Truce - History of the Christian Church

Latest Episodes:

The American West: Jesus and John Wayne (feat. Kristin Kobes Du Mez) Jun 08, 2021

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What do you think of when you picture a cowboy? A rugged, handsome individual? A lover? Someone who doesn't need the government's help? Evangelicalism has long pushed this as the ideal model for the Christian man. What is the impact of that set of ideas?

John Wayne and Ronald Reagan have both become popular figures in American men's ministries. Their names come up often, they both played cowboys in Hollywood. But they are unlikely heroes. Both men were divorced. Wayne wasn't an evangelical, and Reagan had once been a democrat. But both men were instrumental in whipping up anti-communist sentiment in the US, building credibility with a religion focused on individualism.

You can draw a line from them straight to former president Donald J. Trump. All three had questionable public morals but were seen as strong, uncompromising figures. They are seen in many men's books as the epitome of masculinity. That idea, though, comes in contrast with Jesus' own words about turning the other cheek, forgiving our enemies, and loving our enemies.

In this episode, Chris talks with Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of "Jesus and John Wayne: How Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation".

Discussion Questions

What do you think of when you picture a cowboy?
How have you heard cowboys, soldiers, and fighters discussed in evangelical circles?
What books have you read that stressed the importance of tough men?
What do you picture when you think of a Christian man? How has that been shaped?
What do you picture when you think of a Christian woman? How has that been shaped?
What is your idea of Jesus like? Is He a warrior, a gentle savior, or both?
Can you see the link between the cowboy image and Donald Trump?

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Kaitlyn Schiess and Our Four False Gospels May 25, 2021

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Christians throughout history have responded to politics in different ways. In our modern era, it can seem like Christianity and Republican politics are one and the same. But what do we do when the Bible clashes with our political party? What if our economic model leaves no room for the poor?

Author and theologian Kaitlyn Schiess joins us to talk about her book, "The Liturgy of Politics", as well as how we can heal as a church.

Discussion Questions

How have you seen politics and Christianity mixing in the US?
Is there are healthy way for Christians to engage in politics?
How have your politics informed your ideas of the poor?
Do you think that all poor people are lazy?
How can your local church reach out to people who look/speak/act differently that you do?
How have you see Kaitlyn's four false gospels play out in your life and church?
Prosperity
Patriotism
Security
Supremacy

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Jemar Tisby and How to Fight Racism May 11, 2021

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Do systems really keep minorities down? Even asking the questions sound socialistic to some. But we need to go through our society to root out systems that breed inequality. But how? Sometimes discussions of racism can make us feel helplessly lost.

That's why I called in an expert.

Jemar Tisby is a Christian speaker, author of “The Color of Compromise” and “How to Fight Racism”. He's also an important voice in modern America. Even if you don't agree with everything he writes in his books, it's important to hear what he's saying here. What are the systems that separate black and white people? How can we learn to grieve as a people, as a local church, and as a community?

Discussion Questions:

How can you organize an event at your church (online) to discuss the history of racism in your church, community, schools, and hearts?
Have you ever stopped to do a racial autobiography? (my questions, not Jemar's)
When was the first time you met someone of a different race?
What did your parents teach you, consciously or unconsciously, about race?
Have you ever used a racial slur? Why? How did you feel about it then? How do you feel about it now? What is the power of those words?
Have you ever been afraid of someone from another race? Why? When?
Do you regularly come in contact with people of a different race?
How do you feel when you see a police officer? Why might someone else have a different reaction? How did you come to feel that way?
Are there distinct, racially divided neighborhoods in your area? How did they get there? Do you ever go to a different neighborhood? Why or why not?
Are discussions of race inherently socialistic?
Are discussions of class inherently socialistic?

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Takeaway 5: It's Easier to Call People to a Heritage Than A Saving Faith Apr 27, 2021

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Some of the most common feedback I heard about season 3 of Truce is that I didn't give the Christian America camp enough time to back their opinion. In this mini-episode, I discuss my reason for leaving people like David Barton of Wall Builders off of the show.

I also play a short clip from Gregg L. Frazer who was on our Christian America episodes. His book is "The Religious Beliefs of America's Founders".

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Takeaway 4: Complexity is Cool Apr 20, 2021

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At the 2019 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Los Angeles, I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Richard Land. Dr. Land is a man of the company line who mixes Republican thought with Christianity. At this interview, Dr. Land said (off mic) that the reason this generation struggles so much is that we are unwilling to see the issues of our time as black and white. Good vs. Evil.

I disagree. I think the opportunity our generation has is that we can finally think of this complex world as complex.

This mini-episode is just one of several meant to help sum up season 3 of Truce.

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Takeaway 3: Treat Labor Well Apr 13, 2021

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A few months ago I produced two episodes about the Christian roots of American labor unions. And... a bunch of people stopped listening to the show. It turns out that many American Christians are conservative and, therefore, anti-union.

