Confessional Statescraft: From Christian Nationalism to Machen's Libertarianism w/ James Baird

In this episode of the Westminster Podcast, Brandon McLean Smith speaks with Jordan Bush, executive director of Thank God for Bitcoin and they explore the practical and theological implications of Bitcoin as a tool for missions and ministries in places cut off from traditional banking, how it can protect individuals and organizations from financial censorship, and the dangers posed by central bank digital currencies. Jordan ties monetary questions to a broader Reformed framework—invoking “sowing and reaping,” the kingdom’s economics, and the need for Christian economists—while offering concrete steps churches can take (accepting crypto donations, educating congregations, building endowments) to steward resources responsibly in an unstable monetary age. If you enjoyed this conversation and were inspired by it to consider ways to utilize Bitcoin and other Crypto currencies to support the work of the Gospel I am glad to announce that Westminster now accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most major coins and tokens. This is a great way to donate and support Westminster’s mission to train specialists in the Bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and His Global church. You avoid capital-gains tax, You receive a tax deduction for the full fair-market value and Westminster receives 100% of the value of your donation. If you want to know more about how to go about making such a donation. Please visit wts.edu/donate to get in touch with our stewardship representatives. You can also access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of the Westminster Podcast, host Nate Shannon, along with co-host Blake Franze, engage in a deep conversation with Sharif Fahim, a New Testament scholar from Alexandria, Egypt. They explore Sharif's journey from a nominal Coptic Christian to a reformed theologian, the critical need for reformed literature in Arabic, and the challenges of translating theological works. The discussion also delves into the complexities of Paul's theology in Romans, the significance of justification and sanctification, and the historical importance of Alexandria in church history. Sharif emphasizes the current state of theological education in the Middle East and the potential for reformation in the region.

In this episode Nate kicks off a series of interviews conducted in Istanbul at the Nicea Conference. He begins with his colleague, the latest addition to the Westminster Faculty, Blake Franze. They discuss Blake's PhD dissertation which was on the concept of reward in the Pauline epistles. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode Nate Shannon engages with Dave Garner, Chief Academic Officer and future president of Westminster Theological Seminary, to discuss the complex topic of spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy. They explore the importance of theological discourse, the role of the church in shaping theology, and the necessity of handling disagreements with respect and tenderness. Dr. Garner emphasizes the need for a thoughtful approach to these discussions, recognizing the personal stakes involved for individuals within the church. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

This week Brandon McLean Smith speaks with Dr. James Baird. His book "King of Kings: A Reformed Guide to Christian Government" presents a case for the government's responsibility to promote and protect Christianity as the true religion. While this topic has become controversial, James stakes his claim in the soil of Reformed theology, redemptive-historical hermeneutics, while avoiding the pitfalls of premillenialism and theonomy. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Nate returns to the home of Dr. Edgar this week to continue their discussion of the role of persuasion in Christian Apologetics. This time they are talking about the point of contact, where the rubber meets the road. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

In this episode Brandon McLean Smith sits down with Timothy Brindle again to discuss the concept of Definitive Sanctification. Typically we think of sanctification as a long slow process of becoming more mature in our faith and more like Jesus. That's not a problematic way to understand sanctification, but behind that idea is what we call definitive sanctification. Definitive because in our union with Christ there was a definitive break with our sinful nature. There has been a breach with sin once and for all such that we are no longer ruled by our sin. We dive into the exegetical rationale for this concept as well as it's practical implications in the life of the believer. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Joshua Jacobs is an alumnus of Westminster Theological Seminary currently serving as a missionary in France. He sits down with Nate to discuss his ministry and how hospitality is a key element to the proclamation of the gospel in a society as "secular" as France's. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

This week Nate is joined by Tom and Damaris Otremba. They discuss their path from Eastern Europe, to Westminster and plans for proclaiming the Gospel in Poland. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

Nate Shannon and Dr. Bill Edgar continue their discussion on one of his most influential books, Reasons of the Heart. They discuss a somewhat overlooked aspect of apologetics, Persuasion. Sign up for the Preaching conference here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wtspreachingconference25.rsvpify.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!