Jesus is Lord. This has been the fundamental confession of the church for nearly 2000 years. It has always been and will always be a scandalous claim. It is scandalous precisely because culture, society, and this world are constantly kicking out counterfeit lords, christs, and gods. Lower case saviors that are incapable of delivering on the promises they make. In Rome it was Caesar. In the late nineteenth century through today it has been Marxism of some stripe (Fascism, National Socialism, Communism, Socialism, et al.) Today’s verion of Marxism comes in the form of Cultural Marxism that advocates for state enforced tolerance (diversity, equity, and inclusion). They have all asked to be put in the place of lord promising a better standard of living, but ultimately, as is always the case with false gods only deliver enslavement and death (Romans 6:16 and 1 Corinthians 10:20).

I acknowledge God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit when the opportunity arises in the course of a podcast episode for four basic reasons.

1. Reason #1 – Jesus is Lord. I have already detailed this in a surface way above, but how is this motivating me to acknowledge Jesus as Lord when the opportunity presents itself in the course of a podcast episode? Jesus ALONE is worthy to receive the glory due his name (Revelation 4:11, 5:8-14). Jesus is the Eternally Self-Existent Second Person of the Trinity. He has created all things, and by His will they continue to exist (Hebrews 1:2-3). So, the first basic reason I acknowledge Him is because He ALONE is worthy. Now, I don’t do this perfectly for two reasons. First, I am a coward, and I don’t take every opportunity I notice. Second, because I am incapable of declaring just how worthy He is. Even if I could speak as eloquently and clearly as possible my words would still fail to capture His worth (1 Corinthians 2:9, John 20:30, 31)
2. Reason #2 – Jesus is the Answer. As I mentioned above just because we are technologically advanced does not mean that we are not still prey to the same demonic attacks that have enslaved mankind throughout the ages. Satan has always sought to stir up envy and strife between brothers (Genesis 4:4-5). Our current flavor of class warfare is just Satan’s newest attempt to mar the image of God (mankind). Satan is well practiced at this. He has perfected his strategy over many millennia. In our day we encourage self-determination up to and including taking inconvenient lives whether they are our pre-born neighbors* or those who have become a “drain on society.” Self-determination has even invaded the issue of gender. God’s creation thrives in diversity, but we are seeing people today believe lies that are leading them to erase the beauty of diversity and embrace homogeneity. It has occurred to me that the feminist movement that got it’s start in the early 20th century has been so successful that now the self-determination for which they fought has led to many successful “women” being biologically male. To all of this Jesus is the answer. He dispels darkness (Matthew 4:16, John 1:9, John 8:12). He sets prisoners free (Luke 4:18-21). These promises are holistic in nature. Not just physical darkness and captivity are in view here, but also spiritual, mental, and emotional captivity. We need to be set free by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We need to be converted or born again (John 3:7). We need to have our old rocky and worldly heart removed and have it replaced with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:36, Matthew 5:17). This means that we will have a new worldview, new priorities, and new desires. All of this only comes as we bow the knee to the Lordship of Jesus and believe that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Why bring up issues of gender and child sacrifice*? It is not to shame anyone. My self-righteousness and laziness are also repugnant to God, but if all I do is throw rocks at the idols of the past people may not recognize that we have idols in our day as well. It is a difficult subject to broach because we are dealing the very issues of identity and what makes people who they are, but as a Christian, I believe it is the result of believing lies Satan has told our culture (John 8:44). Lies he has been telling from the beginning of time (Genesis 3:4-5) and lies that continue to have a damaging effect on those who believe them (John 10:10). Being compelled by love means that I have to be willing to say things that are uncomfortable to say and uncomfortable to hear. I believe there are lives and souls at stake in saying them. Jesus has conquered death (Colossians 2:14-15) and the lies of Satan (John 10:10).  People can be set free from the bondage of sin, but not until they realize they are in bondage and repent of their sin. *If you or someone you know sees abortion as the only way to solve their pregnancy my wife and I would love to adopt your baby. We will take care of all of the financial cost. We only ask that you not harm your baby.
3. Reason #3 – Jesus said “Go.” In the Great Commandment Jesus said to Love God and Love Neighbor. In the Great Commission Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19).” The “therefore” in this verse is referring us to the verse before where Jesus said “All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me (Matthew 28:20),” but covering that here would just be a rehashing of the previous discussion about the Lordship of Jesus. We are to make “learners” in the way of Jesus. We are to make learners in the way of Jesus everywhere we go. This brings me to the final reason why I make connections to Jesus when I see them even on a podcast that isn’t in the religious category on Apple Podcasts.
4. Reason #4 – The Gospel Belongs in the Marketplace. Throughout Christian History the Gospel has always been preached in the Marketplace (Acts 3:11-16, Acts 17:16-34). It wasn’t cloistered away and hidden from view. It was (and still is) preached openly in the public square. The problem is that as Christians in recent times we have bought into the lie that politics and religion don’t belong in the public square we have allowed the gospel to be chained to the pulpit in the church. We have capitulated to a culture that prefers not to be confronted with uncomfortable messages unless they choose to seek them out. What is interesting about the verses in Acts 3 above is that it took place in Solomon’s Porch a place just outside the temple where many people would have passed by. Those people wouldn’t have been looking for a religious experience, but the disciples of Jesus weren’t afraid to present the truth of the situation as it related to the power of Jesus to heal. They even went so far as to point out that it was some of the very people hearing and seeing this who had participated in the conspiracy to betray and murder Jesus. There has always been open-air preaching throughout Christian history. Even Christians today have so bought into the lie that preaching doesn’t belong in the public square that we tend to think of the people who do it as the crazy ones. We need to recover this practice. We need to take the gospel to the marketplace. Me mentioning the name of Jesus or the provision of God on an episode is a small way to do just that. It is a good first step, but it is not in and of itself enough. We need more people willing to take the gospel along with them into the marketplace.

I am not perfect. My sin is grievous in the eyes of God. I have sought the forgiveness of God on the basis of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. I have been assured of my salvation based on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead in victory over my sin. If my positions have angered you I would ask you to consider my perspective and seek to understand what it is I said above. I have tried to make judicious use of the scriptures I linked. Is the anger a manifestation of your idol being attacked? If you anger is the manifestation of your desire to make sure that people are protected from having their feelings hurt I would ask that you consider the consequences if I have rightly understood the scriptures?

Does this signify a massive shift in my approach to the podcast? No. The Working Cows Podcast will remain in the business category. So then why post this now? I am feeling provoked by the openness of corporations in sharing their desire to reshape our society into a more “just” society. Just according to what standard? God’s Law has much to say about justice. In His Law justice doesn’t mean tolerance. It means that people are held accountable for their decisions and for their management of the resources entrusted to them. In God’s Law justice looks a lot more like responsibility. I feel it is time for the Church to take it’s place in society and once again herald from the rooftops the original creed of the Church “JESUS IS LORD!”