Ep. 50 - Top Issues Christians Should Follow in 2026 w/Special Guest Daniel Darling

50 EPISODES!  Jonathon Woodyard and Brandt Merritt celebrate their milestone by welcoming Daniel Darling to the podcast to talk about his new book "In Defense of Christian Patriotism" as well as major issues that Christians should pay attention to in 2026. These include 1) The midterm elections; 2) The increase in church attendance among Gen Z; and 3) The impact of artificial intelligence (AI).  Thank you for being part of the journey, and we hope this episode encourages you and helps prepare you for the year ahead. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 05:37 The Genesis of 'In Defense of Christian Patriotism' 11:40 Patriotism and the Christian Perspective 17:32 Cynicism vs. Idealism in American History 23:26 Engaging with Culture: The Christian's Role 27:30 Engaging in Civic Responsibility 36:45 The Resurgence of Church Attendance Among Gen Z 47:45 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Society