All Episodes
The official home of every City on a Hill episode.
Photo by Leonard Reese on Unsplash In this episode, we attempt to learn from Jesus about how to have a political conversation. Jesus raises the stakes and plays chess while his opponents play checkers. Is there a way that we can use the same board and play a different...
What a privilege to talk with Kaitlyn Schiess in the studio today! She was in town and made time for us. We are honored to talk with her about her new book, The Ballot and the Bible: How the Bible has been used and abused in American politics and where we go from...
Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash We have had some conversations recently that have made us ask, "How can I know something is true?" This is especially true when someone claims to know the "real story" about a news event. What separates real news from false news?...
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash During last week's webinar, one-quarter of the questions could be summarized with this question, "When do I not need to obey? This is a question about Civil Disobedience. Civil Disobedience is a last resort. NOTES: We are indebted to...
Scott was privileged to lead the first webinar for CV Northwest on the topic of The Church and Politics. They gave us permission to publish the audio here, too. You can watch the video version of the webinar here. Scott asserts that the church needs to be political...
We realized we rushed last week and didn't apply the lessons from history. So in this episode we try to pull some lessons from the flyover of history we did in the last episode. RECAP/TAKEAWAYS Here are the lessons we pulled out of our conversation last week. Be...
This week we take a quick look at 2000 years of church/state relations. Our goal is not to give the definitive answer on any one period, but to highlight the fact that there has always been challenges between the church and the state. It should provide a big dose of...
In this episode, we go back to talking about words again. We talk about church and state, and then the separation of church and state. NOTES: Thomas Jefferson's Letter to the Danbury Baptist Association GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you. Please send us an email...
Photo by Behnam Norouzi on Unsplash We recap 2023 in this episode and look forward to 2024. We trust the new year will be a one in which the church stands firm in the face of high political winds of the coming election. ***We will take a couple weeks off over the...
We are so excited to have Dr. David Koyzis, author of We Answer to Another: Authority, Office, and the Image of God as our first return guest! We loved his book, Political Visions and Illusions, and talked with him about that earlier (listen here). He delivers gold...
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash Today we recognized that our failure to communicate has little to do with our wives, but everything to do with whether or not we are clear about what we mean by what we say. In other words, do we use words in a way that is clear and not...
Photo by Maegan Martin on Unsplash In this episode, we remember what got us started with City on a Hill. Scott is going to teach a class on the church and politics. We thought we would pass along some of the content from the class as we develop it. These stories...
Photo by Chris Henry on Unsplash Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is at the top of our favorite holiday list! NOTES: Here is Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation. Here is the article about the Mother of Thanksgiving and Abraham Lincoln. RECAP & TAKEAWAYS:...
We are pleased to welcome Scot McKnight on the podcast today. He is here to discuss his book, Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple. Dr. McKnight was born in Southern Illinois, came of age in Freeport, Illinois,...
Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash We have had more requests to talk about Israel than we have for any other topic. So, today we cave in to the pressure. We hope our conversation about Israel helps you discern at least how to think about current events in Israel from...
Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash Just when Aeric began to be depressed about the coming election, he realized that the problem was partially of his making and that he had some responsibility. In this episode, we spend a few minutes trying to encourage listeners that...
Photo by Josh Eckstein on Unsplash Separation of Church and State is one of the central topics Christians think about when they think about politics. Today we talk about what separation is and isn't. We also address why it matters more than you think. NOTES: Here is...
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash In this episode, we talk about Biblical Justice. A few weeks ago we talked to Will Lathrop, candidate for Attorney General in Oregon. He mentioned the difference between social justice, criminal justice, and biblical...
In this episode, we talk about how we might teach or disciple our children politically. Politics has split families in these past few years. How can you approach the politics on the front end in a way that will build your family rather than destroy it? Deuteronomy...
In this episode, we begin to think about how we might interact with the sins of our fathers. Our guest last week got us thinking about how we interact with sins that others have done before us. Some are done by people we are related to. Others shape the places we...
credit: Zach Finch Photography In this episode, we interview Sarah Sanderson, author of The Place We Make: Breaking the Legacy of Legalized Hate. We enjoyed a very fun conversation about a tragic historical event that happened within walking distance of our recording...
Photo by Mathew MacQuarrie on Unsplash In this episode, we take another look at the ways people bend scripture to support their points of view. The number one most referenced chapters in published sermons during the hundred years leading up to the Revolutionary War...
Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash Last week our guest, Will Lathrop, challenged us to pray. He listed that as the first thing Christians could do for justice. We are taking that challenge seriously and reminding you all again that prayer is your best political tool....
In this episode, we interview Will Lathrop, a candidate for Oregon Attorney General in 2024. We found his answers to several questions to be very helpful. We hope you enjoy meeting him as much as we did. NOTES: You can follow and support Will in these places:...
