The Fourth Way

World War 2 is probably the most cited counter example for nonviolence. The Nazi threat was so clear and so powerful, only violence could have prevailed. In this episode we look at the impact nonviolence played in WWII, as well as the destruction left in the wake of those who embraced violence, and the lies and violence we continue to live with today as a result of that.

This episode marks the 76th anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's execution in Nazi Germany. I take a break from looking at how positive non-violent movements work to asking whether or negative actions, like retaliatory violence, might work better at preventing atrocity. Fascism, like nonviolent action, is a populous movement whose force comes in numbers and the strength of the bond. Viral ideologies and movements, whether good or bad, can't be stopped with guns.

Gandhi is perhaps the most famous implementer of nonviolence in history. In this episode we look at his five principles of "soul force" and their importance to nonviolent action.

We take a look at the unexplored/underexplored nonviolent foundation of the American Revolution, and how a violent turn impacted the huge gains made by nonviolent action. We also bring in the pro-violent camp's favorite pastime - hypotheticals - and discuss the hypothetical present we'd have had violence not been used in rebellion against governing authorities.

We continue our series on nonviolence by looking at three examples of nonviolence in history, discussing what they can teach us about nonviolence, as well as how we shape and tell history.

This episode digs into the book, "Why Civil Resistance Works." We discuss research comparing nonviolent action with violent action, and how we should make sense of the counterintuitive conclusion which shouldn't be counterintuitive for Christians.

We begin our season on nonviolent action. This episode starts to lay the groundwork by looking at the four ways of response: fight, flight, freeze, and sacrifice. We explore what it means to sacrifice, and the power behind it, and compare its handling of fear with violence's antithetical response.

Today we are ending our series by discussing John Howard Yoder's sexual assaults. I discuss why I find value in his work despite atrocious actions, and how we can and do distinguish between judging people and judging truth. *This episode has ended up being released at a time when so many Christians are having to deal with the news of Ravi and his sexual exploitation of so many women. The news of Ravi has caused me to reflect back on this episode, as I've seen a number of good arguments come...

We finish up our "Means and Ends" series by looking at government and politics. What might these means tell us about the ends they are able to procure?

In the second episode on spanking I lay out a case against the use of spanking by using the book "Corporal Punishment in the Bible."

I take a look at another specific application of our means and ends discussion by addressing the issue of spanking. This is a two part series. In the first episode I lay out a little of my journey and discuss why I historically thought spanking was a viable tool for parents, and in the second episode I will make a nonviolent case against spanking.

We begin looking at applying the idea of means and ends to real world actions. In this episode we discuss a shooting in a Texas church where an active shooter was killed by church security. We compare an armed Christian response to violence with the martyrdom of Polycarp and ask whether the means of killing enemies creates the types of ends for which we say we're aiming.

"Means are the ends in the process of becoming." We explore in this episode the idea that the ends are concomitant with the means. You can't grow apples on a pear tree. The seeds you plant produce the fruit you will harvest. We look at theologians from three very different places on the spectrum of Christianity to make this case for nonviolence. You can't get the ends of peace through the means of violence. Note: Today is the birth day of Martin Luther King Jr., so this episode which speaks...

This episode builds a bridge from Yoder's "The Politics of Jesus" to an argument for nonviolence related to that foundation. This episode identifies where purpose comes from and sets the stage for next week.

We begin our discussion of means and ends by laying some groundwork using John Howard Yoder's "The Politics of Jesus." It was a revolutionary book for me and one I think is vital for all Christians, not just those espousing nonviolence.

We begin our discussion of means and ends by laying some groundwork using John Howard Yoder's "The Politics of Jesus." It was a revolutionary book for me and one I think is vital for all Christians, not just those espousing nonviolence.

We begin our discussion of means and ends by laying some groundwork using John Howard Yoder's "The Politics of Jesus." It was a revolutionary book for me and one I think is vital for all Christians, not just those espousing nonviolence.

I discuss the meaning behind the name of "Fourth Way," the symbolism in the image, the change of the image, and I announce the new and improved sound.

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount working through Mt. 7:6.