Bitcoin and the Bible

In the second roundtable recap of the new year, David, Will, and Simon review a recent "Christian Critique" of Bitcoin and discuss principles for processing arguments against Bitcoin.  Article for discussion  The Christian Case against Bitcoin and Blockchain  Ask the Economist: Should a Christian Invest in Bitcoin?  For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com To e-mail the show: [email protected] Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  Connect with us on Gab Show - @pray_hodl Connect with us on GETTR Show - @pray_hodl

In episode 25, Will, Simon, and David will be drawing together some common threads about privacy, freedom, and responsibility. These topics are increasingly important in our current economic and political climate. Bitcoin provides a unique foundation for God's children and His church to protect and guard their personal sovereignty. Questions for discussion As Christians, should we value privacy and freedom? Is bitcoin designed for privacy? How can I learn about and pursue privacy in bitcoin transactions? I purchased my bitcoin with lots of KYC data and very little privacy. What do I do now? Summary God has created us with the right to protect life and property through the exercise of freedom and privacy. These rights are to be exercised in the framework for God's moral and ethical rule over the universe and not be used as a license for sin. Bitcoin as technology provides the framework for privacy but prioritizes sovereignty and authenticity through its open ledger. To hold Bitcoin privately requires studying and exercising additional techniques to purchase, transfer, and sell Bitcoin without attachment to personal information. Technologies are in development that will make this more accessible and more standard in the future. While you wait, educate yourself and rest in God's sovereignty that you can hold bitcoin today even if it is not as private as you would like. Resources Referenced Bitcoin Privacy by Matt O'Dell (Swan Bitcoin) For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com To e-mail the show: [email protected] Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  Connect with us on Gab Show - @pray_hodl Connect with us on GETTR Show - @pray_hodl

In episode 24, David, Will, and Simon address the concern about stablecoins distorting the bitcoin market value. Topics discussed include the basics of what stablecoins are, why they exist in our current financial system, and how they relate to the present and future of bitcoin. Further, the subject of collateralized lending is brought forward to examine how Christians can view and use this method of preserving savings while accessing cash flow.  Our prayer for you is that as you study bitcoin, you will grow in your conviction and confidence that it is “sound money” useful for savings and sovereignty in uncertain times for individuals and churches. Questions for discussion What are stablecoins, and why are they used? Should we be concerned about the relationship between bitcoin and stablecoins? Does the relationship between stablecoins and altcoins increase the risks of centralization? What is collateralized lending in general, and how is it being used in the world of bitcoin, stablecoins, and altcoins? How should we understand collateralized lending in light of what the Bible teaches about lending, interest, and debt in general? Summary Recognize that the existence of stablecoins is not likely a threat to the long term success of bitcoin Stablecoins serve a purpose in the current monetary system but may be subject to future regulation and should be handled with prudence. Borrowing against your bitcoin is a legitimate strategy that can be pursued but must be handled carefully due to the risk of losing your collateral. Resources Referenced: Proof-of-Stake and Stablecoins: A Blockchain Centralization Dilemma by Lyn Alden For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com To e-mail the show: [email protected] Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  Connect with us on Gab Show - @pray_hodl Connect with us on GETTR Show - @pray_hodl

In the first roundtable recap of the new year, David, Will, and Simon review key events in the news and discuss how Christians can work to sort through all of the rumors and misinformation that are prevalent in our world and hold fast to some key truths about Bitcoin. Topics for discussion Canadian Bitcoin crackdown Can governments actually seize Bitcoin assets? What about on and off-ramps? What implications does this have for Bitcoiners? Bitfinex hack Did the government hack Bitcoin? What implications does this have for privacy and security? For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com To e-mail the show: [email protected] Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  Connect with us on Gab Show - @pray_hodl Connect with us on GETTR Show - @pray_hodl

