The Libertarian Christian Podcast

Host Doug Stuart sits down with renowned film critic and author Abby Olcese to explore the intricate intersections of film, faith, and the liturgical calendar. Abby's new book, Film for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies, forms the crux of this stimulating discussion, inviting listeners to see movies as more than mere entertainment but as avenues for spiritual and cultural introspection.

The conversation begins with a delightful nod to the upcoming Paddington 3, encouraging listeners to revisit the first two charming installments. Abby then introduces Joyeux Noel, bringing a poignant cinematic portrayal of the World War I Christmas truce into the fold. This sets the stage for a deeper dive into the themes of Lent, where Abby explains her thoughtful selection of films like "Annihilation" and "Groundhog Day" to navigate through themes of mortality, repentance, and self-awareness.

As Doug shares his fascination with liturgical rhythms and their underappreciation in American low church traditions, Abby enriches the dialogue with insights from her church background, reflecting influences from her time as an Episcopal ministry intern. They bond over the transformative power of films such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Fast and Furious 6 in embodying ecclesiastical themes of diversity and unity, particularly resonating with the spirit of Pentecost.

Exploring the evolving landscape of film criticism, Abby passionately argues for the importance of historical context in understanding movies. A robust discussion unfolds around how classic films like Top Gun and Night of the Hunter reflect societal attitudes of their times, paralleling her views on the lasting influence of well-crafted narratives.

The show takes an intriguing turn as Doug and Abby delve into contemporary television's shift towards streaming, critiquing the impact of immediate performance metrics on long-form storytelling. They appreciate the quality and richness of limited series on platforms like Apple TV, using Blackbird and Bad Monkey as exemplary cases.

Abby’s narratives come full circle as she illustrates how films can serve as spiritual reflections for themes churches might miss, inspiring hope, love, and inclusivity. This episode is a treasure trove for listeners, whether cinephiles, faith-seekers, or both, offering unique perspectives on how movies like Paddington, The Last Jedi, and The Bishop's Wife can enrich one's spiritual journey.

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In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, host Doug Stuart sits down with Jim Babka to dissect the allure of populist rhetoric and its impact on modern politics.

The discussion covers Project 2025, a comprehensive policy document by the Heritage Foundation, and the misconceptions surrounding its recommendations. Listeners will gain insight into Jim Babka's extensive work, including his roles at Downsized DC, the Zero Aggression Project, and his podcast "Gracearchy with Jim Babka."

The episode also touches on pressing issues such as the national debt, economic realities, and the often sensationalized conflict perpetuated by the political industrial complex. Jim shares his skepticism towards certain political claims and emphasizes the importance of economic over social issues in political discourse.

They explore how figures like Trump and Obama have harnessed populist appeal, contrasting their legacies with those of Romney, Clinton, McCain, and Biden.

Jim and Doug delve into the phenomenon of undecided voters, pondering the psychological and social factors that drive individuals to switch their political affiliations. From the impact of spin and tribal identification to the emotional investment and loss of individuality in aligning with political parties, the conversation sheds light on the complexities of voter behavior.

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

In this episode of the Libertarian Christian Podcast, our guest is Matt Whitman, who hosts the 10-Minute Bible Hour and the Ironwood Rhino podcasts. He is a classical liberal, an ordained minister, and a committed husband and father. He's a student of History and the Humanities. He's also the co-host of No Dumb Questions, where he and Destin Sanlon, the other host and creator of the Smarter Every Day YouTube channel, discuss their different views on a wide range of topics, from science and engineering to our current connection with history.

They begin by discussing the history of the relationship between the individual and the collective in different nations. Matt talks about how ancient civilizations built upon one another but ultimately had oppressive regimes, while the Persians realized that citizens’ devotion was expedient for the service of the great king and therefore stressed the importance of tolerance. The Romans introduced a legal standard to ensure tolerance where they thought possible and the authority of the state where desired to keep control. However, Whitman argues that Persia has been misunderstood as an Eastern power when it was a forward-thinking culture that had a significant impact when it came into contact with Greece.

