After Class Podcast

As we continue exploring the contrast between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the World, we begin asking the practical questions that expose where our true allegiance lies. How do we speak about ourselves? Do we seek recognition, status, and influence—or do we quietly point others to Christ? How do we treat the undeserving, the overlooked, and the downcast? Do we show the same honor to the poor that we readily give to the wealthy? Is wealth a prerequisite for influence, respect, or significance in our eyes? Do we seek to lord our authority over others, or do we pursue greatness by becoming servants—even in the lowest and least visible places? Do we follow the world's pattern of self-promotion, boasting, and ambition? Or do we follow the humble example of Christ, who emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and laid down His life for others? Join us as we continue examining the radically different values of the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the World—and discover how the Gospel challenges not only what we believe, but how we live. Because the best conversations happen after class.

Jesus commands us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. But how should citizens of the Kingdom of God engage with the kingdoms of this world? In today's episode, the guys explore the tension between the Kingdom of God and earthly kingdoms.  Are you ready for some tension? Growth rarely comes without resistance. Just as perseverance strengthens our character, wrestling with difficult questions strengthens our faith. Join us as we work through the challenging—but essential—relationship between the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of God. Because the best conversations happen after class.

Is the world ultimately transformed through the voting booth, or through a people who faithfully live out the "strange" teachings of Christ? Do Christians need governments to enforce God's standards, or is a holy, set-apart life sufficient? What comes to people's minds when they think about you? Your politics? Your opinions? Your accomplishments? Or do they think of Christ? If your life points more clearly to a kingdom other than to the Kingdom of God, it may be time to ask where your true priorities—and your true allegiance—lie. Join the guys as they explore what it means to pursue holiness, redefine success, and faithfully represent Christ in a world with very different values. Because the best conversations happen after class.

Who Has Your Allegiance? Your Nation... or the Kingdom of God? Can a Christian faithfully serve both their country and the Kingdom of God? Or, when push comes to shove, must one always come first? Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters." But what if your nation's values appear to align with God's? Can patriotism and discipleship coexist? Where does your ultimate allegiance belong? Building on last week's discussion, the guys explore one of the most challenging questions Christians face today: the Kingdom of God versus the kingdoms of this world. Scripture teaches that followers of Christ are citizens of another Kingdom—one that often stands in tension with every earthly nation. How should Christians think about nationalism, patriotism, political identity, and loyalty to Jesus? Join us as we wrestle with this timely and thought-provoking conversation. Because the best conversations happen after class.

Continuing last week's conversation, we explore how God's set-apart people are to relate to the nations. Israel was forbidden from making alliances with the nations, and its way of life stood in stark contrast to the surrounding cultures. Kings, prophets, and priests each served a unique role in advancing God's purposes. But that was then. This is now. Did Christ's fulfillment of the prophecies overturn the Old Testament trajectory? Under the lordship of Jesus, what has changed, and what has remained the same, and what does that mean for us today? Did Jesus walk the hard road so we could have an easy one? Or are we called to follow the example of our King? Tune in today to find out. Because the best conversations happen After Class.

Up to this point, we've identified who the powers and principalities are and the role they play. Today, the guys shift the conversation to how God's set-apart people should relate to them. Who are we? What is our role in the world in relation to the nations? How did God begin with His covenant people and shape them for a fundamentally different purpose? And how does that purpose grow into our calling today? Tune in to today's episode to find out. Because the best conversations happen After Class.

If God holds the nations accountable, shouldn't we, in the spirit of the prophets, join Him in calling the nations to account for their actions? But what does God actually hold the nations accountable for? The answer may not be what you think. Join the guys as they explore the prophetic witness of Scripture and examine how God judges nations, rulers, and empires— Is your nation at risk of God's judgement?  Tune in to today's episode to find out. Because the best conversations happen after class.

All things were created through Him and for Him. Above all creation, this includes the powers and principalities of this world. Christians proclaim a God who is above all governors, governments, nations, rulers, and even angelic beings. This is a deeply subversive message—and a dangerous one. Throughout history, earthly powers have demanded ultimate allegiance, loyalty, and recognition. The early Christians refused. Empires attempted to silence this message through force, persecution, and their ultimate threat: death itself. Yet Christ overcame death, exposing the weakness and fraudulent claims of every power that seeks to rival His authority. So how do we balance honoring the authorities Christ has established to govern the world without diminishing our allegiance and obedience to the exalted Christ? What are powers and principalities? Why are they so important to understanding the biblical story? And what does any of this have to do with how Christians relate to governments today? Tune in today to find out, because the best conversations happen after class.

Who really rules the nations? God, governments, or something else entirely? Today, the guys continue their discussion on governing authorities by looking at one of the Bible's most intriguing and often misunderstood themes: powers and principalities. Are earthly governments merely human institutions, or is there something deeper at work behind the scenes? What did Paul mean when he spoke of rulers, authorities, and powers in the heavenly realms? Why was Satan able to offer Jesus the kingdoms of the world? And what do these passages have to do with how Christians understand governing authorities today? Join Sam, John, and Ron as they trace this theme through Scripture and explore how the biblical worldview challenges many of our modern assumptions about power, authority, and the kingdoms of this world. Tune in today, because the best conversations happen, After Class.

Is God on your political side? Scripture may say otherwise. Sam, John, and Ron continue their series on governing authorities by challenging one of the most common assumptions Christians make: that God automatically supports "our" nation, party, or political tribe. From Isaiah's shocking blessing of Egypt and Assyria, to Nahum's judgment against violent empires, to Daniel's warning that even admired superpowers can become beastly, the guys explore the Bible's deeply unsettling view of political power. Then Revelation raises the stakes. Rome is portrayed as a beast empowered by Satan itself, tempting believers to exchange allegiance to Jesus for security, prosperity, and survival. (Sound familiar?)  Finally, the conversation turns toward the New Testament's provocative language about Satan as the "god" and "ruler" of this world—setting the stage for next week's deep dive into powers and principalities. Are Christians placing too much hope in earthly kingdoms? Tune in to find out.

What if the nation you despise most is actually on God's payroll? In this episode of The After Class Podcast, John, Ron, and Sam trace what the Bible really says about God and governing authorities — from Babylon and Assyria to Cyrus the Great — and why the "lesser of two evils" argument might be more sub-Christian than you think. If politics has been messing with your faith, this one's for you!  Tune in to today's episode of The After Class Podcast. Because the best conversations happen... after class.  

How does the language of the Bible talk about how God's people should relate to governing authorities and the level of our engagement with them? What do we do when differing groups of Christians land on different sides regarding the same administration? Split? μὴ γένοιτο ("May it never be!"). Today the guys begin investigating different approaches Christians take when approaching government and politics.  But to what extent is it okay to participate in the system; endorse certain styles of government, parties, candidates, or policies; or preach and teach on government policies? To what extent should these things occupy our minds, and to what extent should we hold a position? Will you join the conversation, or land on an opposing side? Tune in to find out.  

Today, the guys wrap up the series and share some final observations and takeaways. But first, Paul writes that in the Supper we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes, through the bread and the cup. But how often do we do this? And what does it mean to proclaim His death? Who is guilty of eating in an unworthy manner when they come together for the Lord's Supper? Are we doing the right thing in the wrong way? Tune in today to find out!