In episode 23, David, Will, and Simon ask and answer some of the hard questions about energy stewardship with the goal of properly informing your understanding of Bitcoin’s energy usage today and in the future. We believe that once you truly understand the moral case for both fossil fuels and Bitcoin, you will be able to confidently believe and defend the truth that Bitcoin energy usage may be one of the best and wisest usages of fossil fuels that man has ever created.  Questions for discussion  How should Christians view energy usage in general and specifically fossil fuels?  Is Bitcoin’s energy usage a moral evil or moral good?  Can Bitcoin scale to meet global transaction volumes  What is the Lightning network and how do you use it?  Summary  Fossil fuels are God’s good gift to mankind and using them to generate electrical energy to mine Bitcoin and protect human life is a moral good.  Bitcoin energy usage is inherently positive as it protects the value of human time and work.  The growth of the Bitcoin network can produce good for the planet in several other ways by using stranded or wasted energy resources, encouraging infrastructure development in underdeveloped regions, and stabilizing the energy grid to support peak demand and baseload energy at an efficient cost.  The ESG narrative is unbiblical and must be opposed on a practical and philosophical level.  The future of Bitcoin is not tied to the base layer only but will be built by the second layer solutions that will allow for a higher volume of transactions without increased cost or energy usage. Lightning is the best example today, but there may be more.  For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com To e-mail the show: [email protected] Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  Connect with us on Gab Show - @pray_hodl Connect with us on GETTR Show - @pray_hodl

In episode 22, David, Will, and Simon discuss whether our culture has reached a point of peak centralization and what implications this has as we prepare for the possibility that decentralization will increase. Bitcoin is one of several technologies accelerating the transition to decentralization.  Questions for discussion What are the benefits and risks of decentralization?  Is centralization an evil, or are there elements of centralization that Christians should value? From a Biblical perspective, is decentralization a moral concept?  Is trusting in the authority of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, and a local group of elders a form of centralization? Summary Our current society is moving rapidly toward financial crisis, technological disruption, and centralization, which may converge shortly and trigger a reactionary reset. Centralization is not purely evil but prone to corruption by the sinfulness of human pride, deceit, theft, and violence. Decentralization, and specifically Bitcoin, provides an alternative for societal reset. For Christians who embrace decentralization, we must take care to approach it Biblically and not abandon our core, central commitment to the truth that God is our authority. Living under God’s authority allows us to embrace the Bible as our source of truth and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to be saved. God’s design for Christians is to live in submission to their local church elders and right relationship with one another. Resources Referenced BTC062: MONETARY CYCLES AND HISTORY W/ MARK MOSS For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com To e-mail the show: [email protected] Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  Connect with us on Gab Show - @pray_hodl Connect with us on GETTR Show - @pray_hodl

When a person becomes a Christian, no matter how old they are, there are a series of basic steps that must be taken to learn how to walk in maturity with Christ. Similarly, we recommend a series of basic steps for a person new to Bitcoin. Our goal is to gird you up and strengthen you to hold and use that which you have earned and rejoice in what God has provided. With wisdom comes great joy. Proverbs 10:14 (NAS): Wise men store up knowledge, but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand. LESSON: choose your teacher (or source of information) well.  Character matters (Lk. 6:40) Proverbs 10:17 (NAS): He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray. Summary Growing in wisdom occurs as your knowledge and experience increase your knowledge. Don’t neglect the opportunity to educate yourself and those around you. Build on your solid foundation of savings. Plan for the worst and then live in the present without fear. Cultivate your digital and physical privacy and security Security and privacy matter. Be prudent about what you share. Don’t make yourself a target for thieves or persecution. For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  To e-mail the show: [email protected]

