The Bad Roman: Christian Politics for Modern Times

Many Christians in the United States are outspoken about their desires for Christian men and women to obtain political power and influence. The stance is that religious freedoms need to be protected, but is forcing morality on the people through legislation an effective way to spread the gospel?  Could Christians be doing more harm than good in their efforts? Scott Arnold is the author of the article Winning the Battle, But Losing the War: The American Church’s Political Obsession.  In this episode, Craig talks with Scott about his transition from a world of conservative, Christian, and redline Republican upbringing into one of Christain Anarchy. They explore how the gospel message can be destroyed or damaged by using politics to force a Christian agenda. Scott also explains his involvement with Steiger International, whose mission is to impact the global youth culture and make the gospel relevant. This is a thought-provoking episode for any Christian who has been of the mindset that Christians need to use politics to further their agenda or force their morality on others.  For show notes and to learn more about this week's guests please visit thebadroman.com/episodes   No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Most people wouldn’t include the ideas of pacifism in the same thought as contemplating gun rights, except possibly to concur that those things are opposing ideas on the spectrum of peace. Abby Cleckner does an excellent job of explaining how the two can naturally coexist in the same paradigm. In this episode, Craig tackles this topic, as well as digging into what defines a human right. The term “right” is tossed around a lot in today’s society, but what truly is a human right? And how can someone who advocates for peace and complete pacifism also advocate for the right to own a gun? Can the same Jesus who says “blessed are the peacemakers”, and commands us to turn the other cheek and to love our neighbor, be the same God who created us with the right to own a weapon that has the ability to bring to fruition the opposite of all those things? Abby addresses this along with other related topics in this episode.  For show notes and to learn more about this week's guests please visit thebadroman.com/episodes   No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

What does it mean to be a Bad Roman, why is it a good thing for Christians? Craig talks to Scott Goldman about his article “Come Be a Bad Roman”. They discuss the Christian’s entanglement with the state and address the issue of whether or not it is possible to simultaneously engage with the state and follow Christ. Nations, such as the United States, make claims of freedom for all and give mouth to ideals held by Christianity, but does a State really behave in such a manner? When we misconstrue a nation to be based on Christian values - when that State's involvement at home and abroad proves to be in stark contradiction to its claimed values we must turn away. As Christians we must decide: do we believe in the goal of peace at all cost, peace by might makes right, that the government justifies being their objective, or do we truly adhere to the teachings and challenge of Christ to love our neighbors and enemies?    Join us as Craig and Scott take on these questions head-on and address reasons why Christians seem to ready to follow a man-made government whose functioning is in direct opposition to Christ’s Kingdom.   For show notes and to learn more about this week's guests please visit thebadroman.com/episodes Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for news, memes & updates! No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Is an elected official’s authority automatically ordained by God? What is Jesus referring to when he says “render unto Caesar what is Caesar's”? In the episode, Gregory Baus delves into Romans 13 and stateless civil governance.  Are Christians required by God to submit to the governing authorities, even when they are tyrannical or immoral? Are all elected officials ordained by God? Is “render to Caesar” referring to a Biblical requirement for Christians to pay taxes? All of the questions and more are answered in this episode. Craig and Gregory also discuss their transition into anarchism and Gregory’s nomadic lifestyle, along with touching on reformed theology and how that affects an anarchist interpretation of Romans 13.  For show notes and to learn more about this week's guests please visit thebadroman.com/episodes   Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for news, memes & updates!     No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

Mike Gaddy, a historian with over 30 years of research focused on American history, dives deep into the complex issues surrounding secession. He challenges the common associations with secession, particularly regarding slavery, revealing a plethora of historical precedents often overlooked. Gaddy discusses the fraught relationship between state and federal power, emphasizing the moral nuances of historical events. Tune in for insights on the financial disparities between the North and South leading up to the Civil War and the ongoing relevance of these discussions today.

In this episode, Craig digs deep with Scott Horton about the US government’s direct involvement with the war of genocide occurring in Yemen and the general stirring of the pot by the US in the Middle East. In addition to being the editorial director at antiwar.com, Scott, a self-proclaimed Ron Paul libertarian, is also the founder of The Libertarian Institute and author of the book, Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan. Scott shares his insights regarding the culture war aspect in partisan politics and how every president since George H. W. Bush has been the same product with a different brand name.----more---- Is the war in Yemen designed to create famine? And if so, how did we get there, why, and what should a Christian’s response be to their government’s involvement in such heinous atrocities? ----more---- For full show notes and to learn more visit www.thebadroman.com/episodes No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

For our first podcast of the New Year we sat down with pastor, author, and Comino walker Brain Zahnd and Kathi and David Peters, the founders of Global Stories Films, to discuss their joint project, Postcards From Babylon. Postcards From Babylon is a long-form documentary featuring Brian, as he investigates possibly the most important question for the church in North America today: How does the church stay faithful to the beautiful way of Jesus while situated in one of the most divisive political climates in our nation's history? If are able to and would like to contribute to our Postcard From Babylon Premiere Fundraiser to fund seven tickets, please visit: www.thebadroman.com/fundraiser For show notes and to learn more about this week's guests please visit thebadroman.com/episodes Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for news, memes & updates!   No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com  

In the final episode of 2020, we look at the year in review. From sports and celebrity deaths to Coronavirus and lockdowns, tune in to hear nine Christian Anarchists/Voluntaryist make sense of this year and what we can learn from it, both as Christians and Anarchist, moving into the New Year. For show notes and to learn more about this week's guests please visit thebadroman.com/episodes Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for news, memes & updates!   No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

In the episode, Mark Kreslins takes us through his pursuit of loving God with his mind and how this path leads us to see anarchism/voluntaryism as our fundamental state. What does this entail? Understanding the Gospel through God's words rather than the allure of experientialism. Mark invites us to rediscover the importance of exegesis and hermeneutics in bringing God's word to life for 21st-century minds.  Mark is the principle writer for Love God with your Mind and considers himself but a humble sinner saved by the grace of God. He has an extensive background in politics having previously worked for two “conservative” GOP Members of Congress. He had an insider's view of the evil and corruption in Washington D.C. and understands the solution to the mess there. (Bio Lifted from Mark’s site) For show notes and to learn more about this week's guest please visit thebadroman.com/episodes Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for news, memes & updates!   No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com

In this episode of the Bad Roman Podcast, Marine Corps veteran and former atheist, John Dangelo joins Craig for a conversation on the disconnect between what the state does and it’s compatibility with living how Christ calls us to live. They explore themes of war, contemporary progressivism, and how Christians on the right and left have forgotten how to separate politics from faith.   For show notes and to learn more about this week's guest please visit thebadroman.com/episodes   No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com