

The Good Citizen Podcast
Joshua Hershberger: Attorney | Minister | Speaker
Equipping Christians to be Gospel-Centered Citizens in Post-Christian America
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 12, 2024 • 42min
#351 Reflections on the 2024 Election and What’s Next for Christian Citizens
What are the key lessons from the 2024 elections, and what’s next for Christian citizens? Here are three key takeaways from last week:
A Seismic Win
A Serious Setback
A Sobering Responsibility
Key Takeaways:
How the 2024 election exposed false narratives about demography as destiny and the acceptance of transgender ideology.
How people of faith voted, and the trend of churches speaking out on moral issues this election season.
Serious setbacks on the life issue, the Biblical definition of marriage, and school choice.
Some key policy issues to watch for in the new administration.
The Christian Post article – Why America needs its pastors right now
The post #351 Reflections on the 2024 Election and What’s Next for Christian Citizens first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Nov 5, 2024 • 28min
#350 4 Reminders for Election Day
Today marks the 60th time Americans have gone to the polls to elect a president. The stakes and emotions are high; and, as I discussed at length in the episode last week entitled Jethro’s Voting Guide – 2024 Edition, Christians should engage their role as citizen and vote according to Biblical principles to promote the created order. Why? Because this will lead to flourishing for us and our neighbors.
Much is on the line today, and here are four important reminders for Christian citizens as we experience election day and process the results:
This election is very important.
This election isn’t ultimate (and this eternal perspective can help us process and remain engaged no matter the outcome).
This isn’t the last election (and we need to think long-term).
So, go vote and pray.
The post #350 4 Reminders for Election Day first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Oct 29, 2024 • 51min
#349 Jethro’s Voting Guide – 2024 Edition
The 2024 Presidential election is just one week away; and here is our “roundup” episode on the election, voting, and Christian citizenship after the election is decided. This includes a review of Biblical principles concerning voting; a brief moral and practical analysis of the various positions I have heard over the last few months (and a reminder to vote your conscience); and an encouragement to be the centered (in Christ), courageous, and compassionate citizen in your sphere of influence before and after the election.
Moses’ father-in-law, named Jethro, encouraged Moses to consider four criteria as he selected civic leaders. And his list of qualifications–what I have termed “Jethro’s Voting Guide”–can assist us in the complicated moral exercise of voting for civic officials in the United States.
Four qualifications for government officials according to Exodus 18:21:
Competence
Morality
Honesty
Financial Integrity
Questions we address:
Should Christians engage in the two-party system?
Do all Christians vote the same way? Can a person be a Christian and vote for the party you oppose?
What about voting third party or not voting at all?
What is the most pressing moral issue in public life?
How should pastors address election season?
What about voter guides?
What happens if the election is undecided for days or even weeks?
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Church Resource Toolkit
ivoterguide.com
https://www.transparencyusa.org/
Link to graph showing political engagement by denomination or network.
Link to full blog post.
The post #349 Jethro’s Voting Guide – 2024 Edition first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Oct 22, 2024 • 33min
#348 A Briefing on Christian Citizenship for the 2024 Election Season with Dr. Albert Mohler
Dr. Albert Mohler produces a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview entitled The Briefing, and I greatly appreciate that podcast and his consistent voice in public life. In this recent interview with Dr. Mohler, we discussed the following key questions (and more) facing Christians this election season: How should Christians analyze the 2024 presidential election, especially given the Republican party’s backpedal on the life issue? Why (and how) should Christians be sober about the implications of this election but also hopeful about the future? How should Christian institutions become and remain resilient in the face of cultural pressure?
Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.
In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two podcasts: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers.
He also serves as the editor of WORLD Opinions, writing regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.
Key Takeaways:
How to build and maintain resilient ministries.
What led him to start The Briefing and to speak into public life.
The books or works he recommends if Christians and especially church leaders want to better understand American government.
A moral analysis of the 2024 election season and how Christians should engage.
Why he is hopeful about the future of the Christian church and the United States.
The post #348 A Briefing on Christian Citizenship for the 2024 Election Season with Dr. Albert Mohler first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Oct 15, 2024 • 45min
#347 How to be Agents of Grace during Election Season with Dan Darling
The 2024 presidential election is now just three weeks away, and the rhetoric and pressure is ratcheting up. In the midst of this election cycle, how should Christians respond? How can our commitment to truth, our love for one another and our neighbors, and our sense of hope and certainty be a witness to our communities? In this episode, Dan Darling walks through his recent book and recommendations for Christian citizens as they navigate election season.
Daniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He is the Director of the Land Center and holds a faculty role at Southwestern Baptist Seminary and Texas Baptist College, and he previously served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
Dan is an award–winning writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications. He is a columnist for World magazine and a regular contributor to USA Today. Dan’s work is often featured in Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition and his op-eds have appeared in The Washington Post, CNN, Washington Times, Time, Huffington Post, National Review, First Things, and other leading outlets.
Key Takeaways:
Link to his book Agents of Grace: How to Bridge Divides and Love as Jesus Loved
Link to the Land Center for Cultural Engagement
How to address conflict in the church and in our communities.
The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.
Why our tone and approach still matter.
Thoughts on patriotism and a healthy love of country.
How to be a source of hope and strength while engaging in the public square.
The post #347 How to be Agents of Grace during Election Season with Dan Darling first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.


