode comes from Scott's recent sermon on Matthew 22:15-22: Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 1

What a privilege to talk with Kaitlyn Schiess in the studio today! She was in town and made time for us. We are honored to talk with her about her new book, The Ballot and the Bible: How the Bible has been used and abused in American politics and where we go from here. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you. Please send us an