Kingdom and Culture

Building a Business in Negative World with Camden Spiller

In this episode of Kingdom and Culture, we are joined by Camden Spiller, co-founder of Maddox Industrial Transformer. Camden introduces himself and shares about his life as an elder, husband, father, and entrepreneur. Together, we discuss the origins and growth of his business, Maddox Industrial Transformer, which he founded with his brother a decade ago. Camden explains how his company has managed to capture a significant portion of the US market while expanding its operations across various states. Throughout the conversation, Camden emphasizes the importance of integrating faith and values into business practices, building productive households, and creating lasting institutions. He also touches on the challenges and opportunities of operating a business in the Pacific Northwest and reflects on the cultural shifts from a neutral to a negative world. Lastly, the episode highlights the value of investing in communities, working together, and the impact businesses can have as cultural forces.
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Navigating Negative World with Toby Sumpter

In this episode, we talk with Toby Sumpter, pastor at King's Cross Church in Moscow, Idaho, and co-host of the CrossPolitic show and podcast. Toby discusses his background, including his roles in ministry, education, and family, and then delves into Aaron Renn's concept of the 'negative world.' He shares his agreement with the assessment but adds complexities in the current cultural landscape, highlighting the shifting Overton window and influence of figures like Trump and Elon Musk. Toby then discusses how Christians arrived in the negative world, attributing it to divine providence and cultural disobedience. He proposes strategies for Christians to build resilient, anti-fragile communities by focusing on holiness, obedience, and courage. The conversation also touches on the importance of confronting sin within oneself and the church, aiming to glorify God above all. Toby emphasizes the need for truthful, courageous living and community building to prepare for future cultural challenges.Find Toby online:https://tobyjsumpter.com/https://substack.com/@tobyjsumpterCheck out our Patreon for exclusive interviews with our guests: https://www.patreon.com/kingdomandcultureMerch: https://www.kingdomandculture.org/store
 

Negative World With Aaron Renn

In this opening episode of season two, the podcast welcomes Aaron Wren, writer and consultant, to discuss his book 'Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture,' and his framework of the 'negative world.' Aaron explains the concept which categorizes the decline of Christianity in America since 1964 into three eras: the positive world, the neutral world, and the negative world, detailing how each era has impacted Christian cultural engagement strategies. The discussion touches on the historical context of the shifting relationship between Christianity and American culture, the impact of demographic changes, and the role of secularization. Aaron shares his observations on successful cultural engagements and the importance of new strategies suited to the current 'negative world.' The episode concludes with reflections on practical applications and examples of thriving Christian initiatives in adverse cultural conditions as well as the significance of understanding cultural shifts for the modern church.
Buy Aaron's Book: Life in the Negative World
Follow Aaron on Substack:https://substack.com/@aaronrenn
Other resources:A Secular Age by Charles Taylor The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher
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BONUS: Called to Freedom with Brad Littlejohn

In this bonus episode, we interview Brad Littlejohn about his new book, 'Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License.' Littlejohn, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, elaborates on the concept of freedom from a Christian perspective, distinguishing it from secular interpretations. He discusses the importance of constraints for achieving true freedom, three dimensions of freedom — negative/positive, individual/corporate, and inward/outward — and how these apply to spiritual, moral, and political liberties. The conversation also touches upon modern issues like technology, the free market, religious liberty, and practical community concerns in schools and churches. Littlejohn's ultimate goal is to inspire readers to rethink freedom within the context of Christian community and individual discipline.
Go purchase Brad's new book: Called to Freedom

Season 1 Finale with Craig and David

We recap our first season of the podcast and take a deeper dive on the several of the major themes of season 1. 
 
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The Bugenhagen Option with Dr. Gregory Soderberg

Dr. Gregory Soderbergh explores effective Christian engagement in modern society by delving into the 'Bugenhagen Option,' inspired by Reformation leader Johannes Bugenhagen. He highlights four pillars—worship, education, government involvement, and social action—as vital for cultivating culture. Dr. Soderbergh contrasts this with the Benedict and Boniface options, stressing the need for a historically informed and proactive faith.
Dr. Soderberg's new book: John Brown of Haddington on Frequent Communion
Find Dr. Soderberg on the web:The SoderBlurb - Substack"The Bugenhagen Option" - American ReformerDr. Soderberg on Twitter: @GregorySoderbDr. Soderberg's classes at Kepler EducationCheck out our Patreon for exclusive interviews with our guests: https://www.patreon.com/kingdomandcultureMerch: https://www.kingdomandculture.org/store

C. R. Wiley

We interview C. R. Wiley on Christianity, the kingdom of God and culture.
Hear more from C. R. Wiley on his podcast https://crwiley.com/the-theology-pugcast/C. R. Wiley's recommended reads:Thomas J. Stanley's The Millionaire Next DoorRobert T. Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad
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Eli From Tbilisi

We interview Eli from Tbilisi on Christianity, the kingdom of God and culture.
Find more about Eli's ethnoarts discipleship course at https://www.unsungarts.org/Eli's recommended reads:Makoto Fujimura's Culture CarePhilip Graham Ryken's Art for God's Sake
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Nate Shannon

We interview Nate Shannon on Christianity, the kingdom of God and culture.
 
Nate's recommended reads:
William Edgar's A Supreme Love: The Music of Jazz and the Hope of the Gospel
Check out our Patreon for exclusive interviews with our guests: https://www.patreon.com/kingdomandculture
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Dustin Messer

We interview Dustin Messer on Christianity, the kingdom of God and culture.
 
Check out Dustin Messer on https://x.com/dustinwmesserDustin Messer's recommended reads:Henry Van Til's The Calvinistic Concept of CulturePeter Leithart's Against ChristianityAndy Crouch's Culture MakingChristopher Watkin's Biblical Critical Theory
Check out our Patreon for exclusive interviews with our guests: https://www.patreon.com/kingdomandculture
Merch: https://www.kingdomandculture.org/store