Christ's Kingdom vs. Empire Power

Is Trump Barabbas? In this episode, Craig sits down with Paul Lazzaroni (Crossing Cornerstone / No King but Christ Network) to talk about the Barabbas mindset, our craving for a strongman savior, political control, and “winning,” even when it contradicts Jesus’ way.

We explore modern Babylon, the wilderness formation of God’s people, and why “Jesus is Lord” can’t be a slogan that still needs Caesar’s power to do the work.

Topics covered

• Barabbas vs. Jesus: what kind of “savior” we want
• Christian nationalism and the temptation of state power
• Strongman politics and fear-based faith“Modern Babylon” as a pattern (empire thinking)
• Exodus / wilderness formation and slavery mindsetReading the Bible without using it to justify domination
• “No King but Christ” as lived discipleship

🤝 Connect with Paul Lazzaroni 🤝

• Cross and Cornerstone (Website / Blog + Articles)

  • C&C Facebook Page

• No King but Christ Network (Paul’s work is featured there): nokingbutchristnetwork.com

• Paul’s Personal Pages

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

  • YouTube

  • TikTok

Try This Week:
Notice where you assume force is necessary. Pause before reaching for control. Choose persuasion, presence, and honesty in one real situation, and see what it reveals about what you trust.

📖 For Full Show Notes: thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-155

Key Moments & Starting Points:

(0:00) Jesus or Caesar?

(0:45) Meet Paul Lazzaroni

(1:27) “Is Trump Barabbas?”

(2:20) The Barabbas Mindset

(8:36) Why Paul Doesn’t Vote

(17:57) Wilderness First

(47:30) Modern Babylon

(47:57) Mindsets and Mimic Kingdoms

(53:33) What Is Cross and Cornerstone?

(55:32) Why “Cornerstone”?

(57:16) Writing, Learning, Humility

💕 Want more episodes that keep loyalty with Jesus, not power? 💕

Support the show at thebadroman.com/donate. Anything helps—and everything beyond production costs goes to local charities in Memphis, TN.

🌶️ SALSA THE LOVE 🌶️
Prefer tasty support? Grab Bad Roman Salsa at badromansalsa.com. Every jar fuels more No King but Christ conversations and keeps this work independent.

Want to the support the project in another way? Share & Start a Conversation Send this episode to a friend and ask: Am I trusting Jesus’ cross-shaped way… or trusting force to hold it all together?

Listen slowly. Love boldly. No King but Christ.

🔗 Ways to Get Involved in the Project 🔗

• Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog
• Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links
• Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!)
• Explore the No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com