What is the meaning of freedom? What is it's purpose? If this election cycle showed us anything, it's that these questions are not only incredibly important, but are answered quite differently by various people groups. For a Christian, what are the foundational aspects of freedom that remain no matter what side of the political spectrum on which we fall?

Loren and Amber discuss these questions in light of Donald J. Trump's resounding presidential win and what it means for Christians who are increasingly divided.

Dominionism, Christian NationalismAmber JonesNovember 13, 2024Election, Dominionism, Christian Nationalism

Ep 5: Seven Mountains, Project 2025 & Sasquatch Attacks!

On this week's episode, Loren and Amber discuss the Seven Mountain Mandate, Project 2025, and the implications of these worldviews for Christianity in America.

Questions we explore:

Should Christians strive for influence in the "seven mountains" of human civilization. If so, why? And how?
Do the "good" end goals justify "evil" means to achieve them?
What do sasquatch attacks have to do with anything?
What is truth and how do we live by it in a world of competing truth claims?
Are we attuned to the desperation we might be feeling in these troubled times? What do we do with that desperation?

Join us as we continue digging for God's gold amid the chaos and uncertainty of this American election cycle.

Ep 4: How a Steady Diet of Calamity and Fear Forms Us

On this week's episode Loren recounts the story of a deep conversation he had with a person who leans toward Christian Nationalism (without labeling their beliefs as such). Together we explore the importance of learning to deeply listen to those whose beliefs are different from our own, and the surprises we may find as we try on someone else's lens for a bit.

As we work our way through this controversial and divisive election season, on the heels of wars (and rumors of wars), as many in our country still reel from a series of natural disasters, and conspiracy theories are being heard from the highest offices in the land down to our very own humble social media feeds, this conversation is a reminder of the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual (mal)formation that happens to us when we consume a steady diet of calamity and fear. We actually become less resilient and adaptable to change, and we tend to cling to whoever or whatever promises to make our fear subside. This tendency is in all humans, regardless of circumstance, background, or political beliefs.

Today we explore how we might find God's gold in the midst of all of this.

Christian Nationalism, DominionismAmber JonesOctober 8, 2024Christian Nationalism, Fear

Ep 3: Eating Pets and Bomb Threats: Why Our Power Narratives Matter

A few weeks ago, former President Donald Trump made the assertion, from the Presidential debate stage, that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating citizens' pets. This was his attempt to underscore the need for immigration reform by using debunked conspiracy theories to incite fear. He received this pet-eating information from "people" who he did not name and, though the story was revealed to be completely unfounded and false, his running mate J.D. Vance continued promulgating the rumor after the debate. Since that time, Springfield has experienced bomb threats and school closures due to racist conspiracy theories surrounding the Haitians in the area (the vast majority of which are there legally). Several Haitian migrants have filed suit against Trump and Vance.

Just this week, Republican Representative from Louisiana, Clay Higgins, provided this rant on X: "Lol. These Haitians are wild. Eating pets, vudu, nastiest country in the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters...but damned if they don't feel sophisticated now, filing charges against our President and VP. All these thugs better get their mind right and their ass out of our country before January 20th."

This week, my conversation partner, Loren Romeus (who is Haitian) will help me unpack the power narratives beneath these sound bytes, interviews, memes, and tweets. We'll explore why our power narratives matter and what's at stake when we embrace or excuse lies. Join us as we continue to dig for God's gold in the baffling story of American politics.

Christian NationalismAmber JonesSeptember 26, 2024Christian Nationalism, Trump, Haitian Migrants

Ep 2: Counting the Cost

This week, Loren and Amber discuss the cost of following Christ, especially when one's cherished way of life might be at stake. Is it wrong to defend our rights as Americans or to fight to keep the privileges we've always enjoyed? Is it wrong to allow others to infringe on those rights and privileges? What makes us truly Christian and truly patriotic?

As we dig deeper into Christian Nationalism and the Doctrine of Dominionism, we're finding some profound theological questions popping up, ones that challenge our notions of "right" and "wrong" when it comes to God, politics, and love of country.

Christian Nationalism, DominionismAmber JonesSeptember 13, 2024Christian Nationalism, Dominionism

Ep 1: Christian Nationalism & Doctrine of Dominionism (Take 2)

Welcome to Season 14 of the show in which recurring favorite, Loren Romeus, and I take another -- more informed, more loving, and fairer -- stab at the exploration of Christian nationalism and the doctrine of dominionism which is enjoying a resurgence in America.

On today's episode, we define our terms and explain why we think this is a conversation worth having again. Our relationship to power, safety, and control informs how we see the world, God, and ourselves. And the way we see all of that informs the way we show up and how we influence. Join us as we dig a little deeper for the gold in this election cycle story.

Amber JonesSeptember 4, 2024