The Reformed Libertarians Podcast

Ep. 24: Why Non-Christian Libertarians Should (And How They Can) Become Christians

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 29 May 2025 05:00:00 -0600

We explain what becoming and being a Reformed Christian and a Reformed libertarian is and means in basic terms. We say why one should, and how one can, become a Reformed Christian and a Reformed libertarian. We explain what libertarianism is, and why every libertarian is already a religious libertarian. We mention the ultimate purpose in becoming a Christian, and part of how Reformed Christianity grounds our view of libertarianism. We briefly explain how the Reformed view of Romans 13 is compatible with libertarianism. And we conclude with three general things a non-Christian can do to facilitate their discovering that Christianity is true.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/024

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

02:06 What it means to become and be a Christian

05:38 What we mean by libertarianism

09:54 Why every libertarian is already a religious libertarian

15:55 The ultimate purpose in becoming a Christian

18:20 How Reformed Christianity grounds libertarianism

25:27 What about Romans 13?

29:19 Recap

30:12 Three things to discover Reformed Christianity is true

Additional Resources

Episode 1: Reformed Libertarians Podcast introduction
https://reformedlibertarians.com/001
Episode 12: Is Civil Governance Without The State Plausible?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/012
Episode 19: The Myth of Religious Neutrality
https://reformedlibertarians.com/019
For more about self-evidence see the 11 lecture series (about 3.5 hrs total) “Philosophy of Religion and Knowing God is Real,” especially lectures 6 & 7
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwrDNUO5MDu_XWQBwDFvjTk0Au0-6un3D
Episode 2: What Does Romans 13 Say About Civil Government?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/002
The Reformed Political Resistance Theology annotated bibliography
https://tinyurl.com/RefoPoliResistBib
"The Problem Of Evil Answered"
https://sites.google.com/view/problemofevilanswered
Three things Non-Christians can do to facilitate discovering the truth of Christianity is discussed in lecture 11 of the series mentioned above.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWusi_p9RhU&list=PLwrDNUO5MDu_XWQBwDFvjTk0Au0-6un3D&index=11
The New Testament Gospel of John
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John&version=ESV
Following the plot of the Bible’s big picture
https://upper-register.com/mp3s.html#unfolding
Study Guide to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, by G.I. Williamson
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0875525210
Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel, by Michael Horton
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801014212
Walking with Jesus through His Word: Discovering Christ in All the Scriptures, by Dennis E. Johnson
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1596382201
Contact Gregory and Kerry
https://reformedlibertarians.com/#contact
EXTRA: "Answers To Some Questions From A Non-Christian Libertarian"
https://reformedlibertarians.com/answers-to-some-questions

The Reformed Libertarians Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute: https://libertarianchristians.com and a member of the Christians for Liberty Network: https://christiansforliberty.net

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Ep. 23: Calvin, Thomism, and Natural Law Libertarianism, with Jonathan McIntosh

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0600

An interview with Dr. Jonathan McIntosh on several of his presentations at The George Buchanan Forum. We discuss errors in Calvin’s view of civil government, and we mention the God-ordained check on abuse and tyranny. We then discuss McIntosh’s outline of a classical or Thomistic natural law tradition approach to libertarianism, and his critique of the Aristotelian-Thomist view of politics. We also discuss the neglected figurative or typological character of old covenant civil law by scholastic thinkers. We conclude with information about The George Buchanan Forum and other articles from McIntosh.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/023

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

01:30 Guest intro and background

10:11 Errors of Calvin’s view of civil government

15:21 Value in such critique and why Calvin’s erroneous view is popular

19:53 Comments on Reformers vs Calvin and obsta principiis

23:03 Natural Law Libertarianism

31:59 Moral realism, harm, and double effect

39:32 Errors of a Thomist view of politics

43:56 Neglected “figurative” or typological character of Mosaic civil law in a scholastic view

51:18 Respective specifications of moral and civil law

56:00 Errors of an establishmentarian view

1:00:21 The George Buchanan forum

Additional Resources:

Links for Dr. Jonathan McIntosh
- on fb: https://facebook.com/jonathan.mcintosh.161
- on x: https://x.com/DrJMcIntosh
- blog: https://jonathansmcintosh.wordpress.com
- other blog: https://naturallawlibertarian.wordpress.com
- His book The Flame Imperishable: Tolkien, St. Thomas, and the Metaphysics of Faerie:
https://amazon.com/dp/1621383156
- articles:
"Theonomy, General Equity, and Libertarianism"
https://reformedlibertarians.com/theonomy-general-equity-and-libertarianism-by-jonathan-mcintosh/
“Aquinas and Libertarianism: Coercion and the Common Good in the Summa’s Definition of Law”
https://www.marketsandmorality.com/index.php/mandm/article/view/1587
“The Libertarian Aquinas”
https://libertarianchristians.com/2021/04/05/the-libertarian-aquinas/
Links for The George Buchanan Forum
- website: https://tgbf.org
- on FB: https://facebook.com/TheGeorgeBuchananForum
- on X: https://x.com/BuchananForum
- on YT: https://youtube.com/@thegeorgebuchananforum6899
- Presentation by Jeremy Bunch on “George Buchanan & Scots Reformed Resistance Theory”:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=JZcpcYqhs5o
The Silence Of St. Thomas, by Josef Pieper
https://amazon.com/dp/1890318787
On the “School of Salamanca” or late Spanish Scholastics’ (early modern Roman Catholic Thomists) economic views:
https://mises.org/mises-wire/true-founders-economics-school-salamanca
( See also Alejandro Cafuen’s Faith and Liberty: The Economic Thought of the Late Scholastics
https://store.mises.org/Faith-and-Liberty-The-Economic-Thought-of-the-Late-Scholastics-P170.aspx )
A more favorable view of Van Til, contra Aquinas
https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc745/
( See the full course on the Doctrine of Revelation by Lane Tipton here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt5DwS6MFoBBE-_RkMx4umfvDlligzvj1 )
The 1st presentation discussed: “Evaluating Calvin: A Critique of On Civil Government,” by Jonathan McIntosh
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DS9RW3e7eMQ
The Reformed Political Resistance bibliography
https://tinyurl.com/RefoPoliResistBib
Johannes Althusius rightly contradicts Calvin on political and domestic abuse in Politica, chapter 18, section 105
https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/althusius-politica#lf0002_footnote_nt_293_ref
Rutherford in Lex Rex under question 23, explains that there is no God-given requirement to suffer abuse or tyranny
https://books.google.com/books?id=SK8rAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA111
The 2nd presentation discussed: “Towards a Natural Law Libertarianism,” by Jonathan McIntosh
https://youtube.com/watch?v=TSQvD9wNXCg
( See also: “Why We Need To Get Serious About Natural Rights,” by Jonathan McIntosh
https://youtube.com/watch?v=3aO0L1q4CUc
David VanDrunen on “What Is Natural Law?”
https://credomag.com/article/what-is-natural-law/
Aggression vs harm: “How Do Libertarians Define Crime?,” by Kerry Baldwin
https://mereliberty.com/lci/how-do-libertarians-define-crime/
On the Doctrine of Double Effect
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/double-effect/
Writings by Herman Dooyeweerd
https://herman-dooyeweerd.blogspot.com
The 3rd presentation discussed: “Figuratively Speaking: the Old Testament, Natural Law, and Libertarianism,” by Jonathan McIntosh
https://youtube.com/watch?v=97OvUMcYKTk
Economic and political essays by Frederic Bastiat
https://mises.org/library/book/bastiat-collection
For A New Liberty by Murray Rothbard
https://mises.org/library/book/new-liberty-libertarian-manifesto
The Ethics Of Liberty by Murray Rothbard
- text: https://cdn.mises.org/The%20Ethics%20of%20Liberty%2020191108.pdf
- audio: https://mises.org/podcasts/ethics-liberty
“Against Civil Establishment Of Religion,” by Gregory Baus
https://reformedliber...

Ep. 22: The Cultural Context Of Politics

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0700

A discussion of "What Is Culture?," Part 1 of the Reformed Libertarianism Statement. Other episodes are mentioned in which some points from episode 4 are elaborated, and the meaning of subjective sanctification of culture is reiterated. The definition of culture, and why it’s addressed is further explained. The model of reciprocally influencing layers of culture is elaborated, illustrated, and related to the study of historical process. And the promotion of so-called "cultural Christianity" is considered.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/022

Main Points Of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

02:02 Scholasticism and Biblicism vs Neo-Calvinism

03:41 Subjective sanctification of a Christian’s cultural activity

05:16 Culture as such, and “cultus”

08:22 Why we address culture; and the image of God

12:09 The model of reciprocal layers of culture

18:10 Illustration of the cell/mobile phone

21:06 Culture and historical process

23:52 So-called “cultural Christianity”

Additional Resources

Episode 4 : How Should Christians View Culture and What Are Some Mistaken Views?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/004
Scholasticism is further addressed:
- Episode 19 : The Myth Of Religious Neutrality
https://reformedlibertarians.com/019
- Episode 21 : Two Kingdoms and Christian Cultural Activity
https://reformedlibertarians.com/021
Biblicism (esp, theonomy and theocracy) is further addressed:
- Episode 15 : Can Christian Civil Government Be Theocratic?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/015
- Episode 18 : Politics and the Church’s Mission —What Should the Church Teach About Civil Government?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/018
The Reformed Libertarianism Statement (and Principles)
https://reformedlibertarians.com/reformed-libertarianism-statement/
With Reverence and Awe: Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship, by Darryl Hart and John Muether
https://amazon.com/dp/0875521797/
On a biblical Reformed view of the “image of God,” see by Meredith Kline:
the article “Creation in the Image of the Glory Spirit”
https://meredithkline.com/klines-works/articles-and-essays/creation-in-the-image-of-the-glory-spirit/
and the book Images Of The Spirit
https://amazon.com/dp/1579102050/
For more on the “Structural” and “Directional” dimensions, also see Created In The Image Of God, by Anthony Hoekema
https://amazon.com/dp/0802808506/
“History: Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing?” by Louis Voskuil (March 1988)
https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2213&context=pro_rege
“History as Process: Meaning in Change” by Louis Voskuil (June 1988)
https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2211&context=pro_rege

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Ep. 21: Two Kingdoms and Christian Cultural Activity

Libertarian Christian Institute — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 03:00:00 -0700

A discussion of a Reformed Two Kingdoms view, and the possibility of a distinctively Christian view of the believer’s cultural activity according to an orthodox Neo-Calvinism, in contrast with a Scholastic view. Key points from episodes 4 and 19 are summarized, and the Two Kingdoms view being addressed is described. The use of the term Scholasticism is explained against an objection. And a key difference between Neo-Calvinism and a Scholasticized view is variously illustrated.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/021

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

02:08 Key points from episode 4 on Christian cultural activity

07:09 Key points from episode 19 on religious non-neutrality

09:23 Reformed Two Kingdoms distinctions

13:41 The views of David VanDrunen

18:43 The term Scholasticism as modified Aristotelianism

24:04 Reiteration of key difference between Neo-Calvinist and Scholastic views

25:58 More about VanDrunen’s views

27:52 Religious views of a saltshaker

32:43 The question of logical norms

34:54 Similar to interpreting Scripture

36:20 Religious views of limited civil governance

40:35 Conclusion

*Usually we catch these things, but Gregory didn't catch his mispronunciation of philological til later.

Additional Resources

Episode 4: How Should Christians View Culture and What Are Some Mistaken Views?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/004
Episode 19: The Myth Of Religious Neutrality
https://reformedlibertarians.com/019
See David VanDrunen’s more scholarly book Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms (2009)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802864430/
and his more popular-level book Living in God’s Two Kingdoms (2010)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433514044/
“Five Versions Of Two Kingdoms and Foundations For Christian Cultural Activity” by Gregory Baus
https://reformedlibertarians.com/five-versions-of-two-kingdoms-and-foundations-for-christian-cultural-activity/
Info on Meredith G. Kline
https://meredithkline.com/
Especially see Kline's book Kingdom Prologue (1993)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1597525642/
Michael Beck’s book Covenant Lord and Cultic Boundary (2023)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1666737577/
The Catholic Encyclopedia (1912) entry on “Scholasticism”
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13548a.htm
See the first two chapters (93 pages) of Herman Dooyeweerd’s Reformation And Scholasticism In Philosophy, Volume 2 (1950) for historical background on the development of Neo-Calvinism and its criticism of Scholastic views.
https://vcho.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Reformation-and-Scholasticism-in-Philosophy-A-Vol-5-2.pdf#page=25
For example of a non-Christian’s view of limited civil governance from creational revelation, see Murray Rothbard’s For A New Liberty (1973)
https://mises.org/library/book/new-liberty-libertarian-manifesto
and Ethics Of Liberty (1982) audio: https://mises.org/library/book/ethics-liberty
text: https://cdn.mises.org/The%20Ethics%20of%20Liberty%2020191108.pdf

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Ep. 20: A Review Of Highlights

Libertarian Christian Institute — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 21:40:00 -0700

In a series of highlights from earlier episodes, Kerry and Gregory explain what the Reformed Libertarians Podcast is about, their confessionally Reformed view of Romans 13, what their practical strategy is, how the goal they are working towards is entirely realistic, and how they address a prominent objection raised by, perhaps, most people.
https://reformedlibertarians.com/020

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description

01:10 First highlight from episode 1: https://reformedlibertarians.com/001

09:56 Second highlight from episode 2: https://reformedlibertarians.com/002

16:12 Third highlight from episode 8: https://reformedlibertarians.com/008

26:33 Fourth highlight from episode 12: https://reformedlibertarians.com/012

37:43 Fifth highlight from episode 14: https://reformedlibertarians.com/014

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BONUS: Replies from David VanDrunen On State Illegitimacy

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0600

In this bonus episode, we interview Dr. David VanDrunen. We consider his reply on several points to Pastor Taylor Drummond's critical article that we discuss in episode 17. The title of that article is "Fool's Gold?: A libertarian analysis of VanDrunen's account of state legitimacy" and it examines particular arguments in David VanDrunen's book Politics After Christendom.

VanDrunen expresses his appreciation for Drummond's article and our episode discussing it, raises questions concerning immoral complicity if the state is taken to be illegitimate, offers some clarification about his (up to this point) not having differentiated monopoly states from non-monopolistic civil governance in his writing, raises questions concerning what sort of consent is normative for the customary legal order's own legitimacy and its authorizing function, raises the question of when abuse or injustice might categorically disqualify one from rightfully possessing authoritative office and its relation to political resistance, and, at the end, responds to our proposal how a fuller, non-aggressionist view of proportionality in the lex talionis of the Noahic Covenant entails a conclusive argument in favor of the exclusively "protectionist" purpose of civil governance law.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/bonusC

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:09 Episode description

02:15 Prefatory statements

05:37 The question of immoral complicity

16:30 Clarifying matters of complicity

21:13 The question of civil governance vs. monopoly state

27:55 Distinguishing normativity from de facto (non-)conformity to norms

31:00 The question of legitimizing consent

35:56 Distinguishing compliance under duress (by aggression)

40:45 The question of abuse/tyranny and de-legitimization

45:20 The question of a conclusive protectionist-only view

49:32 Remaining uncertainty about Scriptural “regulative principle” for civil governance

52:29 Closing remarks

Additional Resources

About David VanDrunen
https://www.wscal.edu/faculty-member/david-vandrunen/
– author page at Mongerism
https://www.monergism.com/authorsspeakers/david-vandrunen
– bib at ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/David-VanDrunen-2115184386
Episode 17: David VanDrunen’s View Of Civil Government, with Taylor Drummond
https://reformedlibertarians.com/017
“Fool’s Gold?: A libertarian analysis of VanDrunen’s account of state legitimacy,” by Taylor Drummond
https://libertarianchristians.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CLR-5-Drummond.pdf
Politics After Christendom by David VanDrunen
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310108845/
“The Protectionist Purpose of Law: A Moral Case from the Biblical Covenant with Noah,” by David VanDrunen
https://www.pdcnet.org/jsce/content/jsce_2015_0035_0002_0101_0117
Episode 2: What Does Romans 13 Say About Civil Government?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/002
Episode 8: The Boetie Option - the peaceful underthrow of the state
https://reformedlibertarians.com/008
Episode 14: Does Political Representation Make Sense?, with Gerard Casey
https://reformedlibertarians.com/014
Episode 15: Can Christian Civil Government Be Theocratic?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/015
Episode 18: Politics And The Church’s Mission: What Should The Church Teach About Civil Government?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/018
Audio of Answering 10 Objections to Libertarian Anarchism by Roderick Long
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsUjJ7TOhgk&list=PLwrDNUO5MDu8WYU5oB7l037lvAEjSoPBr&index=13
Replies to this episode from Taylor Drummond
https://thearchy.substack.com/p/my-thoughts-on-vandrunens-thoughts

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Ep. 19: The Myth Of Religious Neutrality

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0600

A reading of edited excerpts from the article “On The General Relation Of Religion, Metaphysics, and Science” by Dr Roy A. Clouser, presenting the Neo-Calvinist view of what has been called The Myth Of Religious Neutrality. The predominant Scholastic view of the general relation is summarized, followed by a summary of the Neo-Calvinist, or Reformational view. According to the Neo-Calvinist view, the way in which religious belief guides theories is then summarized, the view of religious belief is further explained, how religious belief within a given metaphysics affects science is further explained, and a prominent objection is answered.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/019

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

03:29 The Scholastic View

07:46 The Neo-Calvinist (Reformational) View

13:34 Scientific theories guided by a basic view of reality

17:47 A basic view of reality guided by a religious belief

19:02 More about religious belief

27:11 How religious belief within a metaphysics affects science

37:03 Example of atomic theory

40:13 An objection answered

Additional Resources

About Dr. Roy A. Clouser
https://www.royclouser.com
https://allofliferedeemed.co.uk/roy-a-clouser/
“On The General Relation Of Religion, Metaphysics, And Science” by Roy Clouser
https://tukampendatastore.blob.core.windows.net/neocalvinism/allofliferedeemed/Clouser/Clouser1996-Facets-of-faith-and-Science-ch%203.PDF
The Myth Of Religious Neutrality (rev, 2005) by Roy Clouser
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0268023662
Introduction to A Commentary on Genesis by John Calvin (1554)
https://ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom01/calcom01.vi.html
Video on the Myth of Religious Neutrality by Roy Clouser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLUAtso8cBw&list=PLwrDNUO5MDu9Y8kqS66XUSgRaVXbf9M-A&index=3
“Is There A Christian View Of Everything?” by Roy Clouser
https://sites.google.com/site/christianviewofeverything
“Five Versions Of ‘Two Kingdoms’ and Foundations For Christian Cultural Activity” by Gregory Baus
https://reformedlibertarians.com/five-versions-of-two-kingdoms-and-foundations-for-christian-cultural-activity/
11 videos on Philosophy of Religion by Roy Clouser
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwrDNUO5MDu_XWQBwDFvjTk0Au0-6un3D
32 videos on Introduction to (Reformational) Christian Philosophy by Roy Clouser
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwrDNUO5MDu-T6PEv7K3nfET-yWKoo523

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Ep. 18: Politics and the Church's Mission: What Should the Church Teach About Civil Government?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0600

We discuss the teaching mission of the institutional church, its relation to the church’s statements of faith, and what the institutional church must and may not teach about politics on several important points. We talk about the Reformed confessional view of submission to civil governance, the recent failure of some churches in the face of unlawful state dictates, the error of theonomic views, and how a biblically Reformed covenantal hermeneutic informs a correct view of general equity.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/018

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

01:00 Why are we discussing this?

02:15 What is the church’s teaching mission?

05:07 One way the Reformed confessions are part of the church’s mission

07:34 False teaching about submission to God-ordained civil governance

13:43 Not a matter of political theory

14:53 False teaching of original and so-called “general equity theonomy”

19:28 Proper meaning of general equity

24:30 The Reformed biblical covenantal hermeneutic

30:39 Recap

32:53 Disestablishmentarianism and Biblical criterion of proportional retribution

Additional Resources:

What Does Romans 13 Say About Civil Government?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/002
Why Is The Right Of Resistance Important?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/006
Answers to Objections to Reformed Confessional View of Romans 13
https://reformedlibertarians.com/episode/why-isnt-the-state-biblically-justified-resolving-romans-13-objections/
Annotated bibliography of Reformed Political Resistance Theology
https://tinyurl.com/RefoPoliResistBib
Paper and video presentation of “Theonomy, General Equity, and Libertarianism” by Jonathan McIntosh
https://reformedlibertarians.com/theonomy-general-equity-and-libertarianism-by-jonathan-mcintosh
Excerpt from “Men In Combat Over The Civil Law: ‘General Equity’ in WCF 19.4” by Peter Wallace and Craig Troxel
https://sites.google.com/view/general-equity/
Lecture series on Reformed Covenant Theology in systematic, biblical, and practical perspectives by Lee Irons
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwrDNUO5MDu9WPd6FaReLxZkaK7VO8plE
Video explaining the relations between the Abrahamic, Old Mosaic, and New Covenants, by Lee Irons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_ScAhK-s2s
5 videos explaining the typological works principle in the Old Mosaic Covenant, by Lee Irons
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwrDNUO5MDu-vEf9AeUSZt8UY53E7OYnF
The Westminster Confession of Faith (1788)
https://opc.org/wcf.html
The Belgic Confession of Faith (1958)
https://threeforms.org/the-belgic-confession/
Resources on the false teaching of Theonomy
- Meredith G. Kline’s article on theocracy
https://meredithkline.com/klines-works/articles-and-essays/the-relevance-of-the-theocracy/
- Lee Irons’ article on Theonomy’s Dispensational Hermeneutic
https://www.the-highway.com/theonomy-hermeneutic_Irons.html
- Lane Tipton’s article on The Eschatology of Hebrews 2:1-4: A Critical Appraisal of the Theonomic Thesis
https://kerux.com/doc/1501A1.asp
- T. David Gordon’s article on Critique of Theonomy: a Taxonomy
https://web.archive.org/web/20200718055717/http://tdgordon.net/theology/theonomy.pdf
Can Christian Civil Government Be 'Theocratic'?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/015
“Against Civil Establishment Of Religion” by Gregory Baus
https://reformedlibertarians.com/against-civil-establishment-of-religion/

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Ep. 17: David VanDrunen’s View Of Civil Government, with Taylor Drummond

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0600

An interview with Pastor Taylor Drummond about his article “Fool’s Gold?: A libertarian analysis of VanDrunen’s account of state legitimacy,” which appreciatively, but critically, examines arguments in the book Politics After Christendom by Dr. David VanDrunen. Pastor Drummond introduces himself and recounts how he became a confessional, Calvinistic Baptist, and a libertarian-anarchist. He speaks about how VanDrunen’s biblical arguments for the legitimacy of the state fail his own standard for justifying the state. Drummond also explains how VanDrunen’s theoretical argument is at odds with his own view of law, justice, and rights, and is in tension with many of his economic and theological insights.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/017

Main Points Of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

01:50 About Pastor Drummond

06:54 VanDrunen’s brief biblical arguments and Drummond’s response

17:22 Monopoly, Noahic covenant, and negative natural rights

24:26 VanDrunen’s view of customary legal order

27:50 Drummond’s response on law and rights

34:44 Need for clearly distinguishing just and unjust coercion

38:56 Protectionism, sin, politicization, and inefficiency

47:29 Concluding thoughts

Additional Resources

Article discussed: “Fool’s Gold?: A libertarian analysis of VanDrunen’s account of state legitimacy,” by Taylor Drummond: https://libertarianchristians.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CLR-5-Drummond.pdf

Politics After Christendom by David VanDrunen: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310108845/

Taylor Drummond
congregation: Grace Community Church, Allentown PA https://gracecommunityallentown.org/
Politics substack: https://thearchy.substack.com/
Theology site: https://servantofthesovereign.wordpress.com/

Other books mentioned:
The Road To Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek: https://mises.org/library/book/road-serfdom
The Law by Frederic Bastiat: https://mises.org/library/book/law
Foundations of Economics: A Christian View by Shawn Ritenour: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1556357249/
The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0895261715/
For A New Liberty by Murray Rothbard: https://mises.org/library/book/new-liberty-libertarian-manifesto

Christian Libertarian Review call for papers 2024: https://libertarianchristians.com/2024/02/03/call-for-papers-2024-volume/

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Ep. 16: The Five Elements and Epochs of The Kingdom Of God

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0600

An introduction to a Reformed view of the Kingdom of God in its 5 elements and its 5 covenantally-administered epochs, culminating in the Kingdom’s definitive consummation in the New Creation. The relation between Christian cultural activity and the Kingdom of God is also clarified.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/016

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Episode description

01:03 Kingdom of God as the New Creation and central to Bible and all reality

03:25 5 “Royal” Elements
Ruler, Realm, Reign, those Ruled, Regulation by Covenant

05:31 Covenant in Scripture as oath-commitment
Covenants as administering Kingdom of God

07:20 5 Epochs
1. Probation/Proffered
2. Promised
3. Prefigured
4. Present-Inauguration
5. Parousia-Consummation
& See "The Grid": https://upper-register.com/papers/kline_grid.pdf

10:22 Contrary to postmil, premil, and heresy* [see note below] of popular “Evangelical” Dispensationalism

12:15 1st Epoch: Probation – the Covenant of Works
“Eschatology Precedes Soteriology”

17:10 2nd Epoch: Promised – the Protevangelium (Gen. 3.15) and Abrahamic Covenant
The Seed is Christ, the Land is New Creation, the Blessing is Salvation by grace alone, thru faith alone, in Christ alone

19:24 3rd Epoch: Prefigured – the Old Mosaic Covenant
Temporary and typological theocracy
Suspension of normal operations of “common grace”
Non-free market and coercive punishment of non-aggressive immorality
Typological principle of works (covenant blessings & curses)

24:03 4th Epoch: Present-Inauguration – the New Covenant
The gospel, salvation accomplished in history
Crucial distinction between (a) “subjective recognition of Christ’s reign” involving the implications of Christian beliefs for all of life -vs.- (b) “objective realm” of Christ’s Kingdom as the new heavens&earth, presently and uniquely manifest as the institutional church (not as common culture or society)
The gospel, church, and presently-inaugurated Kingdom are NOT “political”

30:23 5th Epoch: Parousia-Consummation – the everlasting, full realization of the New Covenant
Flesh & blood (pre-glorified human nature) cannot inherit the Kingdom, and so requires eschatological transformation, glorified incorruptibility

*Note
Differing forms of Dispensationalism (heretical or not) have been used by some to justify the worst of the United States government’s murderous, warmongering foreign policy. One of Dispensationalism’s erroneous beliefs (in all its forms) is that after the first advent of Christ, God’s promise to give the physical territory of Canaan to the physical descendants of Israel remains in effect.
A doctrinal “heresy” can be understood as a teaching that denies some point of orthodox creedal teaching. The heretical teaching we had in mind (and should have specified) is the belief that prior to Christ’s first advent, or during the era of the Law (or Old Covenant), salvation was not by grace through faith in Christ, the promised Savior. Not all forms of Dispensationalism teach this, however.
For further discussion of Dispensationalism, see this lecture on The New Covenant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynilaJANdoM

Additional Resources:

The Majesty On High, by Steven M. Baugh
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1544985584/
- Books At A Glance summary
https://www.booksataglance.com/book-reviews/the-majesty-on-high-introduction-to-the-kingdom-of-god-in-the-new-testament-by-s-m-baugh/
Audio from Baugh on the Kingdom of God
- Reformed Forum, Christ The Center Podcast ep.635 w/Baugh on The Majesty On High
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUnRUG-eGHI
- WSCal Office Hours Podcast w/Baugh on The Majesty On High
https://www.wscal.edu/devotion/kingdom-of-god/
- Lecture by Baugh on Kingdom as Consummation
https://www.wscal.edu/devotion/thy-kingdom-come/
- Conference Presentation by Baugh on Kingdom in New Testament
https://www.wscal.edu/devotion/the-kingdom-in-the-new-testament/
- Devotional by Baugh on Kingdom in John’s writings
https://www.wscal.edu/devotion/a-survey-of-the-kingdom-of-god-in-johns-writings/
“The New Creation, the Kingdom of God, and the Church,” by Steven M. Baugh
https://opc.org/nh.html?article_id=1128
Spring 2024 Friday Night Academy on Covenant Theology in systematic, biblical, and practical perspectives by Pastor Charles Lee Irons of Santa Clarita URC
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwrDNUO5MDu9WPd6FaReLxZkaK7VO8plE
Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored (2nd ed), by Brown and Keele
https://reformedfellowship.net/products/sacred-bond-covenant-theology-explored-second-edition
Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction, by Harrison Perkins
https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/reformed-covenant-theology-a-systematic-introduction-perkins.html
video explaining The Biblical-Theological “Grid” graphic of the Kingdom Of God in 5 Epochs, by Lee Irons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu7rbuOseZ8
[ PDF of The Grid : https://upper-register.com/papers/kline_grid.pdf ]
video explaining Adam’s Probation and the Priority of Eschatology, by Lee Irons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_NJwB_f1P4
“The Deeper (Reformed) Protestant Conception,” by Lane Tipton
https://reformedforum.org/what-is-the-deeper-protestant-conception/
The Reformed View of Christian Cultural Activity and Mistaken Views
https://reformedlibertarians.com/004
Reformed Biblical-Theological Foundations for Christian Cultural Activity, by Gregory Baus
https://honest2blog.blogspot.com/2022/01/reformed-biblical-theological.html
About Theocracy in New Covenant Era
https://reformedlibertarians.com/015
The Conquest of Canaan, episode 14 of the Biblical Anarchy Podcast by Jacob Winograd w/Gregory Baus
https://reformedlibertarians.com/ep...

BONUS: Should Christian Libertarians Reject Biblical Inerrancy?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 23:00:00 -0700

A reading of Kerry Baldwin’s article on biblical inerrancy, which discusses a blog post by Pete Enns in which he says why he believes the Bible has errors, and no one is obligated to obey Romans 13. Resources for a better (non-biblicist) view of inerrancy and a better view of Romans 13 are recommended. The hosts also give an update about new episodes.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/bonusB

00:00 Start
00:09 Update
00:49 Intro to Kerry's article
01:46 Enns wrong on Romans 13
04:42 Enns confuses biblical inerrancy with biblicism
07:03 A non-biblicist view of inerrancy
08:35 A better view of Romans 13
10:00 Covenantal sensitivity
11:49 Conclusion

Additional Resources:

Does Biblical Inerrancy Threaten Libertarianism? by Kerry Baldwin
https://reformedlibertarians.com/does-biblical-inerrancy-threaten-libertarianism/

Episode 14 of The Reformed Libertarians Podcast, Does Political Representation Make Sense?, with Gerard Casey
https://reformedlibertarians.com/014

Note on the danger of biblicism by Terry Johnson and Shane Lems
https://reformedreader.wordpress.com/2017/06/22/the-danger-of-biblicism/

Different views of biblical inerrancy by Kam Weng Ng
https://krisispraxis.com/archives/2016/06/inerrancy-of-the-bible-defined-and-defended-part-1/

The Framework Interpretation of Creation Days by Lee Irons
https://upper-register.com/papers/framework_interpretation.html

The Truthfulness of Scripture by Michael Horton
https://www.modernreformation.org/resources/articles/the-truthfulness-of-scripture

The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
https://www.alliancenet.org/international-council-on-biblical-inerrancy

Well-versed Inerrancy by Kevin Vanhoozer
https://henrycenter.tiu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013April_Vanhoozer-inerrancy.pdf

Video presentation on well-versed inerrancy by Kevin Vanhoozer
https://vimeo.com/79158043

Can The Bible Contain Errors? by Greg Beale
https://faculty.wts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2011-Spring-Inspired.pdf

Audio presentation on inerrancy by Greg Beale
http://media1.wts.edu/media/audio/gkbeale_lecture_copyright.mp3

Review of Enns' book against inerrancy by Greg Beale
https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/49/49-2/JETS_49-2_287-312_Beale.pdf

The Erosion Of Inerrancy by Greg Beale
https://amazon.com/dp/1433502038

Romans 13: A Reformed View by Gregory Baus
https://libertarianchristians.com/2021/11/24/romans-13-and-stateless-civil-governance-a-reformed-view/

Episode 2 of The Reformed Libertarians Podcast, What Does Romans 13 Say About Civil Government?
https://reformedlibertarians.com/002

Episode 42 of The Biblical Anarchy Podcast, Why Isn't the State Biblically Justified? Resolving Romans 13 Objections, with Gregory Baus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBbFFBwMaLQ

Episode 14 of The Biblical Anarchy Podcast, Does The Conquest of Canaan Conflict with Anarchism? with Gregory Baus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3KFqcQlPuA

Reformed Libertarians Podcast hosts' appearances elsewhere
https://reformedlibertarians.com/appearances/

Also see a highly-relevant article on a pattern of turning ex-vangelical, especially as among women, by Kerry Baldwin
https://mereliberty.com/theology/pattern-of-deconstruction-women/

The Reformed Libertarians Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a member of the Christians for Liberty Network
Audio Production by Podsworth Media.

Special Announcement

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 04 May 2023 03:00:00 -0600

Summary - Reformed Libertarians Podcast Announcement
We're taking a short break for summer, but listen for some other information and plans for the Reformed Libertarian podcast when we get back.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/bonusA

Additional Resources
https://reformedlibertarians.com/about-our-logo/
https://reformedlibertarians.com/reformed-libertarianism-statement/
https://reformedlibertarians.com/articles/
https://reformedlibertarians.com/resources/
https://reformedlibertarians.com/signup/

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Ep. 15: Can Christian Civil Government Be "Theocratic"?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0600

A discussion of whether a Reformed Christian view of civil governance is compatible with theocracy. We explain how the term "theocratic" has been used, and two key elements of a theocratic view (namely, the monopoly state and civil establishment of religion) that must be rejected in a genuinely Christian view of civil governance. We also touch on how some who support a theocratic view go wrong in their eschatology.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/015/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description

01:27 About the history of the term https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/political-science-and-government/political-science-terms-and-concepts/theocracy

02:22 All of life, and so all politics, is ultimately guided by central religious commitments

04:45 The objectionable sense of "theocratic" is not entailed by the universality of central religious commitments and their ultimate guidance of all of life

05:28 Two key elements of theocracy are "a monopoly state" and "civil establishment of religion"; Monopoly explained

07:41 Just and unjust uses of coercion; The obligation of non-aggression; The illegitimacy of all states

12:13 A simple analogy

15:12 Establishmentarianism explained https://reformedlibertarians.com/against-civil-establishment-of-religion/

16:46 The unique, symbolic, and temporary (now obsolete) old Mosaic covenant theocracy involved suspension of the common grace order; It was a temporary symbolic-intrusion of final judgment and the kingdom of God, now inaugurated in the new covenant institutional church, and yet to be consummated in the New Heavens and Earth

19:59 While the old covenant was in effect, it was not a violation of non-aggression https://reformedlibertarians.com/002 ; Now, in the new covenant era, the normal operation of the common grace order has resumed; This entails prohibition of establishmentarianism and monopoly, enacting either is antichrist

22:03 Genuinely limited governance, required by God's ultimate sovereignty, according to a consistent Christian view, entails non-monopoly and non-establishment

24:17 Recap

25:10 The under-realization of inaugurated eschatology in the new covenant by postmillennialism and so-called optimism that often accompanies a theocratic view

Additional Resources

More about the temporary suspension of the normal operation of common grace and the eschatological-intrusion within the old covenant theocracy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3KFqcQlPuA

More about sphere sovereignty : Episode 09 - https://reformedlibertarians.com/009 Episode 12 - https://reformedlibertarians.com/012

More about the underrealization of inaugurated eschatology in the new covenant as held by a postmil view (Gaffin refers to postmil's de-eschatologizing) : https://www.newhopefairfax.org/files/Gaffin%20Theonomy%20and%20Eschatology.pdf

The Reformed Libertarians Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute: https://libertarianchristians.com/ and a member of the Christians for Liberty Network: https://christiansforliberty.net

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Ep. 14: Does Political Representation Make Sense?, with Gerard Casey

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0600

An interview with Dr. Gerard Casey about his article "The Indefensibility of Political Representation." Dr. Casey introduces himself and recounts how he became a libertarian anarchist. He speaks about the idea of legitimate command and various options proposed to justify the state's supposed authority. He summarizes some of his examination of political representation from his article. He also talks about what real democracy was like, and closes with a reflection on caring for the poor in a free society.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/014/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description
Article discussed (25 min read), "The Indefensibility of Political Representation" by Gerard Casey : https://mises.org/library/indefensibility-political-representation
Audio presentation (18 mins) : https://mises.org/library/which-be-master-indefensibility-political-representation

01:51 About Dr. Casey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Casey_(philosopher)
Academia page: https://ucd.academia.edu/GerardNCasey
Interviews by Dr. Casey: https://www.youtube.com/@caseyinconversation6380
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Casey5122dark

05:18 Libertarian conversion
The Theory of Money and Credit by Ludwig von Mises : https://mises.org/library/theory-money-and-credit

10:07 Principles of legitimate command

15:11 Options proposed to justify the state
The main option in the West today is the idea of "representative" democracy which is equated with self-governance

17:54 Hannah Pitkin's analysis and the basic incoherence of political representation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanna_Fenichel_Pitkin
The Concept of Representation by Hanna Pitkin : https://www.amazon.com/dp/0520021568?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

25:44 Inevitable bureaucratic obstacles
BBC2's "Yes Minister" : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister

29:46 Actual democracy and sortition
Against Elections by David Van Reybrouck : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1847924220?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
Jury Nullification: https://fija.org

37:24 "Let The Poor Starve?" by Gerard Casey https://reformedlibertarians.com/let-the-poor-starve-gerard-casey/
How Govt "Solved" The Healthcare Crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFoXyFmmGBQ&list=PLwrDNUO5MDu8WYU5oB7l037lvAEjSoPBr&index=7

Books by Dr. Gerard Casey:
(2012) Libertarian Anarchy : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1441144676?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
(2013) Murray Rothbard : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1441100792?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
(2017) Freedom's Progress? - a history of political thought : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1845409426?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
(2019) ZAP - free speech and tolerance in light of the Zero Aggression Principle : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1788360176?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
(2020) After #MeToo : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1788360273?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
(2021) Hidden Agender : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1788360583?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

"Meddling In Other Men's Affairs: The Case For Anarchy" by Gerard Casey https://reformedlibertarians.com/meddling-in-other-mens-affairs-the-case-for-anarchy-by-gerard-casey/

Also see Episode 7: Can Libertarians Be Conservatives? : https://reformedlibertarians.com/007

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Ep. 13: What Do We Mean By "Scripture Alone"?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0600

A reading of the essay "What Do We Mean By Sola Scriptura?" by W. Robert Godfrey, which focuses on explaining some key features of the Protestant principle or doctrine of Sola Scriptura (that is, Scripture Alone). Godfrey defines the principle, discusses several Bible passages that teach it, and answers 4 basic objections.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/013/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description
Article read: https://reformedlibertarians.com/mean-by-sola-scriptura-robert-godfrey/
It appears as the first chapter in the book Sola Scriptura : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1567693334?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

02:07 Introduction
Sola Scriptura is one of the two main issues that separates Protestants from non-Protestants, along with Sola Fide (that is, justification by faith alone).
Book mentioned Justification By Faith ALONE : https://www.amazon.com/dp/187761193X?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

04:30 Definition and some passages that teach it
"Scripture alone is our ultimate religious authority [ie, infallible rule]... [and] all things necessary for salvation, concerning faith and life, are taught in the Bible clearly enough for the ordinary believer to find it there and understand."

For a more elaborate statement see the Westminster Confession of Faith
chapter 1 : https://opc.org/wcf.html#Chapter_01
20.2 : https://opc.org/wcf.html#Chapter_20
21.1 : https://opc.org/wcf.html#Chapter_21
31.2-3 : https://opc.org/wcf.html#Chapter_31

14:44 The sufficiency of the Bible as God's Word

15:37 Different senses of the term "tradition"

19:16 Tradition vs. the Bible

21:43 Tradition vs. Tradition

24:44 Recognition of the "canon", or the specific writings that constitute the Bible
Book mentioned The Structure of Biblical Authority by Meredith G. Kline : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1579100694?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

33:03 Unity in the interpretation of the Bible

Additional Resources

WSCal Office Hours podcast, with Bob Godfrey on Sola Scriptura (26 minutes)
https://wscal.edu/resource-center/whats-in-a-name-sola-scriptura
Why God Gave Us A Book, booklet by Gene Edward Veith
https://www.amazon.com/dp/159638378X?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
What Is The Bible?, booklet by Guy Prentiss Waters
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1596387114?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
Scripture Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine, by R.C. Sproul
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1596389540?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
Zondervan 5 Solas Series
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KG9V455?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
- Zaspel's summaries of 5 Zondervan books included in this course on the Five Solas from the Gospel Coalition
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/the-five-solas/
The Cambridge Declaration (on the 5 Solas)
https://www.alliancenet.org/cambridge-declaration
More resources on the Five Solas
https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=five%20solas
Just And Sinner Podcast with Jordan Cooper discussing Martin Chemnitz on Sola Scriptura and Tradition
- Part 1 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kisWf3I528U
- Part 2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxN4WxFOhYg
- Part 3 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7s6TVAKQNk
On the canon, also see
- Redemptive History and the New Testament Scriptures, by Herman Ridderbos
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0875524168?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
- Canon Revisited, by Michael J. Kruger
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433505002?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
- The Question of Canon, by Michael J. Kruger
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830840311?tag=kerrybaldwin-20
See also several videos from Truth Unites with Gavin Ortlund
- Sola Scriptura Defended
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlF57ewhXAI
- Response To Critics Of Sola Scriptura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdIYoXQGYmw
- Augustine Affirmed Sola Scriptura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6ZAa0gNMvE
- More On Augustine And Sola Scriptura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbTPHSv5Rtc
- Review of Sola Scriptura Debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-O18bhDPGc

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Ep. 12: Is Civil Governance Without The State Plausible?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0700

A discussion of the main points of Kerry Baldwin’s article on the plausibility of stateless civil governance and the common difficulty in imagining such a society. We talk about factors that may contribute to the failure of imagination such as the mere-exposure effect, the Overton window, and plausibility structures. Also mentioned are several examples of historically existing non-monopolistic civil governance. Spontaneous order is explained in terms of a consistent sphere sovereignty, and we provide resources on how civil governance can be practically and realistically provided without the state.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/012/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description
Article discussed https://libertarianchristians.com/2018/05/07/plausibility-of-a-stateless-society/

01:18 Previous episodes in series
1. Law and order, and the question of legitimacy https://reformedlibertarians.com/003
2. Human sinfulness, and the question of necessity https://reformedlibertarians.com/005
3. Economics and social hierarchy, and the question of inevitability https://reformedlibertarians.com/009

01:57 Main points of article on failure of imagination, and the question of the plausibility of stateless (non-monopolistic) civil governance

03:10 Reasons for difficulty in imagining non-monopolistic civil governance
Bias towards the familiar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect

05:21 The Overton window
The range of thinkable ideas in a society https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window

08:58 Plausibility structures
Social realities that reinforce or help a belief seem true https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plausibility_structure

10:14 What about the roads? https://mises.org/wire/government-road-management-there-better-way

10:42 Historical examples of non-monopolistic civil governance
Previously mentioned:
Ancient Ireland: https://mises.org/library/private-law-emerald-isle
Law Merchant: https://fee.org/articles/the-law-merchant-and-international-trade/
Not-so-wild West: https://mises.org/library/not-so-wild-wild-west

Other examples:
Quaker Pennsylvania https://mises.org/library/pennsylvanias-anarchist-experiment-1681-1690
Medieval Iceland https://mises.org/library/medieval-iceland-and-absence-government
Zomia (south Asian highlands)
text: https://mises.org/library/art-not-being-governed
audio: https://mises.org/library/james-c-scott-art-not-being-governed
[ index for The Libertarian Tradition podcast: https://mises.org/library/libertarian-tradition?page=2 ]

13:01 Division of labor makes stateless society more plausible https://mises.org/wire/division-labor-clarified

13:46 Somalia is better-off without a state https://mises.org/library/rule-law-without-state

14:58 recap on Sphere Sovereignty https://www.academia.edu/32356017/Dooyeweerds_Societal_Sphere_Sovereignty_2017_revision_
Reformed Libertarianism Statement https://reformedlibertarians.com/reformed-libertarianism-statement/

18:55 Polycentric emergent societal order
Popular-level article https://fee.org/articles/spontaneous-order/
Video essay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQhkrYqA7S4&list=PLwrDNUO5MDu8WYU5oB7l037lvAEjSoPBr&index=9
Bibliographic essay https://oll.libertyfund.org/page/the-tradition-of-spontaneous-order-a-bibliographical-essay-by-norman-barry
Example of the price system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkPGfTEZ_r4

22:31 Practical outlines for how non-monopolist civil governance can be provided
Chaos Theory, by Robert Murphy
text: https://mises.org/library/chaos-theory-two-essays-market-anarchy-0
audio: https://mises.org/library/chaos-theory-two-essays-market-anarchy-audio

The Machinery of Freedom, by David Freidman
video summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTYkdEU_B4o&list=PLwrDNUO5MDu8WYU5oB7l037lvAEjSoPBr&index=11
2nd edition free [pdf]: http://www.daviddfriedman.com/The_Machinery_of_Freedom_.pdf
3rd edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1507785607?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Ep. 11: The Truth About the Great Depression, with Larry Reed

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0700

An interview with Lawrence W. Reed, President emeritus of The Foundation for Economic Education, about his booklet, Great Myths of the Great Depression. We talk about the Progressive Era as the context for the government policies that brought about the Great Depression, and discuss several commonly misunderstood elements that caused or perpetuated the Great Depression. We conclude with a note about personal character.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/011/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description Book discussed: https://fee.org/resources/great-myths-of-the-great-depression/

01:51 About Mr. Reed https://www.lawrencewreed.com/about Books by Mr. Reed https://www.lawrencewreed.com/books

03:07 Mr. Reed's background and faith

07:13 Jesus is NOT a socialist https://www.amazon.com/dp/1610171608?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

09:56 The Progressive Era

15:34 Progressive population control The eugenics movement, by Bradley Thomas https://fee.org/articles/the-progressive-ideas-that-fueled-america-s-eugenics-movement/

18:27 Monetary policy and the Fed https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLALopHfWkFlGvgxFXosWmjzSGw95IFa1t

24:21 Tariffs, income tax, and stifling trade https://fee.org/articles/its-more-important-to-be-american-than-to-buy-american/

29:06 New Deal disasters https://fee.org/articles/fdr-campaigned-on-fiscal-restraint-in-1932-he-delivered-just-the-opposite/

34:32 Government causes inflation https://fee.org/articles/35-government-is-an-inflation-fighter/

36:21 Wagner Act disasters

41:12 Minimum wage https://fee.org/articles/38-the-minimum-wage-helps-the-poor/

44:59 The importance of personal character https://fee.org/articles/character-liberty-and-economics

Further Resources

The Progressive Era, by Murray Rothbard https://mises.org/library/progressive-era-0

America's Great Depression, by Murray Rothbard https://mises.org/library/americas-great-depression

What Has Government Done To Our Money, by Murray Rothbard https://mises.org/library/what-has-government-done-our-money

The Case Against The Fed, by Murray Rothbard https://mises.org/library/case-against-fed-0

The Great Depression, by Hans Sennholz https://mises.org/library/great-depression

Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression, by Tom Woods audio: https://mises.org/library/14-herbert-hoover-and-great-depression

Truth about the Great Depression, by Thomas DiLorenzo audio: https://mises.org/library/9-truth-about-great-depression

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

Ep. 10: Climate Alarmism and the Cornwall Alliance, with Calvin Beisner

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 03:00:00 -0700

An interview with Dr. E. Calvin Beisner, President of The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation about politically-concocted climate alarmism in contrast with climate realism, based on genuine scientific study. We also talk about destructive governmental emissions policy, and the environmental Kuznets curve.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/010/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description https://www.cornwallalliance.org Dr. Beisner's dissertation: https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/handle/10023/2698

01:51 About Dr. Beisner How he became Reformed

06:34 Some of Dr. Beisner's past work Coalition On Revival: https://www.reformation.net/the-17-worldview-documents.html Hebert Schlossberg's book Idols for Destruction: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0891077383?tag=kerrybaldwin-20 Beisner's book Prosperity and Poverty: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1579108083?tag=kerrybaldwin-20 Beisner's book Prospects for Growth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592449832?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

09:08 How the Cornwall Alliance began The Cornwall Declaration: https://cornwallalliance.org/landmark-documents/the-cornwall-declaration-on-environmental-stewardship/ Highlights: https://cornwallalliance.org/about/our-history-in-highlights/

10:05 Why the work of the Cornwall Alliance is important 2006 A Call to Truth, Prudence, and Protection of the Poor - An Evangelical Response to Global Warming: https://cornwallalliance.org/landmark-documents/a-call-to-truth-prudence-and-protection-of-the-poor-an-evangelical-response-to-global-warming/ 2009 Declaration: https://cornwallalliance.org/2009/05/evangelical-declaration-on-global-warming/ 2014 Reiteration: https://cornwallalliance.org/landmark-documents/a-call-to-truth-prudence-and-protection-of-the-poor-2014-the-case-against-harmful-climate-policies-gets-stronger/

16:23 Ways the Cornwall Alliance does its work Cornwall agenda: https://www.cornwallalliance.org/docs/cornwall-stewardship-agenda.pdf Blog: https://cornwallalliance.org/category/blog/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cornwallallianceforthestew1587 Created to Reign Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1939979 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CornwallAlliance Twitter: https://twitter.com/CornwallSteward

19:19 How should we evaluate climate alarmist claims? Dr.s Beisner and Legates' book (Forthcoming April 2023) Climate and Energy: The Case For Realism https://www.regnery.com/9781684512676/climate-and-energy/

Hot Talk, Cold Science by Fred Singer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1598133411?tag=kerrybaldwin-20 Why you shouldn't be alarmed: https://www.cornwallalliance.org/docs/global-warming-why-evangelicals-should-not-be-alarmed.pdf Feedback and climate: https://cornwallalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/sen.pdf Examination of policy: https://www.cornwallalliance.org/docs/an-examination-of-the-scientific-ethical-and-theological-implications-of-climate-change-policy.pdf

Orlando 23-25 February 2023 Climate Conference: https://climateconference.heartland.org

36:35 About so-called "net zero" emissions policy https://www.buzzsprout.com/1939979/12131215-brief-what-can-t-be-done-won-t-be-done

46:09 About the Kuznets curve https://cornwallalliance.org/2018/12/fighting-climate-change-make-the-world-cleaner/

Further resources:

BONUS AUDIO: About the Founding and Formation of the Cornwall Alliance http://reformedlibertarians.com/010

Francis Schaeffer's (1970) Pollution and the Death of Man: The Christian View of Ecology https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433576953?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

Real Climate Science with Tony Heller https://realclimatescience.com/the-five-top-arguments-against-climate-alarmism/

Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change https://climatechangereconsidered.org

Master Resource: Free-Market Energy Blog https://www.masterresource.org

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Climate Change, by Marc Morano https://www.amazon.com/dp/1621576760?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

Audio Production by Podsworth Media - https://podsworth.com

BONUS: About Dr. Beisner and the Founding of the Cornwall Alliance

Libertarian Christian Institute — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:00:00 -0700

Ep. 9: Does Social Hierarchy or Economics Make The State Inevitable?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0700

A discussion of the main points of Kerry Baldwin's article on economics, social relations, and the question of the inevitability of the state in a properly-functioning society. Robert Nozick's economic argument for the immaculate conception of the state, and Russel Kirk's social argument for states are both answered. A non-monopolistic view of civil governance is placed in terms of "sphere sovereignty" and a non-individualistic and non-collectivistic view of society.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/009/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description Article: https://libertarianchristians.com/2018/04/11/economics-hierarchy-states-inevitability/ Part 1 on law and order and the question of civil governance legitimacy: https://reformedlibertarians.com/003 Part 2 on human sinfulness and the question of civil governance necessity: https://reformedlibertarians.com/005

01:45 Summary overview of article

03:20 The economic argument for the state's supposed inevitability, as presented by Robert Nozick in his book Anarchy, State, and Utopia https://www.amazon.com/dp/0465051006?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

04:24 Murray Rothbard's refutation of Nozick's hypothetical "immaculate conception of the state" Text: https://mises.org/library/robert-nozick-and-immaculate-conception-state Audio: https://mises.org/library/29-robert-nozick-and-immaculate-conception-state

04:43 Nozick's false assumption about contract and Rothbard on title-transfer view of contract Text: https://mises.org/library/property-rights-and-theory-contracts Audio: https://mises.org/library/19-property-rights-and-theory-contracts

06:39 Nozick's false assumption about dispute resolution and Bob Murphy's "Wouldn't Warlords Take Over?" on the realistic alternative to combat Text: https://mises.org/library/wouldnt-warlords-take-over Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7fJCtv90Pc

07:55 Nozick's false assumption about agreements and organizational merger and the counter-example of Ancient Ireland's non-monopolistic legal order https://mises.org/library/private-law-emerald-isle

09:53 The social argument for the state's supposed inevitability, as presented by Russel Kirk in his 10 Conservative Principles, from the principle of variety https://kirkcenter.org/conservatism/ten-conservative-principles/ from his book The Politics of Prudence https://www.amazon.com/dp/1932236554?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

12:09 The Reformed Libertarianism statement https://reformedlibertarians.com/reformed-libertarianism-statement/ Why the worst rise to the top of the state https://fee.org/articles/hayek-was-right-the-worst-do-get-to-the-top/

13:10 The neocalvinist and reformational view of society (sphere sovereignty) as a superior alternative to individualistic and collectivistic views of society https://www.academia.edu/32356017/Dooyeweerds_Societal_Sphere_Sovereignty_2017_revision_

14:56 Praxeological / methodological individualism (recognizing that only individual persons properly act) is not an individualistic view of society

16:35 Society is not a single thing, nor something normatively governed "overall"

18:44 No specific community normatively governs all the others of that same kind, whether familial, ecclesial, or civil (or any other kind)

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Ep. 8: The Boetie Option: The Peaceful Underthrow Of The State

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0700

A discussion of Murray Rothbard's Introduction to Etienne de la Boetie's "The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude". The connection of La Boetie's essay to the French Reformed is explained. Also highlighted is the main idea of the Discourse, that state tyranny relies on popular compliance, and when such compliance is withdrawn, the tyranny ends.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/008/

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description
Rothbard's introduction: https://mises.org/library/politics-etienne-de-la-boetie
La Boetie's essay: https://mises.org/library/politics-obedience-discourse-voluntary-servitude
Audiobook: https://mises.org/library/politics-obedience-discourse-voluntary-servitude-audiobook

01:24 About Murray Rothbard
article: https://mises.org/profile/murray-n-rothbard
audio: https://mises.org/library/who-is-murray-rothbard

01:44 Summary of Rothbard's introduction

04:55 Flashes Of Liberty on La Boetie https://mereliberty.com/podcasts/etienne-de-la-boetie

05:06 Summary of La Boetie's bio and the French Reformed (Huguenot) connection

About Huguenots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huguenots

A 3 part presentation from Bill Edgar on Huguenots:
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk0n5umun6A
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDUc3O-WKt8
c. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnqzmf7Ay5A

08:48 The question of the consent of the governed

12:32 Episode 2 on Romans 13 https://reformedlibertarians.com/002

13:45 The peaceful underthrow of the state by withdraw of popular compliance

15:41 Larken Rose's videos
The Tiny Dot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6b70TUbdfs
The Jones Plantation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb8Rj5xkDPk
Film: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jones-plantation-feature-film-post-production/

16:27 Working together to spread the message
The First Follower video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

18:12 The Velvet Revolution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Revolution

18:43 The crucial educational task of de-bamboozling

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Ep. 7: Can Libertarians Be Conservatives?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0700

A discussion of the article "Can Conservatives Be Libertarians?" by Gerard Casey. Several mischaracterizations of libertarianism are answered. How Reformed libertarians value tradition and liberty in contrast with progressive liberalism is clarified, with reference to an essay by Friedrich Hayek. Also mentioned is the relation between liberty and civil justice.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/007

00:00 Start

00:32 Episode description article "Can Conservatives Be Libertarians?": https://mises.org/library/can-conservatives-be-libertarians audio: https://mises.org/library/can-conservatives-be-libertarians-can-libertarians-be-conservatives chapter: https://books.google.com/books?id=uh0rBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA33#v=onepage&q&f=false

01:35 Article summary

02:59 Why this article is important for Reformed libertarians

04:12 Popular story about tradition vs Cambodia

06:55 We should evaluate and value tradition as a heuristic and as wisdom according to normative standards

09:15 The example of marriage and family life. Civil government interference is destructive, despite best intentions https://mises.org/wire/welfare-state-did-what-slavery-couldnt-do

12:05 Friedrich Hayek's "Freedom, Reason, and Tradition" https://web.archive.org/web/20221012174445/https://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/microsites/gender-sexuality/Hayek%20on%20tradition.pdf

12:37 "Autonomous self" statist-progressivist liberalism not an outgrowth of classical liberalism, contra (among others) Deneen and Koyzis https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830852425?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

13:46 Property right and non-aggression is key. Libertarianism is not libertine-ism, and does not entail condoning or otherwise supporting immorality.

15:12 Libertarianism is also the key to religious liberty https://mises.org/wire/when-you-have-property-rights-you-dont-need-religious-freedom

16:03 Moral action must be free. Liberty is not the highest value, principle, or end in life as such. Rather, civil justice is the leading norm for civil governance, and so liberty (in the sense of non-aggression) as one's right is at issue.

18:28 Recap

19:40 Only by maintaining the non-aggression principle can we best promote a moral and overall flourishing society to God's glory

See Gerard Casey's book Libertarian Anarchy https://www.amazon.com/dp/1441144676?tag=kerrybaldwin-20 And his article "Meddling In Other Men's Affairs" https://tinyurl.com/caseforanarchy Also hear Norman Horn on "How Libertarianism Differs From Other Political Movements" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8BFm9AtUmQ

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Ep. 6: Why Is The Right Of Resistance Important?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0700

A summary of the doctrine of the Right of Political Resistance, with four reasons for its importance. Plus, a little about the life of John Chrysostom and his early church contribution to this important doctrine.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/006

00:00 start

00:32 episode description

00:52 What is the doctrine of the Right of Political Resistance? See episode 2: https://reformedlibertarians.com/002

01:11 summary of the doctrine No obligation to submit to tyranny since it is not God's ordinance

02:03 taught in the Reformed confessions

05:05 Reformed Political Resistance Theology annotated bibliography https://tinyurl.com/RefoPoliResistBib

05:17 One reason this doctrine is important: the Right of Resistance is a non-indifferent ethical matter addressed in Scripture and church's subordinate doctrinal standards

06:47 A second reason this doctrine is important: the Right of Resistance is required to be taught, and contradicting it is subject to discipline

08:55 A third reason this doctrine is important: decisions related to one's view of the Right of Resistance are frequently encountered

10:12 Examples of resisting injustice:

a. feeding the poor without govt approval https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/05/fort-lauderdale-pastors-arnold-abbott-arrested-feeding-homeless

b. buying govt-unapproved necessities https://www.aier.org/article/how-government-created-the-baby-formula-shortage/

c. sheltering the homeless without govt approval https://tinyurl.com/GastoniaShelter https://libertarianchristians.com/2022/11/25/episode-302/

10:45 obsta principiis / resist at the beginning https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2018/09/27/obsta-principiis-nip-the-shoots-of-arbitrary-power-in-the-bud/

11:59 of course, there are prudential considerations in strategic defense

12:50 A fourth reason this doctrine is important: teaching the Right of Resistance is a matter of the church's faithful witness to the truth of Scripture as God's Word

15:55 there is a great need for greater familiarity with this doctrine in Reformed churches today

16:52 John Chrysostom's historical context https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Later_Roman_Empire#Towards_Christianization

19:55 John Chrysostom's biography https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chrysostom

22:02 Chrysostom's 23rd Homily on Romans 13 Paul is addressing God's prescriptive ordination of an office of administering civil justice, not addressing providence or requiring submission to whomever wields power https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf111.vii.xxv.html

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Ep. 5: Does Sin Make Civil Government Necessary?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0700

A discussion of the main points of Kerry Baldwin's article on human sinfulness and the question of the state's necessity for civil governance. The fact that people are sinners and there will always be crime is shown to be not a reason that states are necessary, but rather a reason for stateless (non-monopolistic) civil governance.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/005

00:00 start

00:32 episode description article discussed: https://libertarianchristians.com/2018/03/28/sinful-nature-question-states-necessity/

01:06 overview of 4-part series Listen to episode 03 on first article concerning law and order and the question of the legitimacy of civil governance: https://reformedlibertarians.com/003

01:27 article preface and summary

03:02 Federalist Paper 51: https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed51.asp

04:40 Who will watch the watchmen? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quis_custodiet_ipsos_custodes%3F

05:02 original sin and total depravity Westminster Confession chapter 6: https://opc.org/wcf.html#Chapter_06 audio on original sin: https://renewingyourmind.org/2022/02/04/original-sin video on total depravity: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/what-is-reformed-theology/total-depravity-part-1

06:17 introductory book about the Reformed view of the Bible's teaching about salvation: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0801014212?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

06:34 Robert Higgs' article on non-necessity of the state "If Men Were Angels": https://mises.org/library/if-men-were-angels-basic-analytics-state-versus-self-government excerpt from article: https://mises.org/library/if-men-were-angels video presentation "The State Is Too Dangerous To Tolerate": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RILDjo4EXV8&list=PLwrDNUO5MDu95jfsFdfN2oe8vXQ6Cma-h&index=12

09:02 US govt says police have no duty to protect you https://mises.org/power-market/police-have-no-duty-protect-you-federal-court-affirms-yet-again

09:35 in principle, if we are at risk and need protection because people are sinners, then granting monopoly power to any group of sinners is the absolute worst thing we could do

10:33 R.J. Rummel on 20th century democide (murder by the state) https://hawaii.edu/powerkills/20TH.HTM

12:48 some seem willfully naive about what states really are. Anatomy Of The State by Murry Rothbard audiobook https://mises.org/library/anatomy-state-audiobook

13:50 conclusion Stateless civil governance takes the principles of limited government to their most consistent and prudential conclusion The idea of limiting the monopoly state is unrealistic

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Ep. 4: How Should Christians View Culture and What Are Some Mistaken Views?

Reformed Libertarians — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0700

Discussion of the first subsection of the Reformed Libertarianism statement about culture. Also discussed are the significance of the fall into sin, common curse, redemption, and eschatology in relation to culture; as well as subjective sanctification of Christians' cultural activity, contrast of neocalvinist with scholastic and biblicist (or theonomic) views, and transformationalism.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/004

00:00 start

00:32 Episode description

00:55 Subsection 1.a. human production

01:30 Defining culture Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15; 9:1-7

04:30 The Reformed Libertarianism Statement & Principles https://reformedlibertarians.com/reformed-libertarianism-statement/

04:44 Why is understanding culture important?

06:24 The fall into sin and common curse Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 8:18-23; Ecclesiastes

08:00 Original prefall design of culture and eschatology

08:43 Postfall institutional differentiation; establishment of Covenant of Grace; Christ's accomplishment of redemption and fulfillment of original mandate Hebrews 2:5-15

09:24 Subjective sanctification of cultural activity By the application of Christ's accomplishment of redemption in regeneration, Christians are enable to rightly recognize the reign of God in all areas of life, and in all those areas perform those activities to the ultimate end of God's glory. This includes (however imperfect in this life) Christian good works (increasingly, according to the moral normativity of God's abiding moral will), and increasing conformity to whatever other abiding norms God has established for human action generally, and for cultural activity. https://honest2blog.blogspot.com/2022/01/reformed-biblical-theological.html

11:20 Example: logical norms in creational revelation

12:54 Literal and figurative sense of fruitfulness

15:00 Temporal common curse on people, so also their labors and the world

16:02 The error of scholastic views of the relation of religion to cultural activity

17:47 Neocalvinism, against scholastic views, rejects the false idea that there can be any religiously neutral area of human life

19:40 Is this a "cultural Christianity"?

21:25 The error of theonomic views of Christian cultural activity

22:13 Neocalvinism, against theonomic views, holds that the Old (Mosaic) Covenant (and its law) is no longer in force, but has spiritual application for the church, and is not a model for believers' cultural activity in the New Covenant era

23:16 A distinctively Christian view of cultural activity is a matter of discerning creational revelation as understood through the perspective of Scriptural teaching

25:24 What about so-called "transformationalism"?

27:30 Regeneration, and union with Christ in faith, involves our whole selves and lives. All our activity may be service to Christ (Colossians 3:23-24), not in conformity to philosophy that is not according to Christ (Colossians 2:3-4, 8), but rather transformed according to an understanding that all things are created by, through, and for Christ, moreover, and that in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17)

28:48 The reality of present futility because of the fall, even for believers; and the reality of present meaningfulness by the measure of final resurrection life in Christ 1 Corinthians 15:58

32:48 Intro discussion between Pastor Nate Xanders and Gregory Baus on Reformed Libertarianism statement https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwrDNUO5MDu-56FIiArhzVisvc1TayOFS

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Ep. 3: What Makes Civil Government Legitimate?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0700

A discussion of the main points of Kerry Baldwin's article on law and order and the question of the legitimacy of civil governance. John Locke's three requirements for legitimate civil governance are shown to be not reasons for a limited state, but rather reasons for stateless (non-monopolistic) civil governance.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/003

00:00 start

00:32 episode description article: https://libertarianchristians.com/2018/02/21/anarchism-minarchism-legitimacy-civil-governance/ video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiHWYmlh4rQ

01:15 article preface

02:08 summary overview of article

03:53 Locke's first requirement: third party impartial arbiters of disputes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemo_iudex_in_causa_sua

07:52 Law Without (State) Government explanation https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1647CADF96760B37

08:10 Locke's second requirement: settled and known law

10:14 Three Felonies A Day by Harry Silverglate https://amazon.com/dp/1594035229?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

11:02 Law Merchant https://fee.org/articles/the-law-merchant-and-international-trade/

12:28 Locke's third requirement: effective enforcement and defense

16:18 Not-So-Wild "Wild" West article: https://mises.org/library/not-so-wild-wild-west book: https://amazon.com/dp/0804748543?tag=kerrybaldwin-20

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Ep. 2: What Does Romans 13 Say About Civil Government?

Libertarian Christian Institute — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0700

A discussion of the main points of Gregory Baus' article on the historical, confessionally Reformed view of Romans 13 and a Reformed view of stateless civil governance. Also there's elaboration on lex talionis and the non-aggression principle, the Old Testament (Mosaic Covenant) theocracy, and establishmentarianism.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/002

Main Points of Discussion

00:00 start

00:33 episode description

01:02 article https://tinyurl.com/r13civgov
audio version https://tinyurl.com/r13stateless

01:22 summary of preliminaries

02:22 lex talionis and the non-aggression principle

05:43 distinction between civil governance (viz, administration of civil justice) and the 'state' (viz, territorial monopoly on coercion and final say)

06:53 summary overview of article Reformed Political Resistance annotated bibliography https://tinyurl.com/RefoPoliResistBib

07:41 an issue of exegesis, not political theory

09:00 major point: the default providential view is inconsistent with the passage and other Scripture passages, was rejected by the Reformed churches in their confessions, and contrary to sanctified common sense

09:45 discussed elsewhere:
Presbycast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC95p88UzKg
Gospel On Tap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UcwN0x5tvY
Daniel 3 Biblical Anarchy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm_wh1ndsxw

10:00 documentation from Reformed confessions; no obligation to submit to unjust rulers or unjust laws

12:58 Why isn't old (Mosaic) covenant a violation of the non-aggression principle and a model for civil governance in new covenant era? And why do we affirm disestablishmentarianism?
Against Civil Establishment Of Religion : https://reformedlibertarians.com/against-civil-establishment-of-religion/
Hodge's full article : https://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=92

18:51 summary of history of establishmentarianism

Additional Resources

Answers to Objections to Reformed view of Romans 13: https://reformedlibertarians.com/episode/why-isnt-the-state-biblically-justified-resolving-romans-13-objections/
Meredith G. Kline's article on theocracy: https://meredithkline.com/klines-works/articles-and-essays/the-relevance-of-the-theocracy/
Lee Irons' article on theonomy: https://www.the-highway.com/theonomy-hermeneutic_Irons.html
Lane Tipton's article on theonomy: https://www.kerux.com/doc/1501A1.asp
T. David Gordon's article on theonomy: https://web.archive.org/web/20200718055717/http://tdgordon.net/theology/theonomy.pdf

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Ep. 1: The Reformed Libertarians Podcast Introduction

Reformed Libertarians Podcast — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0600

An introduction to what Reformed means, and what libertarian means with its connection to Reformed. The hosts introduce themselves, and say a word about who the podcast is for.

https://reformedlibertarians.com/001

00:00 start

00:32 episode description

00:55 What do we mean by Reformed?

02:01 The Affair Of The Sausages https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc357/

03:31 Historical orthodox Protestants agree on early creeds about Trinity and Christ (among other doctrines), and the "5 Solas" https://alliancenet.org/cambridge-declaration/ and differ on certain specific points in their respective confessions

04:46 By Reformed we mean affirming a historical Reformed doctrinal standard; Reformed libertarians hold to disestablishmentarian confessions, including

1788 Westminster https://opc.org/wcf.html 1958 Belgic https://threeforms.org/the-belgic-confession/ or 1689 London Baptist https://the1689confession.com

05:24 Covenantal, redemptive-historical interpretation https://upper-register.com/mp3s.html#unfolding

05:42 How are we not 'Evangelical'?

06:47 We are evangelistic, testifying to the good news of salvation from God's judgement in Jesus Christ

08:32 What do we mean by libertarian?

09:20 By libertarian we mean affirming self-ownership/property right and the principle of non-aggression https://mises.org/library/what-libertarianism

10:16 How do we understand libertarianism from a Reformed perspective?

12:51 About Gregory Baus https://sites.google.com/site/ideolog/

13:47 About Kerry Baldwin https://mereliberty.com/about/kerry-baldwin/

16:57 Who might our audience be?

18:47 Our mission is to educate and inspire listeners to embrace and promote libertarianism as grounded in the Reformed Faith

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