Our topic of discussion today for the third episode of Season 3 is the concept of Time Preference.  This terminology and distinction have become popular among Bitcoiners and those who embrace sound money. However, many individuals who are new to Bitcoin discover that before studying Bitcoin and sound money, their time preference was actually a high time preference shaped by the unbiblical worldview of the current monetary system. By studying, buying, and “hodling” Bitcoin, they find that their time preference shifts from high to low, which begins to change other aspects of their lives. For example, rather than indulging the immediate desires for instant gratification, they find themselves saying “no” to their fleshly desires and pursuing behaviors that demonstrate discipline, self-control, and delayed gratification. Today, our focus is on whether the concept of “low time preference” is Biblical and, if so, how we as Christians should cultivate it. Summary Time preference is an excellent way to crystallize our orientation towards rewards and incentives. Having a “low time preference” is a Biblical behavior both spiritually and physically. Our fiat-based inflation and debt-based monetary system push individuals and societies toward the destructiveness of “high time preference” behaviors. We must work hard to cultivate self-control, discipline, and the ability to defer instant gratification to counteract the effects of the world and the devil and pursue Christ. Living with a low time preference and specifically by saving in Bitcoin allows believers to pursue activities and attitudes in the present that build for a hopeful future for themselves, their families, and the church while we await the return of Christ. For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  To e-mail the show: [email protected]

The second episode of Season 3 focuses on responsibility and self-custody, a timely and important topic for the following groups: Those considering buying bitcoin but intimidated by the process Those who have bought bitcoin but are storing it on an exchange Those who have bought bitcoin and moved it into a single signature wallet, but considering greater levels of security Those who own and self-custody bitcoin and are working to help others along this process With great freedom comes great responsibility. The benefit of holding an asset that is a bearer instrument is that you do not have to depend on anyone else to access it or use it. The downside is that you bear the responsibility of protecting it. As always, the key is education, and we hope to provide some perspective today through a fun and engaging discussion. Resources Referenced: Bitcoin Startup Guide We receive no compensation or support from these organizations but commend their services to you BTC Sessions YouTube Channel Bull Bitcoin Service Summary As Christians, we are to pursue wisdom that can help us act prudently with regard to securing our personal property. With freedom comes the responsibility to become more educated and act on our knowledge to secure our assets. Bitcoin self-custody can seem intimidating at first but can be learned by anyone. If you do not hold the keys to your Bitcoin, you risk losing it. By self-custodying your Bitcoin, you can accelerate adoption and protect yourself from foolishness in the derivatives/ETF market. Take small steps to act, and don’t procrastinate.  For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  To e-mail the show: [email protected]

The first episode of Season 3 moves into the application of the truths that David, Will, and Simon have been developing in Seasons 1 and 2. Christians can rest confidently on the truth of God’s Word and seek to draw out practical behaviors and attitudes for living in the ever-changing dynamic of today’s world with Bitcoin as their savings.  Our prayer is that throughout Season 3 you will gain and retain conviction in the choice of saving in Bitcoin. Be patient and stand firm on the choice that you have made. What happened to the Bitcoin price at the end of 2021? Can we continue to trust in its ability to hold value? Resources Referenced: Dylan Leclair tweet on Gold volatility against the Weimar German paper mark during its hyperinflation Glassnode tweet regarding the recent January All-Time High (ATH) in Bitcoin mining hash rate Coindesk tweet showing how Bitcoin miners are increasingly HODLing and accumulating Bitcoin rather than selling Dan Held LinkedIn post comparing adoption curve to Internet adoption curve in the 1990s Gab post showing the recent January All-Time High (ATH) in unique addresses with 0.1+ Bitcoin Summary Abide faithfully in Christ and rest in God’s provision Continue building your spiritual and financial house on the solid foundation of Biblical truth and sound money. Build it strong so that it can withstand the storms of tomorrow. Don’t get frustrated by the volatility of the Bitcoin/currency price. Rejoice in how it indicates how Bitcoin is moving through its adoption phase as the current system self-destructs. Stack sats and stay humble. Take time to invest work in your education and share it with others. For a list of helpful books, articles, and other podcasts, check out our website: bitcoinandthebible.com Come check out our Sphinx tribe! Connect with us on Twitter Show - @BTC4believers Will - @pleberean David - @thebtcboomer Simon - @pray_hodl  To e-mail the show: [email protected]