Photo by Jared Murray on Unsplash In this episode, we take an overview of Revelation to see that it must be read looking for the risen Jesus and the comfort of his church. How do you read Revelation if not looking for the antichrist and the signs of the times? We have...
Photo by Nathan Lemon on Unsplash In this episode, Scott could no longer postpone Aeric's exposition of Aquinas and his philosophy of four-fold goodness. Seriously though, it is a very helpful way to think about the decisions and the activities we engage in. What...
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash If you should approach the scripture without the biases of the Revolution or Civil War, how should you approach it? RECAP/TAKEAWAYS: Read your Bible within a community. Be afraid to be wrong in interpretation. Be humble! Be aware of...
Photo by Scott Umstattd on Unsplash In this episode, we discuss how the Bible was used in churches, by ministers on both sides, to inflame political fervor during the Civil War! NOTES: Here are the two books that motivated this episode. The Civil War as a Theological...
Photo by Donovan Reeves on Unsplash In this episode, we discuss how the Bible was used in churches, by ministers, to inflame political fervor for a revolution! NOTES: Here are the two books that motivated this episode. Sacred Scripture, Sacred War by James P. Byrd A...
In this episode, we discuss Roger Williams's contribution to our understanding of church and state and how he shaped the liberal imagination. NOTES: Bonus fact: Our wives are descendants of Roger Williams! So we have a vested interest in his story. Here is the book...
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash In this episode, we talk about what is at stake for the church in politics -- namely, that people will draw their first opinions about Jesus from how his followers engage in politics. Between how the "evangelical church" is reported...
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash In this episode, we struggle to admit another election cycle is upon us. Then, we talk about what someone might to do help others grow as disciples in a politically divided environment. NOTES: Here are the verses we mentioned in this...
Scott is back from his sabbatical. In this episode, we catch up on what we've learned in the past few months and the books we've read. NOTES: Here are the books we mentioned in this episode: Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity by Lilliana Mason The New...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we highlighted short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: Matthew 28: 16-20 -- Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we highlighted short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we highlighted short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: American Christianity has a hard time discerning what is American and what is Christian. Two of the simplest...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we highlighted short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: Matthew 16:21-23 -- From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we highlighted short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. Matthew 22:15-21 -- Â Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we highlighted short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. Philippians 4:8 -- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we highlighted short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: Matthew 22:34-40. But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we are highlighting short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we aimed to highlight short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we aimed to highlight short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: Jeremiah 29:4-7 -- 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash Scott is on sabbatical so we aimed to highlight short thoughts that will help the church remain faithful in public life. NOTES: Matthew 4:17 -- From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at...
Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash Join us as we discuss the ever-challenging obligation of having a good attitude when it comes to paying taxes! Key verses today were: Matthew 22:15-22 is the classic text about what Jesus thinks about taxes. Romans 13...
Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash This Easter more Christians will gather to celebrate the risen King Jesus than ever before! Those worship services will, among other things, be political statements that Jesus is the true king. NOTES: Key verses today were: Revelation...
Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash In this episode, we talk about what will happen if we continue to allow certainty to substitute for truth. NOTES: If we have learned anything in recent decades, it is that we should not roll out heavy-handed political movements...
Photo by Lucas Santos on Unsplash In this episode, we talk about the implications of what it means to be secular as the church approaches the public square. We are greatly helped by James K. A. Smith's book, How Not to be Secular. NOTES: In addition to the Smith book,...
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash In this episode, we consider the question, Is Christian Nationalism a noble lie? While I'm sure none of our listeners would ever consider lying, it sometimes happens in ways you don't think about. NOTES: Definition -- In Plato's The...
I'm confident you will enjoy our conversation with Kaitlyn Schiess as much as we did! She is our guest for what is our second-anniversary episode! It was a great way to celebrate two years of the City on a Hill podcast. Kaitlyn is a colleague in helping the church...
Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash In this episode, we consider Jesus walking on water. The disciples either trusted Jesus or were fearful. They didn't have many options in between. When you look at our world do you see a storm? What will it take for you to trust...
Photo by Max Sulik on Unsplash In this episode, we talk about American Exceptionalism. America is exceptional. If the reasons for that exceptionalism bleed into a divine mandate or blessing, it reflects confusion about what the City on a Hill is all about. NOTES: Some...
Photo by Jacob Morch on Unsplash In this episode, we talk about the political nature of the gospel and of the church. Could it be the church is not political enough? NOTES: Key Verse -- Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government...
Artistic impression of Epictetus, including his crutch from Wikipedia In this episode, Aeric brings his Great Conversations reading to City on a Hill! Is stoicism a viable ideology for Christians? NOTES: Epictetus is a Stoic philosopher whose ideas are very, very...
