In this episode, we dig into how covenant theology shapes our view of civil government, Christian nationalism, and public ethics. Starting from a Baptist and Reformed foundation, we work through the fulfillment of the old covenant in Christ, the law of Christ, and the place of imprecatory prayer. From there we unpack theonomy — what it is, how it differs from historic Reformed and Baptist thought, and why we're only partially persuaded by general equity theonomy. We wrestle with the hard question of God's severe Old Testament judgments in light of sin, justice, and redemption, then offer a broader biblical-covenantal alternative that grounds civil government in the creation order from Adam and Noah rather than Moses. We close by considering church, state, and public morality under the new covenant, and preview where the conversation goes next.

Episode 19 — Covenant, Civil Government, and the Limits of Theonomy

Why should anyone believe the Bible in the first place? In this episode we start where every worldview must — with the question of ultimate authority — and work through the difference between general and special revelation, the limits of inherited faith, and why evidence alone can't produce belief without the Spirit. From there we look at how the biblical worldview actually makes reality intelligible: logic, reason, and science all rest on the sustaining order of a rational Creator. We close on what makes human beings unique — dignity, morality, and meaning grounded in the image of God — and how to help the next generation move past a borrowed faith into one that's genuinely their own.

Why Do I Believe The Bible?

A growing number of young evangelicals are leaving their tradition for Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and other liturgical churches. What's driving the shift — and is it as deep as it appears? In this episode we trace the appeal of apostolic roots and the Church Fathers, look at Matthew Barrett's move to Anglicanism as a case study, and ask hard questions about whether sacred aesthetics really produce spiritual depth. We examine claims about apostolic succession and doctrinal certainty in Rome, make the case that Scripture — not tradition — must govern the church, and unpack the rise of sacramentalism and competing views of the Lord's Supper. Along the way we discuss why visible rituals feel so powerful, why faith must rise above them, and how churches can answer the real hunger for serious theology and intellectual depth without abandoning the gospel.

The Resurgence Of Sacramentalism - Part 2

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in Christians - particularly younger Christians - who are leaving their Evangelical denominations in favor of Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism or Eastern or Greek Orthodoxy. What is driving this movement? Why is there a renewed pull towards the sacramentalism of these churches? How does all of this line up with scripture and what Jesus Himself teaches about His church?

The Resurgence of Sacramentalism (Part 1)

Did the Church replace Israel? Is there still a separate covenant for national Israel? Or, did Christ fulfill the Old Covenant, and usher in a New Covenant through His church for both Jew and Gentile?

Replacement or Fulfillment?

Is faith your own personal faith? Is it something you privately hold? Is it something you feed on Sundays, separate from the rest of the world or life? This view of Christianity seems entirely too small. The truth of the Gospel is that it affects absolutely every part of life.

A Big View Of Christianity

The naturalist claims that faith in God is irrational. Is this true? Or, is it actually true that a belief in God is the only rational explanation for our very existence, and for all other truth claims?

Is It Rational To Believe In God?

There are four essential questions every worldview must answer: How did I get here? What is my purpose for being here? How should I live while I am here? What happens when I die? Today Paul and Dustin explore how the naturalistic evolutionary worldview stacks up to these ultimate questions.

Ultimate Questions: Evolution

What is Kingdom Building? Is the Dominion Mandate from Genesis separate from, or actually a part of the Great Commission?

Kingdom Building

We hear a lot these days about deconstruction. In this episode, Paul and Dustin discuss how to reconstruct our society when so many good things have been eroded.

Reconstruction of Western Civilization

Dr Paul Dean, Dustin Meadows and others discuss matters of the day in light of Pilate's ultimate question: What Is Truth?

Answering Pilate