Tim Farron, the Benedict Option, and Christian cultural power
- Should Christians be worried about losing cultural and political influence (the Benedict Option question)?
- Should Christianity try to regulate behavior and rule from the top down through political power?
From a Mere Orthodoxy article, the hosts discuss UK Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron resigning because his Christian beliefs on same-sex marriage made leading his party untenable, paired with Rod Dreher's Benedict Option. One host, addressing Mike by name, asks whether Christians should worry that personal convictions are now disqualifying. Another host, answering Ben's direct question by name, argues the church is already living in a 'foreign kingdom' and never truly held cultural power, and the room concludes Christianity does not know how to wield power and was not designed to rule from the top down.
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Church, emotions, and the self-focus of affluence
- How do you help people in an affluent, self-focused culture see that they need Jesus?
Ben revives a question from two or three shows back: are church services and worship tunes postured toward certain personality types — predominantly emotions and dealing with emotions?
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Leadership training for church leaders: get a business manager
- Do people who lead churches need leadership training?
Mike's real question: to what extent do people need leadership training to lead churches? Ben gives two distinct answers.
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The New Testament case for human shaping
- What does the New Testament actually say about spiritual authority and submission?
Ben walks the New Testament texts: Hebrews 13:17 ('obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls') presumes a soul-watching laborer, not a rule-maker;…
From No. 600 · Rage The Elephant
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Confetti and lasers: what should God's people be known for?
- Do we want to be known as the confetti and lasers people?
- What should God's people be known for?
Ben redirects to the docket's denomination question: when someone hears Silas's church described as 'the confetti and lasers people,' should that sting?
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