The two then address the Bible's passages, such as Romans 13, that seem to advocate for submitting to the government's authority, arguing that a negative hermeneutic should be used to understand these passages in context with the rest of the Bible. They also discuss Paul's letter to the Roman church and how he cleverly wrote about the ideal government.

The idea of Christian nationalism is discussed, as well as the dangers of mingling state power with faith. Both Matts believe in a more voluntary role for the state in promoting justice. They also discuss the dangers of using authoritarian tactics to combat authoritarianism, citing historical and biblical lessons.

Whitman shares his personal journey from Christianity to atheism and back to Christianity, explaining that it was based on philosophical and epistemological reasons, rather than anger towards God or others. He then emphasizes the importance of patience and tolerance in one's personal life and in politics as a libertarian. The discussion concludes with a discussion of Whitman's work visiting churches and attempting to bring people together.

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In this episode, Doug Stuart is joined by author Ryan McMaken to discuss his book Breaking Away: The Case for Secession, Radical Decentralization, and Smaller Politics. After exploring the roots and history of secessionist movements, the conversation moves to a more conceptual discussion where Ryan explains the meaning of decentralization, its associated benefits, and alternatives. Doug then asks Ryan to elaborate on the relationship between localism and federalism and how the tension impacts universal rights.

Acknowleding the recent relevance of secession, Doug and Ryan turn to practical considerations, rounding out the episode with a discussion on nuclear weapons, national debt, and the potential role of blockchain technology.

Ryan McMaken is a senior editor at the Mises Institute and co-hosts the Radio Rothbard podcast. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics and master's degree in public policy and international relations from the University of Colorado.

Main Points of Discussion: 00:00 Introduction 06:20 Is secession an American or un-American idea? 08:44 What does it mean for the world to be “decentralized?” 10:50 Benefits of decentralization 14:19 Alternatives to secession 17:09 Was the original constitution secessionary? 19:05 Universal rights versus localism 22:13 Localism versus federalism 22:06 The case for secession 29:38 What are the common arguments against secession? 33:06 Christians for Liberty Network plug 33:35 Practical considerations: what about the nukes? 39:00 What happens to the debt? 41:44 Blockchain technology and it’s impact on geopolitical governance

Additional Resources: - https://mises.org/library/breaking-away-case-secession-radical-decentralization-and-smaller-polities - https://twitter.com/ryanmcmaken

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Covering from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this gathering under the banner "Rescue the Republic," brought together a remarkable coalition of individuals united by a common concern for the future of America.
Doug Stuart, Jacob Winograd, and Matthew Bellis had the privilege of being on the ground to capture the electrifying atmosphere and engaging conversations.

The event, orchestrated by founders Angela McArdle, Bret Weinstein, and Matt Tune, was a confluence of diverse voices including rock stars, comedians, actors, philosophers, and politicians from different backgrounds and political affiliations—Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents.

Key figures like Russell Brand, John Cooper, Pete Parada, and Matt Taibbi shared their perspectives on issues ranging from civil liberties and freedom of speech to the impact of big tech and government transparency. A surprising thread woven throughout the rally was a focus on faith in God, highlighting a unique blend of social and spiritual concerns.
In this episode, you'll hear powerful testimonials from attendees who traveled from afar to express their hopes and fears concerning the republic.

We'll also delve into the complexities of unity among such varied ideologies and explore the critical question at hand: Should Christians be actively involved in political endeavors to preserve the republic?

Join us as we reflect on the day's events, the inspiring messages from multiple stages, and the poignant interviews that echo the urgency of our times.

Watch cut version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XnY1du1Y4A8
Watch uncut version on Rumble: https://rumble.com/v5hjywl-uncut-should-christians-help-rescue-the-republic.html
View full interviews here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcrgOPKyFx3afC56ZQRiqfZrCHAr9Mmhd