The Founding Fathers distrusted human nature. They were mostly Christians who believed in the Fall of Man. Though the phrase hadn’t been uttered yet, they believed that “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That’s why they designed a tripartite government that forces conflict to serve us. They wanted tension, differing opinions, and checks and balances. While temporarily painful, the pressure felt during a government shutdown is ultimately a good thing. As constituents, we are better served by this kind of discussion[read more]

Stephen doesn’t typically make end-of-year predictions, but in this episode he analyzes current trends in the world and the United States, focusing on three specific shifts we might expect in 2019. Listen to the warning signs, and then stay tuned for some solutions and hope! Stephen shares tactics and strategies he uses for grounding himself in turbulent times.

If you’re a regular listener, you know that Stephen has concerns about the degree to which religious conservatives have blindly supported Donald Trump. Though right of center and glad for much of what the Trump administration has accomplished, Stephen is grieved by Donald Trump’s manner: his language, racist attitudes, and the adolescence exhibited on Twitter. These behaviors are causing a great deal of damage in our country. However, there’s something in particular that will soon put the Trump administration[read more]

Brexit, the Yellow Vest Movement in France, and recent elections around the globe have all resounded as strong reactions to the post-World War II trend toward globalization. Globalism has many benefits, but so does nationalism. In this episode, Stephen proposes that we shouldn’t have to choose between one and the other. We want strong nations that are free to pursue their interests, and we want those nations to be part of global networks that are helping all nations to[read more]

George H.W. Bush was a man of moderation, a virtue sorely lacking in our current political climate. Perhaps you’ve heard it said that moderation is the ability to simultaneously ponder two different views and consider their virtues. Number 41 was excellent in this regard. This week, as you watch the funeral and read the tributes, consider the skill of moderation, which the former President exemplified well, and consider how you might apply it to your own thinking.
“President George[read more]

On Friday the U.S. government issued a climate report saying that global warming is severe and will soon affect us economically. We see the fires, droughts, and other natural disasters. Anybody with eyes can tell that the polar ice caps are shrinking. There’s no question that environmental change is happening, but what’s causing it? Are humans responsible? In this episode, Stephen addresses what we know, what we don’t know, and what our responsibility is in this era.

I want to encourage you to take some time this season to really read. Here are seven books I recommend that you get, give, and read. From contemporary politics to history to soul-ennobling literature, these are books that should be on your shelf (or under your tree). You can find Amazon links below.

Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward

The Vanishing American Adult by Ben Sasse

Faith of My Fathers by John McCain

To the Last Man by Jeff Shaara

One[read more]

“You reap what you sow.” It’s a broad principle of life, and we’re seeing it play out now in the wake of the midterm elections. Since his campaign, Donald Trump has pushed hard against women and Democrats. Now there are more women in Congress than ever before and the Democrats have taken the House. As a political science professor of mine once said, “The electorate bounces.” Undoubtedly, we are seeing the electorate’s elasticity in action. So begins a season[read more]

As you know, a caravan of migrants is headed toward the Mexico/U.S. border. At the same time, President Trump has stated his intention to ban birthright citizenship. In this episode, Stephen looks into the 14th amendment, which provides U.S. citizenship to persons born on U.S. soil. Is it time we revisit the meaning of the 14th amendment in the 21st century? And to speak more broadly, how can the United States be a beacon to the world, welcoming people,[read more]

Last Friday night, for the first time in my life, I attended a Jewish Shabbat service at the invitation of Rabbi Daniel Lapin. It was a wonderful experience and lovely to learn about some of the traditions and requirements that come from the root of my own Christian faith. Of course, the very next morning, a man who claims to be a Christian entered a different synagogue a few hundred miles away and murdered 11 people. My friends, to[read more]