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Theology, Politics, and a Little Bit of Banjo
They say there’s two subjects never to bring up in polite conversation - religion and politics. Well, that’s exactly what this podcast is going to cover - my two favorite subjects. Throw in a little bit of banjo music and you’ve got a great listening experience coming your way.
I urge you to learn along with me. I don’t claim to be an expert in any field, but I do desire to explore exciting concepts and ideas that shape our lives, culture and relationship with God. That’s why I seek to bring on a variety of different guests, even a few folks I’m going to have sharp disagreements with from time to time. We might talk about anything ranging from reformed theology to the electoral college. My hope is that God might use this podcast to deepen your faith, broaden your mind, and have a little fun while doing so.
Episodes
Aug 15, 2025
Aug 15, 2025
20 min
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:
Aug 4, 2025
Aug 4, 2025
25 min
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
Jul 29, 2025
Jul 29, 2025
32 min
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
Jul 23, 2025
Jul 23, 2025
37 min
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 Authors
Wright, Witherington, and Wright
N.T. Wright
Ben Witherington III
Christopher J.H. Wright (The Mission of God)
Literature and Christianity:
C.S.Lewis
J.R.R. Tolkien
Dorothy 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 McGrath
Gregory 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 Vanhoozer
Anthony Thistleton
Craig Bartholomew
Worldview:
Thomas Nagel (Worldview)
Steve Wilken and Mark L. Sanford (Hidden Worldviews)
1. Individualism: l Am the Center of the Universe
2. Consumerism: l Am What I Own
3. Nationalism: My Nation, Under God
4. Moral Relativism: The Absolute Truth About Relativism and Something Like Relativism
5. Scientific Naturalism: Only Matter Matters
6. 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 Gets
Image 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)
Apologetics
William Lane Craig (Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview)
Paul Copan
John H Walton (The Lost World series on the OT)
Christian History:
Mark Noll
David F. Wells
Os Guiness
New Studies in Biblical Theology Series
J. 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
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
3 min
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
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
46 min
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:
Jul 6, 2025
Jul 6, 2025
32 min
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.
Jun 28, 2025
Jun 28, 2025
31 min
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: