The Protestant Libertarian Podcast

In this episode I discuss Paul’s statements in Romans 13:1-7 that governing authorities “are established by God” (Rm. 13:1) and that “rulers are servants of God” (13:6). I explain the need to understand the function of Romans 13 before drawing any conclusions regarding its meaning, and how it must correspond with the rhetorical context of Romans and Paul’s thought generally. I then explore the promises of a coming Messiah made in t...

This episode features a debate I had with Cody Cook on LCI’s Greenroom, moderated by Jacob Winograd, where Cody and I debate whether libertarianism is compatible a right-wing or left-wing phenomenon. I take the position that modern libertarianism should rightly be classified as right-wing while Cody argues it is more compatible with left-wing ideology. Enjoy the friendly debate!

The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of th...

In this episode I talk with Cody Libolt, writer, podcaster, and co-author of the new book Redeeming the West: A Christian Defense of Reason and Individualism. Cody defines both ‘reason’ and ‘individualism’, demonstrating how these terms are often misused in modern discourse. He discusses the dangers of collectivism for Christianity, the Biblical basis for individualism, why Christians need reason and common sense, and how the churc...

In this episode David Beito and Phil Saunders debate Walter Block on the Israel/Palestine conflict. David and Phil defend the proposition that a Swiss-style canton model of government could resolve the conflict, offering a decentralized political arrangement which incentivizes cooperation and economic growth. Walter Block thinks the Palestinians are to blame for the conflict and need to be removed from the land. Dr. David Beito is ...

In this episode Dr. Dru Johnson returns to discuss his new book Understanding Biblical Law: Skills for Thinking Through and With the Torah, out now on Baker. Dr. Johnson explains how modern people have misunderstood the Law, reading it through our contemporary legal and theological frameworks, and busts several myths about Biblical Law. We then explore how the Law must be understood in in ancient legal context, how intersects with ...

In this episode I am joined once again by the great Cody Cook, this time to discuss the recent controversy regarding Kirk Cameron’s changing views of hell. Cameron defended the annihilationist position, also known as ‘conditional immortality’, and castigated by many evangelicals who hold to eternal conscious torment. We talk about the fallout of Cameron’s remarks and explain the differences between eternal conscious torment (ECT), ...

In this episode I discuss “the antichrists”, a group of people who appear exclusively in 1 and 2 John. John describes “the antichrists” in 1 John 2:18-25, 4:1-6, and 2 John 1:7-11. Despite many popular eschatological interpretations which a singular antichrist figure who signals the end of time, John specifically defines what he means by the term. The antichrists (John uses the plural) are literally “against Christ”; they were once...

In this fourth edition of my annual Christmas series I discuss six of the most important books I read in 2025. The list includes:

FDR: A New Political Life by David Beito

The Struggle for Liberty by Ralph Raico, edited by Ryan McMaken

Interpreting Jesus by Dale Allison

The Fourth Synoptic Gospel by Mark Goodacre

The Place of The Past by Drew Holland

Jesus and the Law of Moses by Paul Sloan

I highly recommend all of them. Treat yourself ...

In this episode I reflect on the relationship between the ascension of Jesus, his status as king over all creation, and inaugurated eschatology. The resurrected Jesus was taken up into heaven during his ascension and currently sits at the right hand of God, ruling over all creation as king and presiding over the cosmic temple as priest. Because of this, the promised ‘final days’ have already arrived. God’s kingdom grows through the...

In this episode I talk with Dr. Eric Schansberg, professor of economics at Indiana University (Southern) about his brand-new book Gen Men: What the Men of Genesis Can Teach Us Today. We discuss the crisis of masculinity in our culture today, the false caricatures about men promoted outside of the church, and why the church has failed to address this issue. We then explore how the men in Genesis reveal what it means to be truly masc...

In this episode I talk with Dr. Ross Hastings, Professor of Theology at Regent College, Vancouver, about his brand-new book “The Glory of the Ascension: Celebrating a Doctrine for the Life of the Church”, out now on IVP. Dr. Hastings explains the ascension, why it matters for everyone and everything, why it is often neglected by Christians, what it tells us about Jesus as king and priest, the Trinity, and the church. We also explor...

In Genesis 3:5, the woman eats from the tree because the serpent promised she would be “like God”. This reveals the fundamental sin of humanity: trying to grasp for a power they weren’t intended to have. I discuss the historical and literary context of Genesis 1-11, the relationship between myth, history, and truth, and the purpose of these chapters. I then explain Genesis 1-3, showing how God created a good world, made humans in h...

In this episode I talk with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes about her brand-new book Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters. We discuss the rich theology of God’s family in both the Old and New Testaments, particularly the significance of all people being created in the image of God, the calling of Abraham’s family to rescue the world, the failures of Israel, and the restoration of God’s family through Jesus. We then discuss how t...

In this episode I welcome back Dr. James McGrath. We talk about his contribution to the book Judeophobia and the New Testament, where he discusses contemporary negative attitudes towards Jews and Judaism. We discuss the problem of Judeophobia, how Jews are often marginalized in Christian theology, and how the Jewish Jesus movement lead to rampant anti-Judaism during the Middle Ages. McGrath explains the supposed division between th...

In this episode I talk with Dr. David Beito about his brand-new book FDR: A New Political Life, which is a critical biography of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. We discuss his influences and upbringing, how he was shaped by Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and the Progressive Era, and his path to the presidency. We explore the New Deal, FDR’s signature domestic policy legacy, and how it not only failed to solve the economic...

In this episode I talk with Dr. Jennifer Houston McNeel about her brand-new book Under Her Wings: Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament, out now on Eerdmans, where she explores mothers and maternal imagery in the New Testament. We discuss the role of mothers in the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds, how they are portrayed in the gospels, Acts, and the rest of the New Testament, the legacy of Mary, Revelation’s complex maternal im...

This episode gets a little personal. I talk about my own struggles with anger and hatred, why I have such animosity towards people in power, how it can damage relationships and compromise our Christian witness, and how God is helping me be a better person. I then examine the teachings of Jesus in Luke 10 and Matthew 5 where he explains how love for both neighbor and enemy is a moral imperative. I challenge my audience to check thei...

In this episode I talk with Dr. Drew Holland about his new book The Place of the Past: Historical Criticism’s Role in Biblical Studies. We explore the role of history in Biblical interpretation. He defines both historical criticism and the goals of history as a discipline. We then examine how the Bible has been interpreted throughout the ages, starting with the ancient conception of history and going through Patristic, medieval, an...

In this episode I talk with my friend Dr. Matthew Barber who is a licensed nutrition coach. We talk about our own health journeys, why American is very unhealthy, and why many Americans are simply don’t understand nutrition or exercise. We then discuss why people should take control of their personal health. Matt explains how to plan a nutrition and exercise routine, balance macronutrients, and set attainable health goals. We refle...