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash In this episode, we extrapolate from Aeric's C-SPAN addiction. Before the House of Representatives elected a speaker (which was also a spectacle) C-SPAN operated in the House without House rules. They did not have a fixed camera. We...
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash In this episode, we remind listeners to pray and not to complain about their government leaders. In fact, praying for them might be a good New Year's Resolution, if you are into that kind of thing! NOTES: Our key Bible verses were 1...
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash NOTES: We highlighted three key Bible passages today. Hebrews 11:10 -- For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 12: 28-29 -- Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a...
We are pleased to welcome Dr. David Innes on the podcast today. He is the author of Scott's most highlighted book of 2022, Christ and the Kingdom of Men: Foundations of Political Life. NOTES: By day David is a professor of Politics at Kings College. By night he...
Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash Today we discuss a retrospective on 2022 from Pew Research and Gallup Polls. NOTES: Here are the two sources we cited: Pew Research Gallup Poll RECAP & TAKEAWAYS: Don't forget to check out the newsletters from last week: The...
Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash Today Scott is excited to get swag from "unbiased" newsletters. Aeric questions whether that is possible. NOTES: Here are the News Sources Scott recently found. Please subscribe and get him some swag! 🙂 One is the Morning Brew....
Photo by ElevenPhotographs on Unsplash Today we discuss The Civil War and what we can learn from the theology that supported it. We hope you'll find it as interesting as we did. NOTES: This is Scott's book report on The Civil War as a Theological Crisis by Mark A....
We are pleased to have Dylan Pahman on our podcast this episode. We had a great conversation with Dylan about his book and how Christians can apply economic thinking to their Christian faith. NOTES: Dylan Pahman is a research fellow at the Acton Institute for the...
Photo by Pete Alexopoulos on Unsplash This episode seeks to explore the idea of authority. We do start off with some nerdy things, then explore the relation of God to human authority. Hopefully, this will help us understand the difference between tyranny and...
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash The mid-term election is over and Aeric did not win. But, we did learn a few things. Here are a few of our reflection on the experience. RECAP & TAKEAWAYS: SCOTT’S learnings: So many things were out of Aeric’s (or any...
Photo by Chris Henry on Unsplash Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is at the top of our favorite holiday list! NOTES: Here is Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation. Here is the article about the Mother of Thanksgiving and Abraham Lincoln. RECAP & TAKEAWAYS:...
We are so excited to have Dr. David Koyzis, author of Political Visions and Illusions, as the climax to our book report! We did a book report on the Political Visions book in the past several episodes and invited Dr. Koyzis to bring the conclusion to the book. I think...
This is the sixth episode in our series on Political Visions and Illusions. Socialism is the ideology that elevates communal ownership over individual ownership. It can be defined by its desire for economic equality. Liberals take exception to socialism because it...
This is the fifth episode in our Political Visions and Illusions series. Democratism is the ideology that values the rule of the people above all else. Democratism is rarely, okay is never, as simple and pure as it sounds. As with each of these ideologies, in the...
Nationalism is the first ideology to take community seriously. We do live with other people and they matter. Nationalism defines who is in and who is out. The greatest evil is to be ruled by someone who is not one of us.Most of us are familiar with a nation/state, but...
Patrick's new book, The Political Gospel, comes out today. In honor of that, we rebroadcast our interview with him from earlier this year! We interviewed Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor, Dr. Patrick Schreiner about his book, The Political Gospel....
Conservatism is the idea that we must "conserve" what we have. It opposes change for change's sake. Conservatism can be an outlook on the world or a wise caution against wholesale change. And, conservatism can be ideology agnostic -- Some may desire to conserve a...
The first ideology in The Political Visions and Illusions book is liberalism. Liberalism, in the classic sense, is as common to us as water is to a fish. We found it very helpful to think a little more clearly about our own political assumptions. This episode and the...
What makes a political idea become an idol for Christians? In this episode, begin to talk about how David Koyzis's book has helped us see that political ideologies are incomplete and as a result comprise a false gospel. This episode and the next several will be...
We are pleased to have Paul Hoffman on our podcast this episode. We had a great conversation with Paul about his book and about how Christians can navigate divisions. NOTES: Paul is the pastor of Evangelical Friends Church of Newport (RI) and the author of...
Photo by Philipp Potocnik on Unsplash This episode seeks to apply our admonition last week to engage culture specifically rather than in general. NOTES: One more plug for these two books: Center Church: Center Church Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your...
Photo by Philipp Potocnik on Unsplash This episode continues our conversation about how Christians relate to culture. We hope you find it helpful. NOTES: Center Church: Center Church Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City by Timothy Keller Culture...
Photo by Philipp Potocnik on Unsplash NOTES: Center Church: Center Church Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City by Timothy Keller Culture Making by Andy Crouch Keller's Four Views of the Church's Relationship to Culture...
Photo by Miltiadis Fragkidis on Unsplash In this episode, we talk about Religious Liberty from Andrew Walker's book, Liberty of All. NOTES: Liberty for All by Andrew Walker. Definition of Religious Liberty: Religious liberty is the principle of social practice where...
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash In this episode, we come right out and ask it -- Are you motivated by fear or by hope? NOTES: The Bible uses "fear not" 33 times and "do not be afraid" 38 times. We refer to Jeremiah 29:1-4, 1 Peter 1:1-5, and 1 Peter 1:13-18 as...
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash In this episode, we consider why the U.S. doesn't allow religious tests for office. This is a direct application of last week's episode about more Christians in politics. NOTES: THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND THE DEBATE OVER...
Aeric has heard people say, "We need more Christians in politics." Aeric also had some plumbing problems last week. Here are some of our thoughts about Christian politicians and plumbers . NOTES: Confidence in institutions is at an all-time low -- New Gallup Poll...
Photo by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States rendered its decision on Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization. It overturned Roe v. Wade after almost 50 years. We encourage you to read the decision itself. NOTES:...
Occasionally it is the other way around, but more than I'd like to admit cultural moments shape what the church believes and practices. Last week I read This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust. The book was about death and the...
Like barnacles accumulate on rocks or a ship, so many, many things attach themselves to the church. Before long we can't conceive of the church without those barnacles. The pandemic stripped the church of many things the church had grown accustomed to -- bulletins,...
In this episode, we extend our conversation about intermediate institutions to include churches and 501C3 organizations. Should they be taxed? What should they do to make sure that they contribute to the common good commensurate with their tax advantage. NOTES: Here...
In this episode, we discuss the important role of intermediate institutions. Those organizations that are bigger than your family and smaller than the government provide you with relationships, resources, education, and service opportunities are what we refer to as...
In this episode, we continue our conversation about Christian Nationalism. NOTES: https://blog.choosetruthovertribe.com/10-signs-youve-fallen-for-christian-nationalism RECAP & TAKEAWAYS: How do you recognize Christian Nationalism? American exceptionalismWe are...
Patriotism is different from Nationalism which in turn needs to be distinguished from Christian Nationalism. NOTES: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/february-web-only/what-is-christian-nationalism.html RECAP & TAKEAWAYS: Dr. David Koyzis has evaluated...
In this episode, we talk about homelessness. It comes in response to a question one of Aeric's sons asked him, "Papa, why do those people live in tents. Aeric wrote this article for the newspaper in response to that question and it forms the basis of our discussion....
We interviewed Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor, Dr. Patrick Schreiner about his upcoming book, The Political Gospel. Dr. Schreiner presented the plenary lectures at the Northwest meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society on topics in his...
The Barna Group released their recent findings on why pastors consider leaving the ministry. We discussed it on this episode. We'd love to hear from you. Please send us an email or question at [email protected]. Or, leave us a voice recording at...
We thought it best to talk about fear in a moment when people may not be terrified. So many bad decisions are made out of fear that we cannot overemphasize the need to be spiritually prepared for frightening circumstances. We wish we had referenced John 14:1 and John...
In this episode, we consider what might happen to the Church if the conditions of comfort we are so used to disappear because of political developments in the United States. Turns out the Church thrives in pagan conditions. We were highly dependent on the works of...
In this episode, we talk about the relationship Christians and the Church have with power. Every dictionary definition of "power" includes an entry on political power. The relationship of the church to power is a spiritual issue. Here are the verses we referred to in...
Scott gives us a book report on Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians by Lee C. Camp. Lee Camp is a professor at Lipscomb University. Scandalous Witness is a manifesto comprised of 15 propositions. It attempts to give Christians a way of...
Today, Aeric brings us a book report on Faithful Presence: The Promise and Peril of Faith in the Public Square by Bill Haslam. Bill Haslam served as the governor of Tennessee from 2011-2019. He made some difficult choices because of his faith. This book was a solid...
Today on the podcast we welcome Executive and Leadership Coach, Gina Stout. We asked her to share with us from her workshop called, "Challenging Conversations." You'll enjoy her gentleness and her insistence on listening well. You can tell, even in the interview that...
In this episode, we encourage Christians to pray for governmental leaders and suggest some ways in which Christians should pray. Why Should We Pray? God is sovereign over world leaders and world events. So, it only makes sense that Christians should pray. Isaiah...
In this episode, we talk about a recent experience where Scott was almost the only one at an event who wore his mask while Oregon was still under the mask mandate. We talk through a list of ways someone might rationalize noncompliance with the mandate. The mandate is...
Would you rather have the President of your choice and an unhealthy church, or a President that you oppose but a healthy church? Today we do a thought experiment that may help get at where the church places its greatest hope. Thankfully this is just an experiment and...