No Church Answers!

Has Christian influence in the culture waned? Most definitely. Are Christians wasting time and effort trying to restore the cultural climate of the 1950s? Most definitely. Author Rob Dreher wants Christian churches to focus their efforts on what he believes are more important goals. As we continue our study of The Benedict Option, we debate Liberalism vs. Progressivism, whether Evangelicals derived any new benefit from the Trump administration and to what extent, if any, Christians should seek the Kingdom of God at the ballot box.This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NCA and use the discount code NCA20 for 48% off on a new subscription or 20% off on your first one-time purchase.

We begin a study of Rod Dreher's controversial 2017 book, subtitled "A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation." Dreher is not calling for a retreat, rather he says the current times offer an opportunity to regroup around the Benedictine Rules written for Christian monastic living. In the opener of the series, we look at the life and contributions of St. Benedict (c.480-c.547), and how Dreher urges readers stepping away from the relentless antagonism of the culture wars and apply Benedict's emphasis on repentance, self-sacrificial love, purity of heart and the Way of the Cross as way of pointing others to Christ--and a truly fulfilling life.This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NCA and use the discount code NCA20 for 48% off on a new subscription or 20% off on your first one-time purchase.

The phrase "spare the rod and spoil the child" is not in the Bible. But the Book of Proverbs does address the value of disciplining your children. The fellows discuss whether the Bible endorses corporal punishment or if parents misuse scripture as an excuse to vent their personal frustration and anger on their kids. We also try to interpret "spare the rod" means in 2024, when so many adult children, particularly young men, "fail to launch." Finally, we discuss the value church youth ministries in supporting parents in raising kids into functional, responsible adults who can take care of themselves and others.This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NCA and use the discount code NCA20 for 48% off on a new subscription or 20% off on your first one-time purchase.

We discuss the juxtaposition of Wisdom and Folly in the Book of Proverbs and the Biblical assertion that there is objective, divine, discernable Truth that God infused within creation. We contrast this with the modern folly, particularly the ideas of moral relativism and academic nihilism, which tell us the world is only what we make of it and if we wish it, 2+2 can equal 5. Join us as we try to identify the traits of true wisdom and the traps of worldly folly.This week's podcast is sponsored by Magic Mind. Visit www.magicmind.com/NCA and use the discount code NCA20 for 48% off on a new subscription or 20% off on your first one-time purchase.

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" might grate the ears of American Christians, who are raised to see themselves as independent, self-reliant and owing nothing to no one, but the phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is nowhere in the Bible. We discuss the scary word "surrender," the difference between trust and faith, and discerning a true calling from God from the rationalization of our own worldly desires. Join us as we explore what might be one of the most countercultural demands in scripture.

In a super-sized podcast before our summer break, we take a deep dive into Season 3 of The Chosen. Jesus’s disciples attempt to live by his teachings, doing their best to speak plainly, forgive and put others first. For some it proves difficult. We talk about the modern overtones in the relationships between Simon and Eden, Mary and Tamar and Matthew and his parents. And , amid the miracles and preaching, opposition is rising from both Jerusalem and Rome, and in places like Decapolis east of Galilee, the new Gospel is bringing division and hostility, not peace. Spoiler Alert!Catch up on our discussions of earlier seasonsThe Chosen Season 1 -- Podcast 311The Chosen Season 2 -- Podcast 317

In a provocative podcast, we talk about whether God makes any distinction in severity among sins. We touch on the Catholic doctrine of mortal and venial sins, and contrast that with Paul's assertion that the wages of sin--all sin--is death. We question why, if adultery is against God's law, why Israel's patriarchs and kings got a pass for multiple wives and concubines, while being judged and punished for other forms of disobedience. And we look at the New Testament teachings on sin, grace and forgiveness and to where that points.

The fellows wrap up their look at the Sermon on the Mount with a discussion of modern false prophets inside and outside the church, the touchy topic of whether non-Christians can be true disciples of Jesus and if the principles outlined in the Sermon can be separated from the foundational directive of "seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness."