The Amputated Baptist Podcast

047 - Forsakers of the Fatherless

This week we welcome Ben Zeisloft on the podcast to talk about his new book, Forsakers of the Fatherless:  The Secret Treachery of the "Pro-Life" Establishment.  In this book, Ben makes the case that the mainstream pro-life movement is actually working against bill and legislation to end and criminalize abortion.  These bills and those who support them are part of the growing abolitionist movement.  Learn more by listening today!
Recommended Resources:
Forsakers of the Fatherless:  The Secret Treachery of the "Pro-Life" Establishment by Ben Zeisloft
The Republic Sentinel 
The Foundation to Abolish Abortion
Ben's X Account

046 - Should We Stand With Ukraine?

As I am posting this episode, President Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine.  As we pray for a cease-fire, many wonder if we should be taking sides.  Joining me this week is Yuri Rashkin.  Yuri is a Rock County Supervisor, professor, talented musician and immigrant from Russia.  He is also the host of the Rashkin Report, a popular podcast featuring, "conversations about Russian and American politics and culture with people who know it best: scholars, journalists, artists, politicians, and human rights activists."
Recommended Resources:
The Rashkin Report on YouTube
The Rashkin Report on Facebook

045 - Release the Epstein Files!

Just what is in the Epstein Files?  Did Jeffery Epstein hang himself?  Are there rich and powerful names on a client list guilty of heinous crime against young women?  Is Ghislaine Maxwell complicit in sex trafficking?  We won't know until the Epstein files are taken from Pam Bondi's desk and released for us to see.  Its a subject everyone is talking about but one person has decided to do something about it.  Wisconsin Representative Clinton Anderson has introduced a resolution calling for the release of these files.  He has heard the voice of his constituents and leaped into action. He joins us this week to chat about his resolution.  Oh, and at the end I almost got him kicked out of office...
Recommended Resources:
Rep. Anderson: Introduces resolution calling for release of Epstein Files
Wisconsin Democrats push for full release of Epstein files, demand transparency
Second Annual Sully Sundae Fundraiser
 

044 - Come, Let Us Reason Together part 4

In this final episode in this Come, Let Us Reason Together series, Ray Jewell and I listen to Dave Swanson share his testimony of how he came to Christ from a life of purposelessness and drug abuse.  We also talk about evangelism, worship and growing in our knowledge of God.
Recommended Resources:
A thinker ahead of his time: remembering James D. Strauss
Taking Every Thought Captive: Essays in Honor of James D. Strauss by John D. Castelein
Christian Faith and Scientific Revolution by James D. Strauss

043 - Come, Let Us Reason Together Part 3

This week we return to our Come, Let Us Reason Together series.  In this episode Dave Swanson walks us through some of his favorite authors and books dealing with a broad range of subjects.  If you are a reader, you need to be a listener today!  
Recommended Resources:
Favorite AuthorsWright, Witherington, and Wright     N.T. Wright     Ben Witherington III     Christopher J.H. Wright (The Mission of God)Literature and Christianity:C.S.LewisJ.R.R. TolkienDorothy Sayers (The Mind of the Maker, Lord Peter Whimsey, A Man Born to Be King)Charles Williams (metaphysical thrillers)George McDonald (Phantasties and Lilith, other Fairy tales)G.K. Chesterton (The Everlasting Man, Orthodoxy)Alister McGrathGregory K. Beale (Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, We Become What We Worship, The Book of Revelation (New International Greek Testament Commentary))Kenneth Bailey (Jesus Through Mediterranean Eyes, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes)Sociology:Christopher Smith (National Study of Youth and Religion "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism", Passing the Plate, Atheist Overreach, Why Religion Went Obsolete)James Davison Hunter (Science and the Good, To Flourish or Distruct, To Change the World "Faithful Presence", Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America's Political Crisis)Philosophy of Science:Karl Popper (Realist)Thomas Kuhn (Anti-realist)Imre Lakatos (The Methodology of Scientific Research, Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge)Michael Polanyi (Personal Knowledge)Hermeneutics:Kevin VanhoozerAnthony ThistletonCraig BartholomewWorldview:Thomas Nagel (Worldview)Steve Wilken and Mark L. Sanford (Hidden Worldviews)1. Individualism: l Am the Center of the Universe2. Consumerism: l Am What I Own3. Nationalism: My Nation, Under God4. Moral Relativism: The Absolute Truth About Relativism and Something Like Relativism5. Scientific Naturalism: Only Matter Matters6. The New Age: Are We Gods or Are We God's.7. Postmodern Tribalism: My Tribe/My Worldview.8. Salvation by Therapy: Not as Good as It GetsImage of God:Carmen Joy Imes (Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters, Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters an October Release)J. Richard Middleton (The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1, A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology)ApologeticsWilliam Lane Craig (Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview)Paul CopanJohn H Walton (The Lost World series on the OT)
Christian History:Mark NollDavid F. WellsOs GuinessNew Studies in Biblical Theology SeriesJ. Gary Miller (Calling on the Name of the Lord: A Biblical Theology of Prayer (New Studies in Biblical Theology Book 38))David G. Firth (Including the Stranger: Foreigners in the Former Prophets (New Studies in Biblical Theology Book 50))Gregory K. Beale (The Temple and the Church's Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God (New Studies in Biblical Theology Book 17))Human Trafficking:Louise Shelley (Human Trafficking)Victor Malarek (The Johns)Kevin Bales

Immersed in the Word - Reflections on the Death of John MacArthur

Yesterday evening Dr. John MacArthur went to be with his savior.  He had a profound influence on me and millions of others.  In this short bonus episode, I share a few reflections of this legendary preacher.
Recommended Resources:
The Macarthur New Testament Commentary (16 books)
The MacArthur Bible Commentary: A Faithful, Focused Commentary on the Whole Bible
MacArthur Study Bible 2nd Edition: Unleashing God's Truth One Verse at a Time (LSB)
A Tale of Two Sons: The Inside the Story of a Father, His Sons, and a Shocking Murder by John MacArthur
Safe in the Arms of God: Truth from Heaven About the Death of a Child by John F. MacArthur
 

042 - Two Super Men Review Superman

I've been waiting all summer and its finally here!  This week we are talking about the number one movie in the box office this week, Superman!  Joining us this week is fellow Superman fan Pastor and author Curtis King.  Pastor King and I talk about what we liked and didn't like about the movie and even through in some theology at the end.  WARNING - there will be some spoilers about halfway through the conversation, but I do give you a heads up when we do.  So, is this movie a woke piece of trash that ruins a long tradition or does it uphold truth, justice and the American way?  Download this episode and find out!
Recommended Resources:
Proverbs 120 Media 
Curtis King Amazon Author Page

041 - Come, Let Us Reason Together Part 2

This week we continue our series with guests Ray Jewell and Dave Swanson.  In this episode we talk about loving others, the problem with labeling ourselves and what following Jesus actually looks like for us today.  

040 - Come, Let Us Reason Together Part 1

This week we begin a four part series, Come Let Us Reason Together.  This series features four conversations with myself, Pastor Ray Jewell and Ray's longtime friend, David Swanson.  Our overall theme is engaging with those we may not always agree with.  This week we focus on the humility of listening to others.
Recommended Resources:
Afton Community Church
Harold Ford, Jr.

039 - Truth, Justice and Loving Your Enemies

This week I fight through a weak voice (overcoming a cold) to discuss the events of this past weekend, the political assignations in Minnesota.  Although a bit rambling at times, I wanted to share my heart with all of you.  My plea is that we tone down the rhetoric that leads to such violence and instead contend for the faith with love and truth.  
Recommended Resources:
Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked by Chris Matthews 
The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield