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How can a Christian vote for a Democrat?
Season 11, Ep. 0
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You've heard it said by Christian influencers and hyper partisans: you can't be a Christian and vote for a democrat.
We don't agree with that. We believe the Gospel doesn't fit into one American political party and that Bible believing, Jesus loving people can disagree on how we apply our faith to government.
In this episode, we walk through a Biblically focused grid to show how we came to the conclusion that we would be voting for certain democrats this fall. This episode is not to convince you that voting Democrat makes you more of a Christian or that voting Republican makes you less of a Christian. It's simply to show how an honest look at the Bible can result in different applications.
NOTE: this episode was recorded before the assassination attempt of President Trump. That shouldn’t impact any of the content, but we wanted to clarify for anyone who may have wanted that context.
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Timestamps:
9:04 - We all negotiate our faith
10:48 - Step 1: Determine what the role of government is from a biblical perspective.
14:49 - Democracy and forms of government in the Bible
18:14 - It is not your religious duty to vote
31:55 - What does the Bible say about taxes?
40:56 - Step 2: Determine the issues you believe most accomplishes the role of government.
41:59 - Jonathan’s answer to what most accomplishes the role of government
43:47 - Eric’s answer to what most accomplishes the role of government
51:51 - Step 3: Determine which candidates align with your priorities to accomplish the role of government.
1:00:18 - How the Bible says we should approach those with a different political preference
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Andy Stanley sermon Eric references:
https://youtu.be/vga6t63XGcQ?si=ph0X-HLuOOLWRmmD
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Follow us on social:
http://instagram.com/jonathan_carone
http://instagram.com/ericw712
Email us:
Hello@TensionPodcast.com
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Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.
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The music in this episode was AI generated using Suno.com.
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9. How to respond when Christians don’t represent Christ (a post election bonus episode)
01:00:52||Season 11, Ep. 9So the election happened...And not too long after it, we saw the wave of social media posts deify Donald Trump as God's chosen savior of our country along with any number of messages filled with mean-spirited language about people who voted for Kamala Harris.If you're like us, that's left you feeling some sort of way.In this bonus episode recorded two days after the election, we talk through a framework of how we can process what we're feeling and move forward in the tensions between how we believe we should apply our faith to the culture around us and the way a large portion of the evangelical church has decided to apply theirs.PS - the whole episode can be summed up in the final 30-seconds. We think the entire thing is good, but fast forward there if you just want the cliff notes.__________________Our definitions of cultural Christianity:Spiritually immature Christians who have been discipled more by evangelical culture than the actual Bible.and/orChristians who are more concerned with applying their Christian preferences to the culture than they are in achieving unity in Christ with those who may have different preferences.__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.
8. The orange haired elephant in the room
55:36||Season 11, Ep. 8We’ve tried to stay fairly reserved all season, but this week some emotions came out that have been boiling under the surface.In this episode you’ll see two completely different views of how the rise of Donald Trump has impacted us when it comes to our Christian faith. Whether it’s the deification of the man, the hijacking of prophetic gifts, or how we view things overall, this episode shows how the current conservative political movement has hit both of us individually.You won’t agree with everything - and some of it might even be a turn-off for you - but this is our raw response to where we are in today’s climate.__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.AI Notice - we use AI for our intro/outro music.
7. Cultural Christianity values influence over protecting women and children
55:36||Season 11, Ep. 7Did you know 1/3 of all adults who grew up in church but have since left said pastoral sex scandals played a significant role in their decision to leave?Over the past 15 years, we've seen cover up after cover up within the American church. And it's all for the same reason: churches were scared of losing their cultural influence if they fired the pastor who abused his position.This week we talk about how this has impacted evangelical culture, what a healthier approach would be, and what actual restoration looks like.Content warning: we do go into some details on a few of the scandals. If that's not content you would like to hear, we suggest you skip 8:52 - 12:57.8:52 - discussion of scandals starts12:57 - details are done, you can come back__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.AI notice - our theme song is AI generated using Suno.
6. Cultural Christians don't actually trust Jesus
41:27||Season 11, Ep. 6When it comes to cultural Christianity, so much of it comes down to an actual lack of trust in Jesus.If/when we trust Jesus, we believe he'll do what he says he will do and aren't so dang scared of everything.But when we don't trust him, we feel like it's up to us to protect everything and to fight for things he never told us to fight for.This week we talk about how that idea plays out in real life while somehow mentioning Wendy Peffercorn while also relating Jesus to David Hasselhoff on Baywatch.__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.AI notice: our intro/outro music was created by AI.
5. The real reason Gen Z is not interested in church
45:05||Season 11, Ep. 5Gen Z is the least religious generation in American history. As of 2022, 44% of Gen Z claimed to have no relationship with religion at all.In the 5th episode of our season looking at how Cultural Christianity is killing the American church, we make the case that an incomplete gospel combined with bad end times theology is the leading thing driving Gen Z to be uninterested in church.__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.AI notice: the intro and outdo music is AI generated.__________________Resources referenced in the show:https://religioninpublic.blog/2023/04/03/gen-z-and-religion-in-2022/https://sojo.net/articles/sponsored/1-million-leaving-church-every-year-gen-z-faithless-generationhttps://relevantmagazine.com/magazine/how-gen-z-will-shape-the-church/https://unitedwaynca.org/blog/gen-z-activism-survey/https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/12/08/about-four-in-ten-u-s-adults-believe-humanity-is-living-in-the-end-times/https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/11/17/how-religion-intersects-with-americans-views-on-the-environment/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/politics-and-religion/article/religious-ideology-race-and-health-care-policy-attitudes/C7882B114833DA3B437FEE106A14FD47
4. We are more concerned with converting people than caring for them
50:21||Season 11, Ep. 4The issue we discuss this week is a subtle, nuanced one you don't notice until a light is shined on it. What started with good intentions - telling people how Jesus has helped us - has evolved into a culture where we (unintentionally?) give off the impression we are more concerned with converting people than actually caring for them.In this episode we look at how we got to where we are today, fully acknowledge the good intentions that led to bad results, and introduce an idea for a more complete application of the gospel.__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.Our intro/outro music has been AI generated.
3. How you talk about abortion matters
54:39||Season 11, Ep. 3Did you know only 7% of people who had an abortion felt comfortable talking to *anyone* at church before making their decision? If that's not bad enough, only 3 in 10 believe the Church is a safe place to discuss pregnancy options (including parenting, abortion, and adoption).Why don't people who have had an abortion feel comfortable in the American Church? What is it about us that makes them feel unsafe?This week we continue our look at how Cultural Christianity is killing the American Church by discussing how the way we talk about abortion within the Church is hurting those who have been impacted by it the most.Articles we reference:https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/abortion/survey-women-go-silently-from-church-to-abortion-clinic/ https://deeperstill.org/roe-triggers/ __________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.AI notice: the song at the beginning and end of the episode is AI generated.
2. There's no place for moderates in the Evangelical Church
53:39||Season 11, Ep. 2Here's a stat for you: since 2008, moderates have left the Southern Baptist Convention at a 40% higher rate than the overall decline of the SBC.This season we're looking at how cultural Christianity is killing the American Church. In this week's episode, we dive into how moderates - both politically and theologically - have been pushed out of the American Evangelical church.Articles we reference:https://www.prri.org/research/religious-change-in-america/https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/the-state-of-the-southern-baptisthttps://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/southern-baptists-are-more-conservative__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.AI notice: the song at the beginning and end of the episode is AI generated.
1. Cultural Christianity is killing the American Church
48:54||Season 11, Ep. 1The American Church is in decline. Since 2013, the percentage of Americans claiming to be religiously unaffiliated has risen by 5%. During that same time, the percentage of Americans who said religion is either most important or among the most important things in their life dropped from 72% to 53%.So what's causing the decline?In the newest season of Tension, we make the argument that Cultural Christianity is what's killing the American Church. In this episode, we lay the groundwork for the next seven episodes where we'll discuss an element of Cultural Christianity each week and talk about how it's having negative impacts on the American Church.Articles we reference:https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-04-07/trump-s-brand-of-christian-conservatism-is-driving-people-from-churchhttps://www.prri.org/research/religious-change-in-america/__________________Follow us on social:http://instagram.com/jonathan_caronehttp://instagram.com/ericw712https://www.threads.net/@jonathan_caronehttps://www.threads.net/@ericw712__________________Tension was called Unlearning Youth Group for the first six seasons.AI notice: the song at the beginning and end of the episode is AI generated.