This mini-episode is the counterbalance to that series. Here we discuss the inefficient practices at General Motors in the 1980s. It was an era where GM slipped from holding over 40% of the market share to 17%. What happened? It's a story of unions, gasoline, and the reasons we treat labor well.

Resources used:

“Rude Awakening: The Rise Fall and Struggle for Recovery of General Motors” by Maryann Keller
"Crash Course" by Paul Ingrassia

Discussion Questions:

Do you have a bias for or against labor unions?
Who do you know who is or was in a union? What is their work ethic?
The labor unions in GM in the 1980s were inefficient. Does that make all labor unions inefficient?
Does specialization in factories help or hurt in the long run?
Do you have a bias for employers or employees?
Do you work as unto Christ in your own job?
What is the Christian way to work? To employ someone?

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Takeaway 2: Communism as a Scapegoat (feat. Jemar Tisby) Apr 06, 2021

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Season three of Truce has been all about how the rise of communism in Russia impacted the Christian Church. As we approach the end of the season, I want to highlight some of the important takeaways.

One of them is that communism can be used as a scapegoat. That is used by some people to get the public to hate or disregard something they don't like. That could be the COVID crisis or Black Lives Matter.

Our guest today is Jemar Tisby. He's the author of the New York Times Bestseller "The Color of Compromise" and "How to Fight Racism". He's also a frequent voice on the Pass The Mic Podcast. You can access his Substack email list here.

Helpful links:

Article about the Wyoming Health Department official who resigned due to his denial of COVID 19.

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Takeaway 1: Think Deeper About the Past Mar 30, 2021

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MAGA folks look back on the history of the United States and see a golden era: the 1950s. When religion was in the public eye, television and movies were clean, and father came home from work with dinner hot on the table. The trouble is that this vision of the 1950s only existed in our imaginations or if we chose to ignore the world around us. The 1950s were an era of great upheaval, with public monuments to religion being erected at the same time as heavy censorship, McCarthyism, wars, racism, and sexism.

For the next few weeks we'll be revisiting themes from season three of Truce to pull out some important takeaway. Takeaway 1: Think Deeper About the Past.

Helpful links:

The trailer for Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
Chris' interview with director Rich Christiano

Discussion Questions:

What do you think of when you think of the 1950s?
When is it okay to remember just part of history, and when do we need to consider the whole picture?
What era do people who wear MAGA hats want to return to? In other words, when was America greater than it is now?
When you think of your own childhood, what comes to mind?
Do world or social issues play into that?
How is nostalgia a helpful tool?
How can nostalgia shape our memory of the past?
Is there an era you wish to return to?
What can we do to create a fuller picture of the past when we retell it?

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How to Deal With Christian Nationalism Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

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The January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol demonstrated the dangers of extreme Christian nationalism. When we allow our ideas about God and His protection to overrun the Bible, we get into serious trouble. Now, many Christians are questioning their faith. Why does the Jesus of the Bible look so different from us and our country?

In this episode, Chris discusses our strange relationship with the United States. We love it when it affirms us, but we don't know what to do when the US behaves in an evil manner. How do we unify the Church in an era of division?

Helpful Discussion Questions:

How have you seen the United States tied to Christianity?
What do you think people mean when they say the US is a Christian nation?
When have you seen the US behave in a Christian manner?
When have you seen it wander from Christian principles?
Do you follow the Jesus of the Sermon on the Mount, or an economic Jesus?
How can you love people in your local church who believe different things about Jesus than you do?

Helpful links:

You can learn more about the Virginia Law Codes in Rebecca Cox Richardson's book "How the South Won the Civil War".
In the episode, I reference that the US provided rebels in Afghanistan with copies of the Koran and VHS bootlegs of the movie "Rambo". You can learn about that in Steve Coll's book, "Ghost Wars" pages 90 and 194-197.
Learn about John Adam's day of fasting
The Treaty of Tripoli
More about Dalton Trumbo
"Trumbo" movie trailer

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Skye Jethani and Post-Christian America Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

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How should Christians react in a post-Christian society?

Many theologians describe our modern era as being post-Christian. Meaning that religion was once public in the United States, and it is slowly disappearing. Is that okay? Is it possible that now is a great time to be doing ministry?

In this episode Chris interviews pastor/ author/ podcaster Skye Jethani. He's the author of the book "What if Jesus was Serious?" and co-host of The Holy Post podcast with Phil Vischer. Skye's wisdom for this time helps Christians put today in perspective.

Discussion Questions:

What is meant by the term "post-Christian"?
Do you think we're living in a post-Christian world?
How do our environment and culture impact Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount?
What does it mean to love our neighbors? Turn the other cheek?
Do you agree with Skye when he says that we are to obey our leaders, and yet we are the leaders in the US?
If so, how does that impact how you live and work?
Have you ever lived in an environment that was non-Christian? How does that differ from a culturally Christian area? Was it easier to do ministry in one over another?

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